Course Descriptions

 

CON 100

Shaping Smart Business Arrangements (online)

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.

Length: All online courses are to be completed within 60 days of the date the student is registered. 

Prerequisites: None

CLPs: 16

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FCN 110

Mission Support Planning (online)

Description:

This course goes through the elements of the procurement planning process.  It is for civilian agency students new to acquisition as well as those civilian agency acquisition workforce members who want to understand more about the procurement process.  It is the first in a series of three courses that describes from a high level the procurement and contracting processes, rules and regulations. The focus of this course is on civilian agency procurement and the Federal Acquisition Regulations.   Students who want to know more about how the Department of Defense does procurement should take the classroom version, CON 110.

Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

• Identify role planning in Mission Support Strategies
• Use the Federal Acquisition Regulations
• Identify a Requirements Documents Strategy
• List the Socioeconomic and Other Considerations 
• List the methods of acquisition and types of contracts
• Identify the competition requirements
• List the requirements for an acquisition Strategy

Who Should Attend: Employees who are entering the contracting workforce and those involved in the acquisition process such as contracting officer representatives and program/project managers.

Length: All online courses are to be completed within 60 days of the date the student is registered. 

Prerequisite: None

CLPs: 17

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FCN 111

Missions Strategy Execution (online)

Description:

This course is the second is a series of three courses focused on the Federal Government’s procurement and contracting processes.   It focuses on the requirements and solicitation stages.  It is for students new to procurement as well as those civilian agency acquisition workforce members who want to understand more about the procurement process.  The focus of this course is on civilian agency procurement and the Federal Acquisition Regulations.   Students who want to know more about how the Department of Defense does procurement should take the classroom version, CON 111.

Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

• Identify the elements of a procurement request package
• Identify the requirements for publicizing solicitations
• List the steps in solicitation development
• List the steps in the pre-award preparations
• Identify various techniques for price/cost analysis
• List the steps in the preparation for negotiation
• List the steps in the process of awarding a Contract

Who Should Attend: Employees who are entering the contracting workforce and those involved in the acquisition process such as contracting officer representatives and program/project managers.

Length: All online courses are to be completed within 60 days of the date the student is registered. 

Prerequisite: None

CLPs: 23

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FCN 112

Mission Performance Assessment (online)

Description:

Objectives:

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

• Quality and Acceptance
• Performance remedies
• Contract changes and modifications
• Invoicing
• Contract closeout

Who Should Attend: Employees who are entering the contracting workforce and those involved in the acquisition process such as contracting officer representatives and program/project managers.

Length: All online courses are to be completed within 60 days of the date the student is registered. 

Prerequisite: None

CLPs: 20

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CON 120

Mission Focused Contracting (classroom)

Description:

This is the capstone course for CON Level I students. It 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 gained in the previous CON Level I courses. 

CON 120 has a pre-classroom assignment students must complete prior to attending the course. The assignment forms part of the student's overall grade.

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.

Who Should Attend: Contracting professionals seeking their FAC-C level 1.

Length: 10 days

Prerequisites: CON 100, CON 110/FCN110, CON 111/FCN 111, and CON 112/FCN 112 in some combination.

CLPs: 80

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CON 200

Business Decisions for Contracting (online)

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. Participants will learn various techniques for building successful business relationships, the benefits of strategic sourcing and spend analysis, and the ins and outs of providing contract financing. Students will also 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:

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

• Given a customer’s acquisition requirements in a mission support environment, identify the importance of a good business relationship in achieving the customer’s performance expectations.
• Given an acquisition environment defined by budget cuts and increased scrutiny of government contracting, identify how strategic sourcing can improve the quality and cost related to the purchase of goods and services. 
• Given a complex service requirement, identify the principles of performance-based acquisition (PBA) that will apply to it.
• Given a complex requirement, identify the techniques that can be used to manage risk on an acquisition project.  
• Given an acquisition strategy that includes providing contract financing, identify the impact of this decision on the acquisition process.
• Given a complex acquisition situation, determine the appropriate contractual arrangement to support customer needs.
• Given an acquisition that provides Government property (GP) as a strategy to achieve an overall objective, identify the implications of that decision on the acquisition process.
• Given a complex acquisition and information on small business socio-economic programs, determine the impact of these programs on contracting decisions and how small businesses can support an acquisition.
• Given an unrestricted acquisition that has subcontracting possibilities, determine the subcontracting requirements that apply to the acquisition.  
• Given a complex competitive negotiated acquisition, determine the appropriate source selection methodology.
• Given an acquisition; determine if a prospective contractor is responsible. 

Who Should Attend: Contracting personnel with FAC-C Level I certification.  

Length: All online courses are to be completed within 60 days of the date the student is registered. 

Prerequisites: FAC-C Level I Certification.

CLPs: 25

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CON 215

Intermediate Contracting for Mission Support (classroom)

Description:

In this course students work in teams on an in-depth contract case study. This hands-on case study helps students develop critical thinking, customer needs analysis, procurement strategies, and source selection skills necessary for successful contract performance. Working in teams, students will conduct a spend analysis to identify opportunities for streamlining and consolidating requirements from multiple customers. Teams then will identify the commodity with the greatest potential for consolidation and work with their customers to refine a draft requirements package; develop acquisition, procurement, and source selection plans; create a solicitation; and respond to industry questions. Teams will also perform a variety of activities related to source selection and post-award issues. 

CON 215 has a pre-classroom assignment students must complete prior to attending the course.

Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

• Effectively communicate orally and in writing
• Participate as an effective, contributing acquisition team member
• Identify information or knowledge required in acquisition situations, use appropriate resources to locate such information, and determine the accuracy and validity of the information
• Effectively manage events, meetings, and workload in order to meet deadlines
• Use available technology to develop and implement effective business strategies
• Utilize a decision making and problem solving model/process to resolve a complex issue
• Apply applicable laws, regulations, and policies that impact a complex requirement

Who Should Attend: Contracting personnel with FAC-C Level I certification.  

Length: 8 days

Prerequisite: CON 200

CLPs: 64

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CON 216

Legal Considerations in Contracting (online)

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 FAC-C Level I certified.

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

Prerequisite: CON 215

CLPs: 23

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CON 217

Cost Analysis and Negotiation Techniques (classroom)

Description:

In this course students learn and apply more advanced pricing methods and techniques in order to analyze a contractor’s proposal and develop government negotiation objectives. This course also introduces the concepts necessary for successful negotiations. Students will use computers to aid in analysis and will receive a copy of all software tools used in class.

CON 217 has pre-classroom reading assignments and a graded quiz that must be completed before the first day of class.

Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

• Determine when cost analysis should be used
• Identify how to use and apply contract audit results
• Determine the adequacy of a contractor’s estimating and accounting systems
• Calculate a cost objective for direct material, direct labor, other direct costs, indirect costs, facilities capital cost of money, and profit/fee
• Calculate a price/cost objective using simple regression analysis, improvement curve analysis, and statistics
• Identify the key elements of successful contract negotiations

Who Should Attend: This course is for intermediate-level contracting personnel who are FAC-C Level I certified..

Length: 5 Days

Prerequisites: CON 216

CLPs: 40

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CON 218

Advance Contracting for Mission Support (classroom)

Description:

In this course students will demonstrate their ability to negotiate fair and reasonable prices, resolve legal issues, and respond to changing customer requirements during contract performance through a realistic case study based on a government acquisition. This highly interactive course gives students the opportunity to tackle complex contracting issues in a team environment that encourages open discussion and an exchange of ideas.

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 audit reports to prepare a negotiation objective
• Apply 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 FAC-C Level I certification.

Length: 10 days

Prerequisites: CON 217

CLPs: 76

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CON 353

Advanced Business Solutions for Mission Support (classroom)

Description:

This is the ten-day intensive FAC-C Level III Contracting certification course.  It is for advanced students to apply the skills and knowledge gained in their Level II courses and their work experience. Students will work in teams to develop innovative approaches and sound business solutions to the challenge of local work-related problems and broad and complex acquisition problems. Students will also work in teams to analyze assigned cases and topics in federal acquisition.

CON 353 has a pre-classroom assignment that students must complete prior to attending the course. The assignment forms part of the student's overall grade.

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: Advanced-level contracting personnel with Level II Contracting certification and minimum 3 years of contracting experience.

Prerequisites:

• FAC-C Level II
• One (1) year Contracting (CON) or Industrial/Contract Property Management (IND) experience after achieving FAC-C Level II.

Length: 10 days

CLPs: 80

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FCR 100

Contracting Officer's Representative Level I Course (online)

Description:

The Contracting Officer’s Representative Level I Course provides an overview of the COR's duties and responsibilities during the four contract phases -- Pre-Award, Post-Award, Contract Administration and Management, and Closeout. This course will prepare professionals for the Level I COR certification by addressing the aligned skills: Acquisition Planning; Market Research (Understanding the Marketplace); Defining Government Requirements in Commercial/Non-Commercial Terms; Effective Pre Award Communication; Technical Analysis of Proposals; Negotiation; Effective Contract Management; Performance Management; Inspection and Acceptance; Ethics. This course satisfies 7 of the required 8 hours of the Level I competencies required for the initial COR certification, effective January 1, 2012. Training for the remaining hour will be specified by each Agency Acquisition Career Manager or the Contracting Officer. This course has an exam after each module that must be passed at 100%. Learners will have 3 attempts to pass each exam successfully.

Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

• Understand Acquisition Planning;
• Know the definition and how to conduct Market Research (Understanding the Marketplace); 
• Know how to Define Government Requirements in Commercial/Non-Commercial Terms; 
• Understand Effective Pre Award Communication;
• Understand the Technical Analysis of Proposals;
• Define Negotiation;
• Understand the role of Effective Contract Management; Performance Management; and Inspection and Acceptance; 
• Understand Ethics

Who Should Attend: Employees who are entering the acquisition workforce and will be required to serve as Contracting Officer’s Representative.

Prerequisite: None

Length: All online courses are to be completed within 60 days of the date the student is registered. 

CLPs: 7

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FCR 201

Contracting Officer's Representative Level II Course (classroom)

Technical personnel play a vital role in acquiring equipment, systems, and support services by contract for the Government.  They prepare the work statement; evaluate proposals; recommend source selection; and, as the appointed contracting officer’s representative (COR), review, guide and direct the contractor’s performance. Program success relies upon their informed and timely input. Effective contracting requires that technical personnel possess and correctly apply technical and administrative skills. Most technical personnel become involved in acquisitions because of their technical expertise. This course looks to improving agency acquisitions and contractor performance by enhancing their knowledge and practical application of contracting principles.

Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

• Identify their responsibilities in the acquisition process and applicable requirements from the FAR and Agency policy.
• Address key elements of acquisition planning including market research, competition, source selection, contract type, use of indefinite delivery contracts, cost estimating, funding, special considerations for service contracts, logistical considerations, Government-furnished property and information, and security.
• Recognize authorized limitations on full and open competition; develop a justification for other than full and open competition, and support small business set-aside goals and programs.
• Prepare a performance-based work statement, source selection criteria, and technical proposal instructions.
• Observe solicitation constraints including communication with prospective offerors, disclosure of information, and confidentiality.
• Understand their input to the source selection process including the technical evaluation plan, evaluating proposals and reaching an agreement, cost realism and best value analysis, and source selection.
• Plan for quality and schedule assurance, select the appropriate remedy for nonconforming or delinquent performance, and prepare contractor performance evaluation reports.
• Support timely execution of contract modifications and avoid unauthorized changes.
• Provide timely technical direction within the scope of the contract requirements.
• Review payment requests and provide timely feedback.
• Know and appreciate standards of procurement ethics including areas of proscribed conduct under the Procurement Integrity Act and criminal conflict of interest statutes.

Who Should Attend: Individuals seeking FAC-COR Level 2 certification.

Prerequisite: None

Length: 5 days

CLPs: 40

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FPM 111

Project Management I (classroom)

Description:

This course returns new and non-practicing project managers to many of the basic key knowledge and skills they learned previously through coursework and/or experience, allowing them to apply that knowledge and skill in a safe environment through activity and interaction with their peers.

Project Management I refreshes participant knowledge and skills on foundational project management concepts and lays the groundwork for future, advanced studies.

Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

• Recognize systems life cycle management concepts used for information systems
• Recognize the need to implement alternative logistics support
• Define requirements in terms of performance-based outcomes, where appropriate
• Prepare project components to the task level in preparation for developing the WBS
• Recognize the role of an estimate in Total Ownership Cost/Life Cycle Cost process
• Recognize the risk and opportunity management process
• Recognize the need for a comprehensive Test and Evaluation (T&E) program
• Demonstrate techniques for managing a project
• Apply knowledge and skills learned in training to your job

Who Should Attend: New Program and Project Management professionals seeking their FAC-P/PM level 1.

Prerequisite: None

CLPs: 24

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FPM 112

Acquisition I (classroom)

Description:

This course covers the acquisition process from determining the requirements through market research and preparing the procurement package. Use of an integrated case study provides participants the opportunity to apply leadership, problem solving, and negotiation skills, plus the knowledge and skills they have gained in this course.

Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

• Describe the federal acquisition environment
• Discuss the requirements development process
• Describe concept selection
• Discuss the technology development process
• Conduct market research
• Prepare a procurement package
• Create an on-the-job action plan

Who Should Attend: New Program and Project Management professionals seeking their FAC-P/PM level 1.

Prerequisite: None

CLPs: 24

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FPM 113

Earned Value Management & Cost Estimating I (classroom)

Description:

This course provides the foundation for effective cost estimating, federal budgeting, and implementing earned value management (EVM) on projects. It provides participants the opportunity to apply the associated competencies and aligned skills.

Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

• Describe the federal acquisition environment
• Estimate project costs
• Describe the federal budget process
• Allocate funds from each type of appropriation
• Describe key concepts and terms relating to earned value management
• Implement best practices to document project scope
• Develop a performance measurement baseline and establish a management reserve
• Establish objective performance measures
• Evaluate an integrated master schedule
• Analyze earned value management data
• Identify, plan, and track project risk
• Prepare for and conduct an integrated baseline review
• Create an on-the-job action plan

Who Should Attend: New Program and Project Management professionals seeking their FAC-P/PM level 1.

Prerequisite: None

CLPs: 24

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FPM 114

Leadership & Professional Skills I (classroom)

Description:

All professionals in a workplace environment can benefit from the knowledge and tools required to maximize performance in the workplace. This course will equip you with the necessary leadership and professional skills to effectively manage small, low risk projects.

Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

• Resolve project team skill gaps
• Hold project team members accountable for results
• Apply relationship-building skills with project team members
• Recognize when different conflict management approaches are most effective
• Use effective oral and written communications skills with stakeholders
• Demonstrate customer service
• Create an on-the-job action plan

Who Should Attend: New Program and Project Management professionals seeking their FAC-P/PM level 1.

Prerequisite: None

CLPs: 16

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FPM 115

Government Specific I (classroom)

Description:

The intended audience for this course is federal, civilian project managers and employees involved in small, low-risk projects. 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.

This course comprises 50 percent lecture and 50 percent 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 roles and responsibilities in government acquisition projects
• Explain Management’s Responsibility for Internal Control (OMB Circular A-123) and Capital Asset Planning (OMB Exhibit 53)
• Implement a process by which the efforts of all acquisition personnel are integrated through a comprehensive plan
• Explain the need for the project/program manager to participate in pre-award actions required by acquisition planning (FAR Part 7.1)
• Develop a comprehensive program specification and requirements statement that fully and correctly define the program
• Formulate a source selection plan that allows for best value selection from competitive solicitations
• Establish a baseline of performance
• Support contract administrative actions
• Oversee the application of Total Life Cycle Systems Management (TLCSM)
• Create an on-the-job action plan

Who Should Attend: New Program and Project Management professionals seeking their FAC-P/PM level 1.

Prerequisite: None

CLPs: 24

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FPM 211

Project Management II (classroom)

Description:

Project Management II serves as a capstone of the mid-level project management coursework area. Participants will apply the FAC-P/PM competencies and aligned skills through a series of case study exercises that compels them to work at both the program and project management level.

Develop the skills and competencies to successfully manage agency programs. Use a threaded case study to understand the challenges of managing programs in a civilian government agency. Apply competencies through a simulation integrated around the acquisition life cycle, and respond to various program management situations. Focus on the roles and issues faced in the federal arena.

Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

• Manage a project with little or no supervision
• Develop a lifecycle plan for delivering, maintaining, and retiring a product that includes supply chain considerations
• Establish a requirements development process that provides traceability back to user-defined capabilities
• Define requirements to meet needs including, where appropriate, performance-based outcomes and setting performance standards
• Assist in the development of an estimate in Total Ownership Cost (TOC)
• Formulate the key features of the T&E program, including modeling and simulation
• Formulate the key features of a risk/opportunity management process
• Develop and document an integrated master schedule
• Create an on-the-job action plan

Who Should Attend: Program and Project Management professionals seeking their FAC-P/PM level 2.

Prerequisite: FAC-P/PM Level 1

CLPs: 24

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FPM 212

Earned Value Management & Cost Estimating II (classroom)

Description:

This course is designed for mid-level program and project managers to increase their effectiveness in implementing earned value management on their programs and projects. It addresses the Earned Value Management and Cost Estimating coursework area defined by FAI and provides participants the opportunity to apply the associated competencies and aligned skills.

Participants will apply cost estimating and earned value management techniques to a project case study. During the case study, they will practice business financial planning and management, cost estimating and budgeting, performance measurement and reporting, cost and schedule variance, and program and project trends and forecasting.

Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

• Identify the information system for financial management reporting
• Analyze resource needs for management, including planning for an EVM program linked to risk
• Conduct EVM analysis and implementing changes based on analysis
• Apply business process re-engineering methods for continuous improvement
• Use agency policy/instructions for financial planning, programming, budget development, and budget execution
• Prepare cost estimate in accordance with OMB A-94 Guidelines and discount rates for benefit-cost analysis of federal programs
• Produce an FY budget submission and instructions on budget execution to ensure financial reporting and oversight
• Create an on-the-job action plan

Who Should Attend: Program and Project Management professionals seeking their FAC-P/PM level 2.

Prerequisite: FAC-P/PM Level 1

CLPs: 24

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FPM 213

Leadership & Professional Skills II (classroom)

Description:

This course is designed to build the leadership skills necessary to manage and lead high-performing program/project teams. It is designed for mid-level program/project managers and satisfies the Leadership coursework area necessary for FAC-P/PM certification at the Mid-Level.

Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

• Think strategically
• Display entrepreneurship
• Demonstrate creativity and innovation
• Partner with stakeholders effectively
• Build teams/IPT
• Leverage diversity
• Manage conflict
• Create an on-the-job action plan

Who Should Attend: Program and Project Management professionals seeking their FAC-P/PM level 2.

Prerequisite: FAC-P/PM Level 1

CLPs: 16

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FPM 214

Government Specific II (classroom)

Description:

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.

This course comprises 40 percent lecture and 60 percent activities including facilitated discussions, individual and team exercises, and an integrated case study.

Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

• Develop an overall strategy for managing the acquisition, coordination, and development of the acquisition strategy
• Identify the key features of pre-award actions required by acquisition planning
• Formulate the key features of a comprehensive program specification and requirements statement
• Use strategic sourcing when building and finalizing requirements across the program
• Identify and develop source selection criteria, including risk analysis method
• Conduct performance baseline reviews
• Identify and track contract performance and administrative actions
• Evaluate a team’s group dynamics and its ability to accomplish work
• Create an on-the-job action plan

Who Should Attend: Program and Project Management professionals seeking their FAC-P/PM level 2.

Prerequisite: FAC-P/PM Level 1

CLPs: 24

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FPM 311

Acquisition Strategy Environment for Program Managers (classroom)

Description:

This course focuses on honing participants’ knowledge, skills and abilities to identify key issues that can inhibit a project/program from moving forward and, once identified, how to change the environment across decision support systems to meet strategic department/agency needs.  With the use of participants’ real-life examples, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) IT major program case scenario, individual and group activities, and analysis of current events, participants navigate through federal department/agency decision support systems and learn how to develop an executable, comprehensive acquisition strategy.

Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

• Conduct needs, gap, alternative, and issues analysis
• Assess material and non-material approaches
• Conduct effectiveness, suitability, and critical technologies assessments
• Monitor and oversee estimated costs, sensitivities, risks, and competition activities

Who Should Attend: Program and Project Management professionals seeking their FAC-P/PM level 3.

Prerequisite: FAC-P/PM Level 2

CLPs: 32

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FPM 312

Acquisition Policy Planning, Programming and Budgeting for Program Managers (classroom)

Description:

This course focuses on honing participants’ knowledge, skills and abilities to utilize federal resources and acquisition policies and regulations. With the use of participants’ real-life examples, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) IT major program case scenario, individual and group activities, and analysis of current events, the course outlines the planning, programming, budgeting, and contracting process with an emphasis on the specific products/artifacts a program team must produce, in conjunction with financial managers, cost estimators, and a Procuring Contracting Officer (PCO), to meet a program’s strategic goals. Participants will learn how to navigate the OMB Circular A-11 process as well as implement a business strategy within FAR constraints -from overall acquisition strategy, through program justification with a business case and estimates, to final contract award. Emphasis is on developing a partnership between the Program Manager (PM), Financial/Cost Manager (FM) and the PCO and on leading the development and implementation of a successful acquisition strategy. Cases used integrate the wide variety of PM, FM and PCO team considerations - from cost vs. fixed price and need for performance-based approaches to sub-contractors and affiliated government organizations - and highlight the potential for unintended consequences and complexities in contracting for major systems within a department/agency.

Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

• Understand the planning, programming, budgeting, and contracting process
• Navigate the OMB Circular A-11 process and implement a business strategy within FAR constraints
• Develop partnerships with key players leading the development and implementation of a successful acquisition strategy.
• Comprehend acquisition team considerations in acquisition approaches

Who Should Attend: Program and Project Management professionals seeking their FAC-P/PM level 3.

Prerequisite: FAC-P/PM Level 2

CLPs: 32

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FPM 313

Integrated Program Management and Key Acquisition Topics for Program Managers (classroom)

Description:

This course focuses on honing participants’ knowledge, skills and abilities to lead a major program through implementation. With the use of participants’ real-life examples, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) IT major program case scenario, individual and group activities, and analysis of current events, participants apply the skills and competencies required of senior program managers to successfully leverage the synergies of the various disciplines to guide their organizations in a complex acquisition environment. The course covers critical topics including: team leadership and management, program detailed planning, technology development and requirements management, earned value management, risk management, scheduling, system engineering, logistics, testing and evaluation management.

Who Should Attend: Program and Project Management professionals seeking their FAC-P/PM level 3.

Prerequisite: FAC-P/PM Level 2

CLPs: 32

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FPM 314

Program Performance Measurement and Acquisition Reporting for Program Managers (classroom)

Description:

This course focuses on honing participants’ knowledge, skills and abilities to apply advanced techniques to optimally collect, organize, analyze and report on project progress and performance. With the use of participants’ real-life examples, a “Firebird Scenario” - a major program case scenario, individual and group activities, and analysis of current events, participants use advanced software tools to maximize the use of their performance management system. Participants will be exposed to the leadership challenges involving the implementation of, best practices that integrate performance information - from cost estimating, risk management, earned value management (EVM) to scheduling and technical performance.

Who Should Attend: Program and Project Management professionals seeking their FAC-P/PM level 3.

Prerequisite: FAC-P/PM Level 2

CLPs: 32

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FQN PBA3

Performance-Based Acquisition (classroom)

Description:

This course gives acquisition professionals the knowledge and tools needed to plan and award performance-based contracts using a Statement of Objectives approach. A seven-step process is taught to develop a performance-based acquisition structured around the desired outcome.

The course is organized around the following steps:

1. Establish the Integrated Solutions Team
2. Define the Need and Conduct Market Research
3. Develop the Statement of Objectives (SOO)
4. Develop the Competitive Pool
5. Conduct Due Diligence
6. Select the Best Solution
7. Deliver Results through Partnership

Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Describe the purpose and benefits of performance-based acquisitions
• Differentiate the SOO-based process from more traditional approaches
• Identify the benefits of the SOO-based approach
• Describe the methodologies and processes used in each of the steps

Prerequisites: None

Length: 3 days

CLPs: 21

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FCN 400

Emergency Contracting Basics (classroom)

Description:

This course provides students with the knowledge necessary to procure goods and services required to support emergency and disaster recovery activities.

Prerequisites: None

Length: 2 days

CLPs: 13

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