PTAC Training Events

Ongoing Training

Most PTACs offer a range of training to help you with government contracting, such as:

Introduction to Government Contracting:  A general overview of how the government buys goods and services.

Small Business Certifications:  Guidance on how to become certified and registered and the benefits for small business participating in the 8a, Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), HUBZones, Woman Owned Businesses and Veteran Owned Business.

Navigating SAM:  How to manage GSA;s System for Award Management (SAM), required for government contracting.

Doing Business with GSA:  An introduction to GSA Schedules and requirements and process for GSA Schedule contracts.

Contract Accounting:  Designed to acquaint businesses with the accounting system standards that are found acceptable by units of government.

Response to RFPs/Proposal Writing:  Learn the structure of an RFP, how to understand every section and its requirements, how to identify required sources, and how to plan, develop write, review and deliver a complete, compliant and compelling proposal.

Teaming Arrangements and Subcontracting:  Designed to  teach and help small businesses develop successful teaming and subcontract relationships with large businesses, other small businesses and individuals.

AND MORE!  

Contact your local PTAC (below) for their schedule of classes, seminars and workshops near you.


For specific information on training opportunities near you, Find Your PTAC:

State:
Major Events and Conferences
Date
City/State
Event Information
04-03-2024 to 04-03-2024
Virtual
Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) Introductory Series
Sponsored By: The National APEX Accelerator Alliance (NAPEX) and Local APEX Accelerators
The National APEX Accelerator Alliance (NAPEX) and your local APEX Accelerator are excited to announce the upcoming DCAA Introductory Series, including Intro to DCAA and Audit Process Overview and Breaking Into GovCon from a DCAA Perspective. Join us as experts from the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) discuss roles and responsibilities of their agency, and discuss the various types of audits performed throughout the acquisition lifecycle. This presentation will provide an overview of DCAA’s audit process and some common items related to the audit process. Participants will learn the importance of adequate assertions, scheduling entrance and exit conferences, communicating throughout the audit, auditor site visits and requests for information. The DCAA will then break down the impact of the 2019 GAO “Contract Financing” report and the subsequent Office of the Under Secretary of the Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Defense Pricing and Contracting finance study. DCAA will provide information about the types of contract awards and the requirements for each, as well as the common misconceptions of FAR, CAS, and TINA.
More Info: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7k5m2z0yR8qk8rPB1ukgkw

05-01-2024 to 05-01-2024
Virtual
Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) Cost Reimbursable Requirements Series (Part 1)
Sponsored By: National APEX Accelerator Alliance (NAPEX) and Your Local APEX Accelerator
Part 1 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.
More Info: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-v5gJJD0SbqFBgo477X40w

06-05-2024 to 06-05-2024
Virtual
Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) Cost Reimbursable Requirements Series (Part 2)
Sponsored By: National APEX Accelerator Alliance (NAPEX) and Your Local APEX Accelerator
Part 2 of the Cost Reimbursable Requirements Series includes Audits Under the SBIR/STTR Programs from a DCAA Perspective and Accounting System Requirements. Each year, over 5,000 contracts totaling well over $3.2 billion are awarded for SBIR/STTR programs. Learn more about these programs and how your company may benefit from these types of contract awards. DCAA will define its role, outline DCAA audits applicable to SBIR/STTR, explain ways small businesses can prepare for audits, and discuss resources available for small businesses. Prior to being awarded a cost reimbursable contract, federal government contractors need to ensure their accounting system is adequate for determining costs applicable to federal contracts. This is accomplished when DCAA conducts a Pre-Award Accounting System Audit at the request of a federal agency. During this training, DCAA will discuss the federal regulations that define an acceptable accounting system, evaluate the minimum requirements of the SF 1408 criteria, and how small businesses can prepare for this type of audit. Experts from DCAA will differentiate between direct versus indirect costs, define total contract costs, provide an overview of indirect allocation bases, and learn how FAR Part 31 clauses describe allowability, allocability, and reasonableness.
More Info: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5Mm2xyAUTUKhHV5be2L5lg

07-10-2024 to 07-10-2024
Virtual
Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) Pricing Series (Part 1)
Sponsored By: National APEX Accelerator Alliance (NAPEX) and Your Local APEX Accelerator
Part 1 of the Pricing Series includes Elements of an Adequate Proposal and Cost and Price Analysis for Small Business. Proposals are contractor prepared packages made in response to government solicitations and include the contractor’s budgeted costs for the projected period of performance of the solicitation. Join experts from DCAA as they discuss the requirements of these proposal packages set forth in FAR Part 15 and DFARS 252.215-7009. The training will walk participants through all the proposal cost elements, including direct labor, material, subcontracts, ODCs, and indirect rates. The DCAA will also discuss how the agency determines the adequacy of your proposal submission. Additionally, the DCAA will provide examples of budgeting practices using historical data considerations, examples of adequacy non-compliances, and regulatory resources to assist with proposal development. Cost and Price Analysis is often a tricky topic for small businesses. The DCAA will go over the requirements of cost versus price analysis and when one (or both) is required. The DCAA will define the FAR requirements for “Certified Cost or Pricing Data” and what is the FAR requirement for “Data Other Than Certified.” Practices for both cost and price analysis will also be discussed.
More Info: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qsAGmZgiQ7yXkAKLkH5o3w

08-07-2024 to 08-07-2024
Virtual
Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) Pricing Series (Part 2)
Sponsored By: National APEX Accelerator Alliance (NAPEX) and Your Local APEX Accelerator
Part 2 of the Pricing Series includes Indirect Costs and Rates and Monitoring Subcontracts. Not sure how to build your indirect rates? Experts from DCAA will define direct versus indirect costs, what general indirect rate structures look like, and the relationship between indirect pools and bases. Additionally, the DCAA will discuss the life cycle of indirect rates, then build example indirect rates using the four-step method in allocating indirect costs to Government Contracts. Confused about what your requirements as a prime contractor are when it comes to your selection and oversite of your subcontracts? The DCAA will provide information about navigating through the world of subcontracting. Discussion will include the documentation of subcontract selections, subcontracting requirements, and the responsibilities of a prime contractor. Additionally, the DCAA will highlight the importance of monitoring subcontracts, what information is required when submitting your annual incurred cost submission, as well as what the subcontractor will need to provide to the prime contractor.
More Info: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_m8bH5rHjSlyUIVw2JrjJTQ

09-04-2024 to 09-04-2024
Virtual
Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) Billing Series
Sponsored By: National APEX Accelerator Alliance (NAPEX) and Your Local APEX Accelerator
The DCAA Billing Series includes Provisional Billing Rates and Barriers to Payments from a DCAA Perspective. Cost reimbursable contract awards are great for small businesses because of the opportunity for frequent monthly billing. One requirement of cost reimbursable awards and monthly invoicing to the government is the need for Provisional Billing Rates (PBRs). Join experts from DCAA as they define PBRs, their purpose, and the procedures for establishing these rates. Additionally, the DCAA will discuss when PBRs need to be submitted to DCAA for approval, the type of information that should be included in a PBR package, and the importance of monitoring your business’ expenditures throughout the year. Congratulations! You have your first cost reimbursable award! Now what? The DCAA will define what types of contracts are eligible for interim reimbursement, DCAA’s responsibility, and regulatory oversight your company should be familiar with. The DCAA will dive into the preparation of vouchers, the SF 1034, and the DCAA pre-payment assessment. Learn examples of noncompliances DCAA finds when reviewing interim vouchers and how your small business can avoid them. Additionally, the DCAA will provide an overview on how to navigate the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment formerly known as PIEE, the system your business will use to submit interim vouchers.
More Info: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WOZYwSfTQEuIXqMf9Y5AyQ

10-02-2024 to 10-02-2024
Virtual
Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) Introductory Series
Sponsored By: National APEX Accelerator Alliance (NAPEX) and Your Local APEX Accelerator
The DCAA Introductory Series includes Intro to DCAA and Audit Process Overview and Audits Under the SBIR/STTR Programs from a DCAA Perspective. Join experts from the DCAA as they explore the roles and responsibilities of Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) as well as the various types of audits performed throughout the acquisition lifecycle. Additionally, this presentation will provide an overview of DCAA’s audit process and some common communications contractors will experience throughout the audit. While each audit is different, there are some common questions small businesses have relating to the process. Participants will learn the importance of adequate assertions, scheduling entrance and exit conferences, communicating throughout the audit, auditor site visits and requests for information. Each year, the federal government awards over 5,000 contracts totaling well over $3.2 billion for SBIR/STTR programs. Join DCAA and learn more about these programs and how your company may benefit from these types of contract awards. The training will explain DCAA’s role, outline DCAA audits applicable to these programs, communicate ways small businesses can prepare for audits, and discuss resources available for small businesses.
More Info: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HZfnPYoFSY-uKyhfAztXyQ

11-06-2024 to 11-06-2024
Virtual
Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) Pricing Series
Sponsored By: National APEX Accelerator Alliance (NAPEX) and Your Local APEX Accelerator
The DCAA Pricing Series includes Elements of an Adequate Proposal and Indirect Costs and Rates. Proposals are contractor prepared packages made in response to government solicitations and include the contractor’s budgeted costs for the projected period of performance of the solicitation. Experts from DCAA will discuss the requirements of these proposal packages set forth in FAR Part 15 and DFARS 252.215-7009. The training will walk participants through proposal cost elements, including direct labor, material, subcontracts, ODCs, and indirect rates. The DCAA will also discuss how the agency determines the adequacy of your proposal submission. Additionally, the DCAA will provide examples of budgeting practices using historical data considerations, examples of adequacy non-compliances, and regulatory resources to assist with proposal development. Not sure how to build your indirect rates? Experts from DCAA will define direct versus indirect costs, what general indirect rate structures look like, and the relationship between indirect pools and bases. Additionally, the DCAA will discuss the life cycle of indirect rates, then build example indirect rates using the four-step method in allocating indirect costs to Government Contracts.
More Info: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CiuEi1VxTeOvSaYyeNANAQ

12-04-2024 to 12-04-2024
Virtual
Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) Cost Reimbursable Requirements Series
Sponsored By: National APEX Accelerator Alliance (NAPEX) and Your Local APEX Accelerator
The upcoming DCAA Cost Reimbursable Requirements Series includes Accounting System Requirements and Incurred Cost Submissions. Prior to being awarded a cost reimbursable contract, federal government contractors need to ensure their accounting system is adequate for determining costs applicable to federal contracts. This is accomplished when DCAA conducts a Pre-Award Accounting System Audit at the request of a federal agency. Experts from DCAA will discuss the federal regulations that define an acceptable accounting system, evaluate the minimum requirements of the SF 1408 criteria, and how small businesses can prepare for this type of audit. This training will differentiate between direct versus indirect costs, define total contract costs, provide an overview of indirect allocation bases, and explain how FAR Part 31 clauses describe allowability, allocability, and reasonableness. 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.
More Info: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gRQm0O4mTxqEK53UkQtV7A