Skip Header Navigation
spacer DCMA Portal
Portal LOG IN 
spacer
Contact Us  |  Employee LOG IN  
DCMA Seal Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA)
DCMA Seal
  ABOUT US  |  CUSTOMERS  |  EMPLOYEES  |  NEWS ROOM  |  eTOOLS  |  SMALL BUSINESS  |  CAREERS
Info Memos  |  Policy  
  Instruction Folder Number: 13  |  Contact Us   
Contract Audit Follow Up
Revised: December 2009
Next Review: December 2010
Requirements
Intent/Outcome/Purpose
Process
Competencies/Certifications

Training Matrix / Table of Contents

Higher Level Regulatory Documents
Performance Metrics/Standards
PLAS
Guidance
Tools & Additional Guidance
Successful Practices
Portal/Community of Practice
Points of Contact
Intent/Outcome/Purpose
Ensure timely and appropriate resolution and disposition of audit findings
 
Process

CMO/Center approval of deviations to DCMA mandatory requirements is not authorized for this instruction.

1.  Receive an audit report.  When the ACO receives a DCAA audit report, the ACO shall determine whether the audit is a reportable audit (DoDI 7640.02). 

    1.1.  Reportable audits include the following types of contract audit reports if they included findings and recommendations:

        1.1.1.  Accounting and Management Systems Audits which include audits, follow-up audits, and flash estimating on a contractor’s Control Environment and Overall Accounting System; General IT System; Budget and Planning System; Purchasing System (including Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR)); Material System (including Material Management and Accounting System (MMAS); Compensation System; Labor System; Indirect and ODC System; Billing System; and Estimating System.  
        1.1.2.  Defective Pricing Audits 
        1.1.3.  CAS Noncompliance and CAS Cost Impact Audits
        1.1.4.  Earned Value Management Systems Audits

    1.2.  Reportable audits also include the following types of audit reports if the questioned cost or potential cost avoidance is $100,000 or more: 

        1.2.1. Claims and Equitable Adjustment Audits 
        1.2.2. Operations and Operations Follow-Up Audits
        1.2.3. Incurred Cost Audits (except for audits of audit-determined indirect rates where DCAA and contractor agree on all    questioned costs and there is no penalty identified) and Final Indirect Cost Rates
        1.2.4. Final Pricing Submissions
        1.2.5. Terminations Audits
        1.2.6. DCAA Insurance and Pension Audits

    1.3.  All supplemental audit reports that supersede or supplement a previously issued reportable audit report are reportable, regardless of whether the supplemental report includes findings, recommendation, questioned cost, or potential cost avoidance.
    1.4.  Non-reportable audits are any audit that is not listed in 1.1., 1.2., or 1.3.

2.  The ACO shall ensure all reportable audits are properly recorded in the CAFU eTool (DoDI 7640.02).  DCAA generally populates the list of reportable audits in the CAFU eTool on a monthly basis.  However, the ACO shall immediately add any missing reportable audits to the CAFU eTool (DoDI 7640.02).
3.  The ACO shall ensure that the information for each reportable audit, including status and remarks, in the CAFU eTool is current, accurate, and complete (DoDI 7640.02).

    3.1.  For reportable audit reports, the ACO shall ensure that the following information is current, accurate, and complete in the CAFU eTool (DoDI 7640.02):

        3.1.1.  Report number
        3.1.2.  Report date
        3.1.3.  Contractor name
        3.1.4.  DoD Activity Address Code (DODAAC)
        3.1.5.  Code for Type of Audit (see 3.4 below)
        3.1.6.  Questioned costs, potential cost avoidance, or recommended price adjustment
        3.1.7.  Questioned costs subject to penalty
        3.1.8.  Qualifications or unresolved costs (yes or no response)

    3.2.  A reportable audit is open until the ACO dispositions the audit report.  For open audit reports, the ACO shall also ensure the following information is current, accurate, and complete in the CAFU eTool (DoDI 7640.02):

        3.2.1.  Audit status (unresolved, resolved, litigation, investigation)
        3.2.2.  Target resolution date
        3.2.3.  Target disposition date
        3.2.4.  Actual resolution date
        3.2.5.  Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals (ASBCA) docket number or U.S. Court of Federal Claims case number
        3.2.6.  Original audit report date (only required for supplemental audit reports)

    3.3.  A reportable audit is closed if the ACO has dispositioned the audit report.  For closed audit reports, the ACO shall also ensure the following information is current, accurate, and complete in the CAFU eTool (DoDI 7640.02):

        3.3.1.  Disposition date
        3.3.2.  Questioned costs, potential cost avoidance, or recommended price adjustment sustained
        3.3.3.  Percentage of questioned costs or potential cost avoidance sustained
        3.3.4.  Penalty assessed
        3.3.5.  Original audit report date and/or supplemental audit report number

    3.4.  Code for Type of Audit. The ACO shall use the following audit type codes to designate the type of audit in the CAFU eTool (DoDI 7640.02):

Code Type of Audit
A Reserved
B Accounting and Management Systems Audits which include audits, follow-up audits, and flash reports on a  contractor’s Control Environment and Overall Accounting System; General IT System; Budget and Planning System; Purchasing System (including Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR)); Material System (including Material Management and Accounting System (MMAS); Compensation System; Labor System; Indirect and ODC System; Billing System; and Estimating System.
C Claims and Equitable Adjustments Audits.  Only include DCAA audits with reported questioned costs of   $100,000 or more.
D Defective Pricing Audits
E CAS Noncompliance and CAS Cost Impact Audits
F Operations Audits and Operations Follow-Up Audits.  Only include DCAA audits with reported potential cost avoidance of $100,000 or more.
G Incurred Cost Audits (except for audits of audit-determined indirect rates where DCAA and contractor agree on all questioned costs and there is no penalty identified).  Only include DCAA audits with reported questioned costs of $100,000 or more.
H DCAA Insurance and Pension Audits
I Final Pricing Submissions.  Only include DCAA audits with reported questioned costs of $100,000 or more.
J Termination Audits.  Only include DCAA audits with reported questioned costs of $100,000 or more.
K Earned Value Management System Audits

4.  The ACO shall fully consider all contract audit findings and recommendations including the assessment of penalties and interest and obtain any required clarification to ensure the ACO understands DCAA’s findings and recommendations (DoDI 7640.02).

5.  For all reportable audits, the ACO shall  (DoDI 7640.02):

    5.1.  Immediately establish target dates and a plan for resolving and dispositioning each reportable audit.  
    5.2.  Promptly update the status of reportable audits as unresolved, resolved, dispositioned, or under litigation or investigation.

        5.2.1.  The audit status is "resolved" when the CMO Contracts Director approves the ACO's written price negotiation objective (PNO) or memorandum to the contract file outlining the plan and target date to resolve the audit findings and recommendations.  The CMO Contracts Director may delegate authority to approve the action to a level no lower than the contract team supervisor/leader.   For a CAS noncompliance, the audit status is "resolved" when the ACO notifies DCAA that the ACO disagrees with the alleged noncompliance or issues a notice of potential noncompliance to the contractor and provides a copy of the notice to DCAA (FAR 30.605(b)(1)).  The CMO Contracts Director shall approve the ACO's notice to DCAA or the notice of potential noncompliance to the contractor before issuance.
        5.2.2.  The audit status is "dispositioned" when:
           
            5.2.2.1.  The CMO Contracts Director approves the ACO’s price negotiation memorandum (PNM).
            5.2.2.2.  The ACO renders a decision on the audit findings and recommendations for accounting and management system audits and notifies the contractor in writing.  The CMO Contracts Director shall approve the ACO's written notice before the ACO releases the decision to the contractor.
            5.2.2.3.  The ACO issues a final decision pursuant to the disputes clause and 90 days have elapsed without contractor appeal to the ASBCA.  The CMO Contracts Director shall approve the ACO's final decision before the ACO issues the final decision to the contractor.  The ACO and the reviewing CMO Contracts Director shall ensure that, in preparing Contracting Officer Final Decisions, advice is obtained from assigned legal counsel, the Contract Disputes Resolution Center (“CDRC”) and other advisors in accordance with DCMA Instruction “Contract Claims and Disputes” and FAR 33.211.  In addition, if the contractor subsequently appeals the final decision to the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, the ACO must reopen the audit record in the CAFU eTool.            
            5.2.2.4.  For CAS noncompliance audits, the ACO makes a written determination of compliance or noncompliance and notifies the contractor and DCAA of the determination and the basis for the determination (FAR 30.605(b)(3)).  The CMO Contracts Director shall approve the ACO's determination of compliance or noncompliance before the ACO issues the determination to the contractor.  In addition, if the contractor subsequently appeals the final decision to the ASBCA or U.S. Court of Federal Claims, the ACO must reopen the audit record in the CAFU eTool.
            5.2.2.5.  The ASBCA or U.S. Court of Federal Claims renders a decision on the claim, the contractor makes all corrective actions directed by the Board or Court, and any associated contractual documents are executed.
            5.2.2.6.  DCAA issues a supplemental report that supersede or supplements a previously issued reportable audit. 
            5.2.2.7.  For CAS cost impact audits, the ACO executes a bilateral modification that resolves the cost impact or issues a final decision and unilaterally adjusts the contracts in accordance with FAR 30.606.  The ACO shall provide a copy of the PNM to DCAA and any affected contracting officers (FAR 30.605(b)).  The CMO Contracts Director shall approve either action in advance.
            5.2.2.8.  The CMO Contracts Director makes a written determination that all corrective actions have been taken and no further actions can reasonably be anticipated.

        5.2.3.  The audit status is "litigation” when any of the audit issues are under review by a court or the ASBCA.
        5.2.4.  The audit status is "investigation” when an investigative agency of the U.S. Government is reviewing any of the audit issues.
        5.2.5.  For any reportable audit that has not been “resolved” or “dispositioned” and is not in “litigation” or “investigation,” the audit status is “unresolved.”

    5.3.  The ACO shall promptly and accurately report questioned costs sustained in the CAFU eTool  (DoDI 7640.02).

        5.3.1.  Questioned costs sustained include DCAA questioned amounts that are agreed to by the contractor during the course of the audit (except for audits of audit-determined indirect rates where DCAA and the contractor agree on all questioned costs and there is no penalty identified, agreed to by the contractor during negotiations, and questioned costs the contractor does not agree with when the ACO issues a final decision or makes a written determination that the costs are unallowable.
        5.3.2.  If DCAA issues a supplemental report on the reportable audit, report zero questioned costs sustained on the original reportable audit.  The questioned costs sustained will be reported on the supplemental audit report which is a reportable audit.

6.  Resolve the Reportable Audit.  The ACO shall resolve all reportable audits within six months of the date the audit report was issued (DoDI 7640.02).  If the ACO is unable to resolve the reportable audit within six months, the ACO shall document why the reportable audit could not be resolved in the six month period in the contract file and “remarks” section of the CAFU eTool and document the actions taken to achieve resolution at least monthly (DoDI 7640.02).  

    6.1.  The ACO shall not report the audit status of a reportable audit as “resolved” in the CAFU eTool until the ACO has documented the following in a PNO or memorandum to the contract file, and obtained the CMO Contracts Director's approval required by paragraph 5.2.1. and any required Contract Management Board or Review (BoR):

        6.1.1.  The plan and target date to resolve each audit finding and recommendation including any associated penalties and interest.
        6.1.2.  Affirmative statement that the ACO agrees or disagrees with each audit finding and recommendation.
        6.1.3.  Sound rationale for resolving each audit finding and recommendation (including penalties and interest).  The rationale must demonstrate that the ACO has considered all appropriate FAR, DFARS, and DCMA Instructions related to the issue raised or questioned by DCAA, e.g., CAS noncompliance, inadequate Accounting and Management Systems, unallowable terminations costs.

7.  Disposition the Reportable Audit. 

    7.1.  The ACO shall disposition all reportable audits within 12 months of the date the audit report was issued (DoDI 7640.02).  If the ACO is unable to disposition the reportable audit within 12 months, the ACO shall document why the reportable audit could not be dispositioned in the 12 month period in the contract file and “remarks” section of the CAFU eTool and document the actions taken to achieve disposition at least monthly (DoDI 7640.02).   The ACO shall not report the audit status of a reportable audit as “dispositioned” in the CAFU eTool until the ACO has documented the following in a PNM, final decision or determination, or memorandum to the contract file, and obtained the CMO Contracts Director’s approval required in paragraph 5.2.2and any required BoR:

        7.1.1.  Affirmative statement that the ACO agreed or disagreed with each audit finding and recommendation.
        7.1.2.  Sound rationale for dispositioning each audit finding and recommendation (including penalties and interest).  The rationale must demonstrate that the ACO has considered all appropriate FAR, DFARS, and DCMA Instructions related to the issue raised or questioned by DCAA, e.g., CAS noncompliance, inadequate Accounting and Management Systems, unallowable terminations costs.

    7.2.  For reportable incurred cost audits (DoDI 7640.02):

        7.2.1.  Before dispositioning the audit, the ACO shall prepare a reconciliation of all costs questioned in the audit report to the cost or pricing data submitted during the negotiations that were relied upon in reach a settlement, FAR 42.705-1(b)(5)(iii) and include the reconciliation in the PNM.
        7.2.2.  The ACO can disposition a reportable audit with DCAA unresolved costs. 
The ACO shall include a remark in the PNM and the CAFU eTool stating the unresolved costs will be addressed upon receipt of a DCAA audit opinion on the unresolved costs.   

    7.3.  The ACO shall provide a copy of the PNM, final decision or determination, or memorandum to the file to DCAA and any other Government agency affected by the disposition of the reportable audit (DoDI 7640.02) within 30 days of issuance.

8.  CAFU records must be retained for 6 years and three months, after payment of the last contract affected by the audit (DoDI 7640.02).  Retention of the file documentation and copies of the actual audit reports from DCAA are the responsibility of the ACO and CMO Contracts Directors.  The electronic CAFU eTool records are kept indefinitely and can be retrieved from archives by opening a Help Desk ticket, requesting the record.
    

9.  CAFU Quality Assurance 

    9.1.  The CMO Commander/Director shall ensure that the CMO Contracts Director and ACOs are rated on the applicable mandatory standard CAFU performance objective.

  • Standard Performance Element for Contract Audit Follow-Up (CAFU)  (INFORMATION)

    9.2.  The CMO Contracts Directors shall conduct an annual review to determine whether their contracting officers timely and appropriately resolve and disposition audit findings and recommendations, including the assessment of penalties and interest, and obtained all required BoRs.

        9.2.1.  The review shall cover all reportable contract audits that were dispositioned or resolved in the CAFU eTool during the fiscal year and any reportable audits that were not resolved within six months or dispositioned within 12 months.  Sampling can be used but the sample plan and results of the plan must be well documented and addressed in the report required by paragraph 9.4.1. below.

            9.2.1.1.  The review shall include a verification that the information in the CAFU eTool is current, accurate, and complete.
           
9.2.1.2.  For reportable audits resolved during the period, verify the PNO or memorandum to the contract file was approved by the CMO Contracts Director and included:

                9.2.1.2.1.  The plan and target date to resolve each audit finding and recommendation, including any associated penalties and interest.
               
9.2.1.2.2.  Affirmative statement that the ACO agrees or disagrees with each audit finding and recommendation.
               
9.2.1.2.3.  Sound rationale for resolving each audit finding and recommendation (including penalties and interest).  The rationale must demonstrate that the ACO has considered all appropriate FAR, DFARS, and DCMA Instructions related to the issue raised or questioned by DCAA, e.g., CAS noncompliance, inadequate Accounting and Management Systems, unallowable terminations costs.

        9.3.2.  For reportable audits dispositioned during the period, verify the PNO, final decision or determination, or memorandum to the contract file was approved by the CMO Contracts Director and included:

            9.3.2.1.  Affirmative statement that the ACO agreed or disagreed with each audit finding and recommendation. 
           
9.3.2.2.  Sound rationale for dispositioning each audit finding and recommendation (including penalties and interest).  The rationale must demonstrate that the ACO has considered all appropriate FAR, DFARS, and DCMA Instructions related to the issue raised or questioned by DCAA, e.g., CAS noncompliance, inadequate Accounting and Management Systems, unallowable terminations costs.

        9.3.3.  For reportable audits that were not resolved within six months or dispositioned within 12 months timeframes, verify the status of the reportable audit in the CAFU eTool is correct and that the ACO has a sound plan and target dates for resolving and dispositioning the reportable audit and is making adequate progress against the plan.

            9.3.3.1.  The review will include an assessment of:

                9.3.3.1.1.  The overall timeliness and appropriateness of the resolution and disposition of the audit findings and recommendations. 
               
9.3.3.1.2.  Any identified training deficiencies.
               
9.3.3.1.3.  Each ACO to determine whether the ACO has demonstrated the requisite specialized knowledge, experience, training, business acumen, and judgment in executing the duties of an ACO as they relate to the appropriate resolution and disposition of DCAA findings and recommendations and this DCMA Instruction.

    9.4.  If the CMO Contracts Director determines that any ACO has not demonstrated the requisite specialized knowledge, experience, training, business acumen, and judgment required to execute the duties of an ACO, the CMO Contracts Director shall immediately submit a recommendation to terminate the ACO's appointment to DCMA-AQ  (with a copy to the Division Contracts Director). 

        9.4.1.  Annually on October 30, the CMO Contracts Director shall report the results of the review to the appropriate Division Contracts Director. 

    9.5.  Division Contracts Directors shall summarize the results of the CMO reviews and provide the results to DCMA-AQ by December 30 annually.  The report will address any identified training deficiencies and either contain a statement that the CMO Contracts Director or Division Contracts Director will conduct the required training or include a request for DCMA-AQ to conduct the required training. 

 
Competencies/Certifications
  • The ACO will be certified in accordance with the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement ACT (DAWIA) for the position held.
  • The ACO will be a warranted contracting officer of the United States Government under Department of Defense.
 
Training Matrix
Contract Audit Follow Up Training Matrix Template
What TASKS are
required to
accomplish this
process?
Methods of training
On-the-Job Training (OJT) Computer Based Training (CBT) Course (Commercial, College/ Vocational) Contractor Sponsored Training Guidebooks DCMA Developed Administrative Task
(The task is wholly enabled by the contents of the instruction and requires no training intervention)
Task 1 - Receive and Review DCAA Audit Report             X
Task 2 -Ensure  audit records are properly recorded in eTool              X
Task 3 - Ensure data accuracy and currency in the eTool system , data integrity             X
Task 4 - Consider all  DCAA audit findings including penalty           TBD  
Task 5 - Plan the audit resolution and disposition           TBD  
Task 6- Record cost sustained           TBD  
Task 7- Disposition the Audit             X
Task 8- Retain the audit record file             X
Task 9 - Follow the CAFU Quality Assurance Plan- standard agency plan/rating             X
 
 
 
Higher Level Regulatory Documents
  • DoDI 7640.02, DoD Instruction for Follow-up on Contract Audit Reports  
  • OMB Circular A- 50 , Audit Follow-up
  • FAR 42.7, Assessing Penalties on Unallowable Cost  
 
Performance Standards
  • Process Indicator/s:
    • CAFU Overage Audits
    • CAFU Overage Audit Aging
    • CAFU Reportable Audit Disposition
  • Workload Indicator/s
    • TBD
  • Resource Indicator/s:or/s:
    • TBD
  • Supplier Indicator/s:
    • N/A
 
PLAS
  • PLAS Process code:  052
 
Tools & Additional Guidance
  • For the purpose of this DCMA Instruction, ACO means ACO, DACO, CACO, or TCO.
  • CAFU manual - CAFU 3.5 eTool
  • CAFU Training Slides - April 2009  
  • How to navigate CAFU eTool – Media/audio instruction under Resources on CAFU eTool Training Page
  • MRT CAFU Assessment Guide
 
Successful Practices
None to date
 
Portal/Community of Practice

AQ Contract Community Portal

 
Points of Contact
DCMA Headquarters:

DCMA Instruction Point of Contact information is not available to the general public.

DCMA employees please click here for the process POC's
   Headquarters  |  ITCSO  |  Aero  |  Naval  |  Ground  |  Space  |  International  |  Special Programs
Site Index  |  Privacy  |  FOIA  |  Accessibility   
Standard Agency Screen Resolution is 1024 x 768 | Questions/Change Requests.