Government contractors are no strangers to the term “G&A costs.” G&A stands for general and administrative costs, which are expenses not directly tied to a specific government contract but still necessary to run a business. These costs include salaries for non-project staff, rent, utilities, and office supplies. The allocation of G&A costs is a critical aspect of government contract pricing and compliance.
Government contractors must be mindful of how they allocate G&A costs to their government contracts. Since government contracts are typically awarded based on a competitive bidding process, the pricing of the contract is critical. Contractors that overprice their contracts may lose the bid. Conversely, contractors that underprice their contracts may run into profitability issues.
To allocate G&A costs, government contractors use a method called “cost allocation.” Cost allocation involves identifying each cost element and assigning it to the appropriate cost pool. Each cost pool represents a group of costs that benefit a specific contract. For example, if a contractor has three contracts, each contract would have its cost pool. The cost pools would then be used to allocate G&A costs to each contract.
The use of cost allocation is essential because it ensures that G&A costs are allocated fairly and accurately between all government contracts. Inaccurate allocation of G&A costs can result in severe consequences, such as contract termination and fines.
Another critical aspect of G&A costs is compliance. Contractors must comply with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) when dealing with G&A costs. The FAR outlines the requirements for allocating G&A costs, including the need for contractors to have an approved accounting system and the periodic submission of incurred costs to the government.
In conclusion, G&A costs are an essential aspect of government contracting. The allocation of these costs is critical to ensuring accurate contract pricing and compliance with government regulations. Government contractors must have a thorough understanding of the cost allocation process and the requirements for compliance with FAR regulations. By doing so, contractors can ensure that their pricing is competitive and that they remain in good standing with the government.