Training & Education | The Contracting Education Academy

The Contracting Education Academy at Georgia Tech is an official Defense Acquisition University (DAU) equivalency training provider.

DAU is the Defense Department’s “corporate university” which spearheads the training of DoD’s acquisition workforce and, in turn, the development of training curriculum for the contracting workforce government-wide. In addition, The Academy is also approved to teach Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI) coursework, and develops customized workshops and courses for business and government groups.

Course (please click on course title for registration information)

Open Enrollment Dates

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.

Feb. 1-12, 2021 (Online)

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.

Jan. 19-22, 2021 (Online)

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.

Feb. 22-26, 2021 (Online)

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.

Mar. 8-12, 2021 (Online)

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 090: Fundamentals of the Federal Acquisition Regulation

Designed for those new to Federal contracting, this 19-day course (covering all four modules of CON 090) immerses students in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), DoD’s Procedures, Guidance, and Information (PGI), other agency FAR supplements and guidance, and FAR clauses. Realistic, scenario-based contracting problems and exercises are featured in each phase of the acquisition process: planning, formation, and administration. Resources, exclusively developed by Georgia Tech, are made available.

CON 120: Mission Focused Contracting

Covers the entire federal acquisition process, from defining acquisition needs to contract closeout. Highlights include: performing market research, selecting the solicitation approach, evaluating bids and proposals, conducting negotiations, making contract awards, modifying contracts, and evaluating contractor performance. Note: This course was discontinued by DAU, but we continue to update and offer it on the basis of group bookings.

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.

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.

CON 260B: Small Business Programs

Covers the intricacies of the government’s Small Business Programs designed to maximize the participation of small businesses in prime contracts and subcontracts, including selection of appropriate acquisition strategies, the SBA’s role in the award decision-making process, subcontracting requirements, and assistance available to small businesses. Includes a review of on-line course CON 260A. Note: This course was discontinued by DAU, but we continue to update and offer it on the basis of group bookings.

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.

Mar. 1-5, 2021 (Classroom)

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 on-site 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.