Microsoft Announces Government Contractor Executive Forum

Microsoft’s Government Contractor marketing group announced its Executive Forum, which is essentially an Advisory Board of some of the leaders in the market today. We’re impressed by the list, which includes some people we have worked with over the past few years. The press release announcing this is:

Microsoft Corporation and the Government Contractor Executive Forum Announce Government Contractor Summit

One-day summit to educate about trends in technology and business growth

WASHINGTON— Jan. 14, 2008— Microsoft Corp. and the recently formed Government Contractor Executive Forum, comprised of senior-level executives from the government contractor industry, today announced a one-day Government Contractor Summit to be held on Feb. 8, 2008.  The goal of the summit is to provide government contractor executives with an overview of Microsoft Dynamics Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) compliant solutions for financial and customer relationship management.

“As a product suite end user, I found that flexibility built into the  system configuration provides a solid solution in the collection of cost data by cost objectives to include allowable and unallowable cost,” said Lawrence Mocniak, CFO of Phoenix International. “With this type of system foundation, Microsoft has set the framework to prepare government contractors for accounting system review by DCAA if and when needed.”

The Government Contractor Executive Forum will play a key role in shaping the content for the summit, and provide Microsoft’s local team insight into  the key business challenges facing high-growth government contractors.

“Government contractors typically have a high interest in integrated customer management solutions,” said Christine Zmuda, government contractor lead for Microsoft’s Small and Mid-market Solutions and Partners group in the company’s Mid Atlantic area.“These solutions must integrate with time, expense, project management and financial systems so the organization has a 360-degree view of proposed contracts.  Microsoft is excited about the collective voice of the government contractor community  the Microsoft forum represents.”

During the summit, participants will learn more about DCCA-compliant management solutions, as well as have the opportunity to network with their peers and gain access to industry best practices for customer and financial management systems. 

Members of the Microsoft-assembled Government Contractor Executive Forum and summit hosts include:

• William J. Barkovic – Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, CALIBRE
• John Bender – Vice President, Advantage Consulting
• Ken Bricker – Senior Partner, Goodman and Company
• Lisa Anderson – Principal, Defender Associates
• Joseph B. Dawson – Sr.VP of Business Development, Robbins- Gioia, LLC
• Michael H. Egerer –- Chief Financial Officer, Harding Security Associates, Inc. 
• Marc Goldschmitt – Co-Owner, Veteran Enterprise Technology Services, LLC
• Lawrence G. Mocniak – Chief Financial Officer, Phoenix International
• Scott Tucker – President and CEO, Planet Technologies Inc.
• Aleta Wilson – Principal, Government Contracting Experts

Beware of the New FAR Ethics Clauses

Charles L. Bonuccelli, CPA and Principal, Argy Wiltse & Robinson, PC submitted the following article to our blog and newsletter. Important news for government contractors to ensure compliance.
 
New FAR Rule Subpart 3.10—Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct Requires New Approach to Federal Government Contracting

Beware! Effective December 24, 2007 the federal government will be including two new clauses in its federal contracts that are $5 million or greater, performed in the United States and not for commercial products. These new clauses are a result of a recent change to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) that added an entirely new section to FAR Part 3, Improper Business Practices and Personal Conflicts of Interest. While the stated policy of the section has been implicitly understood by most federal contractors, for the first time the federal government will require contractors to take specific actions. Both clauses are required to be flowed down to subcontractors using the same criteria for inserting the clause in the prime contract.

The federal government will now include contract clause FAR 52.203-13 in contracts that requires a written code of business ethics and conduct (code) distributed to employees within 30 days of award. For other than small businesses it also requires an awareness program and system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the code within 90 days. Most small and medium prime and sub-contractors do not have a written code in place. We recommend such companies develop a written code before it is required in its contracts to develop an appropriate code for its business environment. Large businesses need to review their code and also related employee awareness programs and internal controls to assure that they meets the requirements of FAR 52.203-13.

The second clause FAR 52.203-14 requires two Fraud posters, one from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the other from the Agency’s Inspector General’s office, be displayed at all offices and worksites. The Agency fraud poster is not required if a company has established a fraud reporting system as part of its internal controls. The DHS and, if required, Agency fraud posters would also have to be displayed in a company’s employee website.

Two Exciting Microsoft Events Coming Up for Government Contractors

There are two exciting Microsoft events coming up you should know about. Convergence 2008 in Orlando is the premier annual event for Microsoft Dynamics customers. It’ll be held from March 11-14. The First Annual Microsoft Government Contractor Summit will be held in Reston on February 8.

Convergence is the premier Microsoft Dynamics event, bringing customers, partners, Microsoft team members and industry experts together. It’s a great chance to discuss solutions, address business needs and development relationships with people in the Dynamics community that can be leveraged throughout the year. It’ll be held at the Orange County Convention Center, which is right near the usual Orlando attractions. PVBS attends Convergence every year and we frequently see some of our customers. This is a great opportunity to participate in an exceptional program featuring a variety of speakers, detailed product demonstrations and hands-on learning sessions. It’s a great chance to learn how to enhance your Microsoft investment now and in the future.

Click here to learn more about Convergence.

The First Annual Microsoft Government Contractor Summit promises to be a great place to learn more about how Microsoft is working to solve your needs.  This day is geared to help government contractors capture more business and manage financial growth. Featured speaker will be Curt Kolcun, VP of Microsoft Federal Business. Curt will provide insight to Government Contractors on trends in federal business.  Breakouts will follow with industry experts and government contractor customers, such as BAE Systems, who will share their best practices on building businesses and leveraging Microsoft Dynamics (CRM/ERP) solutions to support that growth. PVBS is a co-sponsor of the event.

Stan Holoway, President Professional Services Council, will also keynote the event. Stan always provides interesting insight into the challenges government contractors face.

Washington Post Government Contractor Blog

We’ve been following Government Inc., the relatively new government contractor blog in the Washington Post. It’s written by Robert O’Harrow Jr., a reporter on The Post’s Financial staff who focuses on government contracting, fraud, waste and abuse. He tracks some key stories and adds some commentary that can be intriguing.

We’re always looking for interesting community sites in the government contractor space. Send us over any you come across as well.

Join PVBS at the Feb. 8 Microsoft Government Contractor Summit

The event, the first of its kind, is geared to help government contractors capture more business and manage financial growth.  Curt Kolcun, VP of Microsoft Federal, will keynote this Summit and will provide insight to Government Contractors on trends in federal business.  Breakouts will follow with industry experts and Microsoft customers who will share their best practices on building businesses and leveraging Microsoft Dynamics solutions to support that growth. It’ll be held at the Microsoft Executive Center in Reston.

Click here to sign up for the Microsoft Government Contractor Summit.