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The IT Acquisition Credentials Program is designed to give federal government contracting professionals an overview of the information technology (IT) acquisition process. This four-course program supports the competency standards set by NCMA’s ANSI-accredited, Contract Management StandardTM Publication (CMS), and the corresponding Contract Management Book of Knowledge (CMBOK) standards. This program covers: 

  • The basic competencies you need to plan, execute, and manage IT acquisitions, with special considerations for federal acquisitions, such as accessibility and security
  • An understanding of the unique aspects of cloud services acquisitions related to all phases of the acquisition cycle
  • Best practices for adapting Agile methods for use throughout the acquisition life cycle to save time, reduce risk, and improve contract quality of your contracts  
  • The possibilities robotic process automation (RPA) offers, how to identify suitable tasks, and how implementing RPA could contribute to your agency’s success  

After the successful completion of each individual course, you will be sent an electronic Training Certificate. Upon completion of all program requirements, you will receive a specialized digital badge identifying the IT Acquisition Credential Program and the associated competencies attained.

Program Requirements

Course Title Course Number Learning Objectives/NCMA CMS Competencies  Available Delivery Method/s

Information Technology (IT) Acquisition

1001

Learning Objectives:

  • Interpret the regulations, processes, and challenges specific to IT Acquisition
  • Analyze the planning phase of the acquisition life cycle and distinguish the challenges unique to IT acquisition 
  • Analyze the contract formation phase of the acquisition life cycle and distinguish the challenges unique to IT acquisition
  • Analyze the contract administration phase of the acquisition life cycle and distinguish the challenges unique to IT acquisition

NCMA CMS Competencies:

1.1 Skills and Roles
1.4 Regulatory Compliance
1.5 Situational Assessment
2.1.1 Plan the Solicitation
4.1.1 Administer Contract
4.1.2 Ensure Quality

CLPs: 24
CEUs: 1.9

  • Instructor-Led Virtual
  • Instructor-Led In-Classroom

Conducting Acquisitions for Cloud Services

1043

Learning Objectives:

  • Interpret the terminology, regulations, and processes specific to cloud acquisitions 
  • Analyze the unique aspects of cloud acquisitions during the planning phase of the acquisition cycle 
  • Analyze the unique aspects of cloud acquisitions during the contract formation phase of the acquisition cycle
  • Analyze the unique aspects of cloud acquisitions during the contract administration phase of the acquisition cycle

NCMA CMS Competencies:

1.2 Contract Principles
1.3 Standards of Conduct
1.4 Regulatory Compliance
2.1.1 Plan the Solicitation
4.1.1 Administer Contract
4.1.2 Ensure Quality
4.1.3 Manage Subcontracts
4.1.4 Manage Changes

CLPs: 16
CEUs: 1.3

  • Instructor-Led Virtual
  • Instructor-Led In-Classroom

Introduction to Agile Contracting for IT

1041

Learning Objectives:

  • Given an overview of Agile fundamentals, explain the benefits of applying Agile strategies to contracting
  • Given realistic scenarios, determine best practices for using Agile strategies in contracting

NCMA CMS Competencies:

1.4 Regulatory Compliance
1.6 Team Dynamics
2.1.1 Plan the Solicitation
2.1.1.1 Shape Internal Requirements
2.1.1.4 Formulate Contracting Strategy
4.1.1 Administer Contract
4.1.2 Ensure Quality

CLPs: 8
CEUs: .6

  • Instructor-Led Virtual
  • Instructor-Led In-Classroom

Emerging Technologies – Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

3800

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe Robotic Process Automation (RPA) in the context of digital labor and the automation first mindset
  • Identify current uses of RPA in the federal government and potential opportunities to implement RPA in your own work environment
  • Describe and engage in the process of developing an RPA bot

NCMA CMS Competencies:

1.1. Skills and Roles

 

CLPs: 8
CEUs: .6

  • Instructor-Led Virtual
  • Instructor-Led In-Classroom

Additional Credential Information

  • Expiration: 3 years from date earned
  • Restrictions: None
  • Total CLPs if all courses in the Credential are completed: 56
  • Total CEUs if all courses in the Credential are completed: 4.4

Acquisition & Contracting Programs Letter of Intent

Courses completed prior to submitting this Letter of Intent may apply toward completion of the certificate program you wish to pursue. Please note that you have up to three years from the first certificate program course taken to complete the program.

Note: This Letter of Intent is for Management Concepts records only, not a legal contract, and does not obligate the student to take courses.