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Experience ‘full immersion’ in the FAR during two weeks in September

The Federal Acquisition Institute’s newest and most comprehensive course offering, FCN 190 – FAR Fundamentals, is now scheduled for presentation on the Georgia Tech campus in mid-September 2018.  The course provides students with a comprehensive review of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

FAI logoRegistration information may be found by clicking here.  The course spans a two-week period, September 17 – 28, 2018.

By attending the FAR Fundamentals course, students learn the federal government’s policies and procedures for acquisition planning, source selection, and contract administration. Students work through realistic, scenario-based problems by identifying the relevant regulations, guidance, provisions and clauses that govern the federal contracting process.

The FCN 190 – FAR Fundamentals course was created in response to changes in the government’s professional development standards for federal contracting officials.  An OMB Memo on the Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting Program establishes what’s known as the FAC-C (Refresh) program.  The effective date of the FAC-C (Refresh) was October 1, 2014.  Details of the training standards established under the FAC-C (Refresh) program can be seen by clicking here.

Academy logo on blueFAI has verified that the FCN 190 – FAR Fundamentals course offered by The Contracting Education Academy at Georgia Techmeets the requirements for delivery of the new FAC-C (Refresh) Level I certification requirements.  Georgia Tech is also an approved Defense Acquisition University (DAU) equivalency provider, offering DAU-equivalent training that satisfies both FAC-C and DAWIA certification programs

Registration information appears here.  The course is also available, on a contract basis, for presentation both on-campus at Georgia Tech and on-site at government facilities.

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Learn fundamentals of federal contracting rules Sept. 11-14

The Contracting Education Academy at Georgia Tech (The Academy) kicks-off a four-day course on Tuesday, September 11, 2018, covering the fundamentals of using the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).

The course is being conducted at Georgia Tech’s world-class professional education facilities in the Global Learning Center located on campus in midtown Atlanta.

FARThis contracting overview of the FAR, covers Module 1 of CON 090: Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Fundamentals, and includes the identification of the basic principles of contracting by the federal government, identification of and access to on-line resources, and instruction on the location, citation, and interpretation of the FAR, the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) as well as other agency FAR supplements.

More information about this course is available at: http://www.pe.gatech.edu/courses/con-090-1-contracting-overview-far.  Complete registration information is located there, too.

Georgia Tech provides a highly-interactive learning environment that places emphasis on problem-solving and practical application.
Georgia Tech provides a highly-interactive learning environment that places emphasis on problem-solving and practical application.

Originally designed exclusively for federal contracting officers, The Academy has expanded its scope so that it is relevant to multiple audiences, including contractors seeking to learn more about the federal contracting process, federal officials who need to satisfy job-related continuous education requirements, and anyone seeking more information about the federal acquisition profession.

In all, there are four modules that make-up the CON 090 course series.  Information about the entire series can be found at: https://pe.gatech.edu/courses/con-090-1-contracting-overview-far.

The Academy’s complete list of government acquisition courses, and course scheduling, is at: http://contractingacademy.gatech.edu/training.

DAU logoThe Contracting Education Academy at Georgia Tech is an official equivalency training provider of the Defense Acquisition University (DAU).  The Academy also offers new coursework from the Federal Acquisition Institute.

Students attending CON 090 courses at Georgia Tech receive expert instruction, a printed Student Guide, helpful handouts, a deck of FAR Cards, and access to exclusive on-line resources.  Students earn 2.8 CEUs.  In addition, a complimentary breakfast in provided each class day.

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Comprehensive contract planning course being offered Oct. 22-26

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

The Contracting Education Academy at Georgia Tech will address these questions, and many more, in a comprehensive five-day class, “Contract Planning in the FAR” (CON 090-2) to be presented October 22-26, 2018.

The course will be presented at the world-class Global Learning Center in midtown Atlanta.  Registration details are here: http://www.pe.gatech.edu/courses/con-090-2-contract-planning-far

This in-depth course covers all aspects of acquisition planning, including:

  • How government agencies conduct market research and rely on businesses to provide information,
  • How the government’s buying needs must be described, and
  • The government’s preference for commercial and non-developmental items.

This course is the second in a series of four educational modules that examine the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), the Government’s “procurement bible.”

  • For government contracting officials, this course is required to earn and maintain a contracting warrant.  A warrant is a written document providing a contracting officer with the limits of his or her authority.   Per FAR 1.601-2, Contracting Officers have the authority to “enter into, administer, or terminate contracts and make related determinations and findings” to the extent of the authority delegated to them by their warrant.   Georgia Tech’s Contracting Education Academy offers a set of courses — each equivalent to Defense Acquisition University (DAU) course standards — that help each member of the acquisition workforce maintain their warrants and enhance their professional development.
  • For business people who compete for and fulfill government contracts, Academy classes are just as pertinent.  Contractor personnel who attend Academy courses gain real-world knowledge about how government officials are trained to formulate and administer contracts.   Insights into these areas provide invaluable guidance for reaching greater success in competing for, winning, and fulfilling government contract work.

For groups of 10 or more, Georgia Tech offers discounts.  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 FAR Fundamentals course series, please visit http://www.pe.gatech.edu/Subjects/Acquisition-Government-Contracting.

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Acquisition professionals place little importance on innovation, survey finds

The federal government’s procurement professionals are bullish about improvements to federal acquisition, according to a recently released survey, but it definitely isn’t because they’re high on innovation.

Rather, the ninth biennial Acquisition Policy Survey, compiled by the Professional Services Council and Grant Thornton Public Sector, found recurring challenges such as budget instability, hiring difficulties and onerous regulatory burdens were offset by improvements to the human quotient of the acquisition workforce.

The government sought to hire up acquisition professionals in recent years, and that talent is now more seasoned, skilled and “a little more experienced,” according to PSC Executive Vice President and Counsel Alan Chvotkin.

“Some optimism comes from having a better understanding of their job,” Chvotkin told reporters Wednesday.

Keep reading this article at: https://www.nextgov.com/cio-briefing/2018/07/acquisition-professionals-place-little-importance-innovation-survey-finds/149879/

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Agency buyers express rising optimism about workforce skills, communication

Contracting officers around government are feeling more upbeat about their colleagues’ skill levels and ability to execute complicated information technology purchases, according to a survey unveiled last week.

Despite perennial worries about budgets, regulatory restraints and obstacles to hiring, most of the 65 acquisition professionals interviewed are optimistic, according to the ninth biennial survey from the 400-company Professional Services Council and Grant Thornton Public Sector.

Agency contracting professionals—seen as “more seasoned” after a recent hiring spree—also see improvements in regular communication between their teams’ staff and outside contractors.

Keep reading this article at: https://www.govexec.com/contracting/2018/07/agency-buyers-express-rising-optimism-about-workforce-skills-communication/149851

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