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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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Act now to enroll in September’s CON 170 cost and price analysis course

Georgia Tech’s course on the Fundamentals of Cost and Price Analysis (CON 170) provides expert instruction on fundamental quantitative pricing skills — skills so necessary to understand how the government makes contract pricing decisions.

The popular 10-day course is being offered September 16-27, 2019 on the Tech campus in the world-class Global Learning Center in Midtown Atlanta.  Registration details can be found here.

Attendees will learn how to accomplish Cost-Volume-Profit Analysis, calculate Contribution Margin Estimates, and develop Cost Estimating Relationships to achieve effective price analysis pursuant to FAR Subpart 15.4.  These are the skills needed to negotiate pricing of government contracts, subcontracts, and contract modifications.

Georgia Tech’s course includes an examination of the regulations and processes governing the use of cost analysis and requiring certified cost and pricing data.  The CON 170 course was originally developed by the Defense Acquisition University for aspiring Defense Department acquisition professionals.

After learning the basic elements of price and cost analysis, students receive instruction on how to build and defend a Pre-Negotiation Objective, including a minimum and maximum pricing objective with a Weighted Guidelines Assessment.  Students also learn how to defend pricing objectives by practicing face-to-face negotiations.

By attending, you’ll learn how to:

  • Identify the Government’s Pricing Objective
  • Review an Independent Government Cost Estimate
  • Apply Price-Related Factors
  • Review General Cost Principles on Allowability
  • Evaluate Direct and Indirect Costs
  • Determine the Applicability of Cost and Price Analysis
  • Practice Cost and Price Analysis Techniques
  • Conduct Cost Realism Analysis

Attendees receive instruction, a printed Student Guide to be used back on the job, valuable handouts, and exclusive web-based resources.  A complimentary breakfast is served each morning, along with snacks throughout each class day.

This is a federal core course, required for FAC-C and DAWIA certification.  Register here.

The Contracting Education Academy at Georgia Tech is an official Defense Acquisition University (DAU) equivalency training provider.  Georgia Tech’s coursework also is recognized by the Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI).

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Building a 21st century defense acquisition workforce

Every year, the Department of Defense spends roughly $300 billion to purchase everything from nuclear submarines to accounting services. The defense acquisition workforce is responsible not only for negotiating prices, enforcing requirements, and managing delivery on these acquisitions, but also for addressing issues like interoperability, sustainability, cyber protection, and supply chain security.

And every year, Congress adds complexity to the system, with almost 250 provisions of acquisition legislation changing the rules on types of contracts, contract audits, source selection criteria, commercial items acquisition, data rights and intellectual property, and other issues from 2016 to 2018 alone.

Advocates of acquisition reform have long sought changes in the civil service rules to make it easier to build the talent that the Pentagon needs to meet this challenge, but despite the wide array of legislative authorities now available, little has changed. What is needed is not a new set of rules, but a new mindset: If the Department of Defense wants to develop employees rather than just manage them for immediate performance, it must stop making hiring decisions position by position and establish a system that enables it to rotate future civilian leaders through a series of time-limited, career-building assignments. Instead of managing civil service positions, the Department must start managing its people.

The Call for Civilian Personnel Reform

Sixteen years ago, the National Commission on the Public Service (known as the “Second Volcker Commission”), reported that the federal government was not adequately staffed to meet the demands of the 21st century. Instead of attracting talent, the federal government too often drives it away. “Those who enter the civil service,” the commission reported, “often find themselves trapped in a maze of rules and regulations that thwart their personal development and stifle their creativity. The best are underpaid, the worst, overpaid. Too many of the most talented leave the public service too early, too many of the least talented stay too long.”

Keep reading article at: https://warontherocks.com/2019/05/building-a-21st-century-defense-acquisition-workforce/

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Don’t miss our contract cost and price analysis course in July

Georgia Tech’s course on the Fundamentals of Cost and Price Analysis (CON 170) features an in-depth review of the market research process.  By attending, students gain fundamental quantitative pricing skills.

The 10-day course is being offered on July 15-26, 2019 on the Tech campus in the Global Learning Center in Midtown Atlanta.  Registration details can be seen here.

Attendees will learn how to accomplish Cost-Volume-Profit analysis, calculate Contribution Margin Estimates, and develop Cost Estimating Relationships to achieve effective price analysis pursuant to FAR Subpart 15.4.  These are the skills needed to negotiate pricing of contracts, subcontracts, and contract modifications.

Georgia Tech’s course includes an examination of the regulations and processes governing the use of cost analysis and requiring certified cost and pricing data.

After learning the basic elements of price and cost analysis, students receive instruction on how to build and defend a pre-negotiation objective, including a minimum and maximum pricing objective with a Weighted Guidelines Assessment.  Students also learn how to defend pricing objectives by practicing face-to-face negotiations.

By attending, you’ll learn how to:

  • Identify the Government’s Pricing Objective
  • Review an Independent Government Cost Estimate
  • Apply Price-Related Factors
  • Review General Cost Principles on Allowability
  • Evaluate Direct and Indirect Costs
  • Determine the Applicability of Cost and Price Analysis
  • Practice Cost and Price Analysis Techniques
  • Conduct Cost Realism Analysis

Attendees receive expert instruction, a printed guide to be used back on the job, valuable handouts, and exclusive web-based resources.  A complimentary breakfast is provided each morning, along with snacks throughout each class day.

This is a federal core course, required for FAC-C and DAWIA certification.  Register here.

The Contracting Education Academy at Georgia Tech is an official Defense Acquisition University (DAU) equivalency training provider.  Georgia Tech’s coursework also is recognized by the Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI).

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

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