242.7500 Scope of subpart.
This subpart provides policies and procedures applicable to contractor accounting systems and related internal controls.

242.7501 Definition.
"Internal controls" means those policies and procedures established by contractor management to provide reasonable assurance that applicable laws and regulations are complied with and that actual and estimated costs are equitably allocated within the accounting system.

242.7502 Policy.
Contractors receiving cost-reimbursement or incentive type contracts, or contracts which provide for progress payments based on costs or on a percentage or stage of completion, shall maintain an accounting system and related internal controls throughout contract performance which provide reasonable assurance that-

(a) Applicable laws and regulations are complied with;

(b) The accounting system and cost data are reliable;

(c) Risk of misallocations and mischarges are minimized; and

(d) Contract allocations and charges are consistent with invoice procedures.

(a) Upon receipt of an audit report identifying significant accounting system or related internal control deficiencies, the ACO will-
(1) Provide a copy of the report to the contractor and allow 30 days, or a reasonable extension, for the contractor to respond;

(2) If the contractor agrees with the report, the contractor has 60 days from the date of initial notification to correct any identified deficiencies or submit a corrective action plan showing milestones and actions to eliminate the deficiencies.

(3) If the contractor disagrees, the contractor should provide rationale in its written response.

(4) The ACO will consider whether it is appropriate to suspend a percentage of progress payments or reimbursement of costs proportionate to the estimated cost risk to the Government, considering audit reports or other relevant input, until the contractor submits a corrective action plan acceptable to the ACO and corrects the deficiencies. (See FAR 32.503-6(a) and (b) and FAR 42.302(a)(7)).