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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.

Explore how Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs) may be leveraged to streamline the acquisition process and can be used as an alternative to grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts. Learn what…

Explore how Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs) may be leveraged to streamline the acquisition process and can be used as an alternative to grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts. Learn what makes Other Transactions (OTs) so underutilized today and why conducting acquisitions using Other Transactions may be an ideal alternative to the FAR in this beginning level course.

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.

Understand the use of long-recognized but underutilized strategies described in the Federal Acquisition Regulation(FAR) as well as new strategies currently being used by federal agencies. Gain the…

Understand the use of long-recognized but underutilized strategies described in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) as well as new strategies currently being used by federal agencies. Gain the confidence and competence to successfully use the flexibility provided in FAR 1.102-4 to apply good judgment to make the best business decisions to support customers and provide innovative solutions to acquisition requirements.

Special Pricing Ends Soon. Save 20% when you register for our June cohort.

Accelerate the path to proficiency for new contract specialists with the Career Gateway: Acquisition program. Gateway…

Special Pricing Ends Soon. Save 20% when you register for our June cohort.

Accelerate the path to proficiency for new contract specialists with the Career Gateway: Acquisition program. Gateway Acquisition is DAU certified equivalent to CON 1100, 1200, 1300 and 1400 so participants meet all their FAC-C and DAWIA Contracting certification training requirements. Students in each cohort will learn the technical skills necessary to support an acquisition, such as contract formation, management principles, and regulatory fundamentals, along with the essential skills they’ll need to succeed in the modern acquisition landscape, like business acumen, critical thinking, decision-making, ethics, financial management, problem-solving, team building, communication, and collaboration. Through the use of experiential learning and a threaded storyline, cohort students will support the establishment of a settlement on Mars to mirror the challenges they’ll face in their roles. Students will be able to hone their skills in a safe learning environment, collaborate with other members of the cohort to solve problems, and sharpen their abilities to be key strategic business advisors for their agencies and organizations. Learners can expect to spend up to 10 hours per week on program activities and classes.

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.

Gain a crucial, essential understanding of the Federal Acquisition Regulation(FAR), the document that governs the federal acquisition process. You will learn to navigate the FAR, gain familiarity…

Gain a crucial, essential understanding of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), the document that governs the federal acquisition process. You will learn to navigate the FAR, gain familiarity with the structure and content, and understand the FAR system and its underlying basis.

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.

Build a foundation of incentive contract knowledge to maximize their utility to motivate contractors to earn more by achieving better performance and controlling costs. You will study the basic…

Build a foundation of incentive contract knowledge to maximize their utility to motivate contractors to earn more by achieving better performance and controlling costs. You will study the basic principles of profit incentives, considerations in contract type selection, elements of incentive contracts, and the relationship between incentive contracts and government pricing policies.

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.