Many Institute graduates return each year to stay on top of the latest developments in Government contract costs.
Recognizing that a significant need exists for a specially tailored, advanced program devoted exclusively to the unique rules, problems, practices and demands of Government contract costs matters, Federal Publications developed this special program: The Masters Institute in Government Contract Costs. We are pleased to once again offer the Institute.
The foundation of the Institute is its exceptional Faculty-veteran professionals who are leading authorities on cost matters. Their outstanding qualifications and lecture topics are all detailed below. You should note, however, that the Institute is specifically designed for experienced procurement professionals. This is vital if you are to get the most out of this course.
Each day of the Institute will consist of lectures, case studies, illustrative examples, group discussions, individual questioning, and consideration of questions on any contract costs subject. In addition, attendees will receive an extensive set of materials prepared by the Faculty. Finally, we believe you will greatly benefit from your association with the other attendees-all of whom are expected to be on your professional level.
The Course Curriculum
The First Day
8:00-11:00 am
MS. KAREN L. MANOS of Washington, D.C.
Partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. Before entering private practice, Ms. Manos served as an Air Force judge advocate, and had assignments with the Defense Contract Management Agency, the Air Force Space & Missile Systems Center, the Defense Information Services Agency, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. She has extensive experience on a broad range of Government contracts issues, including complex claims preparation and litigation, civil and criminal fraud investigations and litigation, qui tam suits under the False Claims Act, defective pricing, cost allowability, the Cost Accounting Standards, suspension and debarment, bid protests, and corporate compliance programs. Ms. Manos is the author of the two-volume book, Government Contract Costs & Pricing, which is widely recognized as the definitive text in the area. Ms. Manos currently serves as Vice-Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Public Contract Law and served for several years as Co-Chair of its Accounting, Cost & Pricing Committee. She also is editor-in-chief of both the Public Contract Law Journal and the Cost, Pricing & Accounting Report; and is member of the Advisory Board of the Government Contractor. Ms. Manos graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy and from the Duke University School of Law.
Areas of discussion: The opening session includes an overview of the Institute including new developments in Government Contract Costs and Cost Accounting Standards. The CAS Board: Make-up: operating procedures and rules; actions, promulgations to date; agenda for the coming year.
11:30-2:30
MR. MICHAEL E. STEEN of Huntsville, AL
Certified Public Accountant, is a Senior Managing Consultant at Beason & Nalley, Inc. in the Government Contract Consulting Group in Huntsville. Prior to joining Beason & Nalley, Mike was employed with DCAA and has over 30 years experience. As a senior executive with DCAA over the past several years, Mike was responsible for the management of audits of approximately $25B annually and management of agency resources approximating 800 employees. Mike was also involved in conducting or managing a variety of compliance audits, to include cost proposals, internal controls and related systems, Cost Accounting Standards, claims, defective pricing, and special programs. He was also actively involved in contract disputes and litigation. He has lectured extensively at DCAA and to business and community leaders. Mike also served as a member of the Executive Steering Committee for DCAA during his tenure as a Regional Director.
Areas of discussion: Identify current trends and initiatives in government contract auditing that could impact your business. Explore the changing role of DCAA in an acquisition reform environment. Address significant prompt payment and contract closeout issues resulting from DOD’s transition to a new contract administration and payment system.
The Second Day
8:00-11:00
Mr. James W. Thomas of Washington, D.C
Partner in the Government Contractor Consulting Practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP in Washington, DC. He specializes in the unique financial and accounting requirements of government contracts. Mr. Thomas provides advice to clients on strategies for organizational structures, systems to meet the estimating and accounting requirements of the Federal Acquisition Regulation and strategies for proposal pricing. He provides expert accounting services to law firms representing clients involved in government contract disputes such as acquisition purchase price disputes, bid protests, defective pricing, cost recovery claims, labor charging and other accounting disputes. He has provided expert testimony in cases involving cost disputes and in bid protest cases. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the Pennsylvania State University and is a Certified Public Accountant in Virginia.
Areas of discussion: Understanding and living with the conflicting rules on allowability and allocability. Discussion of the FAR approach to allocability, including a discussion of FAR 31.201, 202, 203, and parts of 205. Comparison of the FAR with the CAS approach to allocability as set out in the standards and the Board's concepts statement. Analysis of how the courts have decided allocability issues and conflicts between FAR and CAS. Insights into how the new CAS Board may be handling the problem and other thorny issues it now faces.
11:30-2:30
Mr. Stephen D. Knight of Washington, DC
Partner in the Vienna, VA law offices of Smith Pachter & McWhorter, PLC. Specializes in a variety of government contracts issues. He has substantial expertise in the area of claims and disputes, including defective specifications, delay and disruption, changes, and contract interpretation. Handles matters involving complex questions of government contract cost accounting, cost allocability, cost allowability, material accounting, labor accounting, contract payment, and defective pricing. Has advised clients on sensitive issues of government contract compliance, disclosure, and the government's right of access to records. Substantial experience in the area of procurement fraud. This experience includes the representation of clients during grand jury and Inspector General criminal investigations, as well as civil investigations, and litigation pursuant to the Civil False Claims Act and its Qui Tam provisions. Bachelor of Arts, with honors, elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Virginia.
Areas of discussion: The cost principles and Cost Accounting Standards relevant to the various organizational forms. CAS 403, 410 and 418. Allocability and allowability rules applicable to parents, subsidiaries, segments, divisions, cost centers, joint ventures and teaming arrangements. Cost consequences of changes from takeovers, purchases, sales, combinations, split ups, start ups and shut downs. The rules governing transactions between organizations in areas such as supplies, services and leases.
The Third Day
8:00-11:00
Mr. Terry L. Albertson of Washington, D.C.
Partner in the Washington, D.C. law firm of Crowell & Moring LLP, specializing in Government procurement law. Mr. Albertson is active in a number of trade and professional organizations. For several years, he served as Chairman of the Committee on Accounting and Cost and Pricing of the Public Contract Law Section of the American Bar Association. A member of The Government Contractor Advisory Broad, he has written and lectured frequently on Government procurement issues, with special emphasis on cost allowability issues, multiple award Federal Supply Schedule contracts, and issues related to fraud, debarment, and suspension. He received a Bachelor's degree from Georgetown University, magna cum laude, a Master's degree from Yale University, and a law degree from Harvard Law School, cum laude,. He is a member of the Bars of State of Maryland and the District of Columbia.
Areas of discussion: FAR cost principles - Precontract costs: IR & D: B&P and CAS 420; environmental cleanup costs; public relations vs. marketing vs. direct selling costs; professional and consultant service costs; employee compensation, including uncompensated overtime and accounting for, and "termination" of fully funded pension plans - CAS 412 and 413 implications; cost and CAS issues as defective pricing problems.
11:30-2:30
Mr. Louis Rosen of Washington, D.C.
Formerly Government Contract Services: Ernst & Young, LLP, Certified Public Accountant and attorney. Former Associate Director of the Cost Accounting Standards Board. Member of the Government Contract Costs, Pricing & Accounting Report Advisory Board's Steering Committee. Has spoken on Government contract business and financial issues for industry and professional groups and educational institutions. Member of the Association of Government Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Areas of discussion: Accounting for the costs of assets. Issues generated by mergers and acquisitions. Evaluation of assets, appropriate use of stepped-up basis, DCAA gain recapture theories, and novation agreements precluding costs being allocated to pre-existing contracts. Allocating special tooling and test equipment costs. Direct vs. indirect costs: Appropriate procedures and accounting practices. Cost accounting practices vs. estimating practices. The impact of organizational changes. Planning for changes in cost accounting practices.
Note: Messrs. Albertson and Rosen will team teach on the Third Day.