Search page: Courses

Explore how to effectively assess, evaluate, and manage contractors to help ensure that the acquisition of services from contractors satisfies mission needs. You will learn practical techniques to develop and define service requirements and manage the resulting contractor performance. You will apply the seven-step services acquisition process to numerous team-based exercises.

Discover business acumen competencies including industry orientation, organization, cost and financial planning, business strategy/development, supplier management, incentives, and negotiation. This course will provide a thorough understanding of the strategy, finances, operational considerations, and motivators that drive contractor business decisions.

Understand how to navigate contract law and learn to identify and avoid legal problems relating to ethics, data rights, fiscal law, protests, and contract management. You will analyze actual court decisions, discuss how judicial decisions impact the acquisition process, and leave class with best practices you can implement on the job.

Leverage a nuanced understanding of FAR Part 12 to effectively streamline the process for acquiring commercial products and commercial services to save your project time and money. Learn how to determine what is a commercial product or commercial service and follow a more efficient and cost-effective acquisition strategy. Identify the difference in the process for noncommercial acquisitions—from requirements definition to contract award. You will leave class with the ability to take advantage of this acquisition approach through analysis of relevant case studies.

Understand the various types of cost-reimbursement contracts, their unique demands and requirements, how to administer them, and best practices for managing modifications or terminations. You will learn how to effectively administer these complex contracts while understanding the associated benefits and challenges. Prior to enrolling in this course, you should know basic federal contracting principles and procedures.

Understand the statutes and case laws that provide context to manage complex acquisitions. Gain hands-on experience resolving complex acquisition issues like data and copyright policies, government-furnished property, and contractor debt issues. You will leave class with an in-depth background to better perform your role after examining case studies.Note: If you are a federal contract specialist in the GS-1102 occupational series, you may be required to take CON 216: Legal Considerations in Contracting instead of this course.

Understand the processes and guidelines that govern simplified acquisitions under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. Not only will you use practical exercises based on actual legal decisions to apply the basics of simplified acquisitions, but you will also be exposed to the ever-changing electronic commerce methods of acquiring supplies and services using required sources. If you are looking for an update on simplified acquisition procedures, consider taking the Simplified Acquisition Refresher course.

Reinforce your confidence in successfully using simplified acquisition procedures (SAP) to help meet mission needs. In this immersive workshop, you will gain focused practice in vital skills such as oral solicitation, negotiation, and streamlined documentation. Leverage SAP for diverse acquisitions, from noncommercial procurements up to $250,000 (e.g., construction, R&D) to commercial product and commercial service procurements up to $7.5 million. Outcomes include confidence, efficiency, productivity, communication, and compliance.

Understand the source selection process by exploring the legal basis behind it, evaluation factors and standards, and the interconnected relationship among all of the various aspects. Learn the nuances of the source selection process by participating in discussion, role-playing, and applying learned skills and techniques to case study-based exercises. You will practice preparing effective proposal instructions, conducting communications and debriefs among stakeholders, and more.

Discover how to properly use federally appropriated funds to be compliant with federal appropriations law. Guided by GAO’s Principles of Federal Appropriations Law (the Red Book), you will learn to comply with relevant laws and regulations, gain a deeper understanding of contracting and procurement activities, and reinforce understanding through scenario-based exercises. You obtain the crucial background, tools, and techniques to make sound decisions concerning appropriated funds back on the job.

Avoid making the wrong step anytime between publicizing the contract opportunity and closing the contract when contracting for architect-engineer (A-E) services. By studying Part 36 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Veterans AffairsAcquisition Regulation (VAAR) 836.6 and through lecture and exercises, you will learn the general condition and general requirements, as well as the process for advertising, selecting, and managing a contract with an A-E firm.

Learn how to appropriately use the tradeoff approach to yield a best-value acquisition. You will practice the strategy of achieving best value in negotiated procurements using the tradeoff process by analyzing source selection cases and applying your learning to real-world scenarios that will make your next acquisition a success.

Discover how to handle inevitable changes on a government contract—changes affecting price, quality, quantity, or delivery. The first step to an effective contractual change is to understand concepts such as scope, constructive changes, and contract modifications. You will learn to identify and address complex issues related to contract change, to navigate the implications of change, and to recognize the various clauses that allow for change.

Take a close look at the legal considerations that must be taken into account during the procurement process. You will learn the basic principles and sources of law relevant to procurement through this Federal Acquisition Certification Contracting (FAC-C) and Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Level II certification training course. You will also gain an understanding of other legal issues that may arise during a contract, including protests, assignment of claims, disputes, fraud, contractor debt, performance issues, and contract termination.Note: If you are not looking for Level II Certification, consider Federal Contract Law as an alternative.

This course dives into the elements of architect-engineer (A-E) indirect rates, including how different types of costs impact the indirect rate, how to calculate an indirect rate, the components of the indirect rate pool and base, the implication on the indirect rate with changing company circumstances, and how to reach a negotiating position on future indirect rates. Participants will learn through discussions, examples, exercises, demonstrations, exercises in Microsoft Excel, and a final capstone exercise. There is significant work that is compliant with the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

Examine the specifics of architect-engineering services contracting, including relevant laws and regulations. You will gain the knowledge and skills to apply the unique aspects of contracting for architect-engineer services pursuant to Public Law 92-582, the Selection of Architects and Engineers statute, as well as FAR Part 36. Through numerous assignments and case studies, you will go through the contracting process—with an eye focused on the nuances of this specialized area.

Explore the unique set of guidelines and approaches related to contracting for construction. You will learn the nuances of the construction acquisition and contracting phases in order to successfully obtain goods and services for your agency or organization. You will gain the knowledge and skills to contract for federal government construction—from acquisition planning through closeout. You will learn how to conduct market research and administer the contract.Note: This is a FAC-C and DAWIA Level III certification elective course.

This is a construction-centric, case-study-based course designed to improve the participant’s ability to review contractor proposals, conduct technical and cost/price analyses, and adequately document the negotiations of contract modifications. Participants are expected to perform appropriate levels of technical, cost, and price analyses; develop negotiation positions; and write up the results of their work in formal technical analysis and price negotiation memorandum formats.

Build on the skills of your current certification to conduct a thorough cost and price analysis and gain proficiency in the quantitative tools and techniques to help in the decision-making process. Adhering to the FAR and Contract Pricing Reference Guide (CPRG), you will go through relevant, complex, and realistic scenarios that will prepare you to tackle any contract arrangement issue you may encounter.

Learn to address and mitigate numerous issues that may arise during construction contracts in their most common form: claims. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of recognizing a potential claim, pricing considerations, terminations, and the role of the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals and the courts.