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Cost and Price Analysis in Government Contracts

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Taught in a straight forward manner from the perspective of the Buyer, Cost and Price Analysis in Government Contracting presents a thorough discussion of these concepts in practical and actionable terms. Participants will learn not only the 'why’s' but the 'how to’s.' The course objective, simply stated, is to have participants obtain a working level understanding of what the dual techniques of Cost Analysis and Price Analysis are, when they are to be used, and how to accomplish them. This objective is achieved through a thorough review and analysis of the regulations and illustrated through a variety of real world examples, scenarios and case studies. Fee per person: $1375

Provider:

Federal Publications Seminars

Topic(s):

Finance & Accounting

Who Should Attend?

All contractors; professionals with 1 or more years of experience with cost and price information; those in accounting, finance, compliance, management, contracting personnel and anyone who must have a solid knowledge of cost and price analysis

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What you will learn:

Government Contracting Officers are required to “purchase supplies and services from responsible sources at fair and reasonable prices”:

• (1) The contracting officer is responsible for evaluating the reasonableness of the offered prices. The analytical techniques and procedures described in this subsection may be used, singly or in combination with others, to ensure that the final price is fair and reasonable. The complexity and circumstances of each acquisition should determine the level of detail of the analysis required.
• (2) Price analysis shall be used when certified cost or pricing data are not required
• (3) Cost analysis shall be used to evaluate the reasonableness of individual cost elements when certified cost or pricing data are required. Price analysis should be used to verify that the overall price offered is fair and reasonable.

The CO is given the following additional guidance:

• Normally competition establishes price reasonableness. Therefore, when contracting on a firm fixed-price or fixed-price with economic price adjustment basis, comparison of the proposed prices will usually satisfy the requirement to perform price analysis, and a cost analysis need not be performed.
• Government Contractors, when purchasing supplies or services under a government cost reimbursement contract, are held to a similar standard.4 Furthermore, when bidding on any contract for which “certified cost or pricing data” are required, contractors are instructed to: “Conduct price analyses of all subcontractor proposals. Conduct cost analyses for all subcontracts when certified cost or pricing data are submitted by the subcontractor. Include these analyses as part of your own certified cost or pricing data submissions for subcontracts expected to exceed the appropriate threshold in FAR 15.403-4.

Cost Analysis and Price Analysis – two critical and essential tools used in assessing fairness and reasonableness of proposed prices – must be understood by buyers and sellers in all government contracting situations - government contracting officers, and contractors alike,

• 1 FAR 15.402 - Pricing Policy
• 2 FAR 15.404-1(a) – Proposal Analysis Techniques
• 3 FAR 15.305 – Proposal Evaluation
• 4 FAR 44 – Subcontracting Policies and Procedures
• 5 FAR Table 15-2 – Instructions for Submitting Cost/Price Proposals When Cost or Pricing Data Are Required particularly when the contractor fills both the seller’s and buyer’s shoes in performing on a government contract.

Taught in a straight forward manner from the perspective of the Buyer, Cost and Price Analysis in Government Contracting presents a thorough discussion of these concepts in practical and actionable terms. Participants will learn not only the “why’s” but the “how to’s”. The course objective, simply stated, is to have participants obtain a working level understanding of what the dual techniques of Cost Analysis and Price Analysis are, when they are to be used, and how to accomplish them. This objective is achieved through a thorough review and analysis of the regulations and illustrated through a variety of real world examples, scenarios and case studies.

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Who should attend:

This key course is essential for all contractors. It is designed for professionals with 1 or more years of experience with cost and price information. Attendees include accounting, finance, compliance, management, contracting personnel and anyone who must have a solid knowledge of cost and price analysis.

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DAILY SCHEDULE

8:00 AM - 3:00 PM - La Jolla, Hilton Head and Las Vegas September Weeklong Conference Locations

8:00 AM - 3:00 PM - Orlando, FL

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM - Las Vegas Platinum Hotel

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM - All other locations

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AGENDA:

NOTE: The start and end times for the La Jolla, CA is earlier. Classes begin at 8:00 AM (breakfast/registration at 7 AM) and end at 3:00 PM.

DAY 1:

1. The Regulatory Framework

• a. Truth In Negotiations Act
• b. Competition In Contracting Act

2. Cost Analysis and Price Analysis

• a. Definitions
• b. Comparison and contrast

3. Certified Cost or Pricing Data

• a. What is it?
• b. When is it required?
• c. Exemptions from Certified Cost or Pricing Data requirement
• -- i. Adequate price competition
• -- ii. Prices set by law or regulation
• -- iii. Waiver
• -- iv. Commercial Items
• -- v. Other

4. Adequate Price Competition

• a. Offeror responsibility
• b. Best value
• c. Reasonableness

5. Data Other Than Certified Cost or Pricing Data

6. Contingencies

7. Price Analysis Techniques

• a. Comparison of Proposed Prices
• b. Historical Price Comparison
• c. Parametric Estimating
• d. Comparison to Published Price Lists
• e. Independent Estimates

8. Analytical Techniques for Cost and Price Analysis

• a. Statistical analysis
• b. Price Indices
• c. Cost-Profit-Volume Analysis
• d. Improvement Curve Analysis
• e. Regression Analysis

9. Cost Estimating Methods and Requirements

• a. FAR 15.407-5
• b. DFARS 15.407-5-70

10. Prime Contractor’s Requirement for Submission of Subcontractor’s Certified Cost or Pricing Data

DAY 2:

1. Cost Analysis Techniques

• a. Evaluation of Cost or Pricing Data and verification of cost elements
• b. Comparison
• c. Evaluation of current practices on future costs
• d. Make-Buy analysis
• e. Compliance with FAR Cost Principles and CAS
• f. Verification that Cost or Pricing Data are current, accurate and complete

2. Profit

• a. FAR Subpart 15.404-4
• b. DoD Weighted Guidelines approach – DD Form 1547

3. Cost Of Money

• a. FAR 31.205-10
• b. CAS 414

4. Cost Realism Analysis

5. Overview – Contract Cost Principles

6. Overview – Cost Accounting Standards

7. Defective Pricing

• a. Risk Mitigation Strategies

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Sponsor Background:

Federal Publications Inc., founded in Washington, DC in 1958, is recognized as the dominant force in providing Government procurement information to contracts professionals—the leader for high quality print publications, electronic materials, and educational seminars on Government contracting subjects. Construction contracting, immigration law, personnel and employment, international law and business, and environmental law are other areas in which Federal Publications has gained a reputation for high quality products.