Registration and Continental Breakfast

Conference Co-Chairs’ Opening Remarks

Industry Views: How the FY2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Will Affect Government Contractors

This exclusive panel will kick off the conference with a summary of how government contractors, large and small, from different industries feel about the new administration and the proposed increase in defense spending. Discussion topics include:  

• Views on the recent NDIA study
• Impact of recent large mergers and acquisitions on the defense industry
• Progress on government/industry collaboration
• New efforts towards defense innovation by the government

Networking Break

DOD, DCAA & DCMA UPDATE – Key Developments and Priorities for the Year Ahead

Senior representatives share key updates on their various agencies, current priorities and new initiatives for 2018. Some of the topics to be discussed include:  

• Current status of incurred cost audits
• Plans for expanding business system audits
• Interplay between DCAA, DCMA and DOD

Are You Vulnerable? Defining the Prime Contractors’ Responsibility for Their Subcontractors

• What does the government expect from the prime contractor?
• View from the subcontractor perspective
• Flow-down clauses, and compliance requirements
• False Claims Act liability, and whistleblower reprisal liability

Networking Lunch

New Networking Roundtables Join your peers and participate in informal discussions on topics that are of most interest to you.  

• Subcontractor management
• Small to medium contractor issues
• Cybersecurity
• Mergers & Acquisitions

809 Panel Update: Streamlining and Improving Defense Acquisition

• Results of interim report issued 1/31/18
• Evaluating recommendations on commercial buying, contract compliance and audit, defense business systems, and services and small business contracting
• Modernizing CAS – coverage thresholds, cost impacts for changes in accounting practices, calculating increased costs in the aggregate, pension curtailments, and accounting for unallowable costs
• Next steps and key deadlines for the panel

The New Kids in Town – What Should You Expect When CPA Firms Start Performing Incurred Cost Audits

• Pros and cons to using private audit firms for contract audit activities
• Approach that private firms take to deliver timely, effective contract audit reports that ensure no conflict of interests as per GAGAS requirements
• Contracting with private firms for contract audit services using the GSA schedule and other acquisition means

Networking Break

Focus on Cybersecurity: How to Meet the Government’s Demands for Effective Contract Oversight and Administration

• DFARS requirements: SP 800-171 safeguards, SSP, POAM, incident response
• Recurring DMCA roles: contract terms; SSPs, incident reports and coordination
• Special DCMA roles: compliance, SSP review, controls assessment
• Emerging DCAA cost issues

Managing DCAA & DCMA Challenges with International Contracts

• The distinction between foreign military sales and direct foreign sales
• How do the cost accounting standards and DFARS business systems rule apply?
• What is the audit role of DCAA for international contracts?
• What is the role of the U.S. government in industrial offset programs?

Cocktail Reception Hosted By:

End of Day One

Co-Chairs’ Opening Remarks

Questions & Answer Panel with DCAA/DCMA Alumni

Bring your questions for this interactive session with former DCAA and DCMA alumni who will share their views about the current government compliance and enforcement landscape.

What Would You Do If? Interactive Scenarios on Defective Pricing

Compliance, finance and legal personnel are frequently asked to address urgent requests for an assessment of defective pricing risks and issues. This session will explore how adjustments to the facts in defective pricing scenarios might affect risk assessments and advice for managing risk. Building on facts from real cases, the scenarios will explore defective pricing concepts such as:  

• The distinction between facts vs. judgments
• Prime v. subcontractor risks and strategies to manage such risk
• The implications of various contract types

Networking Break

DOD’s Interpretation of Commercial Items and Services: Recent Cases, Guidance and Trends

• New guidance of commercial items
• Importance of commercial acquisition
• Role of DCMA in commercial item reviews
• Commercial item cases and examples
• How to keep lines of communication open

Networking Lunch for Attendees and Speakers

Implications of Significant Court Decisions That Affect Cost Allowability and Accounting

• Analysis of recent cases on cost allocation and allowability including expressly unallowable costs
• DCAA’s role in the formal dispute process
• How case interpretations of cost issues affect DCAA’s audit guidance

Preventative Measures and Best Practices for Mitigating the Adverse Effects When Your DFARs Business System is Disapproved

• Background of the DFARS business system rule
• Performing a robust self-assessment
• What to do when a deficiency is identified
• Making a compelling case to support the adequacy of your Business Systems
• Remediating deficiencies quickly and effectively

Networking Break

How to Avoid Legal Landmines: Current Government Enforcement Targets

• Escobar decision and false claims developments
• Status of fraud referrals to DOJ
• Summary of recent key court decisions

Conference Ends