Continuous Learning, Elective, and Specialized Courses

The Statement of Work (SOW) can make or break an acquisition. Writing an effective SOW is essential to achieving best value. Not only will you practice writing each part of the SOW through a hands-on…

The Statement of Work (SOW) can make or break an acquisition. Writing an effective SOW is essential to achieving best value. Not only will you practice writing each part of the SOW through a hands-on workshop, but you will also examine a SOW from a contractor’s perspective. You will learn 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.

This three-day course provides personnel who award and administer construction contracts a comprehensive review of the overall construction contracting process. Coverage includes contract formation,…

This three-day course provides personnel who award and administer construction contracts a comprehensive review of the overall construction contracting process. Coverage includes contract formation, solicitation, award, and administration. Exercises and case studies will allow participants to practice the skills they learn in the course.

Over the years, a number of agencies have received statutory authority to conduct acquisitions using Other Transactions (OTs). This beginning level course introduces and explains how these Other…

Over the years, a number of agencies have received statutory authority to conduct acquisitions using Other Transactions (OTs). This beginning level course introduces and explains how these 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 so underutilized today and get ready to leave the FAR behind!

Contracting for architect-engineer (A-E) services is challenging. Making a wrong step anytime between publicizing the contract opportunity and closing the contract can pose threats to any organization…

Contracting for architect-engineer (A-E) services is challenging. Making a wrong step anytime between publicizing the contract opportunity and closing the contract can pose threats to any organization. By studying Part 36 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Veterans Affairs (VA) Acquisition Regulations 836.6 and through lecture and exercises, participants learn the general condition and general requirements, as well as the process for advertising, selecting, and managing a contract with an A-E firm.

Today’s fast-paced contracting environment requires contracting officers to have the ability to work in and around the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to provide innovative solutions to…

Today’s fast-paced contracting environment requires contracting officers to have the ability to work in and around the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to provide innovative solutions to acquisition requirements. This course will enable participants to understand the use of long-recognized, but under-utilized strategies described in the FAR as well as new strategies currently being used by federal agencies. Participants will leave this course with 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.

Many government personnel encounter records that contain information protected by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act (PA). This course will support your understanding of the…

Many government personnel encounter records that contain information protected by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act (PA). This course will support your understanding of the FOIA and PA request process, how to properly safeguard records, and increase your skill at properly releasing records to the public.

Managers of contracting organizations face challenges when it comes to their unique responsibilities. This workshop marries the distinct responsibilities of being a team lead, or supervising…

Managers of contracting organizations face challenges when it comes to their unique responsibilities. This workshop marries the distinct responsibilities of being a team lead, or supervising contracting officer, and 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.

Knowledge of the source selection process means understanding the legal basis behind the process, the development of evaluation factors and standards, and the interconnected relationship among all of…

Knowledge of the source selection process means understanding the legal basis behind the process, the development of evaluation factors and standards, and the interconnected relationship among all of the various aspects of the process. You will 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.

Contracting professionals must know 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…

Contracting professionals must know 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.

Sound business strategy requires robust data. However, raw data can only go so far without effective interpretation and analysis to inform decision-making. You will apply a data-driven process to…

Sound business strategy requires robust data. However, raw data can only go so far without effective interpretation and analysis to inform decision-making. You will apply a data-driven process to decision-making while considering both the larger business context around risk and uncertainty and the organizational factors that influence stakeholder acceptance of data-driven conclusions. Relevant examples will help you learn to arrive at decisions individually, as a team, or as an organization—while maintaining a strategic lens that supports overarching goals.

Contract administration is comprised of planning, performance monitoring, quality assurance, and other key phases. It poses challenges such as: How do you handle a contract modification? What kind of…

Contract administration is comprised of planning, performance monitoring, quality assurance, and other key phases. It poses challenges such as: How do you handle a contract modification? What kind of oversight does a subcontractor require? 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.

Understanding of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), the document that governs the Federal acquisition process, is critical to the success of Federal contracting personnel. You will learn to…

Understanding of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), the document that governs the Federal acquisition process, is critical to the success of Federal contracting personnel. You will learn to navigate the FAR, gain familiarity with the structure and content, and understand the FAR system and its underlying basis.

The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and agency policies encourage organizations to employ Performance-Based Acquisition (PBA) methods. However, there are unique considerations surrounding PBAs,…

The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and agency policies encourage organizations to employ Performance-Based Acquisition (PBA) methods. However, there are unique considerations surrounding PBAs, including standards of quality and methods of surveillance. You will learn the comprehensive process applied to PBAs—from analyzing requirements documents to 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 the 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 the 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 using the Acquisition Requirements Roadmap Tool (ARRT), and apply your learning to intensive exercises and activities. Virtual participants must ensure that Microsoft® Access is installed on their laptop/computer and that they have current PKI Security certificates installed. Both of these items are needed for ARRT to run successfully.

What are the differences between a fixed-price contract and a cost-reimbursement contract? Between an incentive contract and an indefinite-delivery contract? There are many factors to consider when…

What are the differences between a fixed-price contract and a cost-reimbursement contract? Between an incentive contract and an indefinite-delivery contract? There are many factors to consider when selecting an appropriate contract, and each has its advantages and disadvantages. 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.

Incentive contracts should be used to motivate contractors to earn more by achieving better performance and controlling costs. When you build a foundation in incentive contracts, you will be able to…

Incentive contracts should be used to motivate contractors to earn more by achieving better performance and controlling costs. When you build a foundation in incentive contracts, you will be able to better drive performance and cost efficiency. 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.

Cost-reimbursement contracts for services, supplies, and research and development come with a set of unique demands and requirements. Contracting personnel are tasked with understanding the various…

Cost-reimbursement contracts for services, supplies, and research and development come with a set of unique demands and requirements. Contracting personnel are tasked with understanding the various types of cost-reimbursement contracts, 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.

Government contracting personnel must understand the statutes and case laws that provide context to manage complex acquisitions. You will gain hands-on experience resolving complex acquisition issues…

Government contracting personnel must understand the statutes and case laws that provide context to manage complex acquisitions. You will 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.

Negotiation is a powerful tool and is critical when seeking the best value for the government. In this course, you will learn your negotiation style, the negotiation process, win-win negotiation…

Negotiation is a powerful tool and is critical 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.

The streamlined process for acquiring commercial products and commercial services can save your project time and money, but it requires a nuanced understanding of FAR Part 12 to be effective. You will…

The streamlined process for acquiring commercial products and commercial services can save your project time and money, but it requires a nuanced understanding of FAR Part 12 to be effective. You will learn how to determine what is a commercial product or commercial service and follow a more efficient and cost-effective acquisition strategy. You will also 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.