The Contracting Education Academy

Contracting Academy Logo
You are here: Home / Archives for acquisition training

By

Why contracting challenges put VA on the ‘High-Risk’ list

The Department of Veterans Affairs has not updated some of its purchasing regulations since 2008, and the resulting problems created for contracting officers at the agency have caused the Government Accountability Office to designate the problem a high-risk area for 2019.

“The VA acquisition is a huge part of the mission over at the Department of Veterans Affairs. They do about $26 billion in procurements each year, and tens of thousands of procurement actions. Since 2015, we’ve had over 31 recommendations that we’ve done there and, unfortunately, 21 of those remain open, and so the high-risk designation centers on a couple of longstanding weaknesses that they’ve had in the acquisition area,” said Chris Mihm, managing director of the GAO Strategic Issues Team, in an agency podcast.

“First is that they don’t have a consistent and coordinated set of policies and regulations across the department. Second is that there is the importance of just a human capital, to make sure that their people are trained, to make sure that their workloads are being appropriately managed. Third, there’s problems that we’ve seen in terms of data and transparency over the acquisition process. And then fourth, that we’re very concerned about the absence of a strategic approach to procurement at the department.”

Keep reading this article at: https://www.federaltimes.com/management/2019/03/07/why-contracting-challenges-put-va-on-the-high-risk-list/

By

2 modules of popular FAR course offered in April

The focus will be on how the government plans and forms its contracts when The Contracting Education Academy at Georgia Tech rolls out two courses in April 2019.  Both government contracting officials and government contractors will benefit from these course offerings.

The comprehensive five-day class, “Contract Planning in the FAR” (CON 090-2) will be presented April 8 through 12, 2019.

Then, on April 29 through May 3, “Contract Formation in the FAR” (CON 090-3) will be presented.

Whether you represent government or industry, this is your chance to learn how the Government plans and awards its contracts for the acquisition of products and services.
  • As a member of the government’s acquisition team, don’t you need to know how to conduct acquisition planning — and award contracts — properly?
  • As a contractor, wouldn’t you like to gain insights into the government’s contract planning and awards processes?

Both courses will be presented at Georgia Tech’s world-class Global Learning Center in midtown Atlanta.  Course and registration details for the courses can be found by clicking on the following links:

Benefits of attendance include expert instruction, a printed student guide to be used back on the job, valuable handouts, and exclusive electronic resources.  In addition, a complimentary breakfast is provided each morning, along with snacks throughout each day.

Improve Your Win Rate
Government and industry representatives sit side-by-side in small group settings to learn government contracting fundamentals at Georgia Tech’s Global Learning Center.

For details on all of Georgia Tech’s government contracting classes, including the full FAR Fundamentals course series, please visit http://www.pe.gatech.edu/Subjects/Acquisition-Government-Contracting.

By

Contracting Officer Representative course coming-up week of March 18th

Contracting officer’s representatives, program/project managers, contracting officers, and industry contracting personnel — all should attend the Contracting Education Academy’s popular 5-day course offering entitled the Contracting Officer Representative and the Contingency Contracting Environment.
Students attending Georgia Tech’s classes work in teams to tackle real-life contracting problems.
Course Description

The Contracting Officer’s Representative course (COR 222), coupled with the Contingency Contracting Environment class (COR 206), provides a comprehensive review and detailed instruction on the role, responsibilities, authority, and limitations of authority of the federal government’s Contracting Officer Representative (COR).  Students learn the fundamentals of contracting regulations, types, phases, and other elements of contract administration.  Students are also coached on the ethical and legal factors that impact COR responsibilities in the normal course of business and in the Contingency Contracting Environment.

Upcoming Dates

The Contracting Education Academy at Georgia Tech is offering the COR course (COR 222/206) on March 18-22, 2019.  This course is taught at Georgia Tech’s world-class Global Learning Center in midtown Atlanta.

Who Should Attend

Contracting officer’s representatives, program/project managers, contracting officers, and industry contracting personnel who interface with contracting officers and contracting officer’s representatives.

Registration

For details on how to register, please visit: https://pe.gatech.edu/courses/cor-206222-contracting-officer-representative-course-and-contingency-contracting-environment

How You Will Benefit

You will learn:

  • How to review contract terms and conditions.
  • Each party’s role and responsibility in contract administration.
  • Proper documentation and approvals for contract changes and modifications.
  • How to monitor contract expenditures.
  • Contract close-out methodology.
  • How to manage ethical and legal issues in the contingency contracting environment.
Content
  • Recognizing the COR’s responsibilities in acquisition mission support planning.
  • Understanding the contract award process.
  • Tracking contract expenditures.
  • Monitoring contract schedule compliance.
  • Analyzing proposed contract changes.
  • Identifying the unique characteristics and monitoring protocols for construction contracts, major systems and R & D acquisitions.
  • Evaluating a contractor’s compliance with performance terms and conditions.
  • Handling cultural taboos in a contingency environment.
  • The process for reporting bribery, kickbacks and other illegal acts.
Materials

Provided to each student are a printed guide book with supplemental learning material, exercises, case studies, and handouts, and exclusive web-based materials.

What Students Say About This Course

Here’s a small sampling of feedback from students who have attended Georgia Tech’s COR 206/222 course:

  • “I got detailed knowledge and understanding of COR and CO duties and responsibilities.  I now have the knowledge I need to perform as a COR.”
  • “A very well-taught course.”
  • “The instructors are very knowledgeable.”
  • “Professional training providing insights and practical examples.”
  • “I valued the exercises — they helped a lot!  A wonderful course!”
  • “Great course — great instructors!”
  • “Excellent instruction.”
  • “I valued the format, facilities, and the instructor’s expertise.”
  • “Invaluable information — a mix of academic and real-world views.  Outstanding job.”
  • “Great job.  The knowledge of the instructors was remarkable.”
Additional Information

DAU logoThe Contracting Education Academy at Georgia Tech (The Academy) is an approved equivalency training provider to the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) and provides continuing education training to Acquisition and Government Contracting professionals as well as to business professionals working for government contractors or pursuing opportunities in federal contracting.  This course is DAU-equivalent training satisfying both FAC-C and DAWIA certification programs.

By

Architecture-engineer contracting course kicks-off Feb. 11th

The Contracting Education Academy at Georgia Tech presents the Architect-Engineer Contracting course on the Midtown Atlanta campus February 11-15, 2019.

The course is ideal for both government contracting personnel as well as contractors looking for insights into the government contracting process for procuring architectural and engineering services.

CON 243: Architect-Engineer Contracting is a five-day course, focusing on issues across the contracting spectrum, including acquisition planning, source selection, proposal analysis, contract award and work, and contract management. Specific topics and practical exercises allow professionals to gain knowledge of the Selection of Architects and Engineers statute (formerly known as the Brooks Act), the Standard Form 330 for submitting credentials, the slate and selection process, review of government estimates, liability issues, Title II services, contract modifications, and responsibilities of the contracting officer’s representative (COR).  Students learn how to research proper application and interpretation of various regulations, including applicable Public Laws, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), the DFARS and other Agency Supplements to the FAR, and legal precedence.

This federal contracting course is approved by the Defense Acquisition University. Students who successfully complete the course receive credit toward the FAC-C and DAWIA certification programs.  Students also receive 3.5 CEUs from Georgia Tech.

Who Should Attend CON 243:

Contracting officers, contract specialists, contracting officer representatives, program/project managers, small business specialists, industry contracting personnel, architects and engineers.

How You Will Benefit:

Attendees learn how to:

  • Determine if the services require Selection of Architects and Engineers Statute procedures and how to identify the basic steps necessary for the requirement.
  • Distinguish how the project is to be advertised and determine what is to be contained in the advertisement.
  • Determine the elements necessary for performance work statements.
  • Evaluate firms and determining the order in which they will be ranked once service has been advertised and qualifications statements received,
  • Determine applicable cost principles specific to A-E contracting in order to prepare a Government estimate or review a proposal.
  • Recognize when and how a Government cost estimate for the project is developed.
  • Develop a strategy and negotiating the project given an A-E firm’s proposal and the Government estimate,
  • Distinguish how the Government maintains quality assurance on the contract after it has been awarded.
  • Analyze the roles and responsibilities of those charged with the management and administration of the contract after award.

Schedule and Registration for CON 243: Architect-Engineer Contracting – click here.

Related Course:

Don’t miss our Construction Contracting course coming up on Feb. 25th!  Details are here: https://pe.gatech.edu/courses/con-244-construction-contracting.

By

Our popular Construction Contracting course begins Feb. 25th — Make plans now to attend

The Contracting Education Academy at Georgia Tech is offering the four and a half day Defense Acquisition University course, CON 244: Construction Contracting, beginning February 25, 2019.

The course focuses on government contracting issues unique to the construction field.  Topics include: acquisition planning, contract performance management, funding, environmental concerns, construction contract language, construction contracting in a commercial setting, the Construction Wage Rate Requirements statute (formerly known as the Davis-Bacon Act), the design/build strategy, schedule delay analysis, constructive changes, acceleration,  construction contract quality management, and much more.

To register for this course, please visit: https://pe.gatech.edu/courses/con-244-construction-contracting.

Who Should Attend 

Contracting officers, contract specialists, contracting officer representatives, program/project managers, small business specialists, and industry contracting personnel.

How You Will Benefit

Attendees learn how to:

  • Apply federal acquisition laws and regulations, Department of Defense and other agency supplemental regulations, agency policies and procedures, and best practices in soliciting, awarding and administering construction contracts.
  • Contrast typical support requirements with a federal Construction Acquisition Plan in accordance with FAR Parts 7 and 36, DFARS Parts 207 and 236, and agency supplements, policies and procedures.
  • Develop a construction solicitation package in accordance with the FAR, agency supplements, and agency policy/procedures.
  • Evaluate, using appropriate procedures, construction offerors and the contract awardee.
  • Determine the applicable construction contract administration (compliance) approach, using the FAR, DFARS, DoD regulation/guidelines, and other relevant agency supplements, procedures and best practices.
  • Formulate the remedy and appropriate clause for a changed construction condition in accordance with federal and DoD acquisition and other agency laws, regulations, and best practices.
  • Document appropriate actions necessary to verify and authorize construction progress payments and construction contract closeout.
Act Now

Plan to join your colleagues in attending this thorough and engaging examination of the federal construction contracting process.  Complete registration details are right here.

Credit

Students successfully completing this 4.5-day course receive 32 Continuous Learning Points (CLPs) from the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) and 3.2 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Added Benefits

You’ll learn in a small group setting at Georgia Tech’s world-class Global Learning Center.  You’ll receive expert instruction, a printed student guide to be used back on the job, valuable handouts, and exclusive electronic resources.  A complimentary breakfast is provided each morning, along with snacks throughout each day.

Registration

For more information, cost, and the registration link, go right here: https://pe.gatech.edu/courses/con-244-construction-contracting.

Contracting Academy Logo
75 Fifth Street, NW, Suite 300
Atlanta, GA 30308
info@ContractingAcademy.gatech.edu
Phone: 404-894-6109
Fax: 404-410-6885

RSS Twitter