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FAR Fundamentals course kicks off 2020

The New Year at the Georgia Tech’s Contracting Education Academy (The Academy) begins with a four-day course on Tuesday, January 28, 2020, covering the fundamentals of 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 the Defense Acquisition University’s CON 090: Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Fundamentals.

The course includes:

  • Identification of the basic principles of contracting by the federal government,
  • Access to and use of relevant on-line resources, and
  • Instruction on the location, citation, and interpretation of the FAR, the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), and 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.

Students attending Georgia Tech’s acquisition courses work in teams to tackle real-life contracting problems.

Originally designed exclusively for federal contracting officers, this course’s scope has been expanded by The Academy 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.

The Contracting Education Academy at Georgia Tech is an official equivalency training provider of the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) and 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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Make plans now for your professional development in 2020

By attending Georgia Tech’s hands-on, practical training, you will gain new expertise you can apply the day you return from class.

Staying up-to-date in the field of government acquisition is a challenge.  You can make a positive impact on your career by planning to attend courses now scheduled at the Georgia Institute of Technology’s world-class Global Learning Center in the coming year.  Course registration for 2020 is now open.

Featured courses include:

(Click on course titles for dates and registration details.)

  • Students attending Georgia Tech’s classes work in teams to tackle real-life contracting problems.

    FCN 190: FAR Fundamentals – Designed for both GS-1102 contracting personnel as well as aspiring government contractors, this 10-day course conveys basic knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), including how to apply the rules in order to make appropriate decisions at each step of the contracting process.  Curriculum supports the latest revisions to the Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting Program.

  • CON 090-1: Contracting Overview of the FAR – Covers the identification of the basic principles of federal government contracting, including the structure and content of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and agency supplements.  Students learn how to locate, cite, and interpret regulations.
  • CON 090-2: Contract Planning in the FAR – Covers acquisition planning, market research, describing agency needs, the preference for commercial and non-developmental items, contract types, special contracting techniques, socioeconomic programs, special terms and conditions, contractor qualifications, and advertising requirements.
  • Our instructors are experienced acquisition professionals who share practical advice.

    CON 090-3: Contract Formation in the FAR – 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.

  • CON 090-4: Contract Administration in the FAR – Covers the fundamental concepts of contract administration including the handling of untimely or non-compliant performance, interpretation of clauses, contract modifications, payments, contract disputes and appeals, and complete or partial contract terminations.
  • CON 170: Fundamentals of Cost & Price Analysis – Conveys fundamental quantitative pricing skills, including seller pricing strategies, the Truth in Negotiations Act and how it mitigates government risk, application of Cost Accounting Standards Board (CASB) rules to negotiated contracts and subcontracts, and contract cost principles and procedures.  Covers cost-volume-profit analysis, contribution margin estimates, and cost estimating relationships.
  • Our students tell us our courses go far beyond check-the-box requirements.

    CON 243: Architect-Engineer Contracting – Focuses on contracting for architectural-engineering services, including acquisition planning, source selection, proposal analysis, contract award and work, and contract management. Specific topics and practical exercises convey knowledge of the Selection of Architects and Engineers statue, SF-330, the slate and selection process, the review of government estimates, liability, Title II services, modifications, and contracting officer’s technical representative responsibilities. 

  • CON 244: Construction Contracting – 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.
  • Government contracting officials and business executives sit side-by-side to learn acquisition practices.

    COR 206/222: Contracting Officer Representative and the Contingency Contracting Environment – Covers the role and responsibilities of the COR in contract administration, including contract planning support, contract awards, contract changes and modifications, monitoring performance, expenditures and schedules, and ethical situations and cultural differences a COR may experience while deployed in a contingency operation. 

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.

Courses Available at Your Location

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

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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 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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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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75 Fifth Street, NW, Suite 300
Atlanta, GA 30308
info@ContractingAcademy.gatech.edu
Phone: 404-894-6109
Fax: 404-410-6885

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