Although the details are available at paragraph 3.3 of the DCMA Instructions plus the 22 system criteria in DFARS Part 252.244-7001(c), the consistent assembly of adequate Source Justifications, Price Justifications, and other Order supporting documentation (from verifying potential suppliers are not Debarred, Suspended, or Ineligible to checking the list of ITAR prohibited countries that own/house suppliers) – evidence of compliance with regulations plus evidence of compliance with policies and procedures is daunting. Requirements, such as Executive Compensation reporting of first-tier subcontractors, show that company practices must be constantly updated. Careful perusal of policies and procedures, recommending revisions and updates (for new laws), furnishing drafts to be tailored to your company’s unique operations, and an overview to ensure gaps are addressed – requires a tremendous amount of time and effort.

Aren’t you already paying your Purchasing staff for tasks that require their full schedule? What responsibilities must they sacrifice, in order to give this project the focus it requires?

Guidance from an outsourced consultant takes much of the burden off an already over-worked Purchasing staff, minimizes research time (because preparing several small businesses to implement compliant practices brings very applicable knowledge and experience), and affords internal resources to continue their primary function: Purchasing.

The Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO) at the DCMA, not DCAA, holds the authority to request a CPSR of a particular contractor. DCMA focuses on the company as a whole, not on any one contract, Procurement Contracting Officer (CO) or buying command. Primarily, the ACO reviews for evidence that the System, as a whole is compliant and not overcharging or under-delivering to the Government, overall. Supporting the Program does not fall within their purview. Failing a CPSR can have devastating repercussions to a contractor’s ability to retain and obtain Government-funded awards.

With the priority of the ACO in mind, the champion of change – of adding more administration, of requiring more time-consuming steps before an Order is awarded, of excluding suppliers favored by requisitioners – does not enjoy the perception of being a hero. Your Purchasing staff, especially Purchasing management, works with requisitioners, evaluators of potential suppliers for the approved list, program managers with backlogged milestones, and buyers. Purchasing management continually strives to support programs and be an advocate of team goals. You want others inside and outside your company to view Purchasing management as an advocate. Who is the smart selection for leading these cumbersome compliance changes?

An outsourced consultant has time to invest effectively in guiding your company toward passage of a CPSR; the good practices that come from experience of many, similar projects; and the expectation of exiting after implementation. Perhaps an outsourced consultant is the best choice for the villain.

Any audit trail requires several months (typically one fiscal year) of supporting evidence to demonstrate consistent compliance to policies and procedures. The typical CPSR population, from which a sample is reviewed, is one year of Orders. Orders include individual Change Orders and Initial Orders – not the cumulative Order from inception to date. This means that documented support for individual Orders would be available for more than one year before a CPSR.

Of course, fully compliant policies and procedures are created and/or revised, approved by executive management, and implemented though seminar and one-on-one training – before consistently compliant Order documentation can be expected. The time to begin preparation for a future CPSR is now. Receipt of notice that the Government plans to land on your doorstep is too late.

Bad practice does not make perfect. Avoid predictable resistance to change, later. Supplement your internal staff with outsourced guidance from compliant policies and procedures with tested forms and checklists; a review of historical Order documentation, resulting in a report of inadequate processes and one-time errors (with specific, potential corrections, where possible); plus training for buyers, requisitioners, and others toward compliance with policies and procedures that retains efficiency for customer requirements.

Do you really want to add that reading, editing, researching, sample review with reporting, and tools for implementation to the workload of internal staff?