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Cognizant Federal Agency

Cognizant Federal Agency (CFA)

Government Standards Reviewed by forProject Technology - updated Sep 2026
Quick definition: The Cognizant Federal Agency (CFA) is the government agency that, on behalf of all federal agencies, sets a contractor's indirect cost rates and administers the Cost Accounting Standards for its contracts.

Because the CFA acts for all federal agencies, a contractor works with one agency on these matters rather than with each customer separately. The CFA may also be involved in reviewing a contractor's Earned Value Management System (EVMS). When the Department of Defense (DoD) is the CFA, the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) acts on its behalf. Another department, such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) or the Department of Energy, can also serve as the CFA.

What this means for you

Working through one agency keeps indirect cost and cost accounting decisions consistent across all of a contractor's federal work, instead of each customer reaching its own conclusion.

Also known as
N/A
Used in
Indirect cost rates; Cost Accounting Standards administration

FAQ

Is the CFA always DCMA?
No. DCMA acts for DoD when DoD is the CFA. Another department, such as NASA or the Department of Energy, can also serve as the CFA.
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