Fed Talks: A Baker Tilly Podcast

Our recent episode of the Fed Talks podcast discusses the recent changes to the Department of Defense's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification: CMMC 2.0. On this episode of Fed Talks, we discuss the recent changes to the Department of Defense’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) with subject matter specialist Matt Gilbert. Questions addressed include: -What is CMMC 2.0 and what are some of the key features of this new model? -How does the removal of the process requirement affect contractors? -What should contractors do today as they await additional guidance on CMMC 2.0?

On our second installment of our Fed Talks miniseries: But why?, we discuss the purpose of incurred cost proposals (ICPs) with Baker Tilly subject matter specialist Drew Lewis. Questions addressed include: • What is an ICP and when are contractors required to prepare them? • How can contractors ensure that submitting an ICP is as simple as possible? • What types of changes are expected to be made to the ICP process?

Our most recent episode of the Fed Talks podcast discusses new policy directives related to supply chain risk management. On this episode of Fed Talks, we explore how new policy directives related to supply chain risk management (SCRM) are challenging federal contractors to adapt their legal strategies, with special guest Alex Canizares from Perkins Coie, and Baker Tilly subject matter specialists, Jeff Clayton and Leo Alvarez. Questions addressed include: • What is the nexus between SCRM and DoD’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification framework? • What are effective approaches to managing disputes and/or False Claims Act risks as it relates to SCRM or cyber related attestations? • How will the Biden Cybersecurity Executive Order impact federal contractors?

Our most recent episode of the Fed Talks podcast discusses the costs of varying levels of cybersecurity maturity model certification. We play a game of “headline or clickbait” with subject matter specialists Matt Gilbert and Joe McCaffrey to discuss the costs of varying levels of cybersecurity maturity model certification (CMMC) compliance. Questions addressed include: • Are the DoD’s estimated CMMC cost figures reasonable? • How should contractors treat and allocate the costs associated with CMMC? • Will CMMC costs incurred prior to winning a contract requiring CMMC be questioned? • What can contractors do to minimize the costs associated with CMMC?

On this episode of Fed Talks, we discuss the growing importance of supply chain risk management (SCRM) in federal procurement with Baker Tilly subject matter specialists, Jeff Clayton and Leo Alvarez. Questions addressed include: • What is SCRM and why now? • How is SCRM affecting federal acquisitions? • How is the use of all-source intelligence platforms (“supply chain illumination”) changing risk governance?

On this episode of Fed Talks, we discuss the top 10 costs contractors are forgetting to include in their termination settlement proposals with Baker Tilly partner Noah Leiden and special guest John Prairie, a partner at Wiley Rein LLP. Questions addressed include:

On our recent episode of the Fed Talks podcast we discuss the importance of test automation for government contractors. On this episode of Fed Talks, we discuss test automation with Baker Tilly principal Kevin Brandt. Questions addressed include:

Government contracting specialist Drew Lewis joins our most recent episode of the Fed Talks podcast to discuss the purpose of contractor business systems. On the inaugural installment of our new Fed Talks miniseries, "But why?," we discuss the purpose of contractor business systems with Baker Tilly subject matter specialist Drew Lewis. Questions addressed include:

So, you want to be a government contractor? On this episode of Fed Talks, we play a game of ‘Fact or Fiction’ with subject matter specialists Matt Danner and Rachelle Jackson to comment on common concerns companies have when considering contracting with the Federal Government. Questions addressed include: -Does the government require advance approval for contractors for their subcontract arrangements? -Will working with the government mean making sweeping changes to a company’s accounting system? -Is there opportunity for reasonable profit in government contracting?

On this episode of Fed Talks, we discuss the impact of COVID-19 on Service Contract Act (SCA) contractors with Baker Tilly’s Jennifer Flickinger and subject matter specialist Rachelle Jackson. Questions addressed include: -How has COVID-19 affected contractors with SCA contracts? -How have the health and welfare (H&W) component costs of employee compensation changed due to COVID-19? -What steps should contractors take to be successful in this new environment?

On this episode of Fed Talks, we discuss all things cybersecurity in the government contracting industry with subject matter specialist Dr. Sabari Gupta. Questions addressed include: -What are the biggest similarities and differences in managing cybersecurity for a company versus the federal government? -What is the ‘Zero Trust’ model of information security and why is establishing user identity a critical component for an effective Zero Trust model? -How can companies balance good security practices with the cost and complexity it takes to implement them?

Have you heard of Baker Tilly’s podcast, Fed Talks? Fed Talks is a series of bite-size audio episodes, featuring guests across the government contracting industry, as they provide unique perspectives on current issues. Season two of Fed Talks will highlight trending topics in the same conversational nature, but with enhancements to make the episodes even more entertaining.

On the first episode of Fed Talks season two, we play a game of ‘What’s the Word’ with subject matter expert Mike Cullen to better understand how CMMC will affect non-traditional government contractors. Questions addressed include:

On this episode of Fed Talks, we discuss the top five things contractors need to know when putting together a proposal for a Service Contract Act (SCA) contract with Baker Tilly subject matter experts Jennifer Flickinger & Rachelle Jackson. Questions addressed include: 1. What is the Service Contract Act? 2. How does the contract type affect both a contractor’s focus during a proposal and ability to secure future funding? 3. How can contractors ensure they are complying with SCA throughout the life of the contract?

On this episode of Fed Talks, we discuss industry critiques of CMMC’s binary certification process with Baker Tilly subject matter expert Matt Gilbert. Questions addressed include: Why are some industry experts saying that CMMC lacks agility? In what ways can the CMMC assessment process be more flexible without undermining its purpose? How can contractors prepare themselves to succeed within CMMC’s current design?

On the fourth installment of our Fed Talks miniseries edition: Beers with Brent, we discuss Independent Public Accountants (IPAs) with Baker Tilly partner Brent Calhoon and special guest Nicole Owren-Wiest, a partner at Crowell & Moring LLP. Questions addressed include: What are IPAs and how are they utilized in the government contractor space? How have government contractors reacted to the use of IPAs? How do we expect IPAs to be utilized more going forward?

On this episode of Fed Talks, we discuss recent happenings in the commercial item space with Baker Tilly subject matter experts Jeffrey Clayton and Steven Brewer. Questions addressed include: What are commercial item determinations and why are they important for government contractors? What are some key takeaways from the Defense Contract Management Agency Commercial Item Group’s recent Request for Information? What are some best practices for contractors working to put documentation together for commercial item determinations?

On the third installment of our Fed Talks miniseries edition: Beers with Brent, we discuss the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) with Baker Tilly partner Brent Calhoon and special guest Nicole Owren-Wiest, a partner at Crowell & Moring LLP. Questions addressed include: What was the background and theory behind CAS? Does CAS successfully establish the original mission of the CAS Board? What can contractors do to ensure success when they make cost accounting practice changes?

On this episode of Fed Talks, we discuss accounting system audits and how accounting systems can be a strategic differentiator for government contractors, with Baker Tilly subject matter experts Jennifer Flickinger & Jack Coviello. Questions addressed include: 1. What actually is an accounting system audit and what are the different variations? 2. What recent developments in the industry have led to a renewed importance for system approvals? 3. How does the size and maturity of a contractor affect accounting system design and the ability to receive approval?

On this episode of Fed Talks, we discuss how contractors or recipients of assistance awards (grantees) can assess their organizational risks and improve internal controls when faced with the imposition of an Administrative Agreement. Baker Tilly subject matter experts Patrick Fitzgerald and Delaney Gordon dig into this topic, and further discuss how organizations can get out in front of the government’s concerns to address issues early and efficiently. Questions addressed include: What is an administrative agreement and when does the government impose this type of independent oversight? How does a contractor or grantee know when an Administrative Agreement is being contemplated and what can the contractor do to lessen the impact of the Agreement on its operations? What are the best mitigation strategies that contractors and grantees can implement to avoid administrative agreements altogether?