As a contracting professional — either new to procurement or with years of experience — your skills and knowledge directly contribute to the success and growth of your organization and to the development of your career. By attending, Federal Contracting Basics, you’ll receive the proven tools and guidance you need to fulfill your key responsibilities and to contribute to the success of the contracting projects in which you are involved.

Federal Contracting Basics is an intensive, five-day introduction to government contracting, giving you the information you need to understand procurement from start to finish — from acquisition planning through contract closeout. You’ll analyze key issues fully and receive a clear understanding of their practical application to your everyday job responsibilities. You’ll learn how federal contracting really works, how to find solutions to common problems, how to understand the content of key contract documents and how the regulatory environment impacts business decisions. All of this will be accomplished through dynamic lectures, case studies and interactive exercises.

In addition, you’ll receive a copy of the FAR for permanent reference. You will use your copy of the FAR extensively throughout the course as you research a wide range of topics. You will learn how the FAR is structured, maintained and updated so that you will be able to use it to your full advantage in your ongoing development as a contracting professional.

Reminder: Participants taking this course should not take Contract Management Principles and Practices.
DAWIA/FAC-C Equivalency:
CON 110 DAWIA and FAC-C Level 1

1. Introduction to the Federal Marketplace

a. Contracting statistics — who buys what and how much
b. Differences between federal and commercial purchasing
c. Sources of information

2. Contracting: Roles and Responsibilities

a. Contracting authority
b. The Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP)
c. Agency heads
d. Heads of contracting activities
e. Contracting officers
f. Contracting officers’ representatives
g. Agency program personnel

3. Introduction to the FAR

a. Federal statutes
b. The FAR
c. Agency FAR supplements
d. Other regulations and policy and procedure documents
e. Government Accountability Office
f. Structure and content
g. Rules vs. guidance
h. Deviations
i. Revisions — Federal Acquisition Circulars
j. Basic research strategies — how to find the rules
k. Understanding the impact of agency culture on rule application

4. Overview of the Federal Contracting Process

a. Acquisition planning phase
b. Solicitation/offer/evaluation phase
c. Contract award phase
d. Contract administration phase
5. Key Contracting Policies
a. Acquisition of commercial items
b. Competition in contracting
c. Standards of conduct
d. Socioeconomic policies

6. Acquisition Planning

a. Identifying agency needs
b. Researching the market and specifying requirements
c. Obtaining program approval and funding
d. Analyzing risk and type of contract
e. Developing contract terms and conditions
f. Mandatory sources
g. Publicizing requirements

7. Contract Structure and Content

a. The uniform contract format
b. Other contract formats
c. Solicitation provisions
d. Contract clauses
e. Contract forms
f. Other forms

8. Contract Formation Policies and Processes

a. Methods of contract formation
b. Simplified procedures
c. Sealed bidding
d. Competitive negotiations
e. Award protests
f. Contract pricing
g. Price/cost analysis
h. Cost or pricing data requirements
i. Adequate price competition
j. Prices set by law or regulation
k. Cost allowability

9. Contract Administration Policies and Processes

a. Contract quality assurance
b. Contract modifications and changes
c. Contract financing and payments
d. Claims, disputes and appeals
e. Contract terminations

"Excellent opportunity for both government and contractor personnel to interact in a relaxed atmosphere and relate to problems in the solicitation, award and postaward periods of government contracts."

Marlene Siddoris, Admin. Technical Specialist IV
NSWC

"I absolutely recommend this class! This course cleared away a lot of the mystery associated with FAR. I feel more at ease with the knowledge that I have gained through this class."

Dawn Meline, Contracts Representative
SAIC

"This was a great experience for someone like myself who was already familiar with these concepts, but wanted a better foundation. Excellent examples and real world knowledge! Found this very useful and entertaining."

Patrick Moores, Procurement Professional
Mantech Intl.

"I'm very new to government contracting and feel as if I'm leaving this class with wealth of knowledge that will help me do my job better. I'm thrilled to have a current copy of the FAR as well as numerous case studies for reference. Kathleen was an excellent instructor. She not only covered the material, but she also provided practical situations and examples that clearly helped me understand the materials and topics."

Tracy Baughman, Buyer/Cost Analyst
Advanced Systems Development