Deltek University
Government Contracting Course Descriptions

About this Program

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

This comprehensive program includes five two-day 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 conjunction with our academic partner, George Mason University, in Herndon, Va.

Content focuses on recent government contracting trends, including the current regulatory environment, as well as proposed changes to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and the government’s Cost Accounting Standards (CAS). These highly participatory seminars include extensive examples, and resource materials. All seminar’s qualify for 1.3 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and 16 (CPE's) through George Mason University, and may also lead to a GMU certificate award. No advance preparation or prerequisites are required to attend. However, participants with limited contracting experience are encouraged to attend the "Government Contracting Fundamentals" seminar before attending any of the remaining four seminars.

Seminars are scheduled throughout the 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
George Mason University URL: http://www.ocpe.gmu.edu/cfgd.html
Program URL: http://www.ocpe.gmu.edu/programs/contract_fedl_govt/fed_gov_certificate.html
Program/Registration Email: ocpecit@gmu.edu

Government Contracting Fundamentals

This two-day seminar provides an overview that introduces the participants to characteristics of the government contract environment. It provides information on the essentials of government contracting, a description of unique characteristics and terminology of government contracting, and the various roles of government personnel. The participant will learn about case treatment concepts, the theory of indirect rates, how to read the FAR and CAS, major regulatory compliance requirements and the audits that arise from them. Additionally, this seminar provides the participant with an overview of the procurement cycle, how to read a government contract, and an overview of the current regulatory environment. This seminar can be taken as a stand-alone or as a prerequisite to the other four seminars in the Contracting with the Federal Government certificate program.

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

Topics to be discussed include:

  • Characteristics of the Government Contract Environment
  • Doing Business with the Federal Government
  • Government Contract Legislation and Regulations
  • Government Contracting Reference Materials
  • Government Contract Compliance Factors
  • Government Contracting Acquisitions
  • Government Contract Structure

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Accounting and Auditing for Federal Contractors

In this two-day seminar, the emphasis is placed on accounting for services as distinguished from traditional manufacturing cost accumulation systems. This seminar covers direct and indirect cost classification, pooling, and the role of DCAA in audits, contractor surveillance, internal control requirements, and cost accumulation standards for automated accounting systems. Participants take an in-depth look at incurred cost submissions, the development of policies and procedures that will pass audit, and ways to limit the scope of audits. The seminar addresses 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 include:

  • Accounting Requirements
  • Accounting for Major Contract Types
  • Revenue Recognition
  • Reporting
  • Auditing Government Contracts
  • The Incurred Cost Submission

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Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS)
for Federal Contractors

This two-day seminar covers the history of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and 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 are explored. The seminar also provide an overview of disclosure statements, cost impact statements, determination of CAS coverage, and why it doesn’t matter in audits. Case studies further illustrate the important concepts in complying with government regulations.

Topics to be discussed include:

  • The History, Authority and Structure of the FAR
  • FAR Part 15: Negotiated Contracts
  • FAR Part 31: Cost Principles
  • FAR Part 49: Terminations
  • Overview of CAS
  • CAS Standards - Modified Coverage
  • Other CAS Standards
  • Disclosure Statements

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The Procurement Cycle for Federal Contractors

This two-day seminar covers the government procurement cycle. The process begins with the Congressional appropriations process, then follows the appropriations process through agency budgets, and finally to acquisition commitments. Different types of procurement actions are discussed, with heavy emphasis on Contract by Negotiation. The Bid and Proposal process, pre-award audits, Best and Final Offers (BAFOs) and award protests are reviewed including the provisions of the Truth in Negotiations Act and contractor responsibilities for compliance. Applicability of Defective Pricing and of the False Claims Acts are covered and include exercises, examples and case studies.

Topics to be discussed 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 Regulations for Federal Contractors

This two-day seminar covers timekeeping and labor regulations for federal contractors. The federal government regulates timekeeping in accordance with the FAR and CAS. This seminar serves as a guide through those specific regulations as well as best practices for labor and compliance. As a federal contractor it is not just timekeeping that makes labor compliant. This seminar guides the participant through writing policies and procedures, laws that govern wages, audits and how to prepare employees for audits. This seminar is beneficial to company personnel who are new to government contracting and want to assist their workforce into a world of labor compliance.

Topics to be discussed include:

  • Laws and Acts
  • Company Policy and Procedures
  • Timekeeping Roles and Compensation Policies
  • Labor Accounting Methods and Procedures
  • Internal Control Systems and Policies
  • Non-Compliance Factors and Issues

Return to Index

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

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