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Transition to new FAC-C acquisition workforce training requirements begins Oct. 1, 2019

We summarize the changes to the training requirements here.

Beginning October 1, 2019, new Federal Acquisition Certification-Contracting, or FAC-C, training requirements go into place.

The new training requirements for the the civilian portion of the federal acquisition workforce reflect a continuing effort by the Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI) to align training requirements with those developed by the Defense Acquisition University’s (DAU) as a part of its Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Contracting certification program.

Students will be provided time to implement these changes as they seek FAC-C Level I, II, or III certification.   The changes to the curriculum are not extensive, however there are varying dates to keep in mind.  There will be a transition period from October 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020 in which training providers, such as The Contracting Education Academy at Georgia Tech, will be converting their courseware to conform with the new training standards.  During this period, students may apply both old and new course designs for credit toward the FAC-C certification.

Please consult the chart below to see details of the present and planned courseware.  Present FAC-C training requirements are shown in the left column, and the new FAC-C training requirements are shown to the right.  Changes in the training requirements are shown in red.

FAC-C Training Requirements
Present Training Requirements

FAC-C Refresh (May 2014)

 Transition to New FAC-C

(October 1, 2019-June 30, 2020)

(Requirements are shown below, and changes are shown in red.)
FAC-C LEVEL I
FAC-C LEVEL I
CON 090 FAR Fundamentals

(20 days, instructor-led) OR

FCN 190 FAR Fundamentals

(10 days, instructor-led)

CON 090 & FCN 190 are being phased out by courseware vendors during the period 10/1/19 through 6/30/2020 – certificates from either course will be acceptable for FAC-C Level I until 9/30/2021.

 CON 091 Contract Fundamentals

(13 days, instructor-led)

 

 

CON 090 & FCN 190 are being phased out by courseware vendors during the period 10/1/19 through 6/30/2020 – certificates from either course will be acceptable for FAC-C Level I until 9/30/2021.
CON 100 Shaping Smart Business Arrangements (self-paced online) OR

FCN 101 Contracting Basics

(self-paced online)

 CON 100 Shaping Smart Business Arrangements OR

FCN 101 Contracting Basics

(self-paced online)
CON 121 Contract Planning

(instructor-led or self-paced online)

 CON 121 Contract Planning

(instructor-led or self-paced online)
CON 124 Contract Execution

(instructor-led or self-paced online)

 CON 124 Contract Execution

(instructor-led or self-paced online)
CON 127 Contract Management

(instructor-led or self-paced online)

 CON 127 Contract Management (instructor-led or self-paced online)
FAC 023 Basic Contracting for GSA Schedules

(self-paced online)

 FAC 023 Basic Contracting for GSA Schedules

(self-paced online)
FAC 031 Small Business Programs

(self-paced online)

 FAC 031 Small Business Programs

(self-paced online)
CLC 057 Performance Based Payments and Value of Cash Flow

(self-paced online)

 CLC 057 Performance Based Payments and Value of Cash Flow

(self-paced online)
CLC 058 Introduction to Contract Pricing

(self-paced online)

 CLC 058 Introduction to Contract Pricing

(self-paced online)
CON 170 Fundamentals of Cost and Price Analysis

(10 days, instructor-led)

 CON 170 Fundamentals of Cost and Price Analysis

(8 days, instructor-led)
N/A CLC 056 Analyzing Contract Costs

(self-paced online)

Effective October 1, 2019, this course will be

required for FAC-C Level I.
FAC-C LEVEL II
FAC-C LEVEL II
CON 200 Business Decisions for Contracting

(instructor-led or self-paced online)

 CON 200 Business Decisions for Contracting

(instructor-led or self-paced online)
CON 216 Legal Considerations in Contracting

(instructor-led or self-paced online)

 CON 216 Legal Considerations in Contracting

(instructor-led or self-paced online)
CLC 056 Analyzing Contract Costs

(self-paced online)

 (Course now required for Level 1, not Level II)

 
CLC 051 Managing Government Property in the Possession of Contractors

(self-paced online)

 CLC 051 Managing Government Property in the Possession of Contractors

(self-paced online)
HBS 428 Negotiating

(self-paced online)

 HBS 428 Negotiating

(self-paced online)
CON 270 Intermediate Cost and Price Analysis

(instructor-led)

 Effective October 1, 2019, this course is no longer required for FAC-C

(Can still be taken for CLPs/electives).
CON 280 Source Selection and Administration of Service Contracts

(instructor-led)

 

 CON 280 Source Selection and Administration of Service Contracts

(instructor-led)

(Note: Some content from CON 270 will be added to this course.)
CON 290 Contract Administration and Negotiation Techniques in a Supply Environment

(instructor-led)

 

 CON 290 Contract Administration and Negotiation Techniques in a Supply Environment

(instructor-led)

(Note:  Some content from CON 270 will be added to this course.)
FAC-C LEVEL III
FAC-C LEVEL III
CON 360 Contracting for Decision Makers

(10 days, instructor-led)

 CON 360 Contracting for Decision Makers

(8 days, instructor-led)
An HBS module other than HBS 428 An HBS module other than HBS 428
Choose 1 of the following:

·     32 hours of electives*

·     ACQ 265 Mission-Focused Services Acquisition

·     ACQ 315 Understanding Industry

·     ACQ 370 Acquisition Law

·     CON 244 Construction Contracting

·     CON 252 Fundamentals of Cost Accounting Standards

·     CON 370 Advanced Contract Pricing

 Choose 1 of the following:

·     32 hours of electives*

·     ACQ 265 Mission-Focused Services Acquisition

·     ACQ 315 Understanding Industry

·     ACQ 370 Acquisition Law

·     CON 244 Construction Contracting

·     CON 252 Fundamentals of Cost Accounting Standards

·     CON 370 Advanced Contract Pricing

The Contracting Education Academy at Georgia Tech is an approved equivalency training provider for many FAI and DAU training courses.  Inquiries may be emailed to: info@ContractingAcademy.gatech.edu

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Learn how the government administers contracts during week of Dec. 9th

Before the year’s end, you have the opportunity to attend a week-long course at Georgia Tech that comprehensively covers the federal contract administration process.
The course — Contract Administration in the FAR (CON 090-4) — begins Monday, Dec. 9 and concludes Friday, Dec. 13, 2019.  The course is conducted at Georgia Tech’s world-class Global Learning Center located in Midtown Atlanta.  Registration details are at: https://pe.gatech.edu/courses/con-090-4-contract-administration-far.
Students work in teams to answer questions and solve problems involving contract administration.
Who Should Attend
  • Government contracting officials will learn not only the rules but the best practices in contract administration. And, this course satisfies required FAC-C and DAWIA certification programs.
  • Business people, including those to aspire to become federal contractors, will learn how to use the power of being an incumbent to win future contracts as well as how to protect contractual interests.
How You Will Benefit

You will learn:

  • The fundamental concepts of government contract administration.
  • The rights of the parties when contract performance is not timely.
  • Both the government’s and the contractor’s rights when contract performance comes into question.
  • The policies and procedures for preparing and processing contract modifications.
  • How to apply the requirements of applicable contract clauses in various contracting scenarios.
  • The applicable payment clauses and invoicing procedures.
  • The policies and procedures for filing and processing contract disputes and appeals.
  • The policies and procedures pertaining to the complete or partial termination of contracts for the convenience of the government or for default.
  • All pertinent parts of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
Course Content
  • Contract administration basics
  • Contract modifications
  • Administration of selected terms and conditions
  • Delays
  • Quality assurance
  • Payment and cost allowability
  • Disputes and appeals
  • Terminations
  • Closeout
Materials

Each student receives a printed Student Guide, exercises, updated supplemental information, and exclusive access to web-based student resources. A complimentary breakfast is provided each morning, along with snacks throughout each day.

Additional Information

The Contracting Education Academy at Georgia Tech (The Academy) is an approved equivalency training provider to the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) and the Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI).  Our courses satisfy both the FAC-C and the DAWIA certification programs.  The coursework also provides students the opportunity to earn continuing education unit credits (CEUs) for acquisition and government contracting professionals as well as business professionals working for the government or pursuing opportunities in the federal contracting arena.

CON 090-4 is the fourth of four modules in the CON 090 course series entitled Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Fundamentals.  The Contracting Education Academy at Georgia Tech offers the entire CON 090 series in four, one-week classes.  Each module stands on its own, allowing students multiple opportunities throughout the year to complete the entire CON 090 course without the challenge of being away from work or home for a straight month.  Because of Georgia Tech’s unique instructional approach, the four modules can be taken in any order.

More Information and To Register

For more information on this course, please visit: https://pe.gatech.edu/courses/con-090-4-contract-administration-far

 

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10 areas for no-nonsense contractor auditing

An audit is a systematic, independent, and documented process for obtaining objective evidence and evaluating it to determine the extent to which program criteria (policies, procedures or requirements) have been fulfilled.

There are three types of audits.

First-party audit, performed within an organization to measure its strengths, weaknesses and conformity with established standards. This also is called an internal audit. Internal audits satisfy internal requirements and audit results remain in-house.

Second-party audit, an external audit performed on a supplier by a customer or by a contracted organization on behalf of a customer. In second-party audits (for our purposes) Department of Defense (DoD) program managers (PMs) measure and evaluate the DoD contractor’s ability to conform to contract requirements and specifications.

Third-party audit is performed by an audit organization independent of both the contractor and DoD and is free of all conflicts of interest. Third-party audits (e.g., by an International Standards Organization [ISO] Registrar) may result in certification, registration or award certificate issued by the third party.

This article discusses second-party audits; specifically, wherein DoD PMs audit their contractors’ ability to execute the contract. I strongly recommend that PMs incorporate second-party audits into DoD contacts, regardless of contract size, scope or final deliverable.

Like the organizations or contracts that they address, the audits themselves must have objectives, scope and criteria. Anything less is a waste of time.

Figure 1. Second-Party Audit of DoD Contracts by DoD Program Managers

Figure 1 summarily describes a comprehensive program of second-party audits. Note especially the inclusion of “operators and warfighters.” This inclusion alone distinguishes effective second-party auditing from routine program management. Participation by experienced, credible operators/end-users helps to ensure that programs do not stray from the goals of the contract or the purpose of the end products.

Keep reading this article at: https://www.dau.mil/library/defense-atl/blog/Second-Party-Audit-

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Learn how the government puts together a contract October 21-25

What is the Government’s simplified acquisition process?    What is meant by the term sealed bid?  Did you know that the Government can enter into contracts on the basis of both competitive and noncompetitive negotiated arrangements?  How does the Government deal with required and preferred sources of supplies and services?  What must be done to ensure competition?  What are the policies for policies and procedures for pricing negotiated contracts and contract modifications?  What are the policies and procedures for filing bid protests?

To answer these questions — and explain the entire process that federal agencies follow to formulate a contract — Georgia Tech’s Contracting Education Academy is presenting a one-week course, beginning October 21, 2019, entitled CON 090-3: Contract Formation in the FAR.

The course is designed for contracting professionals — including both government officials and contractors — who are interested in learning the details of the federal acquisition process.  This course provides vital instruction for Government contracting personnel as well as important insights for contractors.

By attending CON 090-3, students learn how to locate, interpret, and apply the acquisition regulations applicable to federal agencies.  CON 090-3 is the third of four modules in the CON 090 series entitled Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Fundamentals.  The Contracting Education Academy at Georgia Tech offers the entire CON 090 series in four, one-week classes.  Each module stands on its own, allowing students multiple opportunities throughout the year to complete the entire CON 090 course without the challenge of being away from work or home for a straight month.  Because of Georgia Tech’s unique instructional approach, the four modules can be taken in any order.

The course consists of limited lecture, and is heavily exercise-based.  Students get the opportunity to learn the FAR by working through many real-life scenarios with one another.  Students also are given access to many exclusive on-line resources.

The Contracting Education Academy at Georgia Tech 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 the federal contracting arena.

For more information on this course and to register, please visit: http://www.pe.gatech.edu/courses/con-090-3-contract-formation-far.

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Comprehensive contract planning course being conducted Oct. 7-11

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 7-11, 2019.

The course will be presented at the world-class Global Learning Center in midtown Atlanta.  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.

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.

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: https://contractingacademy.gatech.edu/training

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Atlanta, GA 30308
info@ContractingAcademy.gatech.edu
Phone: 404-894-6109
Fax: 404-410-6885

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