GovCon: Need to Know Series – Mason CPE

The Government Contracts Compliance course is a series composed of 90-minute sessions covering “need to know” topics in the field of government contracts. These sessions cover topics such as corruption issues, supply chain issues, and international business to accounting, cybersecurity, administration and safeguarding information. These processes can often seem overwhelming due to the technical nature, array of statutes, rules, guidance and contract types, and ever-changing legal landscape. This series will provide comprehensive summaries of the issues relevant to government contracts.

10:30 am – 12:00 noon (ET)

January 23: Corruption Issues

• Gifts
• Gratuities
• Kickbacks
• Whistleblower Protections
• Covenant Against Contingent Fees

January 30: Procurement Process

• Procurement Integrity (disclosure restrictions)
• Organizational Conflicts of Interest
• Duty to Disclose Evidence of Fraud

February 6: International Business Issues

• Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
• ITAR, EAR and OFAC export and import controls
• Anti-boycott laws
• Buy American and Trade Agreements Acts, Berry & Kissell Amendments
• Human trafficking (not just an overseas issue, but that’s where requirements are most rigorous)

February 13: The Other Business Systems

• Property System
• Estimating System
• Earned Value Management System
• Material Management & Accounting System

February 20: Supply Chain Issues

• CPSR
• Subcontractor source selection (responsibility, past performance)
• Unreasonable Restrictions on Subcontracting Sales to Government (FAR 52.203-6)
• Counterfeit parts
• Preventing prohibited sources in supply chain
• Excessive pass-through charges

February 27: Cost and Pricing

• Pricing Strategies
• Price Analysis
• Commercial Items
• Competition
• Cost Justified Pricing

March 5: Accounting Systems

• Cost accounting
• Time cards
• Truth in Negotiations Act
• Certifications (indirect costs, incurred costs, etc.)
• Audits

March 12: The Dark Side

• False Claims Acts
• False Statements Act
• Suspension and debarment

March 19: Cybersecurity

• NIST Guidance
• FAR Rules
• CMMC
• Safeguarding Covered Contractor Information
• Controlled Unclassified Information

March 26: Interacting with Government

• Post-employment restrictions (Procurement Integrity Act, 18 U.S.C. 207)
• Issues when working on government site
• Status of contractor when “representing” government
• Personal Conflict of Interest

April 2: Antitrust and Lobbying

• Certificate of independent pricing
• Restraints on trade
• HLOGA – gift rules
• Registration requirements
• Byrd amendment

April 9: Compliance Program

• Requirements for small businesses
• Requirements for everyone else
• Flowdowns to subcontractors

April 16: Contract Administration

• Limitations on authorizations (to make agreements or execute documents)
• Compliance with audit requirements
• Records retention
• Nepotism
• Internal personal conflicts of interest

April 23: Socioeconomic Issues and Schedule Contracts

• Small business status – affiliation rules
• Small business size protests
• 8(a), SDVO, HUBZone and WOSB programs
• Limitations on Subcontracting (FAR 52.219-14)
• Schedules – Commercial pricing information
• Price reduction clause

April 30: Employment, Health and Safety

• Equal opportunity requirements
• Affirmative Action requirements
• Environmental, health and safety issues

May 5: Safeguarding Proprietary Information

• Technical data and computer software
• Patent rights
• Authorization and consent
• Non-disclosure agreements

May 14: Classified Contracting, and Privacy Issues

• NISPOM– Personnel clearances
• Facility Clearances
• Privacy Act
• GDPR