DCAA Compliance Blog

The Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA(ALT)) is announcing the Army Expeditionary Technology Search – xTechSearch – to be featured at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., on October 8 - 10, 2018.

xTechSearch will highlight opportunities for small businesses and nontraditional defense partners to collaborate with the Army to tackle the most poignant Army modernization challenges. This opportunity is open to all Small Businesses based in the US, and focuses on key technology areas like long range precision weapons and firing capabilities, next gen. combat vehicles, and even areas like network and software engineering.

To learn more about this opportunity and/or submit proposals to the ARMY, download your copy of the xTechSearch RFI here, and complete the xTechSearch Registration Form.   

We encourage all small businesses working in engineering and scientific fields to review the RFI, and participate in the program if your technology is applicable.  This is a valuable opportunity for Government Contractors, and even those small businesses that have never contracted with the Federal Government previously.

Good luck!

In case you hadn't heard, we wanted to notify all of our clients of news and a new requirement coming out of the GSA for all Federal Contractors and Grantees:

The GSA's System for Award Management (SAM) is supporting an investigation by the GSA Office of the Inspector General (OIG) into alleged, third-party fraudulent activity in SAM. At this time, only a limited number of entities registered in SAM are suspected of being impacted by this alleged fraudulent activity.  If you were affected the GSA has already notified you of the activity.  All other entities will need to take measures to comply with the GSA’s corrective action for prevention of future breaches.

What does this mean for you:

• If you were affected by the fraudulent activity, GSA has already notified you, and you are required to submit an original, signed notarized letter identifying the authorized Entity Administrator for the entity associated with the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number before the registration will be activated. GSA posted instructions for domestic entities and instructions for international entities for easy reference.
• All new entities going forward that are registering in SAM for the first time are required to perform this step.
• All existing SAM registrants are also required to perform this step when renewing or updating their registration.

While you are not required to perform this step until you perform your annual renewal, ReliAscent recommends all contractors and grantees take proactive measures and update this as soon as possible, as GSA anticipates (some) potential problems with payments in Q3 and Q4 as a result of this situation.  For more information on this please see the GSA website.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time. We greatly appreciate your business, and are always happy to help.

When you decide that you need expert help in Government Contracting, what do you look for in a partner?  Do you want someone with experience running a small business like yours?  Does the depth and breadth of experience really matter?  Are there other factors besides just having your accounting system comply with the Federal Acquisition Regulations?

Most Federal Government Contractors have likely come across—or even worked with—companies that advertise FAR and DCAA compliant accounting services or systems.  While these companies may offer bookkeeping or accounting (or a software solution to initially bring your system into compliance), each lack critical skill sets and services that a small business needs to not only maintain their accounting system, but ensure contract compliance and profitability as well. This leaves small business contractors open to risks many aren’t even aware of until it’s too late.

When you put your business in the hands of companies that are not skilled in important areas like: strategic financial planning, budget & profit planning, indirect cost rate management, contract negotiations, closeouts, & modifications, and other critical contract and business management services, you open yourself up to reduced profits and increased risk of failed audits.

At ReliAscent, what makes us unique is that we are built on a solid triad of skills for a profit driving foundation.  We are not simply a bookkeeping or accounting firm, nor do we exclusively sell software or training services to contractors and grantees.  We are your modern day outsourced partner; providing you with the DCAA Compliant Accounting, Contract Management, and Business & Strategic Financial Consulting services you need to succeed in this highly competitive industry.

To learn more about how ReliAscent can position your company for success, contact us today, and don’t forget to subscribe to our Blog. 

At ReliAscent, the success of our clients and all government contractors and grantees is our top priority!

Have Contracts But Still Losing Money? It May Be Time to Review Your Indirect Rates

Managing your Indirect Rates effectively is critical for managing your costs and maintaining profits. Unfortunately, most contractors face the same problem: they don't know HOW to properly manage their indirect rates, and they're not making strategic modifications to their rates at the right times...and the consequences could be killing your bottom line.

To help small businesses struggling with their rates and maintaining profitability, ReliAscent offers the industry’s only, Free Indirect Rates Review.  This review provides contractors and grantees with sound, valuable advice about their indirect rate system & structure, can help them to understand and maintain DCAA compliance, and can help a them use their indirect rates as a tool to grow the business.

TO GET YOUR FREE INDIRECT RATES REVIEW, CLICK HERE NOW!

With just a little information about your company, our experts can complete your review and schedule a call to discuss the path forward, should you need help fixing any errors detected.

We encourage small business federal contractors to take advantage of this helpful service, and as always, if you ever have any questions about FAR and DCAA compliance, or our accounting and contract management services for Federal Contractors & Grantees, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time.

ReliAscent would like to remind all Colorado-based Federal Government Contractors and Grantees that our latest contracting compliance seminar is this Thursday:

Topic: FAR 101 - Quick Tour and Key Clauses

Date: March 22, 2018 (1:30  - 4:00 PM)
Cost: FREE
Location: 14305 E Alameda Suite #300, Aurora, CO

TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT, CLICK HERE NOW!

ReliAscent AE, Dave Donley, and the CEO of Palmetier Law, Karri Palmetier, are presenting the session, and will be taking questions (and available to speak with attendees after the seminar).  We encourage all Colorado-based government contractors and grantees to attend (but hurry; space is limited). 

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about the event, or contracting and compliance in general.

ReliAscent AE, Dave Donley, and the CEO of Palmetier Law, Karri Palmetier, will be presenting a seminar at the Aurora Office of the Colorado Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), on March 22nd, as part of their Expert Training seminar series. This training session is a valuable opportunity for all federal contractors, and small businesses looking to sell to the "World's Biggest Customer."

Topic: FAR 101 - Quick Tour and Key Clauses

Summary: Dave will cover a number of important issues for government contractors, including: 

• FAR Organization
• Contract Types
• SAM.GOV Reps/Certs
• Flowdown Clauses
• Commercial Items
• Cost-Pricing
• Contract Financing
• Contract Performance

This will be followed by a panel discussion on best practices, tips, and Q&A.

This class is essential especially for Federal contractors whether prime or sub!

Date: March 22, 2018 (1:30  - 4:00 PM)
Cost: FREE
Location: 14305 E Alameda Suite #300, Aurora, CO

TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT, CLICK HERE NOW!

We look forward to seeing you there, and as always; if you have any questions about DCAA compliance, government contract accounting, or contract management, please do not hesitate to contact ReliAscent.

Are your Indirect Billing Rates Causing you to Lose Money?

Indirect Rates are absolutely critical for managing costs effectively, and ensuring your small business stays profitable.  However, if a government contractor doesn't know HOW to properly manage their indirect rates—or, if they're not making strategic modifications to their rates at the right times—they could be losing a lot of money. 

To help small business government contractors make the most of their indirect billing rates, ReliAscent is excited to announce the industry’s first, Free Indirect Rates Review.  This review provides contractors and grantees with sound, valuable advice about their indirect rate system & structure, can help them to understand and maintain DCAA compliance, and can help a small business use their rates as a financial engine to grow their company.

TO GET YOUR FREE INDIRECT RATES REVIEW, CLICK HERE NOW!

With just a little information about your company, our experts can complete your indirect rates review and schedule a call to discuss the path forward, should you need help fixing any errors detected.

We encourage small business federal contractors to take advantage of this helpful service, and as always, if you ever have any questions about FAR and DCAA compliance, or our accounting and contract management services for Federal Contractors & Grantees, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time.