To stay competitive in today’s federal marketplace, manufacturers serving government agencies must prioritize visibility, efficiency, and adaptability. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems provide the infrastructure to integrate operations, manage manufacturing processes, ensure quality, and meet strict compliance standards. As budgets tighten and contract competition increases, the right ERP system can become an advantage – helping government contractors improve cost control, reduce risk, and deliver confidently.

ERP is the operational and compliance backbone 

Modern ERP systems unify key business functions – finance, supply chain, HR, manufacturing, and customer relationships – on a single platform. This goes beyond operations for contractors: ERP is essential to ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations (FAR), cost accounting standards (CAS), and cybersecurity frameworks such as CMMC. 

ERP empowers government contract manufacturers to: 

• Optimize supply chain and production planning 
• Improve inventory and contract cost control 
• Automate timekeeping, job costing, and indirect rate tracking 
• Enhance DCAA audit readiness and documentation 
• Generate real-time data for leadership and contracting officers 
• Align program delivery across departments 

As contract requirements become more complex, ERP provides the control and visibility manufacturers need to stay ahead of regulatory expectations and contract performance metrics. 

Cloud vs. on-premises ERP: What contractors need to know  

Cloud ERP is becoming more appealing as contractors face increased competition and uncertainty around contract pipelines. With lower upfront costs, faster implementation, and scalability, cloud ERP enables organizations to respond quickly to new opportunities and changing delivery schedules. 

Benefits of cloud ERP for government contractors include: 

• Accelerated deployment for urgent contracts starts 
• Lower capital expenditure and faster ROI 
• Support for distributed teams and multi-site operations 
• Vendor-managed upgrades and security 
• FedRAMP-authorized environments (in select offerings) 

That said, contractors must carefully evaluate vendors  to ensure systems support DFARS clauses, protect data sovereignty, and offer robust audit trails. 

However, on-premises ERP may be preferred for contracts involving classified work or highly customized workflows. These systems offer: 

• Complete control over customizations and infrastructure 
• Internal management of upgrade and patch cycles 
• Direct database access for contract-specific analytics 
• Tight control over system uptime and data access 

Hybrid ERP deployments, such as ERP hosted in private or government-authorized clouds, offer a balanced approach – allowing manufacturers to retain control while gaining some flexibility. 

ERP vs. MRP: Broader Capabilities for Contract Success 

While MRP systems focus on production planning and inventory, ERP systems are designed to manage the entire contract lifecycle – from labor allocation and procurement to revenue recognition and compliance tracking. 

ERP allows government contractors to: 

• Align costs to CLINs (Contract Line-Item Numbers) 
• Manage multiple contract types (T&M, CPFF, FFP) 
• Automate billing and invoicing per contract terms 
• Track indirect rates and apply cost pools consistently 

As agencies demand more integrated reporting and cost transparency, complete ERP solutions provide the backbone for scalable, audit-ready program delivery. 

Integrating QMS and MES for compliance and quality 

To meet mission-critical quality standards, many manufacturers integrate Quality Management Systems (QMS) and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) with their ERP platforms. 

Benefits include:  

• End-to-end traceability of materials and production 
• Real-time oversight of shop floor and quality controls 
• Streamlined documentation for audits and certifications (e.g., AS9100, ISO) 
• Faster corrective actions and continuous improvement 

For defense and aerospace contractors, tight integration between ERP, QMS, and MES helps ensure adherence to delivery standards while reducing compliance risk. 

Cost and Inventory Management for Government Programs 

ERP systems offer deep visibility into direct and indirect costs – critical for government contractors navigating increased competition and the risk of contract renegotiations or terminations. 

Inventory types of ERP must track include: 

• Asset Inventory: Company-owned materials 
• Expense Inventory: Customer-purchased, immediately expensed 
• Government-Furnished Inventory (GFI): Property provided by the federal agency 

Costing methods matter: 

• Standard costing offers consistency but requires variance analysis 
• Average actual costing provides real-time insights and is often favored under cost-reimbursable structures 

Contractors must accurately capture: 

• Material and labor costs 
• Subcontractor expenses 
• Indirect burdens and overhead allocations 

ERP supports this by maintaining a clear audit trail, enabling cost realism, and facilitating price negotiations. 

Leverage ERP to succeed 

Manufacturers face increasing scrutiny, tighter margins, and heightened competition. ERP systems are assets that help companies meet compliance demands, operate with precision, and win new work. Government contractors that align ERP capabilities with their contract requirements, integrate quality and shop floor data, and maintain real-time cost visibility will be best positioned to adapt, scale, and succeed. 

CohnReznick can assist manufacturers in implementing and optimizing ERP systems to meet compliance demands, enhance operational precision, and secure new contracts.