We have several updates regarding the Government Contracting Breakfast, including registration for our first Zoom breakfast on July 14.
 
For several years, this breakfast has been jointly sponsored by the Northern Chapter VSCPA and the IMA NCC. This breakfast is now solely sponsored by the Northern Chapter VSCPA under the Government Contracting Special Interest Group (SIG). Atlantic Union Bank remains a partner for these breakfasts.
 
Given the risk posed by the continuing pandemic, we have decided to host the July 14 breakfast by Zoom.
Unfortunately, Zoom does not currently offer breakfast delivery, so please provide your own breakfast. Please find details of the meeting below.
 
Topic: GSA Schedule Compliance/OIG Audits

Every year, GSA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) performs 40-50 pre-award audits. Since auditors select contracts with substantial sales volume, companies with lower sales often feel a false sense of security. Just because your contract is unlikely to be audited doesn’t mean you are off the hook – OIG audit findings have a direct impact on ALL GSA schedule contractors! Jennifer Aubel and Jacelyn Ferriell will discuss what happens when good contractors make bad choices and share proven strategies for improving your GSA compliance program.

Key Takeaways:

•  Attendees will learn about the most common GSA OIG audit findings and the financial implications of non-compliance.
•  Attendees will gain insight into how the results of a GSA OIG audit inform compliance standards across the GSA schedules program.
•  Attendees will walk away with strategies for improving compliance under their GSA schedule contract and developing best practices to help mitigate future risk.

Benefits: 1 hour of CPE (free to Northern Chapter VSCPA members; guests pay $15)

Time:     Zoom meeting opens at 7:45 AM, Speaker starts at 8:00 AM, done by 9:30 AM (Zoom meeting information sent with your email confirmation)

Speakers (bios below):
Jennifer Aubel, Principal Consultant, Government Contract Services Group, Aronson LLC
Jacelyn Ferriell, Managing Consultant, Government Contract Services Group, Aronson LLC


Please mark your calendars for these upcoming breakfasts as well. Please us me know what topics you would like to see in the next season, or if you have a speaker recommendation.
15-Sep-20 Elvis Oxley, BDO, How to Sell Your Business at a Higher Multiple Thanks to the All Small Mentor Protégé Program
10-Nov-20 Warren Beinart, BDO, “Out of Chaos, comes Clarity” Presentation on PM tools to help an organization restructure

Speaker Biographies:
Jennifer N. Aubel, Principal Consultant, Government Contract Services Group
    Jennifer Aubel is a Principal Consultant in Aronson’s Government Contract Services Group. She leads complex GSA Schedule engagements, including Office of Inspector General audits, mandatory disclosures, and compliance investigations. Jennifer works closely with clients to customize GSA Schedule solutions that meet current and future organizational needs by developing scope and pricing strategies, maintaining contract compliance, providing audit support, and improving the profitability and versatility of the GSA contract. Additionally, Jennifer frequently speaks on GSA Schedule topics at both Aronson and industry-sponsored events and is an office of the Washington, DC Chapter of the National Contract Management Association.
    Jennifer has more than twenty years of experience in the Federal Contracting market, working for both contractors and as a consultant to GSA Schedule contract holders. Prior to joining Aronson, she managed a multi-million dollar GSA program for a systems integrator and led a team that developed and delivered specialized training on the GSA Schedules to small businesses across the country.
    Jennifer graduated summa cum laude from the University of Maryland, University College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Legal Studies.

Jacelyn Ferriell, Managing Consultant, Government Contract Services Group
    As a Managing Consultant in Aronson’s Government Contract Services Group, Jacelyn Ferriell guides GSA Schedule efforts for companies across a wide variety of industries. Her GSA Schedule support expertise includes development of scope and pricing strategies, contract compliance, audit support, and contract profitability strategies.
Jacelyn is responsible for leading clients successfully through the GSA lifecycle, from obtaining a new GSA Schedule contract through management of ongoing contracts. She also provides practical guidance for utilizing the contract. Through her in-depth understanding of Deltek’s GovWin IQ, Jacelyn helps her clients gather comprehensive market intelligence and apply these valuable insights, resulting in reduced business development costs and increased win rates.
    Jacelyn earned her bachelor’s degree in media and communication studies from the University of Maryland Baltimore County.