LIVE TRAINING

Part 2 of the DCAA Cost Reimbursable Requirements Series includes Incurred Cost Submissions and Contract Briefs.

At the end of a defined accounting period, federal government contractors must submit actual costs incurred to DCAA.  The intention of this process is for DCAA to review costs claimed to ensure they are allowable, allocable, and reasonable per FAR 31, as well as within the terms of their respective contracts.  DCAA will discuss requirements for the annual submission and what DCAA considers to be elements of an adequate submission.  This training provides an overview of the DCAA Incurred Cost Electronic (ICE) model, which provides contractors with a standard user-friendly package to compile their financial data.  DCAA will also discuss its adequacy review process and means of how they select submissions for audit. 

Why is briefing your contracts so important?  Contract briefs are your “One Stop Shop” for all pertinent information, including contract provisions, clauses, requirements, allowability, funding, and so much more!  DCAA will discuss the use of contract briefs in audits, reviewing vouchers, and the usefulness of contract brief information while monitoring your contract expenditures.

***You will need to have a CAGE code to register.*** 

Join us for an in-depth overview of the NQA-1 quality standard and its critical role in supporting safety and reliability within nuclear facilities. We’ll explore the evolution of the regulatory framework, break down how the NQA-1 standard is organized, and discuss practical strategies for implementing a fully compliant quality program. This session is especially valuable for manufacturers and suppliers entering the nuclear industry or those looking to modernize and strengthen existing quality systems to meet today’s requirements. Whether you’re new to NQA-1 or seeking clarity on best practices, this webinar will provide the foundation you need to move forward with confidence.

Over the past year, we’ve seen a remarkable shift in the 8(a) Program: what was once viewed by the government as one of the preeminent small business contracting vehicles, the 8(a) Program has become mired in accusations of waste, fraud, and abuse. This rhetoric has left contractors wondering whether the 8(a) Program is still a worthy investment.

Government contracts attorney Matthew Schoonover, managing partner with Schoonover & Moriarty LLC, thinks that it is. In this program, he’ll discuss the basics of the 8(a) Program as well as some of the questions that currently swirl. He’ll also talk about key requirements of the Program, as well as considerations for contractors looking to make sure they follow the applicable rules and regulations.

Annually the Federal, State, and Local governments in the U.S. award nearly $5.5 Trillion in contracts and subcontracts via the proposal process.

• Gain an understanding of the overall proposal process and best practices
• Learn to develop compliance matrices, outlines, and other tools
• Discover techniques to differentiate your proposals from your competition
• Have your proposal questions answered

Join us for part of our Federal Contracting Playbook Series with RSM Federal. We will be led by nationally-recognized experts from RSM Federal, an award-winning firm that works with companies to accelerate their understanding of the government market and learn how to position for and successfully win government contracts - with exceptional results. 

Session 1 - Who Buys What You Sell: A Step-by-Step Process
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Identifying who buys, how much, and how often is called “Propensity” – and it helps you identify which military commands and federal agencies buy what you sell. Unlike most sessions, this is much more than a general or abstract discussion. This session, designed for “Business Readiness,” will accelerate your ability to validate who buys what you sell (down to the state, city, and contracting office level); to help transform how and where you engage the market; and to help validate the competitiveness of your pricing… for any specific opportunity. 

Session 2 - Explosive Value: Leveraging and Communicating Past Performance
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

If you’re looking for tactics and strategies on how to position and communicate your company’s past performance, this seminar will change how you market, communicate and differentiate your products and services. In an educational, fast-paced, and high-energy seminar, we look at how most companies market their “experience” and past performance, with moderate success and little to no differentiation.

Surety bonding is often seen as a technical hurdle, but for many small businesses, it can be the key to unlocking significant procurement opportunities. This presentation will help you discover how surety bonds can be a game-changer for your business growth. Mr. Gibbs will share proven strategies to improve your bonding capacity, break through common barriers, and gain a competitive edge in both public and private sector contracting. With bonding often being the missing link between readiness and revenue, this session will empower participants to turn a perceived barrier into a business growth tool.

The presentation will cover:

• Why bonds are important
• SBA’s Surety Bond Guarantee Program
• How to obtain a surety bond
• Underwriting an account
• Reasons Why Small Business get denied bonding
• Benefits of working with an SBA surety expert
• Top 10 tips for contractors/small businesses

What You’ll Learn:

• How surety bonds guaranteed by SBA work and why they’re essential for businesses seeking contracts in industries such as construction, government contracting, and more.
• Guidance on how to access SBA surety bonds with less hassle.
• Tips for overcoming common barriers small businesses face when securing surety bonds.
• Strategies to increase your eligibility and win more business by leveraging SBA support.
• Leave with actionable insights to assess your current bonding status, identify areas for improvement, and build stronger relationships with bonding partners and procurement stakeholders.

PLEASE NOTE: This training has been postponed. A new date will be published soon. 

Governor’s Office of Business Initiatives and Development (GO-BID)

State Government Procurement Certification Workshop

When Small Businesses 'GO-BID' Tennessee Wins

Join us for an interactive workshop designed to help local businesses navigate the state government procurement process and become officially registered and certified to compete for contracting opportunities.

This session will walk participants through:

• The vendor registration process with the state’s procurement system
• Steps to obtain Business certifications
• How to identify and bid on upcoming state and local contract opportunities
• Key tips to strengthen your profile and grow through public-sector partnerships

Whether you’re new to government contracting or ready to expand your reach, this workshop offers hands-on guidance from state procurement professionals and resources to help your business succeed.

Who Should Attend? Small business owners, entrepreneurs, and vendors interested in doing business with state agencies.

Take the first step toward becoming a certified state supplier — and open the door to new opportunities!

Ready to grow your business with government agencies in East & Middle Tennessee?

Event highlights:

• Connect face-to-face with government procurement officials and frontline employees who can make small purchasing decisions.
• Meet key business resource organizations.
• Build relationships, discover contracts, and position your company for success!
• Bring your business cards, prepare your elevator pitch, and join us for an informative and beneficial morning of networking!

Participating organizations:

• Blount County Government
• City of Chattanooga
• City of Knoxville
• Hamilton County Government
• Knox County Government
• Knoxville's Community Development Corporation (KCDC)
• Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB)
• Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority (MKAA)
• University of Tennessee CIS APEX Accelerator
• Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR)
• Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
• TSBDC and Roane State Community College
• University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
• University of Tennessee System