This page is a compilation of web resources that complements The Academy’s FCN 190 course, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Fundamentals. For the convenience of students, the links listed below are grouped consistent with the printed FCN 190 Student Guide as published by The Contracting Education Academy at Georgia Tech. Please email us at info@ContractingAcademy.gatech.edu if you discover a web link that is broken so that we may update it.
Introduction to FCN 190
- FCN 190 Course Description, Objective and Concept: fcn-190-course-description-objective-and-concept
- FAR Parts and Subchapters: https://contractingacademywebpdf.s3.amazonaws.com/FAR_Parts_and_Subchapters.doc
- Glossary of Acqusition Acronyms and Terms: http://www.dau.mil/pubscats/PubsCats/Glossary%2014th%20edition%20July%202011.pdf
- GLOSSARY OF LEGAL TERMS
Lesson 1: Using the FAR
- Federal Register: www.gpoaccess.gov
- The Reg Map: https://contractingacademywebpdf.s3.amazonaws.com/theregmap.pdf
- FAR Parts Flash Card PowerPoint: https://contractingacademywebpdf.s3.amazonaws.com/FAR-Parts-Flash-Card-PowerPoint.ppt
- The FAR on Acquisition.gov: https://www.acquisition.gov/far
- The FAR on FARSite: http://farsite.hill.af.mil
- Search USA Government: http://search.usa.gov
- FAR 1.108 Conventions: http://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/48/1.108
- FAR Numbering and Citing: https://contractingacademywebpdf.s3.amazonaws.com/FAR-1.105-2-Arrangement-of-regulations.pdf
- GSA Acquisition Letters: http://gsa.gov/portal/category/21228
- FAR Part 43 – Contract Modifications: FAR Part 43 – Contract Modifications
- Federal Procurement Data System – Next Generation (FPDS): https://www.fpdsng.com
- DoD Class Deviations: www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/dars/class_deviations.html
- HHS Class Deviations: http://www.hhs.gov/asfr/ogapa/acquisition/policies/class_deviations.html
- Decision Tree for Finding the Applicable Acquisition Rule: https://contractingacademywebpdf.s3.amazonaws.com/Decision-Tree-for-Finding-the-Applicable-Acquisition-Rule.pdf
- The Rule-Making Process
Lesson 2 – Acquisition Planning Process
- OFPP Myth-Buster Memos: Myth-Busting – 1 – 02.02.2011 and Myth-Busting – 2 – 05.07.2012 and Myth-Busting – 3 – 01.05.2017
- Market Research – A Guide for Contracting Officers – July 2012
- HHS Acquisition Plan Template – FY 11-12 – Oct 2010
- Database of Existing Interagency Contracts
- WOSB – EDWOSB Applicable NAICS Codes
Lesson 3 – Sources
- Sources and Market Research Resources:
- – System for Award Management (SAM), https://sam.gov (formerly Central Contractor Registration – CCR)- Commercial Advocates Forum, http://www.acq.osd.mil – Federal Information Exchange, http://www.ssa.gov/gix/– Acquisition Reform Net, http://www.acquisition.gov/– Thomas Register, http://www.thomasnet.com– Department of Commerce, http://www.commerce.gov/– GSA eLibrary, http://www.gsaelibrary.gsa.gov/– Small Business Administration, http://www.sbaonline.sba.gov– SBA-Dynamic Small Business Search, http://dsbs.sba.gov/dsbs/search/dsp_dsbs.cfm– Consumer Reports, http://www.consumerreports.com– National Contract Management Association, http://www.ncmahq.org– Dow Jones Business Information Services, http://www.dowjones.com– Standard & Poor’s Research Reports, http://www.standardandpoors.com/home/en/us – Manufacturer’s Information Network, http://www.manufacturing.net– National Association of Purchasing Managers, http://www.ism.ws/– National Yellow Pages, http://www.yellowpages.com– Federal Business Opportunities, http://www.fbo.gov– Government Contracts Directory, http://www.contractdirectory.gov/contractdirectory/– DoD market research, http://acc.dau.mil/CommunityBrowser.aspx?id=18892– A collection of search engines, directories, and databases, http://www.imart.org– Yellow pages of 16 million U.S. businesses, http://superpages.com– Business search engine, http://switchboard.com– More than 100 links to industry, focused on electronics, http://www.techweb.com/
- Source Selection – FAR 15.3 – https://www.acquisition.gov/far/html/Subpart%2015_3.html
Lesson 4 – Competition Requirements
- Competitive Processes in Government Contracting: The FAR Part 15 Process Model and Process Inefficiency – http://www.wifcon.com/anal/analcomproc.htm
- Commercial Item Determination Checklist – 02.2010 – Per FAR 2.101
- Commercial Item Solicitation Preparation Guide – DoD 2010
- Acquisition Plan – Job Order Contract – Sample
Lesson 5 – Methods of Contracting
Lesson 6 – Types of Contracts
Lesson 7 – Options and Indefinite Delivery Contracts
Lesson 8 – Describing Agency Needs
Lesson 9 – Publicizing Contract Actions
Lesson 10 – Socioeconomic Programs
- Positive Law Codification
- Understanding Minimum Wage Laws in Federal Contracting 11.2012
- Understanding Domestic Source Preferences 11.2012
Lesson 11 – Contract Formation Principles
- HHS Reference Tool for Contract Funding, Formation and Appropriations Law Compliance – http://www.hhs.gov/asfr/ogapa/acquisition/contractfunding/index.html
- The-Six-Elements-of-Contract-Formation
- Appeal-of-A.B.-Dick-Company-89-2-BCA-P21.731-02.22.1989
- City of El Centro, Plaintiff-appellee, v. the United States, Defendant-appellant, 922 F.2d 816 (Fed. Cir. 1990)
Lesson 12 – Solicitation of Offers
Lesson 13 – Bid Evaluation
Lesson 14 – Proposal Evaluation and Exchanges with Offerors
- HHS Negotiated Acquisition Checklist – Presolicitation to Award – http://www.hhs.gov/asfr/ogapa/acquisition/neg_acq_chcklst_presol.html
Lesson 15 – Contract Award
- DD 1484 – Post-Award Conference Record – DD1484 Post-Award Conference Record
- A Guide to Best Practices for Contract Administration, Office of Federal Procurement Policy, October 1994 – https://contractingacademywebpdf.s3.amazonaws.com/A-Guide-to-Best-Practices-for-Contract-Administration-Office-of-Federal-Procurement-Policy-October-1994.pdf
- Post Award Conference Checklist – DD1484 Post Award Conference Record
Lesson 16 – Protests
- Steps for Resolving Contract Deficiencies – DCMA Guidebook, Contracts – Initial Receipt and Review (see paragraph 2.5, Resolving Contract Deficiencies)
- GAO Bid Protest Overview – Dec. 2012
Lesson 17 – Simplified Acquisition Procedures
Lesson 18 – Initiation of Work
- False Claims Act – a Primer – www.justice.gov/civil/docs_forms/C-FRAUDS_FCA_Primer.pdf
- Consent to Subcontract Instructions – Consent to Subcontract Instructions DCMA-INST 143 – 03.19.2013
- Flowchart – Consent to Subcontract – Consent to Subcontract Flowchart
- DCAA Contract Audit Manual – http://www.dcaa.mil/cam.htm
Lesson 19 – Contract Performance Measurement
- Template for Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan – Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan – Sample
Lesson 20 – Payment
Lesson 21 – Contract Modifications
- Authority of a Contracting Officer and Delegation
- USDA “Do and Don’t” List for Contracting Officers Technical Representatives – http://acquisition.gov/sevensteps/step1i.html
- Do’s & Don’ts Guidelines for Acquisition Personnel
- What A Contracting Officer Can Change By Issuing a Change Order
Lesson 22 – Disputes and Appeals
- Practical Guidance for Contracting Officers/Specialists Venturing Through the Legendary “King Arthur’s Court” of the Contract Appeals Process – http://www.dau.mil/pubscats/PubsCats/PM/articles01/longo-ja.pdf
Lesson 23 – Contract Terminations
- Termination for Cause and Default – Discussion of Contract Terminations
- Termination for default upheld on a fixed-price research and development contract –McDonnell Douglas and General Dynamics v. U.S. – 2007-5111
Lesson 24 – Contract Closeout
- Contract Property Administration Guidebook – Guidebook for Contract Property Administration – April 2012
- Contract Closeout Flowchart – Contract Closeout Process Flowchart 2011
- DCMA Contract Closeout Guidebook – Sept. 2011 – http://guidebook.dcma.mil/17/ContractCloseoutGuidebook.htm
Supplemental Information – Cases:
- Appeal of Conner Bros. Construction Company, Inc., ASBCA No. 54109 – Conner Bros. Construction Company Inc. – ASBCA No. 54109
- Magnavox – Use of Contract Underrun Funds – Decision of the Comptroller General of the United States – http://www.gao.gov/assets/460/450073.pdf
- Appeal of Southwest Marine, Inc., 05-1 BCA P 32892, ASBCA No. 54234 – ASBCA No. 54234
- GAO Decision B-296029, Poly-Pacific Technologies, Inc., June 1, 2005 – http://www.gao.gov/decisions/bidpro/296029.htm
- General Dynamics C4 Systems, Inc., ASBCA No. 59488, 2009 WL 1464387, May 8, 2009 – http://www.asbca.mil/Decisions/2009/54988.pdf
- U.S. Court of Appeals decision overturning the decision above – http://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/images/stories/opinions-orders/09-1550-1560.pdf
- Geo-Seis Helicopters Inc. v. U.S. and Presidential Airways Inc. 07.30.2007
- Constructive Changes
- Protest of the Award of a Contract for Hospital Housekeeping Services – GAO 10.03.2011
- Appeal of A.B. Dick Company 89-2 BCA P21.731 – 02.22.1989
