DCAA Compliance Blog

The DOE has just released its next round of topics for the FY2019 SBIR Phase I solicitation. Grant limits are a bit higher at $200,000 along with an increase of Commercial Assistance allowance to $6,500. See https://science.energy.gov/sbir/funding-opportunities/

The bulk of what the DoD buys in the research and development (R&D) realm complies with customary processes surrounding competition, cost and pricing, and reams of regulations covering everything from labor rights to intellectual property. The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) is the prominent avenue for small businesses to tap into DoD R&D funding.

Since 1990, the NIH, through annual funding from Congress, and more recently continuing resolutions, sets salary limitations for individuals having NIH grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts. This annual salary limitation is benchmarked at the Executive Level II of the Federal Executive pay scale. The NIH Notice Number NOT-OD-18-137 released March 7, 2018, increases this limit to $189,600, or $91.15/hour.

As of this writing, the U.S. is scheduled to shutdown at midnight, tonight. One of the first things you learn in government contracting is something called the Anti-Deficiency Act, first enacted in 1870, which says the government can’t obligate expenses unless funding has been appropriated through Congressional action. The Act also prohibits the government from accepting voluntary services not already authorized by law.