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.

Simply put, cloud computing is the access of information through the internet from a third-party provider. However, as federal agencies move to the cloud, acquisition professionals are faced with…

Simply put, cloud computing is the access of information through the internet from a third-party provider. However, as federal agencies move to the cloud, acquisition professionals are faced with complex challenges regarding interoperability, data security, reliability, and performance management. You will learn the unique terminology and issues at each stage of the cloud acquisition life cycle. By demystifying this concept, you’ll be prepared to participate in a cloud acquisition with confidence.

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.

Critical thinking skills are imperative when assessing cyber risk throughout the contracting lifecycle. Learn how to safeguard your contracts by understanding today’s rapidly changing cybersecurity…

Critical thinking skills are imperative when assessing cyber risk throughout the contracting lifecycle. Learn how to safeguard your contracts by understanding today’s rapidly changing cybersecurity regulations and their impact on the contracting world. You will become vigilant in watching for any cybersecurity threats and be able to quickly react to any possible breach.

Note: This course is focused on government and contractor systems and the sharing of controlled unclassified information as part of the acquisition process.

Agile approaches to IT procurement have become more common in Federal acquisition. With guidance from the TechFAR Handbook and the Digital Services Playbook, you will learn the strategies for applying…

Agile approaches to IT procurement have become more common in Federal acquisition. With guidance from the TechFAR Handbook and the Digital Services Playbook, you will learn the strategies for applying Agile practices and how to execute them in your own IT procurements. Real-world scenarios will highlight best practices for Agile approaches throughout the IT acquisition lifecycle by saving time, reducing risk, and improving IT contract quality.

Acquisition specialists are shifting their mindsets to meet project management mandates set by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) for…

Acquisition specialists are shifting their mindsets to meet project management mandates set by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) for implementing Agile information technology (IT) projects. As the government moves toward a more adaptive acquisition framework, you must employ Agile-based project management approaches to accomplish the acquisition strategy. You will learn how to use flexible acquisition techniques that align with less rigid procurement policies and procedures through scenario-based exercises.

The Federal Government spends over $80 billion on information technology (IT) each fiscal year—in support of national health, security, the economy, and more. Given this significant investment and the…

The Federal Government spends over $80 billion on information technology (IT) each fiscal year—in support of national health, security, the economy, and more. Given this significant investment and the criticality of these IT systems, Federal agencies must carry out acquisitions in an effective and responsible way. You will cover planning, procuring, and managing IT acquisitions and also address special considerations such as accessibility and security. You will return to work ready to support future IT challenges at your agency.

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 items 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 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.

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 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. You will learn win-win negotiation techniques, methods to counter win-lose techniques, and preaward and…

Negotiation is a powerful tool and is critical when seeking the best value for the government. You will learn win-win negotiation techniques, methods to counter win-lose techniques, and preaward and postaward negotiation tactics. You will practice these skills in a range of mock negotiation exercises and will leave the class ready to apply these techniques on site.

The streamlined process for acquiring commercial items 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…

The streamlined process for acquiring commercial items 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 item 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.

Change is inevitable on a government contract, and is often substantial— affecting price, quality, quantity, or delivery. The first step to an effective change is to understand concepts such as scope,…

Change is inevitable on a government contract, and is often substantial— affecting price, quality, quantity, or delivery. The first step to an effective 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.