An Incurred Cost Proposal is an important document for contractors who work on cost-reimbursable contracts with the government. It helps them accurately calculate their indirect costs and ensure that they are compliant with government regulations. Accurate employee timekeeping records are essential for ensuring that this process goes smoothly and efficiently.
In this blog post, we will discuss what an Incurred Cost Proposal is, how it works, and how Hour Timesheet can help you track indirect rates for your ICP.
What is an Incurred Cost Proposal?
An Incurred Cost Proposal (ICP) is a report of actual indirect expenses that contractors must submit annually when they have a Cost Reimbursable contract with the government. This report includes all costs incurred during the accounting period, such as employee timekeeping, fringe benefits, overhead costs, and general and administrative expenses. The ICP is used to reconcile the contractor’s provisional billings with their actual costs for the period.
The ICP must be submitted to the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) within six months of the end of each fiscal year. The DCAA will then review and assess the proposal in order to ensure that all costs are reasonable and allowable under government regulations. If any discrepancies are found, they will be addressed with the contractor before payment can be made.
Basic elements of an Incurred Cost Proposal:
- Executive summary: Provide an overview of the contract, including the contractor’s name, contract number, period of performance, and a brief description of the work performed.
- Schedule of direct costs: Present a detailed breakdown of all direct costs incurred during the contract period, organized by labor categories, materials, equipment, travel, and other relevant expenses.
- Schedule of indirect costs: List all indirect costs incurred, such as fringe benefits, overhead, and general and administrative expenses. Organize these costs into appropriate cost pools and allocate them to the relevant bases (e.g., direct labor hours, total labor dollars).
- Indirect cost rate calculations: Calculate the indirect cost rates for each cost pool by dividing the total indirect costs by the appropriate allocation base. Include the provisional or budgeted rates for comparison purposes.
- Allocation of indirect costs: Apply the calculated indirect cost rates to the direct costs to distribute the indirect costs across the contract. This will help determine the total cost of the project.
- Contract billing summary: Provide a summary of billings submitted to the government during the contract period, showing the amounts billed for direct costs, indirect costs, and any applicable fees or profit.
- Reconciliation of claimed costs to financial records: Reconcile the costs claimed in the ICP with the contractor’s financial records, such as the general ledger or income statement. This ensures that the ICP accurately reflects the contractor’s financial performance.
- Certification: Include a signed certification by a responsible official of the contractor, attesting to the accuracy and completeness of the ICP. This certification is required by the government to confirm that the contractor is providing truthful and accurate information.
- Supporting documentation: Attach any necessary supporting documentation, such as invoices, receipts, timecards, or other records that validate the costs claimed in the ICP.
How Can Hour Timesheet Help You Track Indirect Rates for Your Incurred Cost Proposal?
Hour Timesheet is a timesheet software that can help contractors track their direct and indirect labor costs accurately. With Hour Timesheet, contractors can allocate their labor hours to the appropriate job, contract, and task. Additionally, Hour Timesheet provides customizable indirect rates, which can be used to accurately calculate indirect costs for the ICP. By using Hour Timesheet, contractors can ensure that their labor costs are accurate, which supports the accounting records required for the ICP.
What are the Benefits of Using Hour Timesheet for Your Incurred Cost Proposal?
There are many benefits to using Hour Timesheet to track indirect rates for your ICP. Firstly, Hour Timesheet is easy to use and customizable to your business needs. Hour Timesheet also has a real-time dashboard, which provides instant visibility into labor costs and helps contractors make informed decisions. Additionally, Hour Timesheet provides accurate indirect rates, which supports the accuracy of the ICP.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, submitting an accurate Incurred Cost Proposal is critical for government contractors to ensure that their business runs smoothly. By using Hour Timesheet, contractors can track their labor costs accurately and ensure that their ICP is compliant with the government regulations. Additionally, Hour Timesheet provides many benefits that support contractors’ financial visibility and accuracy. Hour Timesheet is an excellent tool for government contractors to ensure their ICPs are accurate and up to date.
