So, why is it that the Federal Government has a list of cost it will not pay for on Government contracts? These rules related to what costs the Government will pay for and what costs it will not pay for (i.e., unallowable costs) were developed around the Government’s belief that most companies doing business with the Government are not operating in a competitive market. As a result of the Government developing these unallowable costs, companies doing business with the Government have to take the unallowable cost they do incur out of the fixed amount of profit or fee the Government has agreed to pay these companies.
For example, the Government understands that most companies incur employee morale and entertainment expenses as a necessary part of doing business. However, to incentivize the company to – let’s say – be more frugal in the amount the company invests in these expenses, the company has to take these expenses out of its bottom-line net income.
It is important for any company doing business with the Government or thinking about doing business with the Government to have a good understanding of the unallowable costs they are likely to face.
Redstone GCI assists contractors throughout the U.S. and internationally with understanding unallowable costs and supporting companies with training and audit finding resolution. We would be happy to be part of your team.