DCMA

DCMA is distinct from the contracting officer who awards your contract. While the Procuring Contracting Officer (PCO) handles award, DCMA's Administrative Contracting Officers (ACOs) manage day-to-day contract administration — often for the life of the contract.

What DCMA does:

• Contract administration — Manages approximately 350,000 active contracts and 20,000 contractors worldwide
• Business systems reviews — Evaluates contractor accounting systems, purchasing systems, estimating systems, property management systems, and earned value management systems (EVMS)
• Quality assurance — Assigns Quality Assurance Representatives (QARs) to oversee manufacturing processes and acceptance testing
• Delivery surveillance — Monitors schedule performance and flags potential delays before they become contract issues
• Contractor purchasing system reviews (CPSR) — Reviews how contractors manage their supply chains and subcontractor relationships

DCMA vs DCAA:

• DCMA — Manages contract performance: schedule, quality, delivery, business systems compliance
• DCAA (Defense Contract Audit Agency) — Audits contractor financials: cost proposals, incurred costs, billing systems, and accounting practices

If you hold or pursue cost-reimbursement defense contracts above certain thresholds, you will interact with both DCMA and DCAA. A DCMA finding that your accounting or purchasing system is "inadequate" can freeze new award fees or trigger withholds on payments. Maintaining clean business systems is as important as performing the technical work.