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 Contracting with the Federal Government
Should DCAA be the Federal Contract Audit Agency (FCAA)?
by Rich Wilkinson, Contracting with the Federal Government program guest instructor
I read a recent article on the Federal Times
web site about DCAA's (Defense Contract Audit Agency) ongoing problems with audit independence and the
allegations that auditors had been pressured to change results in favor
of contractors. Allegations with respect to the quality of DCAA's
audits are not uncommon. Some allege that DCAA is too soft on
contractors and others that DCAA "has it in for them." This situation
is a little different.
What
makes this one different is that GAO investigated the allegations and
seems to have found considerable fire under all that smoke. This has
led no less than GAO's Managing Director of Forensic Audits and Special
Investigations, Gregory Kutz, and three (count 'em, three) United
States Senators to question whether DCAA should even remain part of the
Department of Defense!
Mr.
Kutz is reported to have said that "there needs to be an assessment of
whether the agency is in the right place organizationally to prevent
[such] challenges to its independence." Senators Joe Lieberman (I-CT),
Susan Collins (R-MA) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) have all questioned
whether DCAA should remain under DOD. Even the DCAA Director, April
Stephenson, said she would support an evaluation of the Agency's place
within the organization.
Many in the acquisition community have
long questioned whether DCAA should, in fact, become the "Federal"
Contract Audit Agency or "FCAA." The majority of civilian agencies
already use DCAA for their contract and proposal audits and timekeeping
system surveillance. Other than the obvious change in bosses, they note, the only
impact associated with disassociating DCAA and DOD would be to require
them to account for and bill DOD for services rendered as they do the
civilian agencies now.
In fact, it would change their status
from a DOD in-house audit agency with a franchise fund service center
to an independent agency that funds ALL its activities from client
fees. Perhaps the time has come to simply recognize that we need an
independent audit arm within the Executive Branch, create it out of
DCAA and then mandate that all Federal Agencies use it.
There
are precedents. The General Services Administration operates on this
model today for commodity acquisition. Even with all its troubles, GSA
seems to have a successful model and the model certainly promotes
independence.
This change would put the head of DCAA on a par
with the Administrators of GSA, NASA, and a host of other independent
establishments of the Executive Branch ranging from the CIA to the
Peace Corp. It would also require that the new "FCAA" account for its
costs in a manner very similar to what it requires of contractors today.
Now there's irony!
So...
Is DCAA ready to be an independent Executive Agency?
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Emergency Preparedness
by Richard Payant, Facility Management program instructor
Katrina, Rita,
Gustav, Hanna, and Ike serve as grim reminders that the power of nature can
neutralize the power of man. Nature is capable of demolishing property,
destroying dreams, and killing people. Preparing for the forces of nature is
the key to limiting and or controlling damage and possibly saving many lives.
An explosion,
power outage, fire, or other unexpected events can likewise create immense
destruction, cause tremendous chaos, or result in loss of life. Again, the key
to limiting the damage and loss of life is advance preparation. Emergencies
both small and large are common in the world of facility management. Since the
two main goals of facility management are life safety and property protection, a
facility manager has the responsibility to ensure his organization is prepared
and can respond to any emergency.
These emergencies range from small daily events, such as
overflowing toilets, inclement weather conditions, or loss of electrical power
to disasters like the Twin
Towers. In fact, one
emergency preparedness consultant from New York
put it this way, "Years after the attacks on the World Trade
Center, facility
executives find themselves increasingly focused on the safety of tenants and
employees when assessing physical risks and vulnerabilities, and other pressing
concerns about emergency preparedness."
It behooves
every organization and specifically the facility management department, to have
response and recovery plans in place in order to react efficiently and
effectively to support the organization's mission. Preparedness is insurance
against chaos and panic. Any facility in any location is subject to the power
of nature's forces, technological failures, or man-made destruction. Murphy's Law states what can go wrong
will go wrong. So, prudent facility managers are prepared!
The George Mason
University Facility Management Certificate program offers FM401, Emergency Preparedness for Facility Managers. This is a dynamic course developed with
facility managers in mind. It provides an opportunity to review your response
plans or develop a new plan, participate in emergency scenarios, and understand
the importance for emergency preparedness.
Contact Carol Stockman at 703-993-8335 or cstockma@gmu.edu for more information or to request a brochure.
Richard Payant, MA, CFM, CPE,
is director of facilities management at Georgetown University with over
20 year of experience in facility management. He teaches FM 100, 115,
215, and 401.
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Project Management
George Mason University's Project Management
Certificate program provides you the opportunity to learn the key
components of successful project management - how to plan, execute,
control and complete projects. Designed for professionals involved directly or indirectly with projects in virtually every industry, this program provides the opportunity to  - Engage in practical course work, case studies, group projects and discussion of real-work situations.
- Benefit
from the experience and insights of course instructors who have years
of teaching experience and extensive expertise in the project
management field.
- Network with other project management professionals.
- Develop skills and knowledge to ensure your passing the PMP® (Project Management
Professional) certification examination.
This program consists of four core courses and
a choice of several electives. Students can enroll in the entire
program or individual courses. Click here to learn more...
Starting soon -
Project Estimating, Measures and Controls
December 9 - 10
Project Management Certification: PMP Exam Preparation
December 16 -19
If you are a professional involved directly or indirectly with projects - this is the program for you.
For more information or to register, visit our web site or call 703-993-4800.
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Facility Management
Do you want to join the elite group of professionals who have successfully passed the CFM (Certified Facility Management) exam?
Are you interested in preparing to earn a professional designation to enhance your facility management career?
Do you want to ensure you are prepared in all nine competency areas covered by the CFM exam?
If so, then please plan on attending:
CFM Exam Review Class
IFMA's Certified Facility Manager Professional
Designation
Saturday, December 6, 2008
George Mason University - Fairfax Campus
9 am - 4 pm
- This
day long session will provide you with an introduction to the CFM exam
process as well as a general overview of all nine competency areas.
- Mason's
Facility Management Certificate Program instructors will cover
highlights of all knowledge areas as well as sample exam questions.
- Recent CFMs will be available and provide advice and coaching.
Cost: $75 Advance Registration (prior to 11/26/08)
$95 (onsite or after 11/27/08)
No charge for those students who have completed Mason's Facility Management Certificate Program!
Contact Lynn Ryan at 703-993-8335 or lynnryan@gmu.edu for details and registration information. |
Timekeeping and Labor Regulations for Federal Contractors
Ideal for CFO's, controllers, accounting managers, staff
accountants, division managers, contract administrators, business
managers and project managers, this 2-day course emphasizes timekeeping
requirements and labor regulations
for federal contractors. The issues associated with total time
accounting, uncompensated overtime, salaried vs. hourly compensation
and electronic timekeeping systems will be covered in depth. In
addition, compliance issues related to labor legislation, the legal
nature of a
timesheet, and the impact of time recording on project costing,
payroll, bids and proposals, and billing will also be discussed. A mock
floor check will be created. Click here for more about this course.
"[This course] was an excellent explanation of the labor laws, and
timekeeping procedures. Made me very aware to review and update company
policies and procedures." -Summer 2008 student
"Brought me up to speed with current regulations as well as opened my
eyes to things that are not happening in my company. Hopefully, I can
change that!" -Summer 2008 student
"I would recommend this course to anybody starting in the field of government contracting." -Spring 2008 student
Upcoming schedule
December 10-11, 2008
February 18-19, 2009
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Mid-Atlantic Innovation Showcase
November 14, 2008 -- The Business Alliance of George Mason University
presents its Mid-Atlantic Innovation Showcase, featuring research, tech
transfer, licensing and industry partnership opportunities from
institutions throughout the Washington region. Click here for more info and registration information.
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Facility Management The George Mason Office of Continuing Professional Education, featuring the Facility Management Certificate program, an "IFMA Recognized Program" for having
met the standards for a quality facility management certificate program, will be an exhibitor at the
2008 Capital Building and Maintenance Show
at the
Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Virginia November 19 and 20, 2008
Please stop by our booth #1006 to pick up our "new" brochure and meet the OCPE staff. Show registration is FREE! Visit for the show web site for show registration information.
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HR Instructors
George Mason
University's Office of Continuing Education
is currently recruiting instructors for our Human Resource Management Certificate program.
The
instructor is one of the most integral elements of any university class. We can
all remember a few instructors who turned a regular course into an
extraordinary one. This is where we are seeking your involvement!
We're looking for instructors who...
- Have earned the SPHR credential
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Have experience teaching, training or
facilitating adult learners
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Are dedicated to the success of the
students - the future of our profession
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Have time to prepare and teach 3 hours
per week for 12 weeks. A syllabus and
instructor materials, including instructor guides and PowerPoint slides, will
be provided.
By becoming an instructor of the SHRM Learning System course,
you'll have a unique opportunity to...
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Advance the human resource profession
in your community by ensuring development of advanced-level professionals
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Earn recertification credits
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Share your knowledge and provide
leadership to future PHR/SPHRs
- Network with professionals who seek
career advancement opportunities
If
you are interested in becoming a SHRM Learning System instructor or have
questions regarding this exciting opportunity, please contact Christine Satorre
by email at csatorre@gmu.edu
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