Government Contracting: Best Practices, Growth and Compliance Strategies

Whether you are new to government contracting or an established contractor, in these times of reduced budgets and increased enforcement, it is imperative to know how to expand your company's offering to the government, establish and implement the programs to ensure compliance with DCAA's requirements and the many other rules of the game, and know the latest trends emanating from Congress.

At this informative session, experts from Williams Mullen and Cherry, Bekaert and Holland, L.L.P. will cover the following topics that impact your business:

Dealing with DCAA Auditors
Speaker: John N. Ford, JD | Cherry Bekaert & Holland, L.L.P.

This session will address DCAA’s mission as set forth in its charter.  Flowing from this will be a discussion of the type of audits DCAA conducts and the records to which DCAA is entitled to have access in performing these audits, including DCAA’s ability to enforce its access to records authority.  We will identify the sources of DCAA’s authority to conduct various types of audits.  Finally, based upon lessons learned, we will discuss what you need to do to prepare for and manage a DCAA audit and the best way to respond to DCAA audit findings.

Accounting for Growth (teaming/joint venturing)
Speakers: Bradley H. Smith, CPA | Cherry Bekaert &
Holland, L.L.P.
Christine J. Wade, PMP, CFCM | Cherry Bekaert &
Holland, L.L.P.

When contemplating growth strategies, due attention should also be paid to the impact of growth on the cost accounting, accounting controls and accounting reporting requirements.  This session will discuss vehicles for contractor growth in the Federal marketplace such as diversification of the contract universe, Contractor Teaming Agreements (CTA), Joint Ventures (JV), and subcontracting.  This presentation will also consider the impact achieved strategic growth has on accounting system and accounting compliance requirements by contract type and contract revenue.
   Washington Legislative Update
Speaker: Hon. Charles D. “Chip” Nottingham, JD | Williams Mullen

This session will focus on pending and anticipated federal legislative activity of concern to government contractors.  An overview of the Fiscal Year 2013 Appropriations bills will be provided, along with an update on the budget sequestration process with particular emphasis on the US Department of Defense budget.  This session will also include an assessment of how the elections in November will impact the end of year “lame duck” session of Congress and the outlook for contracting, appropriations, tax reform, and budget legislation in 2013.

Growth – Gov. Con. Legal Perspective
Speaker: Anthony H. “Tony”  Anikeeff, JD | Williams Mullen

Considering the likelihood of declining federal procurement budgets, expanding capabilities and offerings will be increasingly important to maintaining and growing federal marketshare.  We will review a range of options by which a company can expand its resources and capabilities in serving the government’s needs, such as increased staffing, subcontracting, teaming, joint ventures, and mergers.  In doing so, we will also address some of the legal and practical challenges that arise in undertaking these efforts.

Gov. Con. Compliance – Best Practices Panel Discussion**
Moderator: Tad vanDusen | Williams Mullen
Panelists: Bradley H. Smith, CPA | Cherry Bekaert & Holland, L.L.P.
Christine J. Wade, PMP, CFCM | Cherry, Bekaert & Holland, L.L.P.
Anthony H. “Tony”  Anikeeff, JD | Williams Mullen

There has been astounding growth in compliance requirements for government contractors over the past 5-10 years.  This has been coupled with an enforcement environment in which inspectors general and law enforcement organizations are targeting companies ever more aggressively for investigation and emboldened whistleblowers are targeting companies with ever more far reaching claims.  The fact is no company is perfect, mistakes will be made, and there eventually will be a disgruntled employee.  Regardless of one’s size or business sector, the failure to establish, implement, and carry out an appropriate proactive compliance and training program is potentially disastrous.

Drawing on their considerable and diverse experience in the legal and accounting fields, our panel will discuss and highlight some of the compliance practices that are being followed today as a means to insulate companies from these investigatory and litigious onslaughts.