Question 1

What does ClearDCAA actually do?

Accepted Answer

It's a DCAA-aligned compliance workspace for small government contractors. It covers SF 1408 readiness, daily timekeeping with supervisor approval, indirect and wrap rate calculations, ICE workbook generation, an ICS adequacy checklist with evidence packets, and an AI receipt screener that flags likely FAR 31.205 unallowable costs.

Question 2

What does DCAA-ready accounting actually mean?

Accepted Answer

It means your accounting system satisfies the SF 1408 pre-award criteria auditors look for: direct and indirect cost segregation, job-cost accumulation, unallowable cost identification, labor distribution, and interim indirect rate computation. ClearDCAA structures each of those controls so your evidence is organized before the auditor asks. Adequacy is always determined by the government, not by software.

Question 3

How is ClearDCAA timekeeping different from a normal timesheet app?

Accepted Answer

DCAA timekeeping requires daily recording, supervisor approval, a documented corrections process, and a traceable audit trail. ClearDCAA provides daily entry grids, a submit/approve workflow, an append-only corrections log with reason codes, floor check tracking, and labor distribution reports by employee and charge code.

Question 4

What is an ICE submission, and how much of it does ClearDCAA build?

Accepted Answer

An Incurred Cost Electronically (ICE) submission is the annual incurred cost proposal that contractors with cost-type contracts submit to their ACO. ClearDCAA computes your indirect rates and generates a populated Schedule A summary plus a full workbook structured to match the DCAA-published model; the remaining schedules export as structured templates you fill from your own detail.

Question 5

Can ClearDCAA replace my CPA for incurred cost submissions?

Accepted Answer

No. It gives your CPA or ACO a ready starting point instead of a blank spreadsheet — rate calculations, Schedule A, and a structured workbook. The final submission should still be reviewed by someone qualified for your contract and award size.

Question 6

How does the AI receipt screener work?

Accepted Answer

You upload or photograph a receipt or invoice. The AI reads the vendor, amount, line items, and expense type, then flags risk areas like alcohol, entertainment, lobbying, gifts, or first-class travel. It suggests an allowability decision and writes an audit-trail note. Suggestions are advisory — a person records the final determination.

Question 7

How does accounting data get in?

Accepted Answer

Through a CSV import in GL Import. You export a trial balance or GL from QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite, Unanet, or any accounting system, then map the period totals into the ClearDCAA template (direct labor, direct ODC, fringe, overhead, G&A, unallowable) and upload it. A downloadable template is provided. Direct API sync with accounting platforms is on the roadmap, not live today.

Question 8

How long is the trial, and how is the pilot different?

Accepted Answer

Founding pilot users get 60 days of free full access, no credit card required. Outside the pilot, the standard plan trial is 14 days for eligible new subscribers. When either period ends without a subscription, your workspace becomes read-only. Your data is not deleted and you can export it at any time.

Question 9

How much does it cost?

Accepted Answer

Starter is $99/mo, Professional $299/mo, and Enterprise $799/mo, with annual plans priced at ten months. Full details are on the pricing page.

Question 10

Do I need an accounting system review before I can win a cost-type contract?

Accepted Answer

Before a cost-reimbursement award the contracting officer must determine your accounting system is adequate, and DCAA documents that review on SF 1408. ClearDCAA lets you self-assess against the 18 SF 1408 criteria, record an owner, independent reviewer, policy reference, evidence document link, and remediation plan on each criterion, and build a printable audit packet you can save as PDF and send to your contracting officer or ACO. The result is your own self-assessment, not a government adequacy determination.

Question 11

How do indirect rates and wrap rates work together?

Accepted Answer

Indirect rates are percentages applied to cost bases — fringe on labor, overhead on a labor base, G&A on total cost input. A wrap rate is the cumulative multiplier that turns direct labor into a fully burdened, fee-inclusive billing rate. ClearDCAA computes both from your pool data and shows variance against your provisional rates.

Question 12

How long does setup take?

Accepted Answer

Org setup, the SF 1408 self-assessment, and timekeeping configuration are designed to be completed in a single sitting. GL import and rate structure setup depend on how clean your existing accounting data is.

Question 13

Is my data stored in a FedRAMP or SOC 2 environment?

Accepted Answer

ClearDCAA is hosted on SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 certified cloud infrastructure, with row-level data separation by organization, encryption in transit and at rest, and an append-only audit log. ClearDCAA itself does not yet hold its own SOC 2 report and is not FedRAMP authorized. If you need a FedRAMP or GovCloud environment for CMMC Level 2/3, contact us about the government cloud roadmap.

Question 14

Can I book a demo?

Accepted Answer

Yes — request a 30-minute walkthrough of SF 1408, timekeeping, indirect rates, and ICE submissions on the demo page.

Capability	ClearDCAA	Unanet / Costpoint	QuickBooks + ICAT	Spreadsheets
Pricing model	$99–$799/mo, flat monthly	Broader ERP commitment & larger implementation	$150–$400/mo + ICAT license	Free — until audit
What you get	DCAA control layer for the systems you use	Full GovCon ERP + modules	Accounting + indirect rate add-on	Manual everything
Replace your accounting system?	No — keep it	Typically yes	Keep QuickBooks	Keep QuickBooks
AI receipt screening	Built-in	Not a standard feature	Not a standard feature	None
ICE submission workflow	Schedule A auto-built + structured templates	Requires configuration	Partial	Manual build
Indirect rate engine	Built-in pools & wrap rates	Built-in	Included via ICAT	Excel formulas
Setup time	Hours to days	Weeks to months	Days to weeks	Undefined
Best for	Small GovCons adding DCAA controls	Contractors running the whole business on one ERP	Very small firms	Pre-revenue only

The DCAA control center for small government contractors.

Everything DCAA wants to see — in one platform

Catch FAR issues before DCAA does.

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Why controllers pick ClearDCAA over the typical stack

Enterprise-grade DCAA controls. Built for small contractors.

What does ClearDCAA replace?

Common questions

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