Acquisition Training | The Contracting Education Academy

August 20, 2018 By cs

Federal acquisition workers rate themselves highly on most skills

The government’s civilian acquisition workforce, long under pressure to improve hiring and modernize its skill sets, is feeling more satisfied with its own effectiveness, according to the latest biennial Acquisition Workforce Competency Survey released last week.

***Click on image above to see report.***

Considered the most comprehensive version of the survey yet (an 83 percent increase in response rates across agencies), it showed that the buyers rated themselves highest for issuing contract order changes and modifications, awarding contracts and competition. Also rated highly were inspection and acceptance and business acumen, said the results analyzed by a partnership between the White House Office of Federal Procurement Policy and the Federal Acquisition Institute.

Areas rated the lowest in proficiency included negotiating forward pricing rates agreements and contracting in contingent or combat environments.

Keep reading this article at: https://www.govexec.com/contracting/2018/08/federal-acquisition-workers-rate-themselves-highly-most-skills/150611

August 6, 2018 By cs

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/

August 1, 2018 By cs

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

July 16, 2018 By cs

Plan now to attend the Contracting Officer Representative course in November

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 November 26-30, 2018. 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

The 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.

July 15, 2018 By cs

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.