Government Contracting Virtual Conference
Overview
By attending this virtual conference, you will gain the latest insights on current trends and hot topics from leaders of the contracting sector. Their deep experience in this industry will help you to navigate the changes happening in the sector, and hearing the experiences and practical guidance from your peers in this community means more now than ever before. At this conference, we will offer 8 CPE credits on topics ranging from industry wide updates to CFO panels offering insight gleaned from their unique experiences. This is an event like no other, brought to you by leaders in the Federal contracting space.
This event is brought to you in partnership with the Greater Washington Society of CPAs (GWSCPA).
Prerequisites
None
Designed For
Professionals both in industry and public accounting firms nationally.
Objectives
To provide you with the latest insights on current trends and hot topics from leaders of the government contracting sector.
Preparation
None
September 24, 2026
General Session
- Welcome & Announcements
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Legislative/Regulatory & Economic Updates
Todd Overman, Managing Partner, Bass, Berry & Sims PLCTodd Overman
Ranked by Chambers, the IFLR1000 and The Legal 500 for his government contracts experience, Todd Overman has established himself as a leading government contracts practitioner. Todd is Managing Partner of Bass, Berry & Sims’s Washington, D.C. office and chair of the Government Contracts Practice Group, and has nearly two decades of experience advising companies in meeting the demanding and ever-changing regulatory environment of contracting with the federal government. Over the last decade, he has advised on more than 50 transactions involving the purchase or sale of a government contractor. Todd has particular experience in structuring transactions and corporate reorganizations to ensure compliance with the Anti-Assignment Act, as well as navigating the rules impacting the acquisition of small businesses. He also has significant experience in advising on issues that may arise during the sale of government contractors to foreign-owned businesses, including national security reviews under Exon-Florio by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and foreign ownership, control or influence (FOCI) mitigation by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA).
Credits: 0.5 - Economics
Credits: 0.5 - Business Law
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Managing a DCAA-Incurred Cost Audit
Paul Calabrese, GRF CPAs & AdvisorsPaul Calabrese
Mr. Calabrese is a Principal in GRF CPAs & Advisors’ Outsourced Accounting & Advisory Services group, where he brings a successful track record of working with both government contractors and nonprofit organizations. His remarkable career includes positions with the Air Force Audit Agency, Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), and three government contractors, in addition to 25+ years in public accounting. Mr. Calabrese’s extensive experience with the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) and CAS disclosure statements, Federal Acquisition Regulation Cost Principals (FAR), and the Uniform Guidance for federal grants, positions him as a sought-after resource and consultant for all facets of federal government contract and grant cost accounting.
Mr. Calabrese has prepared over 40 incurred cost submissions for DOD and USAID. He has also provided indirect rate development, advance agreements, forward pricing reviews, fixed price, T&M and CPFF/CPAF/CPIF cost proposals, defective pricing, billing systems, contract close-outs, compensation, contract brief preparation, voucher reviews, provisional billing rates, SF 1408 audits and prep, and preparation and reviews of DOD business systems for Accounting, Estimating, and Contractor Purchasing System Reviews. His experience also includes interfacing with DCAA and USAID with respect to audit resolution of questioned cost and findings. Paul has worked with law firms and litigation support on contract Request for Equitable Adjustments, Termination for Convenience, and Delay Claims on the Quantum portion of the Settlement Proposal.
<style type="text/css">
.text {
font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;
}
</style>
Michael Bartlett
Mr. Bartlett brings over 30 years of experience in Finance, Accounting, Compliance, and Operations with significant experience in implementing and integrating business systems and strategy leading to significant increases in revenue and profitability. A strong background leading internal and external audits, internal controls, process improvement, management, and cross-collaboration are key skillsets that Mr. Bartlett leverages to assist in driving business growth and profitability. Mr. Bartlett has extensive experience in Federal contracting having been a key player in the development of the ICE model for incurred cost submissions, a key collaborator with the US Government during the Commission of Wartime Contracting resulting in numerous Federal contracting changes, and worked at a major Federal contractor that partnered with the US Government that went through extensive audits and discussions leading to changes in almost every DCAA and DCMA audit plan.
Previously he has held roles including Controller/CFO in small to middle market and large businesses including top tier Public Sector providers such as PwC Public Sector. Mr. Bartlett worked in a key Compliance role for Northrop Grumman minimizing risk for the Federal Contractor.
His education includes a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Outside of work, MR. Bartlett is involved in various organizations and activities that support local, state, and Federal law enforcement and first responders.
Complete this ethics webcast on Sept. 30 from 11 a.m. – 12:40 p.m. and fulfill your Virginia Board of Accountancy ethics requirement for 2026!
This engaging and practical Virginia Board of Accountancy (VBOA)-approved ethics course explores the evolving ethical landscape for CPAs through the lens of risk management. Participants will examine core principles of the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct alongside real-world scenarios that challenge professional judgment, independence and integrity.
Moving beyond rule-based compliance, this course introduces the concept of “active ethics,” a proactive approach to ethical decision-making grounded in professional responsibility, moral judgment and public trust. Through case studies involving audits, tax engagements, client relationships and emerging practice risks, attendees will gain tools to navigate complex ethical dilemmas with confidence.
The course also highlights current regulatory developments, including updates to tax standards and Treasury Circular 230, and addresses common risk areas such as conflicts of interest, independence threats, confidentiality and client pressures
Credits: 1 - Accounting (Governmental)
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Roadmap to the FAR Overhaul & New CAS Thresholds: Contract Strategy & AI
Eric Poppe, Aprio, LLPEric Poppe
Eric Poppe is a Partner, Managed Services in Aprio’s Government Contracting Services Group. He is a CPA who works with companies of all sizes in a variety of industries to navigate and develop practical solutions when working with the federal government. Eric particularly enjoys working with organizations who are new to government contracting or emerging businesses. Eric is a strategic advisor that empowers his clients to use new accounting and/or reporting requirements, forecasting, internal controls, or other compliance requirements as a springboard for growth.
Eric has worked with government contractors from various industries, with a focus on professional services, manufacturing, and technology companies. Having spent his career at both Big 4 and other Top 25 firms, Eric brings an exceptional track record in helping companies develop practical solutions to drive growth when working with the government. When working with Eric, clients can expect to feel informed, guided, and supported by using thoughtful, causal, and helpful advisement techniques. His focus is on providing strategic guidance to companies in the areas of budgeting, forecasting, indirect cost rate development, and cost accounting compliance. He has deep expertise in evaluating and enhancing internal controls and business systems to meet regulatory standards, with a strong emphasis on compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Service Contract Act, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), and the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS). He also supports internal audits and compliance & performance audits. Lastly, he has also advised companies during M&A integration activities to ensure alignment of practices with applicable government contracting requirements.
Eric earned a B.S. in Accounting from Virginia Tech. He is a CPA in the state of Virginia and is a member of PSC and NDIA. When he is not at work, Eric loves being outdoors with his family. Most weekends, Eric and his family enjoy their time exploring the mountains of Virginia, and love going to Shenandoah National Park or other parks. They love camping, backpacking, and hiking, and he has a goal of visiting all the National Parks.
The RFO is the biggest FAR rewrite in 40+ years, with effective dates rolling out from February 2026. The FY26 NDAA jacked the mandatory CAS threshold from $2.5M to $35M (full coverage $50M? 100M?) and the certified cost-or-pricing data threshold to $10M for awards after June 30, 2026. Meanwhile DCAA is shrinking into a leaner, request driven model. Undestant the current audit, contract and compliance landscape and how it reshapes who is CAS-covered, how indirect rate structures work, and where audit risk now sits. Discuss the impact of AI pricing and costing and how it triggers compliance issues. Also define true power of being a 'non-traditional defense contractor' and what that means.
Credits: 1 - Accounting (Governmental)
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- AI in GovCon: Policy Governance & Practical Use Cases in Accounting Functions
Credits: 1 - Specialized Knowledge
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- CMMC & the New Compliance Reality: Preparing for Certification Under Evolving DoD Requirements
Brian Kirk, Cherry Bekaert LLPBrian Kirk
Sirena Johnson is a partner at Citrin Cooperman and leads its Government Contracting Industry Practice. Based in the firm’s DC offices she specializes in providing advisory and accounting services to government contractors, technology companies, and employee benefit plans. A former auditor for 24 years, Johnson has a wide lens when providing advice on finance and strategy matters. She is growth oriented and partners with clients to achieve their goals to scale, sell, and acquire other companies.
Johnson is fluent on a plethora of complex federal regulations, including Small Business Administration (SBA), 8(a), and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) cost principles and accounting policies for federal government contractors. In addition, she provides various advisory services, including outsourced CFO and accounting services, financial planning and analysis, M&A transactions, pricing for proposals, and implementing compliant accounting systems and overhead allocation methods; prepares incurred cost submissions for the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA); and assists with DCAA accounting system reviews, interfacing with DCAA audits and many more advisory projects. She is also well versed in employee benefit plan matters and regulations.
This session will provide government contractors with a practical, real-world roadmap for achieving CMMC Level 2 certification in today's evolving regulatory environment. Attendees will gain insight into the DoD's phased implementation timeline, common readiness challenges, and what assessors expect during certification based on actual field experience. The discussion will highlight critical areas such as scoping, CUI indentification, and working with cloud and external service providers, where many organizations struggle. This topic is especially timely as CMMC requirements are being incorporated into DoD contracts and becoming a condition of award, making readiness essential for maintaining and winning business. Participants will leave with actionable steps to reduce risk, accelerate preparation, and avoid costly missteps on the path to certification.
Credits: 1 - Information Technology
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Navigating GovCon M&A: Lessons From a CPA's Story
Sirena Johnson, Partner, Citrin Cooperman, LLPSirena Johnson
Sirena Johnson is a partner at Citrin Cooperman and leads its Government Contracting Industry Practice. Based in the firm’s DC offices she specializes in providing advisory and accounting services to government contractors, technology companies, and employee benefit plans. A former auditor for 24 years, Johnson has a wide lens when providing advice on finance and strategy matters. She is growth oriented and partners with clients to achieve their goals to scale, sell, and acquire other companies.
Johnson is fluent on a plethora of complex federal regulations, including Small Business Administration (SBA), 8(a), and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) cost principles and accounting policies for federal government contractors. In addition, she provides various advisory services, including outsourced CFO and accounting services, financial planning and analysis, M&A transactions, pricing for proposals, and implementing compliant accounting systems and overhead allocation methods; prepares incurred cost submissions for the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA); and assists with DCAA accounting system reviews, interfacing with DCAA audits and many more advisory projects. She is also well versed in employee benefit plan matters and regulations.
Paula Smithers
Paula is a long-term member of the government contracting community and former CFO of Newbrook Solutions, a technology company which sold two years ago. As a CPA providing mission critical financial solutions, Paula brings deep industry expertise, along with an appreciation for the very heart of the M&A process — due diligence. At Newbrook Paula worked to grow the company over a twenty year period and during the company’s sale to Edgesource Corporation served as Acquisition Manager, consolidating deliverables, removing roadblocks, and ensuring a win-win for both sides of the deal. She partners with business owners seeking a sale or inorganic growth.
“I love the challenge of investment banking,” says Paula. “It’s one of those aspirational aspects of finance that can have a profound effect not just on company growth but on the lives of business leaders.”
“Paula is a dedicated, results-oriented, collaborative leader who thrives on streamlining operations, ensuring compliance, driving profitability, and understanding the federal customer,” says CEO Sharon Heaton.
Ms. Smithers is a Certified Public Accountant and has a BA from the Rochester Institute of Technology. She lives with her family in Northern Virginia and enjoys staying active through running and cycling.
This timely panel will cover preparation for M&A, documenting growth trajectories, market-based valuations of privately held GovCon firms, and best practices for CPAs. Sirena Johnson, a partner at Citrin Cooperman and leaders of its Government Contracting Industry Practice, will interview Paula Smithers, now Director of M&A at the GovCon advisory sbLiftOff, in a provocative exploration of Ms. Smithers’ exit from Newbrook Soluntiosn and sale to Edgesource Corporation. With time for questions, these CPAs and GovCon long-timers will cover middle-market trends, valuation considerations for EBITDA multiples, and how to help clients deal with everything from QofEs to LOI terms, working capital contests, rollover/retained equity plans, and more.
Credits: 1 - Finance
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- State Taxes & Special Issues That Government Contractors Need to Be Concerned About
Ilya Lipin, BDO USA, P.A.Ilya Lipin
Ilya is a Principal in BDO’s State and Local Tax practice and serves as the SALT Leader for the Greater Washington, D.C. and Mid-Atlantic markets. He has over 20 years of experience advising clients on multistate income and sales and use taxes, tax controversy, compliance, and state tax issues arising from mergers, acquisitions, and restructuring transactions. Ilya takes a proactive, practical approach to advising clients — helping them identify and manage state and local tax risks while uncovering tax savings and refund opportunities. He works closely with businesses to assess their nexus footprint, evaluate the taxability of products and services, and implement efficient sourcing methodologies to minimize liabilities and strengthen compliance.
Ilya is an adjunct tax professor at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law Graduate Tax Program. Ilya also regularly publishes articles in the national tax journals and has been a frequent speaker on state and local tax issues, including national seminars and webinars.
This session examines the unique state tax challenges facing government contractors, including nexus considerations, apportionment rules, and sales/use tax treatment that differe significantly from standard commercial transactions. Attendees will explore special issues such as multi-state contract performance, situsing of services, and exemptions tied to government contracts. The presentation will also address state tax considerations unique to M&A due diligence in this sector, including successor liability exposure and uncovering historical compliance gaps that can affect deal value. Attendees will leave with practical insights and strategies to effectively manage compliance risks while identifying tax-saving opportunities across various jurisdictions.
Credits: 1 - Taxation
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- CFO Panel
Navigating today’s government contracting environment requires finance executives to be highly agile, strategic, and tech-forward. This executive panel brings together seasoned GovCon CFOs and industry leaders to discuss the unique financial, operational, and regulatory challenges of managing a federal contracting business. Panelists will share high-level strategies for navigating changing audit environments, optimizing financial performance, and steering organizations through shifting procurement priorities and technological disruption.
Credits: 0.5 - Management Services
Credits: 0.5 - Accounting (Governmental)
This session is available to registrants only.
Non-Member Price $535.00
Member Price $435.00