FAC-C Course Descriptions

FAC-C LEVEL I REQUIREMENTS

CON 100

Shaping Smart Business Arrangements

Description:
This course is a FAC-C Level I certification training course. Employees who are entering the acquisition career field will gain a comprehensive understanding of the environment in which they will serve. Students will develop professional skills for making business decisions and for advising other acquisition team members in successfully meeting customers' needs. Knowledge management and information systems will be introduced as well.

Objectives:
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  • Describe the acquisition/contracting mission and its impact on the American economic system;
  • Describe the importance of the oversight roles of the Government Accountability Office.
  • Explain the characteristics and responsibilities of the contracting professional in the role of a business advisor;
  • Explain the distinctive interests of both the buyer and seller and the role those interests play;
  • Describe commercial acquisition and government unique requirements of market research in identifying the best arrangements to meet mission requirements; and
  • Explain e-business and information technology in supporting business processes.

Who Should Attend: Employees who are entering the contracting workforce or those new to the government.

Prerequisites: None

Length: 4 or 5 class days depending on the course provider


CON 120

Mission Focused Contracting

Description:
This course is a FAC-C Level I certification training course. Mission Focused Contracting is the Capstone Course for Level I Certification. This course engages the students in the entire acquisition process from meeting with the customer to completing the contract closeout process. Students will have an opportunity to learn and apply leadership, problem-solving, and negotiation skills. Using an integrated case study approach, students will apply the knowledge and skills.

Objectives:
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  • Provide contracting advice based on market research;
  • Prepare a solicitation package;
  • Prepare, award, and debrief a contract requirement;
  • Evaluate price reasonableness and conduct price negotiations;
  • Plan and conduct a post-award conference; and
  • Modify a contract, exercise a contract option, and complete the contract closeout process.

Prerequisites: CON 100 and CON 112

Who Should Attend: Students must complete the assignments prior to the class start date. This material will be covered on the final exam. Details will be provided prior to the class start date.

Length: 10 class days


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FAC-C LEVEL II REQUIREMENTS

CON 214

Business Decisions for Contracting

Description:
Business Decisions for Contracting builds on contracting Level I pre-award business and contracting knowledge necessary to process complex procurements. The emphasis of this course is on planning successful mission-support strategies and executing an acquisition that optimizes customer mission performance. Professionals will learn the techniques for building successful business relationships, the benefits of strategic sourcing and spend analysis, and the ins and outs of providing contract financing. Also, professionals will take an in-depth look at subcontracting, how to conduct a formal source selection, and how to analyze the information necessary to determine contractor responsibility.

Objectives:
Those who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  • Identify how business relationships affect customer support
  • Identify a strategic sourcing recommendation based upon the results of a spend analysis
  • Identify contract risks and appropriate management strategies
  • Select the appropriate contract financing terms and/or conditions for a given contract
  • Determine subcontract requirements
  • Identify the source selection processes and procedures
  • Determine if a contractor is responsible

Who Should Attend: This course is for intermediate-level contracting personnel who are Level I certified in Contracting and have 2 years of contracting experience.

Prerequisite(s): CON 120, Mission Focused Contracting, if assigned to an Industrial/Contract Property Management position

Predecessor Course(s): CON 202, Intermediate Contracting

Course Length: You have 60 calendar days to complete this course. The course consists of 9 lessons that could be completed in approximately 19 hours.

Method of Delivery: Distance Learning

CON 215

Intermediate Contracting for Mission Support

Description:
Intermediate Contracting for Mission Support is a case study in which students apply the knowledge and skills learned in the Level I Contracting courses and CON 214. Students demonstrate their ability to develop and execute business strategies to meet customer requirements. This case helps to develop critical thinking, customer needs analysis, procurement strategy development, and source selection skills necessary for successful contract performance.

Objectives:
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  • Develop a variety of options/alternate strategies to meet mission needs and promote customer satisfaction
  • Apply appropriate laws, regulations, and policies to a complex procurement
  • Apply formal source selection procedures
  • Conduct a competitive discussion
  • Execute the appropriate contract arrangement to support customer needs

Who Should Attend: Intermediate-level contracting personnel with Level I Contracting certification and minimum 2 years of contracting experience.

Prerequisites: FAC-C Level I and CON 214.

Length: 8 days

CON 216

Legal Considerations in Contracting

Description:
This course focuses on legal considerations in the procurement process. Participants are introduced to the basic principles and sources of law relevant to procurement, including fiscal law. The course also addresses various other legal issues that may develop during the course of a contract, such as protests, assignment of claims, disputes, fraud, contractor debt, performance issues, and contract termination.

Objectives:
Those who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  • Identify the legal and ethical principles that apply to government contracts
  • Identify different processes through which challenges may be filed against a federal acquisition
  • Identify the legal obligations of both parties when a contract performance issue arises
  • Identify formal dispute-resolution procedures under the Contract Disputes Act
  • Identify criminal, civil, and administrative remedies for contract fraud
  • Identify the tools for recovering monies owed the government
  • Select the process and procedures for terminating a contract

Who Should Attend: This course is for intermediate level contracting personnel who are Level I certified in Contracting and have 2 years of contracting experience.

Prerequisite(s): CON 215, Mission-Performance Assessment, if assigned to an Industrial/Contract Property Management position

Predecessor Course(s): CON 210, Government Contract Law

Course Length: You have 60 calendar days to complete this course. The course consists of 11 lessons that could be completed in approximately 23 hours.

Method of Delivery: Distance Learning

CON 217

Cost Analysis and Negotiation Technique

Description:
Cost Analysis and Negotiation Techniques builds on the basic pricing skills covered in the Level I Contracting curriculum and introduces methods and techniques necessary to analyze a contractor’s cost proposal and to develop a government negotiation objective. Students will apply the cost analysis techniques to analyze a contractor’s proposal and develop a cost objective. The course also introduces negotiation terminology, styles, and techniques.

Objectives:
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  • Determine when cost analysis should be used
  • Identify the use and application of a contract audit
  • Make a determination on a contractor’s estimating and accounting systems
  • Calculate a cost objective for direct material, direct labor, other direct costs, indirect costs, facilities cost of money, and profit/fee
  • Calculate a price/cost objective using simple regression analysis, learning curve analysis, and statistics
  • Outline the process for conducting contract negotiations

Who Should Attend: This course is for intermediate-level contracting personnel who are Level I certified in Contracting and have 2 years of contracting experience.

Prerequisites: CON 216, Legal Considerations in Contracting

Predecessor Course(s): CON 204, Intermediate Contract Pricing

Course Length: TBA

Method of Delivery: Classroom Instruction

CON 218

Advance Contracting for Mission Support

Description:
In this course students apply the knowledge and skills learned in the Levels I and II courses. Students demonstrate their ability to negotiate fair and reasonable prices and to consider the legal implications for various contract situations. This case study helps to develop critical thinking, cost analysis, negotiation, and contract administration skills necessary for successful contract performance.

Objectives:
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  • Develop a proactive strategic approach to satisfy the customer’s evolving requirements
  • Take appropriate action to resolve various situations with legal implications
  • Use a DCAA audit report to prepare a negotiation objective
  • Apply the full range of contract pricing techniques to develop a pre-negotiation objective
  • Develop a negotiation strategy for a noncompetitive negotiation
  • Conduct a noncompetitive negotiation
  • Manage contract performance in accordance with the contract

Who Should Attend: Intermediate-level contracting personnel with Level I Contracting certification and minimum 2 years of contracting experience.

Prerequisites: CON 214, CON 215, CON 216, and CON 217.

Length: 10 days

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FAC-C LEVEL III REQUIREMENTS

CON 353

Advanced Business Solutions

Description:
This course is a FAC-C Level III certification training course. Through realistic scenario-based learning, students work in teams to practice developing sound business solutions as a valued strategic and expert business advisor. Student course work is designed to contribute solutions to senior leadership and local supervisors and to provide resources for the Contracting career field via the course community of practice.

Objectives:
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  • Effectively participate with project teams, exercise business leadership, and apply expertise (technical, business, and financial) resulting in business solutions that improve mission support;
  • Innovate and use best practices in combination with critical thinking, problem solving, and dilemma resolution skills for improved planning, execution, and performance management outcomes;
  • Develop business solutions that reflect consideration of risk and impacts on performance and synthesize policy as well as interests of functional team members and the marketplace; and
  • Contribute to the development and implementation of change through an improved understanding of the legislative, regulatory, and policy processes.

Who Should Attend: Experienced Contracting professionals with Level II certification.

Prerequisites: CON 218 and FAC-C Level II Certification

Length: 10 class days


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FAC-P/PM CAPSTONE COURSES

FAC- P/PM ENTRY LEVEL CAPSTONE COURSE

FAC-P/PM 100

Description:
This required course is designed as a capstone conclusion to satisfying the requirements for the Federal Acquisition Certification for Program and Project Managers (FAC-P/PM) for the Entry certification level. This course satisfies the government specific competency set for FAC-P/PM certification. This course comprises 50% lecture and 50% activities including facilitated discussions, exercises, and assignments. A case study is used throughout the course.

Objectives:
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  • Discuss project management roles and issues within the federal government.
  • Examine the intersection of basic acquisition, basic project management, leadership and interpersonal skills, and earned value management and cost estimating.
  • Identify the relationship between effective leadership and project management.
  • Describe processes for pre-award, source selection using best value, acquisition, integrated baseline review, operational test and evaluation, total life cycle systems management, cost estimating and earned value management, financial planning.
  • Identify how to negotiate for the appropriate level of support, establish performance baselines, manage projects, and measure performance.
  • Interpret project situations, identify decisions based on effective project strategy, and identify project and plan changes.

Prerequisites: Prerequisites exist for this course. Participants in this course are expected to have satisfied all other FAC-P/PM requirements for certification at the Entry/Apprentice level including the competency sets for: basic acquisition, basic project management, leadership and interpersonal skills, and earned value management and cost estimates. These prerequisites include: knowledge and skills to perform as a project team member; ability to manage low risk and relatively simple projects or to manage more complex projects under direct supervision of a more experienced manager; an overall understanding of project management practices, including performance-based acquisition; recognition of an agency’s requirements development processes; ability to define and construct various project documents, under supervision; knowledge of, and involvement in, the definition, initiation, conceptualization or design of project requirements. For a complete description of the prerequisites please visit the Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI) website www.fai.gov

Participants in this class are expected to complete a written pre-class assignment and to complete a written in-class assignment. The pre-class assignment will be described in the class Welcome Letter. The in-class assignment will be described during the beginning of the class. The in-class assignment will involve applying class-related concepts or techniques to address a significant problem or situation associated with a project in the participant’s workplace. Satisfactory completion of the written in-class assignment, as well as satisfactory participation in class, are required to obtain the course completion certificate.

Who Should Attend: The intended audience for this course is federal civilian project managers and employees involved as project team members. It is particularly valuable for individuals who are interested in the systematic integration and application of project management topics and who are interested in focusing on the roles and issues of the project manager in the federal environment. The intended audience is open-minded and will benefit from a participative classroom learning environment with facilitated discussions and knowledge sharing.

Length: 5 class days

FAC- P/PM MID-LEVEL CAPSTONE COURSE

FAC-P/PM 200

Description:
This required course is designed as a capstone conclusion to satisfying the requirements for the Federal Acquisition Certification for Program and Project Managers (FAC-P/PM) for the Mid certification level. This course satisfies the government specific competency set for FAC-P/PM certification. This course comprises 40% lecture and 60% activities including facilitated discussions, exercises, and assignments. A case study is used throughout the course.

Objectives:
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  • Discuss project/program management roles and issues within the federal government.
  • Examine the intersection of project/program management, leadership and interpersonal skills, and earned value management and cost estimates.
  • Identify the relationship between effective leadership and project/program management.
  • Oversee development of project/program management plans, contract management approach, solicitation and source selection, and requirements management approach.
  • Explain the value of negotiating a baseline of performance, key features of requirements and support documentation, use of life cycle logistics in project/program management.
  • Interpret program situations, identify decisions based on effective project/program strategy, and identify program and plan changes.

Prerequisites: Prerequisites exist for this course. Participants in this course are expected to have satisfied all other FAC-P/PM requirements for certification at the Mid level including the competency sets for: project/program management, leadership and interpersonal skills, and earned value management and cost estimates. These prerequisites include: knowledge and skills to manage program/project segments of low to moderate risk with little or no supervision; ability to apply management processes (including requirements development processes and performance-based acquisition principles), plan technology developments and demonstrations, and apply agency policy on interoperability; ability to identify and track actions to initiate an acquisition program/project using cost/benefit analysis; ability to identify and apply the process to prepare information for a baseline review, and to assist in development of total ownership cost estimates; and ability to manage program/project segments and distinguish between program and project work. For a complete description of the prerequisites please visit the Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI) website www.fai.gov

Participants in this class are expected to complete a written pre-class assignment and to complete a written in-class assignment. The pre-class assignment will be described in the class Welcome Letter. The in-class assignment will be described during the beginning of the class. The in-class assignment will involve applying class-related concepts or techniques to address a significant problem or situation associated with a project/program in the participant’s workplace. Satisfactory completion of the written in-class assignment, as well as satisfactory participation in class, are required to obtain the course completion certificate.

Who Should Attend: The intended audience for this course is federal civilian project/program managers. It is particularly valuable for individuals who are interested in the systematic integration and application of project/program management topics and who are interested in focusing on the roles and issues of the project/program manager in the federal environment. The intended audience is open-minded and will benefit from a participative classroom learning environment with facilitated discussions and knowledge sharing.

Length: 5 class days

FAC- P/PM SENIOR/EXPERT LEVEL CAPSTONE COURSE

FAC-P/PM 300

Description:
This required course is designed as a capstone conclusion to satisfying the requirements for the Federal Acquisition Certification for Program and Project Managers (FAC-P/PM) for the Senior/Expert certification level. This course satisfies the government specific competency set for FAC-P/PM certification. This course comprises 20% lecture and 80% activities including facilitated discussions, exercises, and assignments. A case study is used throughout the course.

Objectives:
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  • Discuss program management roles and issues within the federal government.
  • Examine the intersection of advanced acquisition, program management, leadership and interpersonal skills, and earned value management and cost estimates.
  • Identify the relationship between effective leadership and program management.
  • Oversee processes for business and financial planning, acquisition strategy and planning, resource planning, monitoring and selecting design solutions, interoperability, modular open systems approach, logistics support, and total life cycle systems management.
  • Identify how to perform effective program management, performance-based contract management, decision-making based on system-wide analysis, entrepreneurship, and strategic thinking.
  • Interpret program situations, identify decisions based on effective program strategy, and identify program and plan changes.

Prerequisites: Prerequisites exist for this course. Participants in this course are expected to have satisfied all other FAC-P/PM requirements for certification at the Senior/Expert level including the competency sets for: advanced acquisition, program management, leadership and interpersonal skills, and earned value management and cost estimates. These prerequisites include: knowledge and skills to manage and evaluate moderate to high-risk programs or projects that require significant acquisition investment and agency knowledge and experience; ability to manage and evaluate a program and create an environment for program success; ability to manage and evaluate the requirements development process, overseeing junior level team members in creation, development, and implementation, recognition of an agency’s requirements development processes; ability to use, manage, and evaluate management processes, including performance-based management techniques; and ability to manage and evaluate the use of earned value management as it relates to acquisition investments. For a complete description of the prerequisites please visit the Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI) website www.fai.gov

Participants in this class are expected to complete a written pre-class assignment and to complete a written in-class assignment. The pre-class assignment will be described in the class Welcome Letter. The in-class assignment will be described during the beginning of the class. The in-class assignment will involve applying class-related concepts or techniques to address a significant problem or situation associated with a project/program in the participant’s workplace. Satisfactory completion of the written in-class assignment, as well as satisfactory participation in class, are required to obtain the course completion certificate.

Who Should Attend: The intended audience for this course is federal civilian program managers. It is particularly valuable for individuals who are interested in the systematic integration and application of program management topics and who are interested in focusing on the roles and issues of the program manager in the federal environment. The intended audience is open-minded and will benefit from a participative classroom learning environment with facilitated discussions and knowledge sharing.

Length: 5 class days

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CONTINUOUS LEARNING COURSES

IBN

Interest Based Negotiations

Description:
The two-day class will teach acquisition professionals how to use interest-based negotiations (IBN) to reach mutually beneficial agreements with vendors, internal departments, colleagues, and other stakeholders. IBN focuses on finding creative, integrative solutions that satisfy each party’s interests and needs, resulting in the best possible negotiated outcome. This interactive course will include dynamic hands-on negotiating exercises that will allow participants to apply collaborative, problem-solving techniques to realistic acquisition challenges.

Objectives:
Upon completion of the two-day Interest-Based Negotiations class, participants will be able to:

  • Explain the difference between position-based and interest-based negotiations
  • Describe the principles of interest-based negotiations
  • Identify techniques for negotiating with difficult people
  • Identify the characteristics and benefits of, and approach to building an effective negotiation team

Prerequisites: None

Who Should Attend: The target audience for the IBN course is acquisition workforce personnel at all levels including, but not limited to, contracting professionals, project and program managers, contracting officer representatives, and project officers.

Length: 2 class days


PBA

Performance-Based Acquisition

Description:
The training course addresses the unique aspects of acquiring services and embodies the 7 Steps to Performance-Based Service Acquisition.

Objectives:
After successful completion of this training course, the student will be able to:

  • Discuss the unique aspects of service acquisition;
  • Analyze requirements with respect to the ability to contract based on performance
  • Determine if the requirement document is performance based;
  • Select the method of contracting and source selection process in a performance-based environment;
  • Prepare a QASP; and
  • Administer a performance-based service contract.

Who Should Attend: Personnel who have a general understanding of the acquisition process.

Length: 5 days


ERR 200

Objectives:

Emergency Response and Recovery

Description:
This course leads to certification in Emergency Response and Recovery (ERR) Contracting and membership in the ERR Cadre. In addtion, it provides members with the knowledge necessary to procure goods and services required to support emergency and disaster recovery activities.

Objectives:
After succesful completioin of this training course, the student will be able to:

  • Describe the responsibilities of key players in the ERR contracting process
  • Explain the acquisition process at a disaster and describe how it differs from standard contracting
  • Analyze procurement requests
  • Understand the required documents and process for completing and filing those documents at a JFO
  • Procedure needed goods and services during a disaster
  • Describe flexibilities in the FAR Part 18 permitted for disaster contracting as well as limitations

Who Should Attend: Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) certified GS-1102 contracting professionals, or others performing similar functions, who have volunteered to assist FEMA and other agencies during the recovery phase of national emergencies and disasters will benefit from attending this course.

Prerequisites: IS 100 -Introduction to Incident Command System

IS 800B -National Response Framework, An Introduction

Contracting Level I certification

Read the OFPP Emergency Acquisition Handbook

Length: 2 days

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