2017 07-26 Demystify the Government Contracting Challenges and Opportunities for Nonprofit Orgs
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Transcript of 2017 07-26 Demystify the Government Contracting Challenges and Opportunities for Nonprofit Orgs
NON-PROFIT’S GOVERNMENT
CONTRACTING CHALLENGES, AND
HOW TO ADDRESS THEM
Helping Great Organizations Thrivewww.raffa.com P: 202.822.5000 F: 202.822.0669
PRESENTERS:
Jean Gilbert, CPA Raffa
Brett Martin, Raffa
Glenn Anstead, CPA Raffa
Mark Hoffman, CPA CPCM
JULY 26, 2017
Page 1
Introductions and Overview
Who is in the room?• Your name and organization
• Size of organization
• Current accounting system
• What do you hope to take away from
today’s seminar?
Presenters • Jean Gilbert
• Glenn Anstead
• Brett Martin
• Mark Hoffman
Page 2
RAFFA OVERVIEW
LARGE ACCOUNTING, PROFESSIONAL
SERVICES & TECHNOLOGY CONSULTING
FIRM
• Serve hundreds of clients in DC/MD/VA
• 240+ specialists on staff at all levels
• Support over 230 Financial System Clients
• Certified System Consultants, Certified Project
Management Professionals, Business Process
Consultants
32+ YEARS IN BUSINESS
17 PARTNERS, INCLUDING 11 WOMEN PARTNERS
WOMEN-OWNED FIRM
MULTI-CULTURAL WITH DIVERSITY AT ALL LEVELS
PRIMEGLOBAL ALLIANCE MEMBER
Raffa is nationally recognized with access to all the resources of the largest
international firms. We contribute to our clients’ abilities to achieve their
missions and deliver promises to the world.
WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES
• Technology Solutions
• ERP & Accounting Systems
• Software Development
• Managed IT Services
• Audit and Tax
• Managed Accounting
• HR Consulting
• Business Advisory
• Forensics and Litigation Support
• Employee Benefit Plans
• Search and Transition Services
NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED
• Top 100 Largest Accounting Firms
• Top 100 ERP VAR (Bob Scott & Accounting Today)
• Top 100 and Fastest Growing Value Added Reseller
Page 3
NON-PROFIT GOV’T CONTRACTING
Agenda
• Welcome & Introductions
• Managed Accounting Services
• 10 Keys to Ensure a Successful Audit
• JAMIS Prime, the top cloud ERP for Government Contracting
• Overview - Uniform Guidance vs. FAR
• Cost Accounting & Indirect Rates
• Update on 10% de minimis
• Q & A
Page 4
What type of government contracts do you do the
majority of the time?
Fixed Price
Time and Material
Cost Plus
All of the above roughly the same
We haven’t done contracts yet, just exploring
DISCUSSION #1
Page 5
Part 1: Federal Grants
Managed Accounting Services
Page 6
FEDERAL GRANTS ACCOUNTING
OUTSOURCING
UNIFORM GUIDANCE
• Consolidates regulations previously located in disparate places
• Remember A-110, A-120, A-122, A-123, A-133?
• Now, it is 2 CFR 200, with subparts
• Agency specific guidance
• US Department of Health and Human Services (45 CFR 75)
• National Science Foundation (Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide)
• Environmental Protection Agency (2 CFR 1500)
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (2 CFR 1800)
• National Endowment for the Arts (2 CFR 3255.1)
Page 7
FEDERAL GRANTS ACCOUNTING
OUTSOURCING
COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS UNDER UNIFORM GUIDANCE
• Activities allowed or unallowed
• Allowable costs
• Cash management
• Eligibility
• Equipment and real property management
• Matching, level of effort and earmarking
• Period of performance
• Procurement suspension and debarment
• Program income
• Reporting
• Subrecipient monitoring
• Special tests
Page 8
FEDERAL GRANTS ACCOUNTING
OUTSOURCING
WHERE DO I LOOK NOW IF I WANT TO COMPLY?*
*Does not include agency specific guidance
Compliance requirement Compliance source
Activities allowed or unallowed Grant document or contract
Allowable costs 2 CFR 200 Subpart E
Cash management 2 CFR 200 Subpart D
Eligibility 2 CFR Subpart C; Grant document or contract
Equipment and real property management 2 CFR 200 Subpart D
Matching, level of effort and earmarking 2 CFR 200 Subpart D
Period of performance Grant document or contract
Procurement suspension and debarment 2 CFR 200 Subpart D; 2 CFR Subpart C
Program income 2 CFR 200 Subpart D
Reporting 2 CFR 200 Subpart D
Subrecipient monitoring 2 CFR 200 Subpart D
Special tests Grant document or contract
Page 9
FEDERAL GRANTS ACCOUNTING
OUTSOURCING
WHERE ARE THE MOST FINDINGS?
Compliance Requirement
% of Total
Findings
Allowable Costs 22%
Special Tests and Provisions 21%
Reporting 17%
Allowable Activities 13%
Cash Management 6%
Eligibility 5%
Equipment and Real Property Management 5%
Procurement and Suspension and Debarment 5%
Subrecipient Monitoring 4%
Period of Performance 3%
Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking 2%
Program Income 1%
Source: 2015 Data Collection Forms Federal Audit Clearinghouse
Page 10
FEDERAL GRANTS ACCOUNTING
OUTSOURCING
HOW CAN RAFFA HELP ME?
Compliance requirement Raffa services
Activities allowed or unallowed
We evaluate expenses and determine if the activity the
expense is paying for is an activity which is allowed by the
grant. It is extremely important that allowability of costs are
monitored internally.
Allowable costs
We track funds by line item and budget, we review the
invoice documentation to ensure it is an allowable cost.
We also review expenditures to ensure that they are being
captured in the period of performance, i.e. within th approved
award period..
Cash managementWe review your draws against your spend, and advise on
what you should draw
Eligibility
Eligibility requirements are specific to each contract. We
evaluate the eligibility of the recipients and subrecipients for
participation in the program and the amounts for which they
qualify.
Page 11
FEDERAL GRANTS ACCOUNTING
OUTSOURCING
WHAT ELSE CAN RAFFA DO?
Compliance requirement Raffa services
Equipment and real property
management
We set up fixed assets tracking to ensure that depreciation
charges for equipment purchased with grant dollars doesn't
get charged back.
Additionally, we review the agreement to ensure that the
equipment or real property is being properly accounted for
based on who has title to the equipment and that any assets
disposed off are disposed off in accordance with the terms of
the agreement.
Matching, level of effort and
earmarking
We track matching requirements based on the grant by
setting up an appropriate tracking mechanism in your
accounting system
Period of performanceWe track period requirements based on the grant document,
and carefully review cutoff dates for invoices
Procurement suspension and
debarment
We assist you writing policies, setting up a procurement
system, and procedures which will ensure that you are not
using vendors on the excluded parties list
Page 12
FEDERAL GRANTS ACCOUNTING
OUTSOURCING
ANYTHING ELSE?
Compliance requirement Raffa services
Program income
We ask in advance if you will be charging registrations or
subscription fees for anything that is produced by this
program. We carefully track any program income generated
for accurate reporting.
Reporting
We ensure that your monthly close is complete and that all
grant revenue and expenses are accurately reported so you
may report timely. We assist you in identifying reports
expected to be submitted and create a tickler file to ensure
that all reports are accurately and timely submitted.
Subrecipient monitoring
We will assist with ensuring that your policies and procedures
are in accordance with the regulations, in addition to working
with you to establish a risk monitoring plan for each
subrecipient based on the results of the risk assessment.
We help you to set up reports that subrecipients are required
to complete as well as reasonable deadlines; we advise you
if we see an issue with the subrecipient's report
Special tests
We read the grant document the gain an understanding of
what special tests the auditor may have in store for you, so
that you are not hit with a surprise finding
Page 13
Part 2: 10 Keys for a
Successful DCAA Accounting
System Audit
Page 14
10 KEYS FOR A SUCCESSFUL DCAA
ACCOUNTING SYSTEM AUDIT
1. CONDUCT PRELIMINARY MANAGEMENT REVIEWS/INTERNAL AUDITS
• Undertake management reviews or internal audits of the system to ensure compliance with the Contractor’s established policies, procedures, and accounting practices. DFARS 252.242-7006(c)(8)
• Utilize SF Form 1408 and DCAA Pre-award Accounting System Adequacy Checklist as guides
• Management should review company key policies e.g., timekeeping
• Internal audit team review DCAA Contract Audit Manual
2. ENSURE PROPER RECORDS RETENTION
• FAR Subpart 4.7 generally describes records retention requirements. Specific retention periods for the differing types of records are addressed as well as how to calculate the retention periods.
• Requires contractors to make available records, which includes books, documents, accounting procedures and practices, and other data, regardless of type and regardless of whether such items are in written form, in the form of computer data
• Necessary to satisfy contract negotiation, administration, and audit requirements of the contracting agencies and the Comptroller General
Page 15
10 KEYS FOR A SUCCESSFUL DCAA
ACCOUNTING SYSTEM AUDIT
3. ESTABLISH INTERNAL AUDIT TEAM AND APPOINT INTERNAL LIAISON
• Management team to review policies and ensure corporate compliance
• Internal liaison to act as intermediary between DCAA and management team
• Internal audit team should have senior representative from finance/accounting, payroll/human resources, operations, legal and business development departments as well as a senior executive
• Internal liaison should have solid understanding of company operations and products/services, finance background and, ideally, experience with past DCAA audits
• Ensure that internal liaison is present at interviews of personnel
4. REQUIRE AN ENTRANCE CONFERENCE (CAM 4-302.1)
• Clarify the specific scope/parameters of the audit
• Ask auditor to identify approach to the audit
• Ask auditor to identify personnel he/she intends to interview
• Ask auditor to define length of intended field work
Page 16
10 KEYS FOR A SUCCESSFUL DCAA
ACCOUNTING SYSTEM AUDIT
5. IDENTIFY AND COMMUNICATE WITH KEY EMPLOYEES
• Advise key managers and employees how to properly respond to audit requests and remind them to cooperate timely
• To the extent possible, have internal liaison schedule interviews during mutually convenient times with employees to mitigate disruption
• Inform key employees and managers of scope of audit and caution them to keep responses within scope
• Inform key employees and managers of internal liaison and that questions should be directed to internal liaison
6. BE RESPONSIVE
• DCAA Access to Your Employees (MRD PPS 730.4.A.9(July 2013))
• DCAA considers access to contractor employees a routine and established audit procedure that is necessary to satisfy the Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS).
• “If during the course of any audit, the auditor considers access to employee observations or interviews to be essential to completing their audit, and the contractor fails to permit the auditor to interview those employees or observe them during the performance of their current duties, the auditor should follow the guidance in CAM Section 1-504.5, Resolution of Contractor Denials. If those efforts prove unsuccessful, the field audit office should continue to elevate the matter as an access to records issue, in accordance with DCAA Instruction 7640.17.”
Page 17
10 KEYS FOR A SUCCESSFUL DCAA
ACCOUNTING SYSTEM AUDIT
7. MAINTAIN COMMUNICATIONS LOG
• Maintain a log of documents provided to DCAA and date provided
• Never provide originals
• Important for assessing what auditor relied upon to make findings and what auditor may have neglected to consider
8. KEEP AUDIT IN SCOPE
• Prevent audit creep and sure auditor stays within scope of audit agreed upon during preliminary conference
• If auditor refuses to stay in scope, request conference with supervisor
• Do not develop reports or analysis not otherwise maintained by company in ordinary course of business even if auditor demands
Page 18
10 KEYS FOR A SUCCESSFUL DCAA
ACCOUNTING SYSTEM AUDIT
9. REQUEST THAT AUDITOR DISCUSS PRELIMINARY FINDINGS (CAM 4-303.1)
• The auditor should discuss preliminary audit findings (e.g., potential system deficiencies, potential FAR/CAS non-compliances, etc.) with the contractor to ensure conclusions are based on a complete understanding of all pertinent facts. MRDS 10-PAS-024(R) (DCAA “Rules of Engagement”)
• Contractor may make revisions after the auditor has discussed preliminary issues with the contractor.
• In those cases, the audit report MAY reflect the results of the audit of the original submission and include all questioned cost and/or deficiencies identified during the audit. The requestor/contracting officer should be notified that the audit report will reflect the FAO’s audit of the original submission, and the auditor will consider the contractor’s management approved revised submission the contractor’s concurrence with DCAA’s audit position. MRDS 10-PAS-024(R) (DCAA “Rules of Engagement”)
10. REQUIRE AN EXIT AND DRAFT REPORT (CAM 4-303.1)• “Upon completion of the field work, the auditor should hold the exit conference to discuss the audit
results and obtain the contractor’s views concerning the findings and conclusions.” MRDS 10-PAS-024(R) (DCAA “Rules of Engagement”)
• “For other than audits involving forecasted costs subject to negotiations, the auditor should provide the contractor a copy of the draft report, or at a minimum, the results of audit section of the draft report (including the opinion and any exhibits and notes, or statement of conditions and recommendations).” MRDS 10-PAS-024(R) (DCAA “Rules of Engagement”)
Page 19
NON-PROFIT GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING
Let’s take a short 10-minute break…
Page 20
Part 3: JAMIS Prime
Page 21
Page 22
100% dedicated to GovCon for over 28 years
Impressive & loyal client list (all sizes)
Designed for service-based federal contractors,
both NFP & Commercial
San Diego, CA l Denver, CO l Tysons Corner, VA l Fairfax, VA l Mahwah, NJ l
Coral Springs, FL
JAMIS SOFTWARE
Page 23
JAMIS BUSINESS PROCESS WORK FLOWS
FOR GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS
Project Pursuit & Planning
Lead & Opportunity
Mgmt
Customer & Case Mgmt
Proposal Estimating
Project Budgeting & Planning
Resource Management
Contract to Cash
Contract Management
Billing
Revenue Recognition
Accounts Receivable
Cash Receipts
Procure to Payment
Vendor Management
Procurement
Subcontract Management
Employee Expenses
Fixed Assets & Gov’t Property
Accounts Payable
Hire to Retire
Talent Acquisition
Employee Data Management
Time & Leave Management
Payroll
Benefits Management
Talent Management
Record to Report
Financial Architecture
Job Costing
Multi-Currency
Closing Process
Automation
Reporting & Consolidation
OptionalCore
CR
MB
&P
Page 24
SINGLE APPLICATION/DB ARCHITECTURE
• Workflow / Approval Mapping
• Reporting / Dashboards / BI
• Document Management
• Mobile Apps
• System Auditing
• System Security
• System Documentation
• Simple Search Tools
Page 25
CONNECT AND ENGAGE YOUR PEOPLE
Operations &
post sales
support
Sourcing
&
inventory
CR
M
BI and
reporting
Mobile
workforce
Sale
s
Mobile workforce
Instant update across all
systems
Single version of the
truth
Improved productivity of users
Fewer systems to maintain
Benefits
Page 26
SINGLE SOLUTION FOR END TO END
GOVCON ERP
OPP
Contract
Close
Baseline
Budget
Execute
Forecast
BAFO
Page 27
DOWNLOAD IOS AND ANDROID APPS
Page 28
PRIME CLOUD DESIGN – SUPERIOR
INTEGRATION
Page 29
LET’S TAKE A TEST DRIVE…
Page 30
Part 4: Overview
Uniform Guidance vs. FAR
Page 31
UNIFORM GUIDANCE VS. FAR
1.1 Non-profits and FAR contracts
Some traditional “assistance” projects issued as FAR
contracts
Donors not paying full share of indirect costs on grants,
or are requiring cost-share
Non-profits seek to replenish fund balance with contract
profit
NON-PROFITS ARE CHASING AND WINNING CONTRACTS
Page 32
UNIFORM GUIDANCE VS. FAR
1.2 Uniform guidance (2 CFR 200)
Applies to grants & cooperative agreements (COAGS)
Applies to “non-federal entity” (NFE)
Separate subsections for types of NFE:
• Non-profit organization
• Institute of higher education (IHE)
• State & local government
• Hospitals
Page 33
UNIFORM GUIDANCE VS. FAR
1.2.1 Uniform Guidance at Agency Level
Agency implementation of 2 CFR 200 (e.g. USAID 2 CFR 700)
“Provisions” = agency requirements defined
May apply to applications and performance of award
Limited uniformity - each agency issues own provisions
• Standard provisions: special provisions, administrative
provisions, mandatory provisions (M), required as
applicable provisions (RAA), etc.
• “Non-standard” provisions unique to each award
Page 34
UNIFORM GUIDANCE VS. FAR
1.2.2 Uniform Guidance (UG) Cost Accounting
Largely consistent across agencies
• Subpart A - definitions
• Subpart E - cost principles (basic cost accounting, UA
costs)
• Appendices, esp. Indirect cost identification and
assignment
Page 35
UNIFORM GUIDANCE VS. FAR
1.3 Contracts under FAR
FAR applies to:
• Contracts awarded by most agencies
• Federally-funded contracts issued by state & local
governments (usually)
• Subcontracts under federally-funded contracts
Page 36
UNIFORM GUIDANCE VS. FAR
1.3.1 FAR clauses
“Clause” = requirements stated in contract
Clauses apply to proposal and performance
FAR clauses = uniformity across all agencies
FAR supplement clauses = uniform across an agency
“Non-standard” clauses = unique to each contract
Page 37
UNIFORM GUIDANCE VS. FAR
1.3.2 FAR procurement methods
FAR procurement basis:
FAR 12 commercial item acquisition
FAR 13 simplified acquisition
FAR 15 contracting by negotiation
(This session focuses on FAR 15)
Page 38
UNIFORM GUIDANCE VS. FAR
1.3.3 Cost Accounting under FAR
Mostly consistent across agencies
Some changes in agency FAR supplements
• FAR 2 definitions
• FAR 31 cost principles
• Cost accounting standards (CAS) might apply
Page 39
UNIFORM GUIDANCE VS. FAR
1.4 Similarities: Grants and Contracts
Usually Competitive Awards with defined evaluation criteria
Award based on technical and cost
RFA and “application” may look like RFP and “proposal”
Agency officials frequently overlap – Procurement, Audit, PM
Overlap in bidders and sub-awardees / subcontractors
Specialized accounting systems required for cost reimbursement, e.g. JAMIS Prime
Retroactive adjustment invoices may be required
Extensive audit exposure possible
Page 40
UNIFORM GUIDANCE VS. FAR
1.6 COMPARISON OF AWARDS
Attribute Contract Grant/CoAg
Regulations applicable to award
(excluding cost principles)
FAR & Agency supplements
CAS possible
Uniform Guidance,
Agency Implementation
Cost principles applicable
NFE = Uniform Guidance and Agency supplement
Commercial entity = FAR 31.2 and Agency supplements
Contract types allowed Cost Plus,
Fixed Price,
Time & Materials
Cost Reimbursement
Fixed Amount Award (uncommon)
Profit allowed Yes, with limitations. No
Funding in advance? No Generally yes for qualified NFE
Indirect costs paid by Agency Yes Yes with NICRA, or 10% de minimis, or fixed indirect
rate. Possibly as “direct costs”. No for most non-US
NGOs.
Administrative, accounting and other
requirements
“Clauses” from FAR, FAR
supplement, and “non-standard”
clauses.
Award “provisions” unique to each Agency. May
incorporate UG.
Audit burden imposed Varies from low to very high.
Depends on contract type,
Agency, other factors.
CPA audit scope expanded at $750k/year total grant
funding.
Program audit possible.
Page 41
Part 5: Cost Accounting & Indirect
Rates
Caution - this gets complicated!
Page 42
COST ACCOUNTING & INDIRECT RATES
2.1 Uniform Guidance Cost Principles
Cost Principles by type organization
Appendix III – Education (IHE)
Appendix IV – Non-Profit Organizations
Appendix VII - State/Local Govt
Appendix IX - Hospitals, etc.
Appendix VIII – Organizations exempt from
Subpart E and Appendix IV
Page 43
COST ACCOUNTING & INDIRECT RATES
2.1.1 Non-Profit Cost Accounting – Appendix IV
1. Direct costs vs. indirect costs
2. Indirect costs = pooled and allocated to final cost
objectives
3. Unallowable costs identified and excluded from
claimed costs
Page 44
COST ACCOUNTING & INDIRECT RATES
2.2 Direct vs. Indirect Costs
UG approach roughly similar to FAR, but …
Some significant differences
Page 45
COST ACCOUNTING & INDIRECT RATES
2.2.1 UG Direct Costs (200.413)
“Directly assigned” to a final cost objective
May be prorated on an objective, documented basis
Criteria for “direct” affected by indirect cost allocation method (Appendix IV)
Joint costs may be direct (Appendix IV.A.4.(A) & (b))
Fringe costs on DL are “direct”, even if pooled and allocated
Direct must include: self-funded projects, member services, publications, lobbying/PR, conferences, investment fund management, etc. (200.413 (f))
Page 46
COST ACCOUNTING & INDIRECT RATES
2.2.2 UG Indirect Costs (200.414 and 200.413)
“Incurred for common or joint objectives, and cannot be
readily identified with a particular cost objective” (Appendix
IV.A.1.)
Any costs not directly assigned to final cost objective under
200.413 and Appendix IV.A.1
Items specifically listed as indirect:
• Administrative & Clerical Labor (200.413(c))
• General Administrative costs and General Expenses
(GA&GE), Appendix IV.B.3.B.(4)
Page 47
COST ACCOUNTING & INDIRECT RATES
2.2.3 UG Allocate Indirect Costs (Appendix IV)
Three “indirect cost allocation methods” prescribed for
non-profits (Appendix IV)
Allocation method drives indirect rate structure (pools
and bases)
• Step 1. Select the allocation method
• Step 2. Apply the method
• Step 3. Compute the rate(s)
Page 48
COST ACCOUNTING & INDIRECT RATES
2.2.4 UG Terminology & Concepts
Major function
Individual projects or activities
Unallowable costs that represent activities, E.G.. Fundraising
Broad cost groupings (i.e. Facilities, Admin)
Separate cost groupings (subset of a broad cost grouping)
Cost categories (level at which pooled costs are allocated)
Benefiting function
Segment (subset of major function, award, group of awards)
Page 49
COST ACCOUNTING & INDIRECT RATES
2.3.1 Simplified Allocation Method (Appendix IV.B.2)
Single major function, or multiple similar major functions
One indirect expense pool (includes facilities and administration)
Permitted allocation bases:
1. Total direct cost excluding sub-award over $25k, participant support, other distorting items (similar to but not same as MTDC)
2. Direct labor and fringes
3. Other equitable base
Compute single indirect % rate
If direct federal funding in year > $10M, must also compute as two % rates:
Facilities % Administration %
Page 50
COST ACCOUNTING & INDIRECT RATES
2.3.2.1 Multiple Allocation Base Method (Appendix IV.B.2)
More than one major function
Indirect costs benefit the major functions in varying degrees
Accumulate indirect cost into “cost groupings”
• Depreciation (subset of facilities)
• Interest (subset of facilities)
• Operations and maintenance (subset of facilities)
• GA&GE (administration, includes allocation from facilities cost groupings)
Page 51
COST ACCOUNTING & INDIRECT RATES
2.3.2.2 Multiple Allocation Base Method (Appendix
IV.B.2)
Allocate $ of each cost grouping to major functions using:
1. Direct assignment where possible
2. Allocation bases listed in appendix IV.B.3.C.
3. Other equitable allocation base, but …
GA&GE must be allocated to functions using MTDC
Page 52
COST ACCOUNTING & INDIRECT RATES
2.3.2.3 Multiple Allocation Base Method (Appendix
IV.B.2)
Accumulate $ allocated to each major function into single
pool for that major function
Compute single % rate for each major function using MTDC
and
Re-compute two broad category % rates for each major
function:
Facilities % Administration %
Page 53
COST ACCOUNTING & INDIRECT RATES
2.3.3 Direct allocation method (appendix IV.B.4)
All costs are direct except GA&GE
Joint costs (ie. facilities) are assigned as direct cost based on:
• Appropriate, reasonable allocation base, supported by
current data
• Some facilities costs assigned to GA&GE
GA&GE allocation follows simplified allocation method
Compute single % rate
Page 54
COST ACCOUNTING & INDIRECT RATES
2.3 Observations on UG Indirect Rates (Appendix IV)
No concept of “overhead”
No layered final indirect rates, i.e. G&A on overhead
GA&GE is not the same as G&A
Total cost input (TCI) is not acceptable base
No concept of “material & subcontract handling” or “value added cost input”
Does not use unique FAR treatment of B&P labor
Page 55
COST ACCOUNTING & INDIRECT RATES
2.4 Unallowable (UA) costs under UG
Allowability dependent on:
• Necessary and reasonable
• Conform to award provisions, POP, budget
• Conform to UG and agency cost principles
• Consistency treatment by NFE
• GAAP
• Not part of cost sharing or matching on other federal awards
• Adequately documented, auditable
May apply to direct and indirect costs, but differently
Page 56
COST ACCOUNTING & INDIRECT RATES
2.4.1 UG selected items of cost (200.420 – 200.475)
56 items covered
Some are expressly UA
Some conditionally allowable
May include cost accounting instructions
Different than FAR 31.205 selected costs!
Page 57
COST ACCOUNTING & INDIRECT RATES
2.4.2 UG treatment of Unallowable (UA) costs
UA activities are direct cost (200.413(e))
• Member services
• Lobbying, public relations, etc.
• Conferences
• Costs of maintaining special funds
• Group benefits of members, clients, etc.
UA direct costs stay in base for fringe, indirect (F&A) expense allocation
UA indirect costs excluded from pool
Page 58
COST ACCOUNTING & INDIRECT RATES
2.5 Contracts awarded to NFE under FAR 15
Cost accounting for FAR contract imposed through
“clauses”, so …
Which portions of FAR apply to NFE?
Page 59
COST ACCOUNTING & INDIRECT RATES
2.5.1 Contracts Awarded to NFE under FAR 15
Contract cost accounting clauses:
52.216-7 (cost reimbursement)
52.232-7 (T&M payments clauses)
Other clauses or certifications
• T&M proposal instructions
• TINA certification
• Incurred cost proposals certification
Contract clauses generally refer to FAR 31 contract cost principles and procedures
Page 60
COST ACCOUNTING & INDIRECT RATES
2.5.2 FAR 31 = cost principles (by type organization)
Far 31.2 Commercial Organizations
Far 31.3 Educational Institutions
Far 31.6 State and Local Governments
Far 31.7 Non-Profit Organizations, which …
(defers to 2 CFR 200 subpart E and Appendix IV)
See also FAR 31.109 Advance Agreements
Page 61
COST ACCOUNTING & INDIRECT RATES
Contract/Proposal is subject to FAR 31
(FAR payments clauses, other clauses, or
RFP instructions direct contractor to comply with FAR 31.)
FAR 31 directs contractor to applicable FAR 31 subsection for
cost accounting instructions and list of unallowable costs
Commercial contractor
FAR 31.2 accounting
methods and cost principles
Non-profit
FAR 31.7, linked to UG for cost accounting and cost principles
State, Local, Tribal Govt
FAR 31.6, linked to UG for cost accounting and cost principles
Educational Institute
FAR 31.3, linked to UG for cost accounting and cost principles
Page 62
COST ACCOUNTING & INDIRECT RATES
2.5.4 FAR 31.2 Cost Accounting compared to UG
Concepts are roughly similar, but not the same
Terminology is different
Specific instructions are different
Indirect rate structures are very different
Lists of UA costs are different
Page 63
COST ACCOUNTING & INDIRECT RATES
2.5.5 Typical Commercial Enterprise Indirect Cost
Structure under FAR:
• Fringe #1 - regular/fully benefited/US staff
• Fringe #2 - part time/limited benefits/non-us staff
• Overhead #1- contractor/US site
• Overhead #2 - client/government/separate division site
• Subcontract & material handling
• General and administrative (G&A)
Page 64
COST ACCOUNTING & INDIRECT RATES
3. The uniform guidance 10% de minimis
What is it?
Who is using it?
What issues are we seeing?
Page 65
COST ACCOUNTING & INDIRECT RATES
3.1 10% de minimis 200.414(f)
NFE may “elect” to use a fixed rate of 10%
NFE has never had a NICRA
May be used indefinitely
Must be 10%
10% applied to MTDC
Direct vs indirect cost rules still apply
Used consistently on all federal awards
Page 66
COST ACCOUNTING & INDIRECT RATES
3.2 Who is using 10% de minimis?
What kinds of firms are requesting?
Is it being granted? (GROUP DISCUSSION encouraged)
Examples:
• Prime awardees new to federal awards
• Small sub-awardees, if prime approves
Non-us NGO are being denied by some agencies
Page 67
COST ACCOUNTING & INDIRECT RATES
3.3 Cost recovery issues with the de minimis
10% for indirect costs too low, even with the “direct allocation
method”
NFE must still identify and classify indirect costs:
• GA&GE, at a minimum
• Facilities costs not “directly assigned” to awards or
activities
• Other joint costs not “directly assigned”
• New time reporting rules may send more labor costs to
GA&GE (indirect)
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COST ACCOUNTING & INDIRECT RATES
3.4 Audit Issues with the de minimis
Single audit requirement remains
Audit scope might include:
• Was NFE eligible to elect 10%?
• Is 10% applied to MTDC correctly?
• Direct vs. Indirect policy complies with UG?
• Direct vs. Indirect applied consistently?
Any over or under recovery is not auditable
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COST ACCOUNTING & INDIRECT RATES
3.4 de minimis and USAID
US NGO (prime or sub) may elect 10% de minimis or propose indirect rates
NICRA issued by USAID/W only to US prime awardees
Indirect costs not allowed for non-US NGO’s without NICRA, AND …
• Few non-US NGO’s are given NICRA by USAID Missions
• Only some non-us NGO primes have been allowed to use the 10%
• Prime may allow 10% for non-US NGO sub-awards
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COST ACCOUNTING & INDIRECT RATES
3.4 de minimis and HHS / CDC
Similar to USAID, but more harsh for non-US NGO’s
No indirect costs allowed for non-US NGO prime without
NICRA
No NICRA issued by CDC for non-US NGO
No 10% for non-US NGO prime awardee
10% for sub-awardees allowed?
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COST ACCOUNTING & INDIRECT RATES
3.5 de minimis case study
Take-home case study
• You are prime awardee, negotiating subaward
• Sub-awardee elects 10% de minimis, and ..
• Asks your help in refining their budget to match de
minimis rules
• For answers, contact Glenn or Mark, or attend our
follow-up online session
• Scheduled August 10, 2017 at 2pm ET
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Acronym handout
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Questions
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CONTACT INFORMATION
Glenn Anstead - Raffa, PC
[email protected] / 301-279-6503
Jean Gilbert, Raffa, PC
[email protected] / 202-955-6532
Brett Martin, Raffa, PC
[email protected] / 240-283-6807
Mark Hoffman, CPA CPCM
[email protected] / 703-346-2428
Jeremy Taro - Raffa, PC
[email protected] / 301-279-6504
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