Archive for the ‘Region - VA’ Category

BUDGET CUTS Are Coming … DC-Area Contractors WILL Feel It!

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

A Department of Defense budget proposal could eliminate more than 6,100 jobs in Virginia.  Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced a proposed budget that will close the U. S. Joint Forces Command (JFCOM), a major employer with over 1 million square feet of real estate in Norfolk and Virginia Beach, VA.  As reported by The Washington Post on August 9, 2010, the proposal will also slash the Pentagon’s budget for military contractors over the next three years, significantly impacting the economy of the Washington region. Stephen Fuller, Director of the Center of Regional Analysis at George Mason University commented (more…)

David Ehrenwerth Named Regional Administrator of GSA Mid-Atlantic Region

Friday, June 25th, 2010

WASHINGTON — GSA announced the appointment of David Ehrenwerth to serve as the Regional Administrator of GSA’s Mid-Atlantic Region.  As the Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator, Ehrenwerth will oversee GSA operations in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, including management of federal real estate and information technology. He will be responsible for an inventory of more than 750 government-owned or leased buildings and 1,000 employees.

“David Ehrenwerth will be a tremendous addition to the GSA leadership team as we work to create a greener, more efficient, more cost-effective, more open, and more responsible government for the American people,” said Martha N. Johnson, Administrator of General Services. “His commitment to public service and his experience in real estate and urban development will be invaluable to GSA as we pursue this effort in the Mid-Atlantic Region.” (more…)

Government Contracting: Look Before You Leap!

Friday, June 4th, 2010

Entering the government contracting sector seems especially enticing during a recession. While contracting may be a good fit for your business, make sure you’re aware of the unique aspects of dealing with the government.

Government contracting is big business in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Federal procurement spending in Virginia across all agencies totaled $53.9 billion in 2008.  Historically, some have considered federal government work to be a safe haven during uncertain economic times. While profit margins on government contracts are relatively low, Uncle Sam tends to be a reliable and potentially long-term customer. During the current recession, the lack of private sector work combined with “stimulus” spending under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) is causing some companies to consider government contracting. Many of these companies are small businesses.  Contracting with the federal government imposes requirements on companies not commonly found in the commercial market. By and large, the government is spending taxpayer dollars. Understandably, the government requires much greater visibility into how dollars are spent than is typically required in the private sector.

Read entire article at VSCPA site for an overview of some of the unique aspects of government contract accounting and the challenges that commercial companies will encounter as they move into the government market.

Tom Marcinko and Bill Foote, CPA, are with Aronson & Company, a nationally ranked top-50 accounting and consulting firm. As a member of Aronson’s Government Contracts Services Group, Tom assists clients with both pre- and post-award contract administration, compliance and other regulatory requirements. Bill serves as an officer in the firm’s Forensic & Valuation Services Group, where he assists government contractors with valuation projects and contract disputes. He is also a member of the VSCPA Editorial Task Force. Contact Tom at tmarcinko@aronsoncompany.com and Bill at bfoote@aronsoncompany.com.

Rate Escalations on Multi-Year Contracts May Be Affected By 2% Federal Pay Raise

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

Service providers accustomed to 3 – 4% annual rate escalations on multi-year contracts may be surprised by the rate escalation at their next negotiation.  Nationwide, economic conditions have led to dramatic decreases in the Employment Cost Index (ECI), a survey conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics that tracks changes in private sector compensation which is used by Federal agencies when negotiating out-year escalations.  This, accompanied by President Obama’s executive order holding federal civilian 2010 pay raises at 2.0%, and the 1.4% pay raise proposed in the 2011 budget, will impact Contracting Officers’ negotiation stance.

Federal contractors, especially those in the Washington, D.C. metro area less affected by the recession, who continue to give 3 – 5% pay raises to attract and retain employees do this at risk of taking a hit to their bottom line.  Additionally, the 2010 package extends the A-76 moratorium on new public-private competitions for federal work and requires non-DoD federal agencies to annually review whether work now being done by private contractors should be insourced to federal employees.  Need assistance with government contract negotiation?  Contact Aronson & Company’s Government Contracts Solutions Group.

How do Inclement Weather and Extra Holiday Federal Closings Impact Federal Contractors Working at Government Sites?

Monday, December 21st, 2009

Federal contractors potentially have two unplanned Federal government closings impacting their business this month.  Federal agencies in the Washington, DC, area are closed today, December 21, 2009, due to inclement weather.  Therefore, federal non-emergency employees (including employees on pre-approved leave) will be granted excused absence for the number of hours they were scheduled to work.  In addition, President Obama issued Executive Order 15323, closing all executive branch departments and Agencies at midday on Christmas Eve (Thursday, December 24, 2009).

If you are a Federal Contractor with employees working on Federal Government sites, what do these closings mean to you? (more…)

VA Tax Amnesty ends Dec 5, 2009

Sunday, November 29th, 2009

Beginning October 7 2009, and running through December 5, 2009 Virginia has enacted legislation that grants tax amnesty, with certain exceptions, to taxpayers  who have an outstanding bill or delinquent return for any tax administered by the Virginia Department of Taxation.  Get Square VA allows the taxpayer to pay only the tax due and half the interest on eligible outstanding bills and delinquent returns; the remaining interest and penalties will be waived.  Seek our previous post for additional information.

Mark Your Calendars for Upcoming GSA Events

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

GSA is sponsoring the following training and events online or in the DC area:

November 17, 2009: GSA Schedules Training Webinar - The Office of Small Business Utilization conducts monthly training on the process of obtaining a GSA schedules contract.

November 24, 2009: GSA Schedules Contract Training - How to Obtain a GSA Schedules Contract (Washington, DC)

November 24, 2009: Q&A Webinars for Small Business - This webinar is a follow-up to the monthly GSA Schedules webinar and the quarterly Marketing webinar.

December 1, 2009: Marketing to the Government Webinar - This webinar provides marketing tips and strategies for vendors with government contracts.

December 29, 2009: GSA Schedules Contract Training - How to Obtain a GSA Schedules Contract (Washington, DC)

April 21, 2010: 20th Anniversary OSDBU Procurement Conference 2010 - This conference will provide networking and educational opportunities for small businesses. (Chantilly, VA)

New green procurement policies mean opportunities and changes for contractors

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

Both opportunities and challenges await contractors as a result of Executive Order 13514 on Federal Sustainability.  One particular component, the green procurement policy, will cover 95 percent of new contracts and acquisitions and carry a lot of weight due to the government’s mammoth buying power which exceeds more than a half trillion dollars spent on goods and services annually.

Some “green-oriented” companies could win never-before-seen opportunities. Preference or other incentives could be given for “products manufactured using processes that minimize greenhouse gas emissions.” Other longtime contractors may get the boot because their products don’t fit the new eco-friendly bill.  Green purchasing advocates have pushed for — and some local jurisdictions say they are complying with — policies to stop contracts for eco-unfriendly items like bottled water.  Requirements may also be imposed – recommendations could include requiring vendors to register with a voluntary greenhouse gas emissions registry and disclose their efforts to reduce emissions.

(more…)

How Does Your Organization Compare Against the Best? Deltek to Reveal GovCon Operational Trends at Clarity ‘09

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

Join Aronson & Company at the Deltek Clarity ‘09 GovCon Industry Trends Event to get a first-hand look at the best practices and critical data to lead government contractors 2010 success.  Speakers and topics for the Tuesday, November 17th event include:

• Insight into Operational Trends – learn from the most successful government contractors out there – hear from Rich Wilkinson, Deltek GovCon Industry Vice President
• 2010 Industry Spending Outlook – see where the money is going and how you can get it – presented by Kevin Plexico, Senior Vice President, INPUT
• Hear the results of Clarity ‘09, one of the largest surveys of how government contractors operate

Date: Tuesday, November 17,2009, 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Location: Tysons Corner Marriott, 8028 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182
Please contact, Tina Rodell, Deltek Director, Partner Marketing Programs for more information or assistance:

Tel: 703.885.9681
Fax: 703.738.1874
Cell: 703.593.7045
tinarodell@deltek.com

Get Up Close & Personal with Federal IT leaders at the 11/10 Mid-Atlantic CIO&CTO Event

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009

Getting an audience with senior IT professionals can be difficult.  The Mid-Atlantic CIO&CTO eliminates the need for cold calls by bringing together IT purchasing leaders in the federal, commercial and non-profit marketplace. Live on November 10, 2009 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC.  Your seat purchase will give you an opportunity to spend an hour at the General Reception where you can network with the following IT leaders as well as over 100 of their peers, then have a seat at the Who’s Who of IT in the region.

Register today to have the unique opportunity to meet and network with the Mid-Atlantic’s IT purchasing leaders from the following agencies and companies: • Casey Coleman, CIO, General Services Administration • Peter Fonash, CIO, Department of Homeland Security and Director of the National Cyber Security Division • Jeffrey Johnson, Deputy CIO, Constellation Energy • Devon Bryan, Associate CIO, Internal Revenue Service • Victor Thompson, Deputy CIO, NASA • Douglas Norton, VP and CIO, Northrop Grumman.

Register now to be a part of CIO&CTO Live! If you have questions, please call Mark Glazer Director, MdTech Programs Tech Council of Maryland at 240-243-4045 or e-mail at mglazer@techcouncilmd.com.