GCAS webinar archive

Previous Webinars

It’s a new year: Looking back and thinking forward

As we flip the calendar to a new year, it’s a good time to look back at the changes and trends in the prior year and, more importantly, think about how this could impact the upcoming year to plan accordingly. Please join us for a discussion of changes in regulations, plus audit and other trends that might affect your business in 2024. We’ll also touch on actions companies could take as a result. We’ll discuss:

• NIST 171 Rev 3

• DCMA indirect should cost reviews

• Interoperability

• Incurred Cost Submission Schedule M

Mastering the Art of the Mundane

Maintaining good documentation is a fundamental function of a government contractor. The Supreme Court’s recent Supervalu decision involving the False Claims Act has underscored the importance of having good, contemporaneous documentation supporting decisions around the treatment of costs. Discussion topics include:

• The SuperValu decision
• Other cases providing requirements for cost documentation
• How to quantify claims in light of recent Federal Circuit precedent concerning the meaning of a “sum certain”
• Current hot Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) and other cost issues

Why classify your data, and how?

Proper data classification can be your organization’s opportunity to enhance operations, while improved sharing can lead to new business insights as well as better-quality inventory management, talent and workforce planning, procurement, supply chain risk, and relationship management. View our webcast “Data: A strategic asset versus a compliance liability,” where we discuss:

• The benefits of data classification
• How to begin to understand your data
• Types of data and repositories, and how they can impact the approach
• Challenges of data classification

DoD IG Report on DCMA actions related to DCAA Audits

The Department of Defense Inspector General (DoD IG) has issued a report on its evaluation of the actions taken by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) related to Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) audit findings. This is not the first report related to this issue and is likely to impact defense contractors’ interactions with their Administrative Contracting Officers. Please join Deloitte and Ms. Nicole Owren-Wiest of Crowell & Moring for a webinar to discuss the report and the potential effects on companies, particularly in purchasing commercial items.

Topics we will discuss include:

• Discussion of report findings
• Potential impact on contractorsC
• MMC Maturity Levels 1-5 capabilities discussion

The future of facilities: What will the next normal look like?

One thing there is agreement on is that “normal” post-COVID will not look like it did pre-COVID, particularly in the use of facilities. This webcast will discuss the latest thinking on how COVID-19 will continue to impact the workforce and the use of facilities in the future.

Topics are expected to include:

• Expected impact on remote work
• Resulting changes in the use of facilities
• Potential impacts on indirect rate structures

Speaker: Darin Buelow, principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP

Darin Buelow is a principal with Deloitte Consulting LLP and serves as Deloitte’s global leader for Location Strategy. In his career, he has guided hundreds of companies through their most challenging footprint, workplace, and asset deployment issues. He is known for creating strategies that help transform workplaces and optimize operating locations, and is a frequent speaker and author on topics that include the future of offices, talent markets, site selection, and portfolio strategy.

Host: Mark Burroughs, managing director, Deloitte Risk & Financial Advisory, Deloitte & Touche LLP

Mark Burroughs is a managing director in Deloitte’s McLean, Virginia office. He has more than 20 years of experience providing auditing and consulting services to government contractors and has helped companies understand and develop practical solutions when dealing with matters associated with Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) audits, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS). Prior to joining Deloitte, Mark was a senior auditor at the DCAA.

Mark is a CPA in the states of Maryland and Virginia and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Mark is also active in the Professional Services Council (PSC) and the National Defense Industry Association (NDIA).

CFIUS Reform Considerations for Government Contractors

The recent expansion of CFIUS’ scope to include the introduction of minority investment scrutiny, the role of export controls as a foundation for identifying CFIUS national security concerns, and new mandatory reporting requirements, impacts more than just M&A activity within the government contracting space. Topics will include:

• Regulatory updates enacted in February 2020 resulting in an expanded scope
  
• CFIUS implications to consider when acquiring or investing in a US government contractor
• CFIUS implications to consider as a US government contractor seeking to raise capital

Webinar facilitators

Speaker: Christina Zanette, senior manager, Global Trade Advisory, Deloitte Tax LLP

Christina has more than 15 years of experience in a broad array of international regulatory compliance and trade matters. She advises clients from a wide range of industries including life sciences, aerospace and defense and the energy sector on export controls, economic sanctions, anti-corruption laws, CFIUS investment scrutiny, and trade compliance within government contracts. She works closely with clients to align trade compliance requirements and export/import strategies with each company’s unique business footprint. ­ ­

Prior to joining Deloitte, she was an associate within the International Trade practice of a large law firm in Washington D.C.

Speaker: Christopher Keally, senior consultant, Global Trade Advisory, Deloitte Tax LLP

Chris is a senior consultant with the Global Trade Advisory Practice based in Mclean, VA. He works with clients across a range of industries including telecommunications, electronics, aerospace, and the defense industrial base, on matters related to export control regulations (ITAR and EAR), CFIUS foreign investment security reviews, and economic sanction regimes.

Host: Mark Burroughs, managing director, Deloitte Risk & Financial Advisory, Deloitte & Touche LLP.

Mark Burroughs, managing director in the McLean, Virginia office of Deloitte. Mark has more than 20 years of experience in providing auditing and consulting services to government contractors and has helped companies understand and develop practical solutions when dealing with matters associated with Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) audits, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS). Prior to joining Deloitte, Mark was a Senior Auditor at the DCAA and holds an MBA from Loyola College.

Mark is a CPA in the States of Maryland and Virginia and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Mark is also active in the Professional Services Council (PSC) and the National Defense Industry Association (NDIA).

Program Integration: Leveraging M&A Activity to improve insight and control for Programs and Contracts

The requirements of Aerospace & Defense firms are unique and highly specialized. This leads to an industry where not only are firms competing for work, they are often trading partners with each other on complex, multiple-year programs. As the industry continues to consolidate companies are finding that a "one-size fits all" ERP solution does not address the range of services and markets that they serve. The advent of new information technology provides an opportunity from Aerospace & Defense clients to increase transparency and visibility for programs and contracts. Topics we will discuss include:

• Program Integration–defining a single source of the truth for complex programs that cross segments and entities across large A&D firms
• Operating Model Optimization–How to operate both commercial and defense contracts efficiently and compliantly in a constantly changing market place
• Back Office Opportunities–how to define a common data model across the enterprise to enable efficiencies in back-office functions to control cost and improve competitive position in the market

Webinar facilitators

Host: Mark Burroughs, managing director, Deloitte Risk & Financial Advisory, Deloitte & Touche LLP.

Mark Burroughs, managing director in the McLean, Virginia office of Deloitte. Mark has more than 20 years of experience in providing auditing and consulting services to government contractors and has helped companies understand and develop practical solutions when dealing with matters associated with Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) audits, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS). Prior to joining Deloitte, Mark was a Senior Auditor at the DCAA and holds an MBA from Loyola College.

Mark is a CPA in the States of Maryland and Virginia and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Mark is also active in the Professional Services Council (PSC) and the National Defense Industry Association (NDIA).

Featured speaker: Joseph Rissberger, specialist leader, Deloitte Consulting LLP.

Joe is a Specialist Leader in Deloitte’s Aerospace & Defense practice. He focused on Finance Transformation opportunities at firms that operate in Defense and/or Commercial markets. His expertise is in Cost Accounting, Project Accounting, Contract Compliance, and Operational Performance. He has more than 20 years of experience working with clients on large transformation programs including OEM’s, Tier 1 & 2 suppliers, Aftermarket, and Sustainment operations.

Happy New Year! Time for resolutions

It’s time to make resolutions for the New Year. Between financial year end and government closures, February seems a better time than January! Please join Deloitte and Mr. Stephen Knight of Smith Pachter for a webinar to discuss resolutions that companies should consider for the upcoming year.

Topics we will discuss include:

• Documentation
• Statute of limitations and record retention
• Managing government audits
• Preparing for claims
• Cyber security

Webinar facilitators

Featured speaker: Stephen D. Knight is a partner in the law firm of Smith Pachter McWhorter. He counsels and represents clients in litigation on all aspects of government contracts. Mr. Knight places special emphasis on claims and disputes, government contract cost accounting, cost allowability, Cost Accounting Standards, defective pricing, government audits, and contract compliance. He has substantial expertise in performance issues, including defective specifications, delay and disruption, changes, and terminations. Mr. Knight also has significant experience in procurement fraud matters, representing clients during grand jury and Inspector General criminal investigations, as well as civil investigations and litigation pursuant to the Civil False Claims Act.

Mr. Knight is a frequent author and speaker on government contract issues. He is an adjunct professor of law with the George Washington University Law School, teaching in that university’s LL.M. in Government Procurement Law Program.

Featured speaker: Mark Burroughs, managing director in the McLean, Virginia office of Deloitte. Mark has over 20 years of experience in providing auditing and consulting services to government contractors and has helped companies understand and develop practical solutions when dealing with matters associated with Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) audits, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS). Prior to joining Deloitte, Mark was a Senior Auditor at the DCAA and holds an MBA from Loyola College.

Mark is a CPA in the States of Maryland and Virginia and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Mark is also active in the Professional Services Council (PSC) and the National Defense Industry Association (NDIA).

Let’s think about business systems; DCAA is back on them again!

As Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) has “caught up” on incurred cost audits, it has stated that it will be refocusing its efforts on business system audits. How should contractors address strategic organizational compliance risks associated with DCAA and Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) internal controls audits? We'll discuss:

• A refresher on Defense department rules for business systems and potential implications for your organization.
• Challenges that government contractors face and effective ways to work with the DCAA and DCMA if one of your systems has a significant deficiency.
• How contractors are responding, including implementing audit readiness assessments and compliance improvement initiatives.
• Let’s not forget about the “seventh business system"–cyber!

Learn ways to strengthen internal controls and to address audit risk in today's government contracting environment.

Webinar facilitators

Featured speaker: Mark Burroughs, managing director, Deloitte Risk & Financial Advisory, Deloitte & Touche LLP

Mark Burroughs is a managing director in the McLean, Virginia, office of Deloitte. Mark has more than 20 years of experience in providing auditing and consulting services to government contractors and has helped companies understand and develop practical solutions when dealing with matters associated with Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) audits the Federal Acquisition Regulation, and the Cost Accounting Standards. Prior to joining Deloitte, Mark was a senior auditor at the DCAA and holds an MBA from Loyola College.

Mark is a CPA in the States of Maryland and Virginia and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Mark is also active in the Professional Services Council (PSC) and the National Defense Industry Association (NDIA).

Let’s get back to the basics

Recent cases have highlighted some basic issues related to regulations impacting companies performing contracts with the US government. It is important that contractors consider these cases when dealing with their regulators. Please join Deloitte and Mr. Steven Masiello of Dentons for a webinar to discuss these cases and how they may impact contractors. Topics we will discuss include:

• CAS vs FAR
• FAR clauses vs administrative guidance 
• Ways to deal with regulators

Webinar facilitators

Featured speaker: Steven Masiello, partner, Dentons US LLP

Host: Mark Burroughs, managing director, Deloitte Risk and Financial Advisory, Deloitte & Touche LLP

Mark has over 20 years of experience in providing auditing and consulting services to government contractors and has helped companies understand and develop practical solutions when dealing with matters associated with DCAA audits, the FAR, and the CAS.

Let's not forget about the Section 809 Panel. What's going on there?

In case you forgot, the Section 809 Panel—created in section 809 of the FY 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and amended by section 863(d) of the NDAA for FY 2017—is tasked with finding ways to streamline and improve the defense acquisition process. The panel has two years to develop recommendations for changes in the regulation and associated statute to achieve those ends. It is critical that companies be aware of these activities and participate in the discussion. Please join Deloitte and Mr. John Panetta of Raytheon for a webinar to discuss the activities of the panel and how they may impact contractors and the acquisition process. Topics we will discuss include:

• Makeup of the panel
• Ongoing activities of the panel
• Considerations going forward

Webinar facilitators

Featured speakers: John G. Panetta, Sr., senior director of Government Accounting, Raytheon Company

Host: Gary A. McDonald, Government Contracts specialist leader, Deloitte & Touche LLP

Gary has over 25 years of experience in providing government contract advisory services and working within the aerospace and defense industries. Gary has extensive experience in government contractor acquisition due diligence analysis of the financial, business, and other risks associated with the acquisition and integration of government contracting entities and in providing strategic advice on merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions.

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Government contracts on the hill: Lots of activity, where does it stand

In case you haven’t heard, the government contracting industry is experiencing quite a bit of congressional activity in contract cost accounting for Government Contractors and oversight by Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) and others. It is critical that companies be aware of these activities and participate in the discussion. Please join Deloitte and the Professional Services Council for a webinar to discuss the legislation and regulations and how they may impact contractors and the cost accounting practices. Topics we will discuss include:

• Language in the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act related to:
  
  • Reforms to the Cost Accounting Standards Board
    
  • Creating a new Defense Cost Accounting Standards Board
    
  • Third-Party audits
• Activities regarding the DCAA

Webinar facilitators

Featured speakers: Alan Chvotkin, Esq., Executive VP and counsel, Professional Services Council

Host: Mark Burroughs, managing director, Deloitte Risk and Financial Advisory, Deloitte & Touche LLP

Mark has over 20 years of experience in providing auditing and consulting services to government contractors and has helped companies understand and develop practical solutions when dealing with matters associated with DCAA audits, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS).

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Government contract M&A: What you don’t know may hurt you

Whether you are looking to acquire a company or sell all or a portion of your company, please join Deloitte and Venable for an upcoming webinar on merger and acquisition issues faced by companies in the government contracts space. Our panel will discuss the myriad of issues that buyers and sellers must consider as part of the M&A process. Topics that the panel will discuss include:

• The structural issues of a deal and related timing
• Due diligence; potential subcontract arrangements needed with the seller
• Legal compliance considerations; reps and certs; intellectual property and, other issues.

Webinar facilitators

Featured speakers: Paul Debolt, partner, Venable LLP; Jessica Braun, associate, Venable LLP; and Gary A. McDonald, Government Contracts specialist leader, Deloitte & Touche LLP

Host: Mark Burroughs, managing director, Deloitte Risk and Financial Advisory, Deloitte & Touche LLP

Mark has over 20 years of experience in providing auditing and consulting services to government contractors and has helped companies understand and develop practical solutions when dealing with matters associated with DCAA audits, the FAR, and the CAS.

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False Claims Act: Where we are now and what’s ahead

Our March webinar will feature an update on trends in False Claims Act (FCA) enforcement and insights into how the new administration may impact FCA matters going forward. Guest speaker Peter Hutt, partner at Covington & Burling, LLP, will join our host Mark Burroughs.

Please join Mark and Peter as they discuss the following topics:

• Recent FCA enforcement statistics
• Update on impact of Universal Health Services, Inc. v. United States ex rel. Escobar, No. 15-7 (US) since the Supreme Court decision
• Possible effects of the new administration on FCA enforcement

Webinar facilitators

Featured speakers: Peter Hutt III, partner, Covington & Burling LLP

Host: Mark Burroughs, managing director, Deloitte Risk and Financial Advisory, Deloitte & Touche LLP

Mark has over 20 years of experience in providing auditing and consulting services to government contractors and has helped companies understand and develop practical solutions when dealing with matters associated with DCAA audits, the FAR, and the CAS.

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Human trafficking and the FAR, can I certify?

The changing global legislative and regulatory landscape is compelling companies to approach the risk of human rights and human trafficking in a more intentional manner than ever before. Leading companies are implementing compliance programs to more effectively manage human rights concerns in complex supply chains and hedge against brand and operational risks.

During this webinar, we will review expanding regulatory developments in the United States and abroad, including the US FAR: Ending Trafficking in Persons and explore the elements of an effective anti-human trafficking compliance program.

Join Mark, Kristen, and Michael as they discuss emerging anti-human trafficking compliance requirements and the impact on companies, including government contractors going forward. Topics will include:

• Anti-human trafficking legislative and regulatory landscape
• Implementation of anti-human trafficking program
• Leveraging other responsible souring programs
• Considerations going forward

Webinar facilitators

Featured speakers: Kristen Sullivan, partner, Deloitte Risk and Financial Advisory, Deloitte & Touche LLP and Michael Littenberg, partner, Ropes & Gray LLP

Host: Mark Burroughs, managing director, Deloitte Risk and Financial Advisory, Deloitte & Touche LLP

Mark has over 20 years of experience in providing auditing and consulting services to government contractors and has helped companies understand and develop practical solutions when dealing with matters associated with DCAA audits, the FAR, and the CAS.

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Materiality, It is material! A review of Raytheon Co., Space & Airborne Sys., ASBCA No. 58068

Please join us as we kick off the New Year to discuss "What is material?" This is an ongoing frustration to government contractors dealing with audit issues. In a case of first impression, the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals (ASBCA) recently held that a contracting officer failed to consider the materiality criteria in the CAS regulations at 48 C.F.R. § 9903.305, rendering the government claim invalid. Raytheon Co., Space & Airborne Sys., ASBCA No. 58068, 16-1 BCA (Aug. 9, 2016). This will likely impact ongoing audits and findings related to CAS and potentially other issues that rely on materiality.

Join Mark and Paul as they discuss the decision and the impact on CAS determinations going forward.

Topics include:

• Definition of materiality
• Potential opening of offsets
• Impact on existing issues
• Considerations going forward

Webinar facilitators

Featured speaker: Paul E. Pompeo, partner, Arnold & Porter LLP

Host: Mark Burroughs, managing director, Deloitte Risk and Financial Advisory, Deloitte & Touche LLP

Mark has over 20 years of experience in providing auditing and consulting services to government contractors and has helped companies understand and develop practical solutions when dealing with matters associated with DCAA audits, the FAR, and the CAS.

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Changes in IR&D regulations, the trend continues

The recovery of Independent Research & Development (IR&D) costs continue to come under increased scrutiny. Rules related to reporting IR&D and more recent requirements for “technical interchanges” with appropriate Department of Defense (DoD) personnel before incurring costs related to IR&D projects as well as additional proposed rules raise concern regarding the treatment of IR&D going forward.

Join Mark and Tom as they discuss the recent final and proposed rules and the impact to companies going forward.

Topics include:

• Background on treatment of IR&D
• Recent rule changes
• Proposed rule changes
• Trends going forward
  

Webinar facilitators

Featured speaker: Tom Lemmer, partner, Dentons US, LLP

Host: Mark Burroughs, managing director, Deloitte Risk and Financial Advisory, Deloitte & Touche LLP

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Vote for your favorite business system, DCAA is back on them again!

The DCAA has caught up on incurred cost audits. This allows the DCAA to refocus on business system audits. In recent years, the federal government has been highly focused on government contractors and their compliance with the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) business systems. Under pressure to improve audit quality, it seems that the DCAA and the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) have taken a more aggressive and comprehensive approach to its auditing of defense contractors. How should contractors address strategic organizational compliance risks associated with DCAA and DCMA internal controls audits?

Topics include:

• A refresher on defense department rules for business systems and potential implications for your organization
• Challenges that government contractors face and effective ways to work with the DCAA and DCMA if one of your systems has a significant deficiency
• How contractors are responding, including implementing audit readiness assessments and compliance improvement initiatives

Webinar facilitators

Featured speakers: Dawn Jones, managing director, Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP and Asela Wijesiri, manager, Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP

Host: Mark Burroughs, managing director, Deloitte Risk and Financial Advisory, Deloitte & Touche LLP

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Happy new (fiscal) year! A look ahead to the likely Cost Accounting Compliance issues for the new year

As we enter the new fiscal year, it’s a good time to take a step back and look at the cost accounting compliance issues that we likely face in the coming year. Join Mark as he discusses trends in DCAA audit guidance and other changes in regulations.

Topics include:

• DCAA back to performing non-DoD work
• Goals in the DCAA report to Congress
• Mergers/restructuring
• Subcontractor oversight
• New Department of Labor requirements

Webinar facilitators

Featured speaker: Jason Popovic, manager, Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP

Host: Mark Burroughs, managing director, Deloitte Risk and Financial Advisory, Deloitte & Touche LLP

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Surviving in a litigious government contracting environment

As the government contracting environment becomes more litigious, it is critical that companies prepare themselves for potential litigation. Join Mark Burroughs and Paul Debolt as they discuss strategies for managing and mitigating litigation risk.

Webinar facilitators

Featured speaker: Paul Debolt, partner, Venable LLP

Host: Mark Burroughs, managing director, Deloitte Risk and Financial Advisory, Deloitte & Touche LLP

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Safeguarding covered defense information: An update on the "7^th" system

"Safeguarding covered defense information: An update on the ‘7^th’ system” will focus on identifying, categorizing, and safeguarding covered defense information (DFARS 253.204-7012). We will discuss what a company should consider in meeting the December 30, 2017, deadline.

Topics include:

• Driving compliant cyber behavior into your organization
• Integrating the requirement into your existing governance and risk framework
• How organization and process drive technology investment

Webinar facilitators

Featured speaker: Louverture Jones, senior manager, Deloitte Risk and Financial Advisory, Deloitte & Touche LLP

Host: Mark Burroughs, managing director, Deloitte Risk and Financial Advisory, Deloitte & Touche LLP

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Conditions of payment: Supreme court ruling on “implied certification” to determine False Claims Act scope

Our inaugural webinar where we will discusses the much-anticipated US supreme court case Universal Health Services, Inc. v. United States ex rel. Escobar, No. 15-7 (US). The outcome will likely determine the scope of the federal False Claims Act's "implied certification" theory of liability. The court's ruling is poised to vastly expand the scope of False Claims Act liability, further increasing the risk of government contracting and the need to focus on international controls and risk mitigation strategies.

Topic: Implied certification related to the False Claims Act

Webinar facilitators

Guest speaker: Anne Robinson, counsel, Latham & Watkins

Anne focuses on government contracts counseling and litigation and white collar and government investigations. She has represented corporations and individual clients in all phases of False Claims Act. She has authored numerous articles on False Claims Act issues, most recently on the future of the implied certification theory in light of United Health Services v. United States ex rel. Escobar (US 2016).

Host: Mark Burroughs, managing director, Deloitte Risk and Financial Advisory, Deloitte & Touche LLP

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