Government Contracting News Flash
Insider Tips and Solutions
Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. We wish you a wonderful holiday season!

Your Government Contracting Advisory Team (GCAT)

Selling to Government Made Easy
Selling to the Government Made Easy
If you are an established business located in Central Florida and are interested in selling your product or service to the government, take advantage of the FREE counseling available through the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) at the Small Business Development Center at UCF. Start your journey into the world of government contracting with the right tools and proven strategies.
 
Email Tony Espinosa, Procurement Specialist

What's on Your Mind?

If you are interested in any specific topics, please let us know so we can cover them in the upcoming issues. Thank you.

Email us with topics you would like us to cover

Ask the DCAA Experts 
 
Email your questions to our former DCAA auditors ready to help
 

Government Cost Accounting

Have questions regarding government cost accounting, such as fringe, overhead and G&A costs, ICE Models, Rate calculations & audits, FAR & DCAA regulations?
 
Insurance
As a Government contractor, how can you make sure your insurance coverage fully meets your needs and the industry requirements?  With questions on  Workers' Comp, General Liability, Auto Liability, Professional Liab, Employee Benefits
 
Intellectual Property
Protect your brand and your product through timely and proper trademark and patent registration. Where do you get started?
 
GSA Schedules
Let Gary help you win and administer GSA contracts, market, set pricing and manage your  GSAAdvantage! catalog!
 
Legal Solutions
Ed can help with representing Government Contractors in bid preparation, bid protests, performance issues, claims, and disputes 

 
Bid Proposals
For program management, proposal planning and development as well as system engineering, contact
 
 
I.T. Services
DelTek hosting, design, build, maintain voice and data network infrastructure services are provided by
 
Trade
For International trade strategies & trade compliance solutions, including Government Regulatory Compliance & ITAR Agreements,  contact
 

Please note:

The individual companies participating in GCAT are not affiliated with each other for any purpose other than providing educational programs for issues related to government contracting.  Participating companies do not share fees and, have no obligation to refer client's to companies participating in GCAT and do not assume any responsibility or liability for information provided by any member of GCAT.

                                    November 2009
Greetings!

Mark your calendars: The Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) will take place from November 30 through December 3, 2009 at the Orange County Convention Center, West Concourse in Orlando, FL.

We are happy to provide you with a free pass to the I/ITSEC Exhibit area.  Just complete the section on the invitation and bring it with you to the event. With this invitation, you will be able to receive your exhibit floor badge at the self registration kiosks or any registration desk.
 
And while you are at the I/ITSEC, make sure to stop by the Government Contracting Advisory Team (GCAT) booth #1674.
We are looking forward to seeing you there!   
New updates on SBA's Set Aside Programs 
Major revisions in the Works for the SBA Small Business Set Aside Program  
By Ed Kinberg,
Fellow, National Contract Management Association
Board Certified Construction Law Attorney
Do you have questions for Ed? Send Ed an email 
 
Major Changes Coming to 8(a) Program
On October 28, 2009, The Small Business Administration (SBA) released a proposed rule that will significantly change the small business set-a-side program  if it goes into effect.  The release of a proposed regulation is the first step in revising a federal regulation. 
 
Once a proposed rule is released the public typically has 30 days to comment.  Given the significance of these changes, the SBA has expanded the comment period to 60 days.  The last day for submitting comments on this proposal is December 28, 2009.  All comments submitted to the SBA will be published on the internet at www.regulations.gov.

Read the rest of the article
Key People in Government Contracting
Government Contracting: Who You Need to Know
By Gary Beckert, U.S.M. C. (Ret)
Do you have questions for Gary? Send Gary an email
 
Whether it's GSA or traditional government contracting, most organizations (government agencies and prime contractors) have personnel with defined roles. To save time and marketing expenses, you need to understand who these people are, and how they relate to your business goals.

Small Business Liaison Officer (SBLO)
Talk to me first. I can let you know if my organization buys what you sell. If we buy your stuff, then I can get you registered and tell you who the buyers are. Look for me at trade shows and other events. Every military base, government agency, and prime contractor has a Small Business Office. 

Read the rest of the article
You Asked -- We Answer
Question:  My Contracting Officer says I need a material handling pool. What does this mean?
 
Answer: The two most commonly accepted bases for allocation of G&A are total cost input (total cost less G&A expense) and value-added. Value-added usually results in the formation of a material handling pool.  In this situation direct material and subcontract cost is removed from the G&A base, and these costs (direct material and subcontract) become the base for your material handling pool. A material handling pool would be appropriate when it would not be equitable to apply a full G&A to direct material and subcontract cost. A typical situation illustrating this would occur when most of your contracts were labor intense and you receive a large contract that is primarily material and subcontract costs. Caution, you must be aware that any time you change your G&A base from total Cost to value-added, your G&A rate will always increase!
 

Answer provided to you by Betty J. King, CPA, Executive Consultant, former DCAA Auditor.

Meet the GCAT

The Government Contracting Advisory Team

This newsletter is published by Hoyman Dobson, CPA's with contributions from the Government Contracting Advisory Team (GCAT).
 
Through the independent services of the Government Contracting Advisory Team (GCAT) businesses can quickly find professional resources to help them succeed in all areas of government contracting.  
 
GCAT can help you with:
  • Marketing & GSA Schedules (including GSA Contract Administration)
  • Accounting services (including assistance with Government cost accounting systems & DCAA representation) 
  • Insurance needs (including Defense Base Act/Foreign Exposures)
  • Legal services (such as Intellectual Property Strategies & Contract Negotiation)
  • I.T. Services, including DelTek hosting
  • Proposal Planning & Development
  • International trade strategies and trade compliance solutions, including CTPAT & ITAR
  • Quick access to industry veterans and resources
  • And much more!

The GCAT Members include: