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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Training Requirement Policies from the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP)
Continuous Learning
Federal Acquisition Certification - Contracting (FAC-C)
FAC-P/PM Certification
Vendor Consortium
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TRAINING REQUIREMENT POLICIES FROM THE OFFICE OF FEDERAL PROCUREMENT POLICY (OFPP)
What are these new policies from the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP)?
The first is OFPP Policy Letter 05-01. This policy letter establishes new training requirements for the entire civilian acquisition workforce and new certifications in targeted acquisition career fields. It mandates the workforce's use of a federally based training database, ACMIS. The policy letter also establishes a new position, Acquisition Career Manager (ACM), at each agency, to monitor and manage the training and certification of the acquisition workforce within their agency. The second is Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo 06-01. This memo establishes the requirements and guidance for the Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C), which is a federally recognized program for the acquisition workforce that sets forth the required training, experience and education for certification of contracting professionals.
Does this Policy Letter affect all agencies or just my Agency?
The Office of Federal Procurement Policy Letter 05-01 applies to all of the federal executive agencies. The OMB Memo 06-01 applies to all federal executive agencies except those that are subject to Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA).
How do I know if I am subject to the continuous learning requirements?
Generally, if you are a GS 1102, 1105, or any other warranted job series and hold a Contracting Officer (CO) warrant above the micropurchase threshold, you are required to earn 80 Continuous Learning Points (CLPs) of skills currency training every two years. Generally, if you are a Contracting Officer Representative (COR), you are required to earn 40 CLPs of skills currency training every two years. Each agency may also identify employees other than Contract Specialists and CORs as members of the acquisition workforce and establish training requirements for them. See your agency ACM for details.
How do I know if I am subject to the Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C)?
Generally, anyone receiving a warrant at their agency or department for the first time after January 01, 2007 must have a FAC-C. Please see the FAC-C section for more FAQs. CORs are not required by OFPP to hold FAC-C.
CONTINUOUS LEARNING
How many Continuous Learning Points (CLPs) do I need?
Eighty (80) Continuous Learning Points are required every two years for acquisition workforce members with a FAC-C or a FAC-P/PM. Forty Continuous Learning Points are required every two years for acquisition workforce members with a FAC-COR.
What is the two-year time frame for the CLP requirement?
Once you have achieved a certification level in FAC-CON, FAC-COR or FAC-P/PM, you have two years to accumulate the necessary CLPs to maintain your certification. The two year window starts the day after you receive your notice that certification has been achieved and cycles every two years after that date.
What are examples of acceptable skills currency training and continuous learning points? How much credit can I receive for the different types of training?
Continuous learning opportunities should be used to obtain training in core competencies, maintain critical acquisition skills and obtain agency specific training. If you have a specific question about a course or developmental opportunity, please see your agency ACM.
What will happen if I don't meet the required number of training hours every two years?
Contracting Officers (COs) may have their warrants suspended or evoked until the skills currency requirement is met. CORs may have their appointment suspended or rescinded until their skills currency requirement is met.
FEDERAL ACQUISITION CERTIFICATION - CONTRACTING (FAC-C)
What are the elements of Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C)?
Achievement of the FAC-C is based on meeting education, training and experience requirements. There are three levels and a person must meet the requirements of the previous level before progressing. A chart that outlines the requirements at each of the three levels is available.
How do I apply for the FAC-C?
Contact your agency Acquisition Career Manager (ACM) for specific directions.
I am not an 1102 or 1105. Can I pursue a certification in contracting?
Though priority for certification will be given to contract specialists, the program is not limited to the contracting series.
I already hold a warrant. Do I need to become certified?
OFPP states that FAC-C is not mandatory for all GS-1102s; however, acquisition workforce members issued new warrants after January 1, 2007 must have FAC-C. If you wish to transfer to a new agency after that date, a condition of employment as a CO will likely be FAC-C. A new warrant is defined as a warrant issued to an employee for the first time at a department or agency. Agencies can make additional warranting requirements, so check with your agency ACM.
When a person transfers to a new agency, must their warrant be accepted also?
Contracting warrants, or Certifications of Appointment, are position specific. Warrants are granted to acquisition workforce members because of the position they hold at that time. When a workforce member moves from position to position within an agency, the warrant does not necessarily move with them. The same is true when a workforce member moves from agency to agency. The warrant does not move with the workforce member.
I have already been granted a training certification from my agency. Why do I have to get the FAC-C?
All government agencies accept the Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) as evidence that you meet the core training requirements for the 1102 series. It is transferable to all civilian agencies. Agencies other than your own will not automatically recognize your agency's certification program.
What happens if I obtain FAC-C and don't maintain 80 CLPs every two years?
Your FAC-C will expire and you may have your warrants suspended or revoked until the skills currency requirement is met. Please contact your agency ACM for specifics related to your agency.
What happens to my current warrant if I don't become certified?
Current warrant holders are encouraged by OFPP to obtain FAC-C. OFPP and FAI do not require current warrant holders to obtain any certification. However, agencies may be more stringent and require current warrant holders to become certified at a commensurate level with their warrant authority. OFPP and FAI encourage all agencies to require a Level III for all unlimited warrant holders. It is in every acquisition workforce member's interest to use their 80 CLP requirement to obtain the training to meet the FAC-C requirements and to apply for certification. If you transfer to another civilian agency on or after January 1, 2007 as a CO requiring a warrant, FAC-C is required at an appropriate level to support the warrant delegation.
I am already certified under the Defense Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA). What do I have to do for a FAC-C?
Your agency’s ACM will ask you for a copy of your DAWIA certificate, a copy of your college transcripts in order to verify your college degree, and the appropriate paperwork to verify you have maintained your 80 CLPs every two years since you received your DAWIA certification. Appropriate paperwork includes:
- A transcript from DAU’s Online Learning organization that lists the online classes, dates you completed them, and the CLPs you earned
- A transcript from your DOD learning organization that lists all the CLPs you’ve earned
- Copies of the certificates of completion for classes and seminars that you’ve attended
- Other documentation such as memos from supervisors that list the CLPs, the dates they were earned, and what they were granted for
I want to become certified but I took my classes in the 70’s and 80’s. Will I have to retake the training classes?
The material in classes taken in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’ is not current. Workforce members should contact their ACM in order to find out what you will need to do.
What is grandfathering and how does it apply to me?
Grandfathering is a concept found in the OPM GS-1102 career series. It applies to the hiring of 1102’s. It also may apply to an agency’s warranting policy.
Grandfathering does not apply to the FAC-C Certification program. An acquisition workforce member must meet the education requirements at Levels I, II, and III in order to be certified.
Should certification packages and waivers be sent to FAI?
Certification packages and waivers are approved at the agency level. Acquisition Workforce members should always contact their agency’s acquisition career manager (ACM) with questions concerning certification, waivers, continuous learning, and other questions. FAI does not process or approve certification packages, waivers, or continuous learning.
FAC-P/PM CERTIFICATION
When should I select "New Program Manager"?
Select the option "New Program Manager" when the individual has not been certified at the appropriate level and has been assigned to the program within the last twelve months. Unless a waiver is issued, new program/project managers have twelve months from the date of assignment to the project/program to achieve certification.
When should I select "Waiver Issued"?
There are three scenarios where "waiver issued" is an appropriate selection:
- "Waiver Issued" is appropriate selection when the CAO, or designated functional manager such as the CIO, has waived all or part of the FAC-P/PM requirements in writing. For example, the CAO may waive the FAC-P/PM requirement for an existing program/project manager to attain certification within twelve months from the date of assignment.
- "Waiver Issued" is also the appropriate selection if the individual is progressing towards certification but has not yet received final certification. In these cases, the designated functional manager must maintain information on the progress of the individual towards certification.
- "Waiver Issued" may also be used if an agency has a process for issuing FAC-P/PM certifications but the timing of the OMB 300 does not allow for certification prior to submission. In these cases, documentation regarding the agency process, timeline, and expected certification dates for eligible PPMs must be kept on file for each individual.
Agencies that select "Waiver Issued" must ensure that waivers are issued only when determined to be in the best interest of the agency.
What should be included in the documentation for the written waiver?
Waivers must be issued in writing, on a case-by-case basis, when it has been determined that issuing the waiver is in the best interest of the agency. Waivers must include the agency's rationale for issuing the waiver as well as the conditions of the waiver. Appropriate supporting documentation, such as individual development plans and other certifications demonstrating the individual's qualifications, should be attached to the waiver.
Should certification packages and waivers be sent to FAI?
Certification packages and waivers are approved at the agency level. Acquisition Workforce members should always contact their agency’s acquisition career manager (ACM) with questions concerning certification, waivers, continuous learning, and other questions. FAI does not process or approve certification packages, waivers, or continuous learning.
A FAC-P/PM is accepted by other civilian agencies, is this also true for the waivers?
No, unlike the FAC-P/PM, a waiver is agency specific and does not transfer. A FAC-P/PM certification should be issued only when all the requirements of the FAC-P/PM have been satisfied.
How do I know if I’m subject to the new Federal Acquisition Certification in Program and Project Managers (FAC-P/PM)?
Check with your Acquisition Career Manager (ACM).
How do I find my ACM?
Go to the contact your ACM page on this website.
What is required for FAC-P/PM Certification?
You can satisfy the competency requirements through successful completion of suggested training, completion of comparable education or certification programs, or demonstration of knowledge, skills, and abilities. Additional guidance can be found on this website under the Certification tab, or through your agency Acquisition Career Manager.
I have considerable experience in project management. Must I start the certification process at the Entry level?
No. Unlike the Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C), P/PM certifications need not be earned in sequence. Work with your supervisor to assess which FAC-P/PM level most closely matches your level of experience and training and apply for that level.
I am being considered for assignment to a “major acquisition/investment.” Must I have my P/PM certification to be given this assignment?
The policy that established FAC-P/PM states that project and program managers must be senior-level certified for such assignments. However, this certification must be attained within one year of such an assignment – not before you are initially assigned.
What happens if I am not able to attain senior-level certification within a year of such an assignment?
In such cases, the CAO, or a designated functional manager such as a CIO, may waive all or part of the FAC-P/PM requirements in writing, on a case-by-case basis, if granting the waiver is in the best interest of the agency. Additional conditions for such waivers are on page 2 of the attachment to the April 25 memorandum.
Is FAC-P/PM certification sufficient for a project manager in Information Technology (IT)?
No. FAC-P/PM certification indicates that a person had acquired general program and project competencies and suggested experience standards. Program and project managers assigned to IT investments must also meet the requirements of the Federal IT Project Manager Guidance Matrix.
Why must I meet the FAC-P/PM continuous learning requirements?
FAC-P/PM describes core, minimum competencies that are considered essential for successful program and project management. If you are required by your CAO to attain P/PM certification you must not only acquire these competencies and have a certain number of years of experience associated with each of three levels. You must also earn 80 continuous learning points (CLPs) every two years to maintain the currency of your certification. The competencies and experience are cumulative across levels.
What are examples of acceptable skills currency training and continuous learning points?
Guidelines can be found in Appendix C of the April 25, 2007, memorandum. These guidelines reflect best-in-practice recommendations for continuous learning. Agencies retain flexibility and supervisors remain responsible for working with program and project managers to identify those activities and opportunities of greatest benefit to the professional development of an individual. The training, professional activities, education and experience that are used to meet the CLP requirements must be job related. Continuous learning activities related to program and project management activities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Training activities, such as teaching, self-directed study, mentoring
- Courses completed to achieve certification at the next higher level
- Professional activities, such as attending/speaking/presenting at professional seminars/symposia/conferences, publishing and attending workshops
- Educational activities, such as formal training, and formal academic programs
- Experience such as developmental or rotation assignments
FAI will provide additional guidance as needed on this website.
Who keeps track of my Continuous Learning Points?
Individuals are responsible for maintaining continuous learning records, and agency ACMs, or their designees, will monitor the continuous learning requirements to ensure certifications remain active.
When will courses to begin the certification process be available?
Private vendors, the Defense Acquisition University, and other government agencies offer a variety of online and classroom courses that address many of these competencies. FAI plans to offer additional training in the first quarter of FY 2008.
How do you know FAC-P/PM is a viable tool for the acquisition community?
FAI will conduct periodic reviews to ensure that the FAC-P/PM program is being managed consistently. In addition, FAI is mapping the program and project management competencies to learning objectives that will be used to assess current training or develop new training to meet these requirements.
Does a PMP certification equal a Mid-level FAC-P/PM Certification?
It does NOT equal the Mid-level FAC P/PM certification. PMP maps to 24 hours of project management coursework at midlevel.
Does one have to have 136 hours at senior level plus 5+ experience, or can they have 136 hours in a combination of entry, mid, and senior plus 5 years?
Each certification level stands on its own. So at the senior/expert level, they are required to demonstrate how they met the requirements for each of the five coursework areas. They would need to show how they satisfied the learning objectives associated with each of the five coursework areas. It is 136 hours plus 5 years of experience as a government PM.
Can we use bureau/agency developed courses in lieu of vendor courses or do they need to be approved by FAI first?
Absolutely, if your agency course meets the learning requirements, it can be used to satisfy that coursework area. That agency course can also be 'shared' or offered to other agencies to meet the requirement. (So if you have an online offering that you might open to other agencies or if you have a classroom course where you have slots available that you could offer to another agency that is encouraged). OMB mentioned that for all MAJOR INVESTMENTS -- the Project Manager must be a FAC-P/PM Senior/Expert Level 3 or else a waiver will be needed.
Is the waiver provided by FAI or DOE?
DOE provides the waiver.
Are there criteria for the waiver?
If an individual has not met the LIII requirements but there is a plan in place to do so within the next 12 months, a waiver is issued.
To whom does the FAC-P/PM Certification apply?
The FAC-P/PM applies to all employees of executive branch agencies except those covered under 10USC. It does not cover contractors employed by private sector firms.
If you have a Masters in Project Management can you apply these credit hours to a FAC-P/PM certification? If so what is the conversion rate (i.e. of the 100 credit hours, could 50 of the credit hours count towards a FAC-P/PM) and at what level - entry, journey or senior?
A Master’s in Project Management would most likely map to the Project Management coursework area at mid-level but it would depend on the rigor and expected outcomes of the masters program. Depending on what is included in the program, other coursework areas might be satisfied as well. We recommend that the ACM review the courses included in the program and make a determination as to where it maps and what competencies and coursework areas are satisfied.
Do Senior Executive Service (SES) who are three years way from retirement required to complete the FAC-P/PM Advanced training?
The OMB Policy Letter for FAC-P/PM states "The FAC-P/PM is not mandatory for all program and project managers; however, at a minimum, program and project managers assigned to programs considered major acquisitions must be senior-level certified unless a waiver is granted by the appropriate agency official..." If the SES is named on a major acquisition, then they would need to meet the requirement.
Does the PMP Certification fulfill 24 hours of coursework at the mid-level? If not, then what does the PMP certification fulfills?
PMP maps to 24 hours of project management midlevel.
When applicants submit a certification or fulfillment package is there a required form that must be completed?
The agency provides the application process and template. In the implementation toolkit, (under the ACM Restricted site) we provided a sample template as a starting point.
The OFPP Policy Letter dated April 25, 2007 regarding FAC-P/PM states “The competencies and experience are cumulative across levels." If the competencies and experience are cumulative across levels, why is each level independent of one another?
What it means is that you do not have to demonstrate meeting the requirements at the previous level. So if you are applying for Senior Level FAC-P/PM, you are not required to show certification for the entry and mid level to apply nor do you have to show how you met the prerequisites for advanced level training. Similarly if you are applying for mid-level certification, you are not required to show entry level certification to apply nor show how you met the entry level prerequisites that would lay the foundation for mid-level training.
- If each level is independent of one another, why does the mid level experience read "experience at the entry-level."
It seemed intuitive that one cannot apply knowledge before they understand what the knowledge means. At entry level an individual is to know what project management fundamentals are and understand the framework for successful project management. At mid-level they must demonstrate that they can apply those processes and the framework to successfully manage projects and programs. The foundation has to be established for someone to exercise the discipline to apply. So it says “at entry level” to show the progressional development of the project manager.
Both the entry and mid levels have a 5 year requirement; whereas the senior level does not.
It is as it reads, four years of experience. If your agency desires to frame it within a time period, your agency can make that an additional requirement.
The Entry and Senior levels include acquisition competencies. The mid-level does not. Is this an oversight? Should the mid-level contain acquisition competencies?
The acquisition competencies were included and addressed in the Government Specific coursework area at mid-level. At mid-level the project and program manager role is central to the acquisition planning component of projects and programs in the federal government and it was decided to address both coursework areas under Government Specific coursework area.
VENDOR CONSORTIUM
How will the FAI address vendor courses that cross course work areas and/or levels of certification?
We ask the vendors to describe how their available training maps to the training coursework or process areas.
How will the site indicate if more than one vendor's courses must be taken together to fully meet the competency requirements of a particular course work area (not just hour requirements)?
The Vendor Consortium information provides the mapping of vendor training to FAC-P/PM requirements.
Will the site have a generic or static list of locations that can be associated to a class (e.g., Arlington, VA, Washington, DC, etc.). Or, can we provide a URL to our public website that lists our dynamic course schedule?
The course mapping is not based on location. A vendor's web address will be included in the course mapping.
Will any pricing or contract information be listed with each vendor?
No, there will not.
