Classroom Courses

Prepare for the closed book Contracting Certification exam through a baseline pre-assessment, relevant content review, discussions, practice quizzes, and a post-assessment which emulates the…

Prepare for the closed book Contracting Certification exam through a baseline pre-assessment, relevant content review, discussions, practice quizzes, and a post-assessment which emulates the Contracting Certification exam itself.

Learn how to write an effective Statement of Work (SOW) to achieve the best value for your organization during an acquisition. In this course, you will practice writing each part of the SOW through a…

Learn how to write an effective Statement of Work (SOW) to achieve the best value for your organization during an acquisition. In this course, you will practice writing each part of the SOW through a hands-on workshop and examine a SOW from a contractor’s perspective. You will explore best practices, analyze legal cases, and recognize the impact your work has on cost, schedule, and quality. You will leave equipped with the ability to write a SOW that reflects actual requirements, elicits competitive proposals, and guides contractor performance.

Review the overall construction contracting process in this comprehensive three-day course. Coverage includes contract formation, solicitation, award, and administration. Exercises and case studies…

Review the overall construction contracting process in this comprehensive three-day course. Coverage includes contract formation, solicitation, award, and administration. Exercises and case studies will allow participants to practice the skills they learn in the training.

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…

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.

Support your understanding of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act (PA) request process. This course will help you learn how to properly safeguard records, while increasing your…

Support your understanding of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act (PA) request process. This course will help you learn how to properly safeguard records, while increasing your skill at properly releasing records to the public.

Explore how managers of contracting organizations, or supervising contracting officers, need to address the distinct responsibilities of their roles while effective overseeing contract management.…

Explore how managers of contracting organizations, or supervising contracting officers, need to address the distinct responsibilities of their roles while effective overseeing contract management. Through self-assessments, case studies, individual and group activities, and action planning, you will identify ways to improve your personal management effectiveness and leave class with an action plan to optimize your acquisition outcomes.

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…

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…

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.

Explore the General Decision Support Model, a framework to guide effective decision-making during the analytics process, which helps ensure a sound business strategy based on facts. You will practice…

Explore the General Decision Support Model, a framework to guide effective decision-making during the analytics process, which helps ensure a sound business strategy based on facts. You will practice developing the questions, understanding stakeholder needs, identifying risks and uncertainties, and analyzing plan components, and will determine how to gather and analyze data to evaluate and communicate alternatives to upper management for decision-making. Examples, relevant discussions, and the use of Microsoft Excel will provide you with value that can be transferred back to the real-world environment.

Dissect challenges inherent in contract administration like contract modification, subcontractor oversight, performance monitoring, quality assurance, and other key phases. You will examine the duties…

Dissect challenges inherent in contract administration like contract modification, subcontractor oversight, performance monitoring, quality assurance, and other key phases. You will examine the duties performed by contracting personnel during the administration phase of the acquisition process and improve your knowledge and skills in overseeing contractor performance. You will gain a deeper understanding of contracts for commercial products and commercial services and those using simplified acquisition procedures.

Explore the unique considerations surrounding the employment of performance-based acquisition (PBA) methods as outlined in both the Federal Acquisition Regulation(FAR) and agency policies. From…

Explore the unique considerations surrounding the employment of performance-based acquisition (PBA) methods as outlined in both the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and agency policies. From standards of quality to methods of surveillance, you will learn the comprehensive process applied to PBA—including analyzing requirements documents and preparing a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP)—with a focus on robust case studies, examples, and exhibits.

Agencies need to tell contractors what to do, not how to do it. This is the guidance according to Federal Acquisition Regulation(FAR) Part 37, which requires agencies to maximize the use of…

Agencies need to tell contractors what to do, not how to do it. This is the guidance according to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 37, which requires agencies to maximize the use of performance-based methods when contracting. You will determine requirements by developing high-level objectives, tasks, and performance standards through this workshop. You will develop a performance work statement and quality assurance surveillance plan and apply your learning to intensive exercises and activities.

Explore the many factors to consider when selecting an appropriate contract, along with the advantages and disadvantages of each. You will learn the basics of a contract, contract types, and selection…

Explore the many factors to consider when selecting an appropriate contract, along with the advantages and disadvantages of each. You will learn the basics of a contract, contract types, and selection criteria. You will delve deeply into each contract category and understand the basic principles and limitations of each using FAR Part 16 as a guide.

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…

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-…

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.

Discover the power of negotiation as a critical tool when seeking the best value for the government. In this course, you will learn your negotiation style, the negotiation process, win-win negotiation…

Discover the power of negotiation as a critical tool when seeking the best value for the government. In this course, you will learn your negotiation style, the negotiation process, win-win negotiation techniques, and methods to counter win-lose techniques. You will practice these skills in mock negotiation exercises and will leave the class ready to apply these techniques on the job.

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…

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.

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…

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.

Understand the legal and practical implications of government contract claims. By examining case studies, you will explore the different elements of a claim and best practices for how to avoid claims.

Understand the legal and practical implications of government contract claims. By examining case studies, you will explore the different elements of a claim and best practices for how to avoid claims.

Discover why successful contract management requires successful closeout and why closing out a contract can be as critical a task as awarding the contract. You will gain the skills to effectively deal…

Discover why successful contract management requires successful closeout and why closing out a contract can be as critical a task as awarding the contract. You will gain the skills to effectively deal with contractors and other stakeholders to ensure that contracts are closed according to the terms laid out and to handle problems or issues that may arise.