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An Earned Value Management System (EVMS) refers to the software, processes, tools, templates and management controls a contractor uses to accomplish their earned value management activities in accordance with the guidelines established by the Electronics Industry Alliance (EIA) Standard 748. Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS) is the standard for DoD (Department of Defense) Earned Value Management System Programs and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 252.234-7001 Notice of Earned Value Management System. In this fifth episode of Cherry Bekaert’s podcast series on each of the six Contractor Business Systems, Brendan Halloran, a Senior Manager in Cherry Bekaert’s Government Contracting Industry practice who was previously a Divisional Administrative Contracting Officer (DACO) at the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), and John Bula, a Manager in the Firm’s GovCon practice, discuss the requirements for a Contractor EVMS, when it is required and what it entails.Listen in to find out about: What is an Earned Value Management System What is being seen in solicitations and RFPs EVMS requirements and key components DCMA EVMS guidelines, surveillances and reviews Processes, documentation, metrics and reporting Benefits in having an EVMS system in place EVMS Best practices If you have any questions specific to your situation, Cherry Bekaert’s GovCon Consultants are available to discuss your situation with you. Contact us If you haven’t already, catch up on the series: Contractor Business Systems Series: Part 1 – Applicability Contractor Business Systems Series: Part 1 – Accounting System Contractor Business Systems Series: Part 3 – Cost Estimating System Requirements Contractor Business Systems Series: Part 4 – Purchasing System Cherry Bekaert’s Government Contracting Industry advisors are well versed in business systems requirements and complex control environments. We guide contractors in developing and maintaining compliant business systems, performing systems assessments, providing audit support and preparing contractors for audits or reviews by the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) or other cognizant agencies. View all Government Contracting Podcasts

What are size standards and how does the Small Business Administration (SBA) determine a small business’s size?  In this episode of Cherry Bekaert’s Government Contracting podcast series, John Ure and Carol Marin, Tax Partners in Cherry Bekaert’s Government Contractor Industry practice join James Kahrs, a Business Development Director in the Firm’s GovCon practice. Together, they discuss SBA size standards and recent threshold adjustments, which are used to determine whether a business entity is considered small, and subsequently eligible for government programs and preferences reserved for small business concerns.Listen in to find out about: SBA size standards and how they are established SBA calculation of annual receipts  SBA calculation of number of employees SBA’s recent adjustment of the size standard thresholds  If you have any questions specific to your situation, Cherry Bekaert’s GovCon Consultants are available to discuss your situation with you. Contact us View All Podcasts from this Series.  View all Government Contracting Podcasts

What is a Contractor Purchasing System? When is a Contractor Purchasing System required? What trends are being seen in solicitations? The fourth episode of Cherry Bekaert’s podcast series on each of the six Contractor Business Systems features Brendan Halloran, a Senior Manager in Cherry Bekaert’s Government Contracting Industry practice who previously was a Divisional Administrative Contracting Officer (DACO) at the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), and John Bula, a Manager in the Firm’s GovCon practice. Together they discuss the requirements for a Contractor Purchasing System, as outlined in Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 252.244-7001, when it is required and what it entails. Listen in to find out about: What constitutes an acceptable and compliant Contractor Purchasing System What triggers the Contractor Purchasing System requirement Key components and considerations of a Contractor Purchasing System Policies, processes and documentation to demonstrate compliance Benefits contractors can realize in having an approved system Contractor Purchasing System Reviews (CPSR) If you have any questions specific to your situation, Cherry Bekaert’s GovCon Consultants are available to discuss your situation with you. Contact us If you haven’t already, catch up on the first three parts of the series: Contractor Business Systems Series: Part 1 – Applicability Contractor Business Systems Series: Part 2 – Accounting System Contractor Business Systems Series: Part 3 – Cost Estimating System Requirements Cherry Bekaert’s Government Contracting Industry advisors are well versed in business systems requirements and complex control environments. We guide contractors in developing and maintaining compliant business systems, performing systems assessments, providing audit support and preparing contractors for audits or reviews by the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) or other cognizant agencies. View all Government Contracting Podcasts

Merger and acquisition activity is complex on its own, much less when you factor in government contracts. What should government contracting companies consider when evaluating a potential transaction? Join Cherry Bekaert’s Government Contracting Industry practice for a two-part series on government contract considerations during an acquisition.  In the first episode, Brendan Halloran, a Senior Manager in Cherry Bekaert’s Government Contracting Industry practice, and Roy Rushing, a Manager in the Firm’s GovCon practice, discuss contract types, requirements and considerations when a company evaluates acquiring a company or being acquired. Listen to find out about: Types of contracts and past performance considerations Potential impacts to contracts and revenue stream Organizational conflicts of interest and other considerations for different contract types Special security considerations Contract novations and requirements If you have any questions specific to your situation, Cherry Bekaert’s GovCon Consultants are available to discuss your situation with you. Contact us View all Government Contracting Podcasts

In this episode Eric Poppe, a Director in Cherry Bekaert’s Government Contractor Industry practice, leads a panel discussion on the current state of the Department of Defense (DoD) Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 program. He and the panel draw from the Firm’s own experience with the assessment process, having undergone a Level 2 assessment to receive authorization from the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Accreditation Body, Inc. (The Cyber AB) as a CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO). Listen in to hear from Neal Beggan, Partner and leader of Cherry Bekaert’s Risk Advisory and Information Technology Audit Group, Matthew Schiavone, Managing Director and Brian Kirk, Senior Manager, from the Firm’s Information Assurance & Cybersecurity Practice as they share insights into: Current state of CMMC Status of the Final Rule – Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) Clause 252.204.7021, or the “CMMC Clause” What we are seeing in contracts What a C3PAO means Assessment pitfalls Joint Surveillance Voluntary Assessments program in partnership with the Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Assessment Center (DIBCAC) Catch up on Cherry’s Bekaert’s previous guidance pertaining to CMMC 2.0: Podcast: What’s New with CMMC 2.0?: August 2022 Update Podcast: CMMC 2.0 Brings Major Program Changes On-demand webinar: CMMC 2.0 Brings Major Program Changes If you have any questions regarding CMMC, Cherry Bekaert’s Information Assurance & Cybersecurity and Government Contracting advisors are available to discuss your situation with you. View all Government Contracting Podcasts

The 8(a) Business Development Program is a nine-year program created by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to help small, disadvantaged businesses compete and conduct business with the Federal government. The 8(a) Program offers small, disadvantaged businesses tremendous opportunities but contains stringent compliance requirements.  What must companies be aware of to avoid early graduation from the program? At what point should companies prepare for life beyond the program? What should companies consider to thrive in a more competitive business environment? Listen to Susan Moser, Partner and Leader of Cherry Bekaert’s Government Contracting Industry practice, and Sarah Tucker, a Senior Manager in the Firm’s GovCon practice, discuss what an 8(a) company needs to know and focus on as it prepares for life beyond the 8(a) Program, including:  Why some companies graduate early from the 8(a) Program What to consider when contemplating an early graduation What to monitor to stay in compliance of the 8(a) Program What pre-planning steps to take to transition from the 8(a) Program Which areas to focus on to successfully graduate from the 8(a) Program and thrive If you have any questions specific to your situation, Cherry Bekaert’s GovCon Consultants are available to discuss your situation with you. Contact us If you haven’t already, catch up on other episodes in our podcast series discussing various aspects of the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 8(a) Business Development Program: The SBA 8(a) Business Development Program – What Is It and What Are the Requirements? The SBA 8(a) Business Development Program Application Process and Requirements What Are the Compliance Requirements for 8(a) Certified Companies? Winning an SBA 8(a) Sole Source Award Contract – What’s Involved and What to Know Winning an 8(a) Competitive Contract Small Business Administration (SBA) Mentor-Protégé Program SBA Mentor-Protégé & Joint Venture Arrangements – Important Elements of the Agreement The lifecycle of an 8(a) Company OIG Report: SBA’s Business Development Assistance to 8(a) Program Participants Contract Performance After the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program View all Government Contracting Podcasts

What year-end, tax-saving steps can government contracting businesses and their owners take? How can they prepare for tax law changes impacting 2023?  In this episode of Cherry Bekaert’s Government Contracting podcast series, John Ure and Carol Marin, Tax Partners in Cherry Bekaert’s Government Contractor Industry practice and Private Client Services practice, discuss year-end tax planning at the entity and individual levels, including pertinent information for government contractors and 8(a) government contractors. Listen in to find out about: Methods to reduce current year income Captial expenditures, fixed assets and phase out of bonus depreciation rules starting in 2023 Retirement plans to manage income, including VIP retirement plans Research & Development (R&D) tax credit Employee Retention Credit (ERC) Projections and estimated tax payments to avoid surprises Pass-thru entity considerations Qualified Business Income deduction Charitable contributions Special regulations and thresholds for SBA 8(a) program government contractors If you need help with year-end tax planning, Cherry Bekaert tax advisors are available to discuss your situation. We welcome the opportunity to identify the best tax positions and opportunities for you and your company. View All Podcasts from this Series View all Government Contracting Podcasts

When should government contractors that work with the Department of Defense (DoD) be concerned about Cost Estimating System Requirements for compliance and adequacy per the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) What are the requirements and trends being seen in solicitations?In this third episode of Cherry Bekaert’s podcast series on each of the six Contractor Business Systems, Eric Poppe, a Director in Cherry Bekaert’s Government Contracting Industry practice, and Brendan Halloran, a Senior Manager in the Firm’s GovCon practice who previously was a Divisional Administrative Contracting Officer (DACO) at the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), discuss the requirements for an adequate estimating system as outlined in Cost Estimating System Requirements, 252.215-7002. Listen in to find out about: What constitutes an adequate Estimating System When it is a requirement Policies, processes, and documentation to demonstrate compliance Best practices and pitfalls to avoid How to prepare for getting an approved Estimating System If you have any questions specific to your situation, Cherry Bekaert’s GovCon Consultants are available to discuss your situation with you. Contact us If you haven’t already, catch up on Part 1 & Part 2 in the series: Contractor Business Systems Series: Part 1 – Applicability Contractor Business Systems Series: Part 2 – Accounting System Cherry Bekaert’s Government Contracting Industry advisors are well versed in business systems requirements and complex control environments. We guide contractors in developing and maintaining compliant business systems, perform systems assessments, provide audit support, and prepare contractors for audits or reviews by the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) or other cognizant agencies. View all Government Contracting Podcasts

The Contractor Business Systems podcast series hosts members of Cherry Bekaert’s Government Contracting Industry team to discuss each of the six contractor business systems—Accounting, Estimating, Purchasing, Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS), Material Management and Accounting System (MMAS), and Property Management.  In this second episode, Eric Poppe, a Director in Cherry Bekaert’s Government Contracting Industry practice, and Jacquelin LaClair, a Senior Associate in the Firm’s GovCon practice who spent 10 years working with the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) and the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), discuss the requirements for an adequate accounting system as outlined in Accounting System Administration, 252.242-7006 and required by FAR 16.301-3 in the award of a cost reimbursable type contract. Listen in to find out about: What types of Accounting System audits might be requested by Contracting Officers What the differences are between Pre-Award Accounting System audits and Post Award Accounting System audits What the government is reviewing How contractors should prepare for an Accounting System audit If you have any questions specific to your situation, Cherry Bekaert’s GovCon Consultants are available to discuss your situation with you. Contact us If you haven’t already, catch up on Part 1 in the series: Contractor Business Systems Series: Part 1 – ApplicabilityCherry Bekaert’s Government Contracting Industry advisors are well versed in business systems requirements and complex control environments. We guide contractors in developing and maintaining compliant business systems, perform systems assessments, provide audit support, and prepare contractors for audits or reviews by the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) or other cognizant agencies. View all Government Contracting Podcasts

Continuing in our series on the Small Business Administration (SBA) 8(a) Business Development Program and the All-Small Mentor-Protégé Program (previously the 8(a) Mentor-Protégé Program), the focus of this podcast episode is on how to handle basic accounting when entering into a Joint Venture (JV) agreement as part of a Mentor-Protégé (M-P) arrangement. Listen to Eric Poppe, a Director in Cherry Bekaert’s Government Contracting Industry Practice, and Craig Hunter, an Assurance Partner and member of the Firm’s GovCon practice, to find out about: The SBA All Small Mentor-Protégé Program How JV arrangements are traditionally set-up How the day-to-day accounting flows between entities Billing and best practices Cost allocation How to handle the accounting for different contract types If you have any questions specific to your situation, Cherry Bekaert’s GovCon Consultants are available to discuss your situation with you. Contact us. If you haven’t already, catch up on other episodes in our podcast series discussing various aspects of the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 8(a) Business Development Program: The SBA 8(a) Business Development Program – What Is It and What Are the Requirements? The SBA 8(a) Business Development Program Application Process and Requirements What Are the Compliance Requirements for 8(a) Certified Companies? Winning an SBA 8(a) Sole Source Award Contract – What’s Involved and What to Know Winning an 8(a) Competitive Contract Small Business Administration (SBA) Mentor-Protégé Program SBA Mentor-Protégé & Joint Venture Arrangements – Important Elements of the Agreement The lifecycle of an 8(a) Company OIG Report: SBA’s Business Development Assistance to 8(a) Program Participants Contract Performance After the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program View all Government Contracting Podcasts

Join Cherry Bekaert’s Government Contracting Industry team for part one of a new podcast series discussing the six contractor business systems—Accounting, Estimating, Purchasing, Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS), Material Management and Accounting System (MMAS), and Property Management. The series will discuss Business Systems applicability, requirements and trends currently seen for Business Systems in solicitations. In the first episode Susan Moser, Partner and Leader of Cherry Bekaert’s Government Contracting practice, and Roy Rushing, a Manager in the Firm’s GovCon practice and a former Contracting Officer with various federal agencies, discuss Business Systems applicability, including an overview of what the Business Systems are and background. Listen in to find out about: An overview of the Business Systems When contractors should be concerned about Business Systems Which three systems are the most common and come into play first for contractors When companies would encounter the other three systems Small business applicability and the value of these requirements beyond meeting contractual requirements Cherry Bekaert’s Government Contracting Industry advisors are well versed in business systems requirements and complex control environments. We guide contractors in developing and maintaining compliant business systems, perform systems assessments, provide audit support, and prepare contractors for audits or reviews by the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) or other cognizant agencies. If you have any questions specific to your situation, Cherry Bekaert’s GovCon Consultants are available to discuss your situation with you. Contact us View all Government Contracting Podcasts

As companies prepare for graduation from the Small Business Administration (SBA) 8(a) program, there are many important considerations and decisions to be made. The key to successfully graduate and thrive is to plan well in advance.  Listen to Susan Moser, Partner and Leader of Cherry Bekaert’s Government Contracting practice, John Ure, a Tax Partner and member of the Firm’s GovCon practice, and Brendan Halloran, a Senior Manager in the Firm’s GovCon practice and former Divisional Administration Contracting Officer (ACO) with the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), discuss what an 8(a) company needs to know and focus on as it prepares for graduation from the 8(a) Business Development Program. We will discuss: Why for some contractors focusing on staying a small business is a good thing If your path is to stay small, what to be aware of and to focus on for more success Considerations and planning for growth to meet requirements as a large business New SBA rule to help small businesses meet past performance requirements If you have any questions specific to your situation, Cherry Bekaert’s GovCon Consultants are available to discuss your situation with you. Contact us If you haven’t already, catch up on other episodes in our podcast series discussing various aspects of the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 8(a) Business Development Program: The SBA 8(a) Business Development Program – What Is It and What Are the Requirements? The SBA 8(a) Business Development Program Application Process and Requirements What Are the Compliance Requirements for 8(a) Certified Companies? Winning an SBA 8(a) Sole Source Award Contract – What’s Involved and What to Know Winning an 8(a) Competitive Contract Small Business Administration (SBA) Mentor-Protégé Program SBA Mentor-Protégé & Joint Venture Arrangements – Important Elements of the Agreement The lifecycle of an 8(a) Company OIG Report: SBA’s Business Development Assistance to 8(a) Program Participants View all Government Contracting Podcasts

Where does the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 program currently stand? Neal Beggan, leader of Cherry Bekaert’s Risk Advisory Services and a Principal in Cherry Bekaert’s Information Assurance & Cybersecurity Practice and Eric Poppe, a Director in the Firm’s Government Contractor Services Group, discuss the latest information about the Department of Defense (DoD) CMMC 2.0 program. Listen in to find out about: The CMMC accreditation body - now called “The CYBER AB” CAP, a pre-decisional draft of the CMMC assessment process (CAP) released by The CYBER AB FedRAMP certification and NIST SP 800-171 Recent DoD memorandum and DoJ Comprehensive Cyber Review highlighting enforcement mechanisms for compliance with cybersecurity requirements  Voluntary assessments, which are now allowed prior to the interim final rule for CMMC, and expected to begin in late summer/early fall of 2022  If you haven’t already, catch up on Cherry’s Bekaert’s previous guidance on CMMC 2.0: On-demand webinar: CMMC 2.0 Brings Major Program Changes Podcast: CMMC 2.0 Brings Major Program Changes If you have any questions regarding CMMC, Cherry Bekaert’s Risk Advisory and GovCon Consultants are available to discuss your situation with you. View all Government Contracting Podcasts

On February 14, 2022, the Office of Inspector General (OIG), U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issued a report on SBA’s Business Development Assistance to 8(a) Program Participants. The objective of the audit was “to determine to what extent SBA measures and monitors an 8(a) firm's progress toward achieving individual business development goals. The objective was also to ensure 8(a) firms receive the help needed to meet their goals and if the program adapted during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic.” Why should we care about the findings of this report? Often OIG reports foreshadow what might be expected in the coming year. This report gives 8(a) companies a preview of what SBA may focus on. Listen to Susan Moser, Partner and Leader of Cherry Bekaert’s Government Contracting practice and Brendan Halloran, a Senior Manager in the Firm’s GovCon practice, discuss what they learned from the OIG report and key takeaways, including: Background on the SBA 8(a) Program and data points from the Report OIG’s findings and recommendations What 8(a) contractors should expect in the coming year Our Government Contractor Services group has an in-depth understanding of the 8(a) program and advises a number of 8(a) government contractors through each step of the process to add value and anticipate ongoing opportunities. From the initial important decisions made in becoming an 8(a), to the first contract, to how the company is growing throughout the life of the program. If you have any questions specific to your situation, Cherry Bekaert’s GovCon Consultants are available to discuss your situation with you. If you haven’t already, listen to other episodes in our podcast series discussing various aspects of the SBA 8(a) Program: Part 1: The SBA 8(a) Business Development Program – What Is It and What Are the Requirements? Part 2: The SBA 8(a) Business Development Program Application Process and Requirements Part 3: What Are the Compliance Requirements for 8(a) Certified Companies? Part 4: Winning an SBA 8(a) Sole Source Award Contract – What’s Involved and What to Know Part 5: Winning an 8(a) Competitive Contract Part 6: Small Business Administration (SBA) Mentor-Protégé Program Part 7: The Lifecycle of an SBA 8(a) Company View all Government Contracting Podcasts

The use of teaming agreements when competing for government contracts can create new government contract opportunities for businesses both large and small. Teaming and subcontracting agreements give companies the chance to win awards that they might not otherwise qualify for or have the depth of technical expertise and resources individually.  There are many factors to consider when entering a teaming or subcontract arrangement, including types of arrangements, regulatory compliance requirements, rate structures and operating and entity agreements.  In this episode, Eric Poppe, a Senior Manager in Cherry Bekaert’s Government Contracting Industry practice, and Brendan Halloran, also a senior manager in the Firm’s Government Contracting practice, share their insights into the different types of teaming arrangements and what government contractors should consider when entering into an agreement, along with best practices. Discussion includes: Reasons for entering a teaming arrangement Small business plans and subcontractor arrangements Rate structures and contract mix The differences between a subcontract and other teaming arrangements Operating and entity agreements Regulatory compliance considerations If you need any help developing your teaming strategy or navigating the proposal process, Cherry Bekaert’s Government Contracting consultants are available to discuss your situation with you. View all Government Contracting Podcasts

In this episode Neal Beggan, leader of Cherry Bekaert’s Risk Advisory Services and a Principal in Cherry Bekaert’s Information Assurance & Cybersecurity Practice, selected as one of the first Provisional Assessors nationwide by the CMMC Accreditation Body, and Eric Poppe, a senior manager in the Firm’s Government Contractor Services Group, discuss the current state of the Department of Defense (DoD) Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 program and share insights on what contractors and subcontractors in the defense industrial base (DIB) should be doing now to prepare. Discussion includes: The Pentagon’s shift of responsibility for the CMMC program to the DoD CIO Change in leadership at the CMMC Accreditation Body Debunking some of the rumors around the CMMC 2.0 rollout, including: DoD’s rollback on the number of companies who would have been allowed to self-attest, increasing the number of contractors that may require a third-party assessment  The expected length of the rulemaking process and when the actual requirements will be incorporated into procurements The Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on the CMMC rollout What companies should be doing now to prepare for CMMC  Incentives being considered by DoD to encourage early adoption of certification If you haven’t already, catch up on Cherry’s Bekaert’s previous guidance on CMMC 2.0: On-demand webinar: CMMC 2.0 Brings Major Program Changes Podcast: CMMC 2.0 Brings Major Program Changes If you have any questions regarding CMMC, Cherry Bekaert’s Risk Advisory and GovCon Consultants are available to discuss your situation with you. View all Government Contracting Podcasts

Idle facilities and the associated costs have always been a topic of debate between government contractors and the Federal government. Contractors need to proactively monitor their facility use to avoid potential questioned costs while ensuring they can meet contract work fluctuations and future demand.  With businesses becoming more comfortable with employees working from home due to the COVID 19 pandemic, office occupancy has greatly declined and there is uncertainty as to when, or if, government contractors will go back to a fully occupied office environment. Many contractors now find themselves in a position of evaluating their long-term needs for facility space.   Listen to Brendan Halloran, a Senior Manager in Cherry Bekaert’s Government Contracting Industry (GovCon) practice who previously spent 10 years at the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), and Curt Smith, a Manager in the Firm’s GovCon practice who spent 12 years at the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), discuss how the Federal government views idle facilities, how much time contractors are allowed before the government considers facility costs unallowable, and how contractors should address the costs associated with these facilities. If you need help determining or supporting idle facilities costs, Cherry Bekaert’s GovCon Consultants are available to discuss your situation with you. View all Government Contracting Podcasts

Listen to Brynn McNeil, an Assurance Partner in Cherry Bekaert’s Government Contracting Industry practice and Eric Poppe, a Senior Manager in the Firm’s GovCon practice, discuss the important elements of an agreement when forming a Mentor-Protégé/Joint Venture arrangement. They discuss: Benefits of the Mentor-Protégé Program Basic principles to consider in Agreements Regulatory requirements Other considerations In our previous podcast on the SBA Mentor Protégé program, we gave an overview of the program, discussed some of the goals and benefits from participating in this program, as well as eligibility to participate both from the mentor and the protégé perspectives. We will continue to do future podcasts on this topic, highlighting the annual evaluations that need to be performed, compliance issues, including limitations on subcontracting, accounting and financial reporting, and pricing considerations. Our Government Contractor Services group has an in-depth understanding of the 8(a) program and advises a number of 8(a) government contractors through each step of the process to add value and anticipate ongoing opportunities. From the initial important decisions made in becoming an 8(a), to the first contract, to how the company is growing throughout the life of the program. View all Government Contracting Podcasts

The nine-year Small Business Administration (SBA) 8(a) Business Development Program is a business assistance program that was created to help small, disadvantaged businesses wanting to do business with the Federal government gain a foothold in Federal government contracting.  Listen to Susan Moser, Partner and Leader of Cherry Bekaert’s Government Contracting practice and John Ure, Tax Partner and member of the Firm’s GovCon practice, discuss the lifecycle of an 8(a) company, including a brief overview of the 8(a) program and qualifications; and what an 8(a) company needs to know and focus on during the Developmental Stage, Transition Stage and as you prepare for graduation to help your 8(a) qualified business thrive and successfully graduate. Our Government Contractor Services group has an in-depth understanding of the 8(a) program and advises a number of 8(a) government contractors through each step of the process to add value and anticipate ongoing opportunities. From the initial important decisions made in becoming an 8(a), to the first contract, to how the company is growing throughout the life of the program. If you have any questions specific to your situation, Cherry Bekaert’s GovCon Consultants are available to discuss your situation with you. If you haven’t already, catch up on other episodes in our podcast series discussing various aspects of the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 8(a) Business Development Program: Part 1: The SBA 8(a) Business Development Program – What Is It and What Are the Requirements? Part 2: The SBA 8(a) Business Development Program Application Process and Requirements Part 3: What Are the Compliance Requirements for 8(a) Certified Companies? Part 4: Winning an SBA 8(a) Sole Source Award Contract – What’s Involved and What to Know Part 5: Winning an 8(a) Competitive Contract Part 6: Small Business Administration (SBA) Mentor-Protégé Program View all Government Contracting Podcasts

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act at the start of the pandemic was a lifeline for millions of small businesses in the U.S. The Paycheck Protection loan program (PPP) and the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) provided relief and cash for all kinds of small businesses, but for government contractors, the confusion and changing guidance and interpretations has caused much consternation, stress, confusion, and frustration. Now, almost two years after the initial programs were put in place, there is still confusion.  Listen to Susan Moser, Advisory Partner and leader of Cherry Bekaert’s Government Contracting industry practice, Martin Karamon, a Tax Services Principal and leader of Cherry Bekaert’s Tax Credits and Incentives advisory practice, Brynn McNeil, an Assurance Partner in the Firm’s GovCon practice, and Eric Poppe, a Senior Manager in the GovCon practice, as they provide a recap of the programs and discuss their current state, how contractors are handling relief, the accounting for these credits, the tax implications and how government auditors are looking at these credits and the impact on contracts. If you have any questions specific to your situation, Cherry Bekaert’s GovCon Consultants are available to discuss your situation with you. View all Government Contracting Podcasts