Deltek University
Government Contracting Course Descriptions

About this Program

Offered in partnership between Deltek and George Mason University's (GMU) Office of Continuing Professional Education in Washington DC, the Contracting with the Federal Government training series helps government contracting professionals ensure that their business operations remain compliant with current federal standards.

This comprehensive program includes five in-depth seminars taught by instructors with strong backgrounds in government contracting. Seminar content is drawn from Deltek's experience in diverse government contracting environments, and is taught in an academic setting at a GMU satellite campus in Herndon, VA. (By special arrangement, this program can also be scheduled and delivered at the time and location of your choice.)

Content focuses on recent government contracting trends, including the current regulatory environment, as well as proposed changes to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) FAR and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS). These highly participatory courses include extensive course material, examples, and resource materials. All courses qualify for 1.2 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and 12 (CPE's) through George Mason University, and may also lead to a GMU certificate award. Participating students receive a CD ROM containing Web links and related seminar documents. No advance preparation or prerequisites are required to attend. However, participating students with limited contracting experience are encouraged to attend the "World of Government Contracting" seminar before attending any of the remaining four seminars.

Seminars are scheduled throughout the academic year and can be taken alone or completed as a series to earn a Certificate of Completion in Federal Government Contracting through George Mason University.

Program and Registration Information

Contact: George Mason University's Office of Continuing Professional Education
2214 Rock Hill Road — Suite 400
Herndon, VA 20170-4213
Tel: 703-993-4800
GMU URL: http://ocpe.gmu.edu
Program URL: http://www.ocpe.gmu.edu/programs/contract_fedl_govt/fed_gov_certificate.html
Program/Registration Email: ocpecit@gmu.edu

World of Government Contracting

This seminar is presented in partnership between Deltek and George Mason University. Individuals who successfully complete all 5 courses will be awarded the certificate.

It is recommended (but not required) the World of Government Contracting seminar is taken first. Remaining seminars may be taken in any order. Certificate is presented upon completion of entire seminar series.

The World of Government Contracting course is an overview that introduces the student to the world of contracting with the federal government. It provides a description of its unique characteristics and terminology, as well as the roles of government personnel. Learn about the theory of indirect rates, how to read the FAR and CAS, major regulatory compliance requirements, and the audits that arise out of them.

The procurement cycle (how to get business if you're still interested after all that), how to read a government contract and the current regulatory environment will also be discussed.

This seminar sets that agenda for the rest of the series.

Topics to be discussed will include:

  • Government contracting roles and responsibilities
  • Characteristics of government contracts
  • Regulations and legislation unique to government contracts
  • Compliance requirements
  • The government procurement process

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Accounting for Federal Contracts and Dealing with Audits

The Accounting for Federal Contracts and Dealing with Audits class emphasizes accounting for services as distinguished from traditional manufacturing cost accumulation systems.

This seminar will cover direct and indirect cost classification, pooling, the role of DCAA in audits, contractor surveillance, internal control requirements and cost accumulation standards for automated accounting systems. Students will take an in-depth look at Incurred Cost Submissions, the development of policies and procedures that will pass audits, and ways to limit the scope of audits. The seminar will address government billing requirements, revenue recognition, the importance of coordination between contract administration and accounting, internal reporting for project managers, and ways to maximize cost recovery.

Topics to be discussed will include:

  • Cost allocation methodologies

  • Accounting for different types of contracts

  • Government audits - types and techniques

  • Self Governance - reduce the scope of government audits

  • Incurred Cost Submissions

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Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) with case studies

The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) seminar covers the history of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and the Cost Accounting Standard (CAS), current regulation highlights and effects, proposed changes and the applicability and effect of FAR clauses and CAS standards. Concepts such as allowability, allocability and reasonableness will be explored. The seminar will also cover Disclosure Statements, Cost Impact Statements, and determination of CAS Coverage.

Actual case studies will illustrate the important concepts in complying with government regulations.

Topics to be discussed will include:

  • The history of the FAR and CAS

  • Acquisition thresholds and requirements

  • How the FAR is organized and how to find what you need

  • CAS coverage - are you covered and what does that mean?

  • Cost treatment - consistency, allowability, reasonableness, allocability

  • The traps in Disclosure Statements

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Federal Contract Procurement Cycle

The Federal Contract Procurement Cycle seminar covers the government procurement cycle, including the provisions of the Truth in Negotiations Act, and contractor responsibilities for compliance. Pre award audits, final proposal revisions and award protests will be discussed. Applicability of the False Claims Act will be covered including exercises, examples, and case studies.

Topics to be discussed will include:

  • The contract negotiation process

  • The proposal evaluation process

  • Defective pricing

  • Contract disputes

  • The appeal and litigation process

  • Contract close out procedures

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Timekeeping and Labor Regulation for Federal Contractors

The Timekeeping and Labor Regulation for Federal Contractors seminar 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.

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.

Topics to be discussed will include:

  • Timekeeping roles and responsibilities

  • Key elements of DCAA approved timekeeping systems

  • Compensation criteria and policies

  • Time accounting concepts and methods

  • Controls to help reduce/eliminate discrepancies

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Program and Registration Information

Contact: George Mason University's Office of Continuing Professional Education
2214 Rock Hill Road – Suite 400
Herndon, VA 20170-4213
Tel: 703-993-4800
GMU URL: http://ocpe.gmu.edu
Program URL: ocpecit@gmu.edu

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