Helpful Links
www.charlestondca.org
SCS Upcoming Events
Lunch and Learn Series
"Decoding FAR part 31... What Are 'Unallowable' Costs?"
- August 28, 2012 in Wilmington, NC
For more information and to register for the event, click here!
"Decoding FAR part 31... What Are 'Unallowable' Costs?"
September 18, 2012 in Charleston, SC
For more information and to register for the event, click here!
*Save the Date*
SCS will be hosting TWO educational GovCon Seminars this Fall
- Oak Ridge, TN October 10th at the DoubleTree Hotel
- Fayetteville, NC October 25th (in partnership with NCMBC) at Wake Tech
More details on event speakers and agendas to follow in the coming months, so stay tuned!
Visit our website often for updates on these and other events. www.scsconsults.com
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Greetings!
When I first started running a few years ago, someone gave me a book comparing a marathon to the various stages in our lives. At that time, I saw the similarities, but I didn't really 'feel' it. But earlier this year, I was running a half-marathon in Indianapolis (we actually ran a lap on the Indy 500 Track) and I started seeing a lot of analogies to running and various aspects of life, including my career, personal, and spiritual life.
The easiest comparison to make is the uphill climb. We all have times in all aspects of our lives when we feel that we're in that uphill battle. We just keep our head down and push through it. Then we hope for a stretch of downhill after that to catch your breath. You may be worn out after you top the hill, but you feel good.
But I've also been running along and think that everything is pretty flat when suddenly I realize that I'm in the middle of a small incline. While it's not a steep hill, it catches me off-guard. I didn't see it coming and suddenly, I'm there. Sometimes those challenges seem to last longer than the big hills that we have to climb. Those small inclines can also cause you to struggle more than the big hills, too.
Then I find that I'm running on pretty level ground for a while and I just get tired, or even sometimes bored. Nothing is changing so things get a little monotonous and you don't give it the same level of energy that you give the big hills or the really scenic areas. But that's the point...you can really make up some time and advance if you keep your focus.
Now I'm the kind of runner looking for the next water station. That's the time to refuel and get the boost to keep you going. The volunteers at the water stations and also the people just cheering on total strangers are more helpful than they'll ever know. I love to see the people hold a sign saying 'Great Job Total Stranger'. They just want to see other people succeed.
One thing I always need to keep in mind is that it's not always about looking for the finish line, sometimes you really need to look around. You may miss some wonderful things along the way if you're too focused on finishing.
I will never be a great runner, but it's for my enjoyment and I always want to improve. I look back after every race and point to a time that I could have put more into it and done a better job. But the goal is to learn from that so I do better in the next race. This is true in every aspect of my life.
Regards,
Laura Davis
President
Strategic Consulting Solutions
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* Sequestration Update *
The Economic Impact of the Budget Control Act of 2011 on DoD & non-DoD Agencies
Stephen S. Fuller, Ph.D.
George Mason University
You may recall that our July newsletter included an article concerning sequestration. Though this may not be a new term for many of you, some may be wondering how their business will be impacted if the Budget Control Act is actually implemented in 2013. In an effort to keep our customers up to date on vital issues facing our industry, SCS is pleased to provide you with this update on the subject. Dr. Stephen S. Fuller of George Mason University has researched the issue and has some very interesting conclusions on the matter. (Read the article)
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How Will Health Care Reform Affect Your Business?
Highlights of W-2 Reporting Requirements
As you are aware, the Healthcare Reform Act was recently upheld in the U.S. Supreme Court. Businesses should be in the process of planning for the future in respect to their obligations under the new law. One such obligation regards the reporting of W-2 forms and the requirements involved. United Benefit Advisors has compiled the following summary of requirements as a planning guidline. (Read More)
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Seminar Keynotes Announced
Graciously accepting SCS's invitation for Keynote at the October 10th Oak Ridge event is Tre Hargett, Secretary of State for the state of Tennessee. Mr. Hargett was elected by the Tennessee General Assembly to serve as Tennessee's 37th Secretary of State in 2009. He is the chief executive officer of the Department of State with oversight of nearly 400 employees. He also serves on 15 boards and commissions. Secretary Hargett holds a B.B.A. degree in Accounting from Memphis State University and an MBA from the University of Memphis.
The next event to be held in Raleigh, NC on October 25th features Addison (Tad) Davis, IV who serves as Command Executive Officer for the US Army Reserve Command. Mr. Davis has worked with key personnel in the Army, the Department of Defense, and other Federal and state agencies in developing and advocating Army policies for sustainability, environment, natural resources, safety, and occupational health programs in accordance with directives and governmental standards. Additionally, Mr. Davis was the Army's Federal Preservation Officer and the Functionality Representative for Career Program 12 (CP-12), Safety.
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How to Use Social Networking Sites to Drive Business
by J.J. McCorvey
Consider this: It wasn't until 1997 that the Internet reached 50 million users in the United States. Facebook gained over 100 million users in the U.S. from January 2009 to January 2010, marking a 145 percent growth rate within one year, according to research by digital marketing agency iStrategy Labs. If you're a business owner that hasn't embraced social media networking as a major component of your success strategy, it's due time to hop onboard. (Read More)
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Congress Goes on Break with Several Small Business Matters Unsettled
By J.D. Harrison
On August 3rd, Congress ended its summer session. When they return in September they will be faced with many unsolved issues left from the previous session that involve small business. (Read More) to see how your business could be affected by the outcome.
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Additional Reading on Government Spending Trends
Budgets and spending are HOT topics here in the 4th quarter as we approach the government fiscal year end. Follow the links below to read more on the topic and find out how it may impact your business.
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Free Publications
Share a government contracting question, challenge, or experience and we will send you a copy of one of the following books!
Government Contracting for Dummies, Deltek Special Edition
Government Contracting for Dummies provides best practices that all Government Contractors should implement to successfully win, manage and optimize government business. Written for govcon beginners and experts alike, this book offers winning tips, strategies and resources that you can use to get an edge over the competition and increase your ability to win more government business and be successful in your approach.
Earned Value Management for Dummies, Deltek Special Edition
Learn to:
- Manage projects with EVM
- Understand the project lifecycle
- Adapt to early warnings and keep your project on-track
Integrated Program Management for Dummies, Deltek Special Edition
IPM for Dummies spells out concepts in a way we hope is accessible and easy to understand. Whatever your background in program management - seasoned program manager, program controls professional, even an executive - this book provides you a basic but thorough grounding in the principles of IPM.
Please email your responses to and let us know which book you would prefer.
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About Strategic Consulting Solutions
Strategic Consulting Solutions is the leading provider of compliant solutions to government contractors. SCS specializes in Deltek software sales and implementation, complete accounting outsourcing, contract compliance support, contract administration and general accounting support. Whether you are new to contracting, or a seasoned contractor managing multiple, complex projects, we can help you to understand government cost accounting requirements, implement systems and processes to achieve compliance, assist you through DCAA audits, and help you accurately manage and streamline your business processes. Our team consists of professionals with extensive finance and government contracting experience. We understand the complexities of government contracting and strive to help our clients find the appropriate solutions to all of their contracting issues. |
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We focus on compliance
so you can focus on your business |
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