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March 31, 2021 By cs

Georgia Tech’s Contracting Academy is pressing the pause button

It’s been a successful ten-year run for The Contracting Education Academy at Georgia Tech, and now it’s time to take a break.

Effective April 1, 2021, The Academy is suspending its course offerings.

Alexis Kirksey

“After 183 government acquisition training engagements, providing 4,950 hours of instruction for the benefit of 3,243 students, we’re taking a breather,” explains Academy program manager Alexis Kirksey.  “Workforce needs and training options in the field of government procurement are evolving, hastened by the pandemic, so Georgia Tech must decide what role should be played in the future.”

At its conception in 2010, the mission of Georgia Tech’s Contracting Academy was defined as becoming a nationally recognized training source for the government acquisition community.   Without question, that mission has been fulfilled.

Chuck Schadl
Looking Back

The Contracting Academy has an interesting history.  The Academy rolled out its first educational offering to 10 students in February 2011.

The Academy was born about a year earlier when a vice president of the Georgia Institute of Technology sponsored a Shark Tank-type competition as a way of encouraging faculty and staff to submit ideas about how the Institute could serve new markets.  Among the 200 ideas submitted in the contest was one from Chuck Schadl and some of his cohorts who proposed offering professional education contracting coursework and curriculum design services to government and industry.  The idea was selected for immediate implementation by Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute.

Rhonda Lynch

Rhonda Lynch was named The Academy’s initial program manager.  For starters, Georgia Tech reached out to the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) to obtain recognition as an official equivalency training provider of DAU curriculum.  Once securing that coveted affiliation, The Academy later earned similar recognition from the Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI).

The Approach

The Academy’s resident course portfolio grew into a dozen courses associated with DAU and FAI.  These courses, ranging in length from three days to four weeks, were taught through Georgia Tech’s Professional Education unit located in the world-class Global Learning Center on the Atlanta campus.  During the pandemic of 2020-21, the courses were converted to on-line offerings.  In addition, The Academy produced customized curriculum and workshops on a variety of government contracting topics.

Donna Bertrand

Over time, under the direction of Donna Bertrand who served as The Academy’s second program manager, major organizations were attracted to The Academy’s training expertise.  The National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO), the State of Iowa, MIT’s Lincoln Lab, the Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA), the Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (APTAC), and dozens of federal agencies — all came to The Academy for curriculum design work and presentation. These organizations, in turn, put our coursework in the hands of contracting personnel in literally all 50 states, and internationally.

From the beginning, a distinguishing trait of The Academy’s government acquisition coursework is the fact that all classes were open to government and business representatives alike.  The resulting classroom interaction allowed both sectors to come away from the classes with a richer understanding of each other’s point of view.

Back to the Future

Looking back a decade to The Academy’s inaugural course, our instructors still remember what happened on the last day of that first class.  The Georgia Tech vice president who approved The Academy’s creation months earlier dropped-in unannounced.  He asked the students a simple, but pointed, question: Was it worth it?  The students enthusiastically responded in the affirmative, and a few weeks later one of the students wrote to the VP saying that he received a promotion as a result of attending the class.  Since then, that success has been replicated many times over through the delivery of a caliber of education not found anywhere else.

The Contracting Education Academy at Georgia Tech’s strength as a training provider is both well-recognized and multi-faceted.  All instructors are experienced acquisition professionals and talented teachers.  Our educational offerings featured detailed student guide books, web-based student resources, how-to handout materials, practical exercises, customizable slide presentations, flash drives loaded with training support materials, FAR flash cards, and other exclusive features.  And from the beginning, educational services were priced competitively, saving training dollars while delivering an unparalleled caliber of education.

We look forward to the next chapter of The Academy’s commitment to service, continuous improvement, and innovation.

Filed Under: Academy News Tagged With: acquisition training, acquisition workforce, continuous improvement, continuous learning, Contracting Academy, Georgia Tech, training

January 8, 2021 By cs

Leadership changes at Enterprise Innovation Institute

Karen Fite, who, for the past 18 months has led the Georgia Institute of Technology’s economic development efforts as interim vice president and director of the Enterprise Innovation Institute (EI2), has retired after more than 27 years of service.

David Bridges, director of EI2’s Economic Development Lab (EDL), will assume the interim vice president role effective Jan. 1, 2021.

Karen Fite, who served as interim vice president and director of the Enterprise Innovation Institute (EI2), has retired after 27 years of service. David Bridges, director of EI2’s Economic Development Lab (EDL), has assumed the interim vice president role.

EI2 is the largest and most comprehensive university-based program of business and industry assistance, technology commercialization, and economic development in the United States.

Prior to leading EI2, Fite ran the unit’s Business & Industry Services group of programs, comprised of the Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP), EI2’s largest economic development offering. The group also includes the Safety, Health, and Environmental Services (SHES), Atlanta MBDA Centers, Contracting Education Academy, Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center (GTPAC), and the Southeastern Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (SETAAC) programs.

Before taking on that role, Fite was GaMEP director.

“Over the years at Georgia Tech, I have been privileged to serve in a wide variety of capacities — assisting companies with government procurement, their implementation of quality management systems and Lean Manufacturing protocols, the launch of a Lean Healthcare initiative, creating community economic development research and strategic plans, and directing the GaMEP,” Fite said.

“As interim vice president, I have had the opportunity to interact with virtually every EI2 employee. Working with such a talented group of employees of EI2 has been an honor because across the board they are passionate about their work, dedicated to Georgia Tech’s mission of progress and service by serving clients, and continually looking to innovate, improve, and expand our services to help create long lasting and meaningful impact not only in Georgia and across the country, but around the world.”

Chaouki T. Abdallah, Georgia Tech’s executive vice president for research said Fite was a valued member of his leadership team.

“She has been a very effective and engaging leader,” Abdallah said. “She’s brought me solutions, given me critical feedback and has been an invaluable partner. Georgia Tech is lucky to have had her contributions for so long.”

Fite has a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Miami and a bachelor’s in health systems from Georgia Tech. In 2018, she achieved the faculty rank of principal extension professional, Georgia Tech’s highest professional extension faculty rank.

“We are fortunate to have someone of David Bridges’ caliber who can not only build on Karen’s legacy but also brings a wealth of experience and economic development successes,” Abdallah said.

Bridges, who joined EI2 in 1994, authored, co-authored or contributed to more than 100 economic development grants totaling more than $40 million. He assisted in the formation of the two proof-of-concept units — the Global Center for Medical Innovation, a Tech affiliate in the medical device space, and I3L, a health information technology innovation hub.

Beyond Georgia, Bridges helped catalyze the development of the Soft Landings program to bring companies from overseas to the United States. He also helped to establish the I-Corps Puerto Rico program as the National Science Foundation’s first I-Corps program ever offered to teams from that community.

He also supported the expansion of technology extension programs in Chile and Colombia, built a new program in professional development around innovation and technology commercialization, and expanded Georgia Tech’s presence by helping to build startup ecosystems around the Institute’s international campuses and in Latin America.

Bridges and his EDL team have also implemented ecosystem building projects for numerous countries including Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Panama, Costa Rica, Argentina, Guatemala, South Africa, China, Korea, and Japan.

Source: https://news.gatech.edu/2021/01/07/karen-fite-interim-vp-and-director-enterprise-innovation-institute-retires

Filed Under: Georgia Tech News Tagged With: Contracting Academy, contracting education, EI2, Enterprise Innovation Institute, GaMEP, Georgia Tech, GTPAC, MBDA, SETAAC, SHES

September 9, 2020 By cs

Don’t miss our on-line contract planning course in October!

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 5 – 9, 2020.

The course will be presented virtually, so you can attend without having to travel!  Registration details are here. 

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.”  Because of Georgia Tech’s unique instructional approach, the four modules can be taken in any order.

Why Have So Many Contracting Officials Taken This Course?
  • 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 1.602-1, 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 details on all of Georgia Tech’s government contracting classes, including the FAR Fundamentals course series, please visit: https://contractingacademy.gatech.edu/training

Filed Under: Academy News Tagged With: acquisition training, acquisition workforce, CON 090, contract planning, Contracting Academy, DAU, FAR, FAR training, Georgia Tech, market research, on-line instruction, training resources, virtual learning

January 27, 2020 By cs

Here’s how to invest an extra-long February in your professional development

It’s Leap Year!  Will you squander the extra time, or will you invest it in yourself?
Keeping pace with changes in your job is always a challenge.  Pursuing new knowledge is the key.
Georgia Tech’s Contracting Education Academy is offering two terrific courses in February.  They could be just the thing you need to update your skills and qualify you for advancement in your job.
Featured are:
  • Contract Planning in the FAR (CON 090-2) – February 3-7, 2020 – Covers 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.
  • Architect and Engineering Services Contracting (CON 243) – Feb. 10-14, 2020 – Focuses on acquisition planning for A&E services, the slate and selection process, proposal analysis, contract award, the review of government estimates, liability, Title II services, modifications, contract management, and the contracting officer representative’s responsibilities.
(Click on the course titles above to see registration and pricing details.)

 

Discover the Georgia Tech Difference!
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 served each morning, along with snacks throughout each day.  For groups of 10 or more, Georgia Tech offers discounts.
Plus, you’ll earn Continuous Education Units from Georgia Tech as well as credit toward Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA)  and Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting Program (FAC-C) training requirements.

 

Georgia Tech is an official equivalency training provider for the Defense Acquisition University and the Federal Acquisition Institute.

Filed Under: Academy News Tagged With: acquisition training, acquisition workforce, CON 090, CON 243, Contracting Academy, DAU, FAI, FAR, Georgia Tech, professional development, professional education

January 20, 2020 By cs

Take a look at our course line-up!

If you’re in the hunt for high-quality acquisition training at a reasonable price, look no further than Georgia Tech.

The courses we offer are in high demand among contracting professionals — both within government and in the private sector.  And all are approved by the Defense Acquisition University and the Federal Acquisition Institute.

Plus, all of our courses are offered in our world-class Global Learning Center on the Georgia Tech campus in midtown Atlanta.  All courses also offer resources and amenities found nowhere else.

Take a look at what’s coming up in just the next few months:

  • Contract Planning in the FAR (CON 090-2) – February 3-7, 2020 – Covers 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.
  • Architect and Engineering Services Contracting (CON 243) – Feb. 10-14, 2020 – Focuses on acquisition planning for A&E services, the slate and selection process, proposal analysis, contract award, the review of government estimates, liability, Title II services, modifications, contract management, and the contracting officer’s technical representative’s responsibilities.
  • Contract Formation in the FAR (CON 090-3) – Mar. 16-20, 2020 – Covers policies and procedures for simplified acquisitions, sealed bidding as well as negotiated acquisitions, cost accounting standards, special contracting methods and emergency acquisitions, and the filing and handling of protests.
  • Construction Contracting (CON 244) – May 4-8, 2020 – Focuses on contracting issues unique to construction, including acquisition planning, contract performance management, funding, environmental concerns, construction contract language, construction contracting in a commercial setting, the Construction Wage Rate Requirements statute, design/build methodology, basic schedule delay analysis, constructive changes, acceleration, construction contract quality management, and more.
Click on the course titles above for complete pricing and registration details.

 

Students attending Georgia Tech’s classes work in teams to tackle real-life contracting problems.
Discover the Georgia Tech Difference!

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 served each morning, along with snacks throughout each day.  For groups of 10 or more, Georgia Tech offers discounts.

Explanation of Certification Programs

Each Academy course title that contains the designation “CON” or “COR” is DAU-equivalent and satisfies both the FAC-C and DAWIA certification programs.  Coursework with the “FCN” designation is approved by the Federal Acquisition Institute and satisfies the latest FAC-C certification requirements.  In addition, continuing education units (CEUs) are granted for these courses by the Georgia Institute of Technology.

  • The Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting Program (FAC-C) establishes graduated education, experience, and training standards for contracting professionals in all civilian agencies. FAC-C certifications are mutually accepted among all civilian agencies as documentation of accomplishment of these standards.
  • The Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) established a very similar, but not identical, program for the Department of Defense (DoD). Civilian agencies may accept DAWIA certification as equivalent to FAC-C certification.
Courses Available at Your Location

All Academy courses and workshops are available for instructor-led engagements at your location. To discuss arrangements for your group, please contact us at info@ContractingAcademy.gatech.edu.  We’ll be happy to provide you with details.

Filed Under: Academy News Tagged With: acquisition training, acquisition workforce, CON 090, CON 243, CON 244, Contracting Academy, DAU, FAI, FAR, Georgia Tech, professional development, professional education

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