The regulatory landscape for government contractors is undergoing a seismic shift. Under the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the threshold for requiring Certified Cost or Pricing Data—commonly known as the TINA threshold—is jumping from $2.5 million to $10 million for contracts awarded after June 30, 2026.
While this change is designed to reduce the administrative burden on mid-tier and small businesses, it creates a new paradox of risk. As the threshold rises, the scrutiny on contracts that do exceed this limit will be more intense than ever. If your accounting system isn’t prepared to handle the depth of data required for a $10M+ proposal, you may find yourself facing “defective pricing” allegations or stalled awards.
The TINA Trap: Why a Higher Threshold Demands Higher Rigor
Many contractors mistakenly believe that a higher threshold means they can relax their accounting rigor. In reality, the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) is expected to shift its focus toward more aggressive “Truth in Negotiation” audits for high-value awards.
When you cross that $10 million mark, you are legally certifying that your cost data is accurate, complete, and current. If your historical data is trapped in disconnected spreadsheets or a legacy ERP, proving data integrity during a DCAA audit becomes a high-stakes liability.
The Risk: Inadequate data visibility can lead to “defective pricing” findings, resulting in contract price reductions, interest penalties, and damage to your past performance rating.
Daston Corporation: Your Partner in GovCon Compliance
Navigating these changes requires more than just a software license; it requires a partner who lives and breathes federal regulations. Daston Corporation is a premier NetSuite Solution Partner and SuiteApp Developer specializing in the unique needs of the Government Contracting (GovCon) industry.
As a long-standing expert in the NetSuite ecosystem, Daston bridges the gap between standard commercial accounting and the stringent requirements of the FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation) and CAS (Cost Accounting Standards). By combining deep industry knowledge with technical prowess, Daston ensures that growing contractors can scale into the $10M+ contract tier without the fear of non-compliance.
How Daston’s DCAA on Demand SuiteApp Solves the 2026 Challenge
Daston built the DCAA on Demand SuiteApp—the only unified, cloud-based platform built specifically to make NetSuite DCAA-compliant—to eliminate the manual labor of cost certification.
1. Automated Historical Cost Accumulation
To certify cost data, you must provide historical “actuals.” Daston’s SuiteApp pulls real-time data from NetSuite’s General Ledger, ensuring proposals are based on verified, audit-ready numbers rather than best-guess estimates.
2. Real-Time Rate Validation
The SuiteApp calculates indirect rates (Fringe, Overhead, G&A) automatically. This ensures that the “Forward Pricing” rates in your $10M+ proposal are mathematically consistent with actual spending and historical trends.
3. Seamless Audit Trails
If an auditor questions data “as of” the date of agreement, Daston provides a clear, timestamped audit trail. You can prove exactly when a cost was incurred and how it was allocated, providing a “bulletproof” defense during an audit.
4. Unified Project & Financial Data
By bridging the gap between Project Management and Finance, Daston ensures that “Current” data includes the latest subcontractor costs and labor floor checks. This unified view is essential for meeting the “Current” requirement of TINA.
Positioned for the Future of Federal Procurement
The FY 2026 NDAA is a clear signal: the government wants faster procurement but demands absolute data integrity for its largest investments.
As you scale toward these new $10 million opportunities, you need a partner who understands the nuances of the law and a system that automates the proof. Daston is uniquely positioned as the leader in this space, providing the tools and expertise to turn compliance from a hurdle into a competitive advantage.
Is your accounting system ready for the $10M threshold?