DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

ACQUISITION CERTIFICATION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

HANDBOOK

September 2014

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FOREWORD

This Acquisition Certification Management Program Handbook (hereinafter Handbook) replaces and supersedes the Department of the Treasury September 2012 Handbook. This Handbook describes the education, experience, and training requirements for employment and advancement in acquisition positions within the Department of the Treasury (Treasury).

Treasury’s acquisition certification program is designed to:

• Facilitate the development of a competent, professional workforce to support the accomplishment of Treasury’s mission;

• Identify and describe Treasury’s implementation of OFPP’s requirements for federal acquisition certification in contracting (i.e. the FAC-C program);

• Describe the application process for obtaining federal certification in contracting; • Provide a fulfillment process for meeting mandatory FAC-C training requirements; • Increase the proficiency of the Treasury contracting and acquisition employees through

competency based training; • Identify and describe Treasury’s implementation of OFPP’s requirements for federal

acquisition certification for contracting officer representatives (i.e. the FAC-COR program); • Identify and describe Treasury’s implementation of OFPP’s requirements for federal

acquisition certification for program and project managements (i.e. the FAC-PPM program); • Provide a management philosophy that embraces the advancement of professionalism and

expanding business knowledge; and • Comply with the mandate by Congress that the Treasury Procurement Executive is fully and

directly accountable for the performance and quality of the procurement workforce. Iris B. Cooper Senior Procurement Executive

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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CHAPTER 1: OPM’s GS-1102 Qualification Standards 4

CHAPTER 2: Treasury Implementation of OFPP’s Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting Program 5

CHAPTER 3: Treasury Implementation of OFPP’s Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting Information Technology Core-Plus Specialization 10 (RESERVED)

CHAPTER 4: Non-1102 Training Requirements (GS 1105s, Other Non-1102 Series 11 & Purchase Cardholders)

CHAPTER 5: Treasury Implementation of the OFPP’s Federal Acquisition Certification for Contracting Officer Representatives Program 13

CHAPTER 6: Treasury Implementation of OFPP’s Federal Acquisition Certification for Program and Project Managers (RESERVED) 20

Appendix 1 Experience Requirements for FAC-C Certification 21 Appendix 2 FAITAS Certification Application and Continuous Learning Procedures 25

Appendix 3 Treasury Implementation of Fulfillment in Lieu of Completion of FAC-C Mandatory Courses (RESERVED) 27

Addendum A Mandatory Continuous Learning Training Requirements for

FAC-C and FAC-COR

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Handbook Version Log

Version Date Description September 2014 Update to Certification Management

Handbook based on OFPP’s revision to the FAC-C and updates to FAC-C and FAC-COR certification application process and continuous learning tracking. Remove 1102 qualification standard waiver language. Update Non-1102 training requirements.

September 2012 September 2012 Update to Career Management Handbook: Chapter 2 has been revised to mandate training through FAC-C continuous learning requirements. Chapter 6 has been updated to implement OFPP revisions to the FAC-COR program and mandate training through FAC-COR continuous learning requirements. Chapters 2, 3, 4, and 6 have been revised to replace the Acquisition Career Management Information System (ACMIS) with the Federal Acquisition Institute Training Application (FAITAS).

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CHAPTER 1

OPM’s GS-1102 QUALIFICATION STANDARDS 1. Introduction. This chapter provides the GS-1102 individual qualification standard developed by the OFPP under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 433. 2. Authority.

• Clinger-Cohen Act (CCA) of 1996, • OFPP Policy Letter 05-01, “Developing and Managing the Acquisition Workforce,” and • OFPP Memorandum dated May 7, 2014, entitled, “Revisions to the Federal Acquisition

Certification in Contracting (FAC-C).” 3. Applicability. The GS-1102 individual qualification standard applies to all executive agencies, except the Department of Defense (DoD). 4. GS-1102 Qualification standard. This is the GS-1102 individual qualification standard

developed by OFPP under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 433. It does not apply to Department of Defense positions.

Mandatory Training: For GS-13 or higher level contracting positions, all Level I and II courses must be completed. Waiver: Treasury will not grant waivers to the qualification standard when filling GS-1102 vacant positions.

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CHAPTER 2

FEDERAL ACQUISITION CERTIFICATION IN CONTRACTING PROGRAM

1. Introduction. This chapter provides Treasury’s policy, procedure and guidance supporting the implementation of the requirements of the FAC-C program as described in OFPP’s memorandum entitled, “Revisions to the Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C),” dated May 7, 2014. 2. Purpose. The purpose of the FAC-C is to establish general training, experience and development requirements for contracting professionals in civilian agencies. This certification program promotes continued development of essential technical and professional competencies for contracting professionals. This chapter therefore provides further detail surrounding the Treasury implementation of this program in support of acquisition professionals. 3. Authority.

• 41 U.S.C. § 1702 Chief Acquisition Officers and senior procurement executives • Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) Act, 41 U.S.C. § 1101 et. seq.; • OFPP Policy Letter 05-01; • OFPP Memorandum, “Revisions to the Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting,

dated May 7, 2014;” and • Treasury Directive TD 12-11 entitled, “Authorities of the Senior Procurement

Executive.”

4. Applicability. The FAC-C program applies to all executive agencies, except the Department of Defense (DoD). Attainment of federal certification in contracting at the appropriate level is required for all Treasury GS-1102s seeking or currently holding a Contracting Officer (CO) warrant. All GS-1102s should pursue the appropriate training and certification commensurate with their skills and experience level. Within 30 days of issuance of this policy, any contracting professional applying for an unlimited CO warrant is required to be Level III certified. Contracting professionals holding an unlimited warrant without meeting the education/ training/certification requirements, must relinquish their warrants by October 1, 2014. This requirement does not apply to:

• Senior level officials responsible for delegating procurement authority (unless these individuals also sign contracts);

• Non-1102s whose warrants are used to procure emergency goods and services; or • Non-1102 purchase card holders whose procurement authority exceeds the micro

purchase(must comply with training/certification requirements in Chapter 5 of this Handbook).

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5. FAC-C Program Requirements.

5.a. General 1. The FAC-C program is founded on (1) core competencies that are considered essential for successful contracting, (2) education, (3) training, (4) experience, (5) continuous learning to maintain skills currency, and (6) developmental activities. FAC-C contains three levels of certification to allow for appropriate training and experience for contracting professionals managing a range of contract vehicles, from low-risk contracts (such as supplies) to high-risk, complex acquisitions (such as IT systems). The goal is not to have all contracting professionals obtain Level III certification; instead, Bureaus are encouraged to consider the appropriate certification level needed for a contracting professional to be competent and capable. The requirements for the various levels of this certification are cumulative (i.e., an individual seeking certification must meet the requirements of Level I before obtaining Level II certification, and must meet the requirements of Levels I and II before obtaining Level III certification). An employee must meet the appropriate education, training, and experience requirements in order to be certified. 2. FAC-C holders certified prior to September 30, 2014 are grandfathered in at their current level of certification as long as continuous learning requirements have been met. Individuals not FAC-C certified by September 30, 2014, will be required to complete the new curriculum and all prerequisites to attain certification for desired FAC-C Level.

5.b. Education.

• GS-1102 positions grades 5 through 12 are required to have, from an accredited institution, either 24-semester hours of business related education OR a baccalaureate degree.

• GS-1102 positions grades 13 and above must have both 24 semester hours of business-related education AND a baccalaureate degree.

OPE will continue to utilize Appendix A to the January 2006 (Revised December 2008) OFPP FAC-C memorandum which provides guidance on the subject areas and types of classes that meet the business related education requirement. 5.c. Training. For FAC-C training requirements, see FAI’s website. The FAC-C curriculum will change periodically to maintain an alignment with the DAWIA training requirements. Training for each certification level shall be taken in the order listed. Training requirements for this FAC-C are closely aligned with the training requirements under DAWIA, but not identical. Core CON courses must be provided by Defense Acquisition University (DAU), or be considered DAU-equivalent courses. This will ensure that acquisition professionals have the appropriate skills/competency training. Business-related academic courses that are recognized by DAU as equivalent to core courses may be used to meet training requirements for this program. For Level III certification, Treasury employees shall take CON 360, the HBS module (any module other than HBS 428), and a total of 32CLPs in electives. At this time, Treasury does not

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require agency-specific training as part of the elective requirements for Level III. Electives may include no-cost distance learning, assignment-specific courses, or other training opportunities. Employees are encouraged to take courses that add to their knowledge base or enhance existing skills; electives should generally be increasingly more complex throughout an employee’s career progression. For Contracting Professionals acquiring information technology services and commodities, Treasury encourages IT specific acquisition training to fulfill the elective requirement for FAC-C Level III. 5.d. Experience. The requirements for experience are generally based on the OPM GS-1102 qualification standard. Experience may be time spent on the job in a contracting-related job assignment, either in the private or public sector, that reflects the accumulation of knowledge, skills, and abilities during years of progressively more responsible work assignments. The below table provides the minimum experience requirements for each level of certification:

Table 5.d.1- FAC-C Minimum Experience Requirements FAC-C Level Level I Level II Level III CLPs hours 1 year of contracting

experience 2 year of contracting

experience 4 year of contracting

experience There is no exception to the experience requirements and candidates must provide evidence of their experience to the certifying official. Appendix 1 details the minimum experience requirements for each FAC-C certification level. 5.e. Continuous Learning. All GS-1102s, regardless of FAC-C status, must earn 80 CLPs every two years.

• GS-1102s with FAC-C: The 80 CLPs every two years shall be based on date of

certification. The time period for earning CLPs is defined as the two year time period beginning the day after date of certification. For example, a certification issued February 5, 2014 will have a CL period starting February 6, 2014 and end on February 5, 2016. Individuals that do not meet their continuous learning requirements will have their certification revoked and will be required to re-take the core training.

• GS-1102s without FAC-C: The 80 CLP requirement shall be based on fiscal year. Treasury’s requirement to complete 80 CLPs every two years started FY08. For GS-1102s that on-board 9 months or less prior to the end of the second fiscal year of the Treasury continuous learning cycle, their two-year cycle will start October 1 of the next fiscal year.

GS-1102s shall focus on core technical competencies to include: advanced acquisition planning and strategy, negotiations , proposal evaluation, cost/price analysis, analytical thinking, contract performance, contract termination, and disputes and appeals. BCPOs are also encouraged to include training on services acquisition, information systems acquisition, and small business utilization, as appropriate. Addendum A to this Handbook lists Treasury mandatory courses to be taken as part of continuous learning requirements. Based on competency assessments and skills gap analysis, Addendum A may be revised each fiscal year to update mandatory training requirements.

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5.f. Continuous Learning Monitoring. A FAC-C is revoked if the 80 CLPs are not earned every two years. Each 1102 shall ensure CLPs are entered into FAITAS for the purpose of tracking CLP achievement. See Appendix 2 for specific guidance on entering CLPs into FAITAS. Treasury follows the guidance provided by DoD on how CLPs can be earned. DAU equivalency is not required for continuous learning. Treasury encourages bureaus to use continuous learning opportunities to assist individuals in obtaining core competencies, and maintaining critical acquisition skills. Continuous learning 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; or • Educational activities, such as formal training, and formal academic programs.

Attachment 5 to the May 7, 2014 OFPP Memorandum, provides guidance on earning CLPs for various developmental activities. 5.g. Application Process. An individual seeking to become FAC-C certified is responsible for providing certificates, transcripts, and any other records demonstrating their satisfaction of the education, training, experience, and continuous learning requirements for the program. See Appendix 2 for certification application process details. The Treasury ACM reviews the application and recommends certification to the SPE. The Treasury ACM initial review of the FAC-C application and feedback to the Bureau Certification Management point of contact will generally occur within 30 calendar days of receipt of the application. Treasury authority to grant the FAC-C is at the SPE level. The Treasury ACM is responsible for reviewing applications for certification and making recommendations to the SPE, and ensuring that applications and documentation supporting SPE certifications are available for audit purposes. 6. Reciprocity with Other Federal Department or Agency Certifications. 6.a. Civilian Agency issued FAC-C certifications. Treasury recognizes all valid, current FAC-C certifications issued by other federal departments and agencies. The individual is responsible for providing the necessary documentation of the other department or agency issued FAC-C certification and the appropriate continuous learning history to demonstrate the validity and currency of their FAC-C certification. 6.b. DOD Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) certifications. A valid, current DAWIA certification in contracting is equivalent to a FAC-C at the same certification level, provided the education requirement is met. The individual is responsible for providing the necessary documentation of the DAWIA certification and the appropriate

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continuous learning history to demonstrate the validity and currency of their DAWIA certification in order to obtain a Treasury issued FAC-C certification. 7. Federal Acquisition Institute Training Application System (FAITAS). FAITAS is the system of record for the FAC-C program for all civilian agencies. FAI is responsible for managing FAITAS and will issue guidance to support FAITAS implementation. Treasury procedures will be revised, as necessary, based on FAI guidance when issued. All FAC-C certification shall be processed via FAITAS. Additionally, each 1102 shall ensure CLPs are entered into FAITAS for the purpose of tracking CLP achievement. See Appendix 2 for certification application and continuous learning process details. 8. Resources. Training, inclusive of continuous learning courses may be obtained through the Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI), the Defense Acquisition University (DAU), commercially-available sources, colleges or universities, or agency-specific courses. The Treasury Acquisition Institute (TAI) is a highly recommended source. FAI maintains a webpage with information on the FAC-C program for civilian agencies which includes links to related items of interest. Refer to the following link: http://www.fai.gov/fac-c.

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CHAPTER 3

Treasury Implementation of OFPP’s Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting Information Technology Core-Plus Specialization

(RESERVED)

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CHAPTER 4

NON-1102 TRAINING REQUIREMENTS (GS 1105s, OTHER NON-1102 SERIES AND PURCHASE CARDHOLDERS)

1. Introduction. This chapter and any other subsequent policy directives issued by OPE establish training requirements for non-1102 acquisition personnel who are serving in the positions identified hereinafter. 2. Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to establish general training, experience and development requirements for non-1102 acquisition professionals serving in positions identified in Section 3. Bureaus may require further training beyond the requirements set forth in this chapter, where such additional training is considered necessary to support a bureau’s procurement mission. Bureaus should ensure contracting workforce members get not only the required training and certifications, but the right number of years of experience, and the breadth and depth of experience required to strengthen their skills and capabilities. 3. Applicability.

• GS-1105 (Purchasing Agent and any other title used to designate employees in the GS-

1105 classification series); • Any other classification series in which the employee has been delegated procurement

authority; and • Any individual issued a governmentwide commercial purchase card by Treasury (herein

referred to as Purchase Cardholders). 5. Training Curriculum for GS-1105 Series and Other Non-GS-1102 Series.

• FAC-C Mandatory Level I Courses

6. Training Curriculum for Purchase Cardholders. The following describes the required training for Purchase Cardholders.

• If authority is micro-purchase limit or lower: BUREAU SPECIFIC PURCHASE CARD TRAINING

• If authority exceeds micro-purchase limit: BUREAU SPECIFIC PURCHASE CARD TRAINING AND

• CON 100 Shaping Smart Business Arrangements or FCN 101 Contracting Basics • CON 121 Contract Planning • CON 124 Contract Execution • FAC 043 – Ethics & Procurement Integrity – Acquisition Workforce (basic ethics course)

To ensure currency of skills, purchase card holders must complete 40 hours of CLPs every two years based on delegation of procurement authority issue date.

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Purchase Cardholders authorized to use the purchase card as a payment mechanism under contracts awarded by warranted COs must receive: (1) a written delegation of procurement authority identifying the limits and restrictions on their authority to make payments; (2) bureau-specific training to comply with CAAC Letter 99-2; and (3) sufficient instruction/oversight from the CO to ensure appropriate exercise of responsibility and knowledge of limitations. 7. Record Keeping. Treasury will periodically require statistics regarding Bureau acquisition personnel education and training, including how many meet the requirements as set forth in this Handbook. Accordingly, this information must be kept up to date. Certificates of completion must be submitted to the bureau/regional training coordinator. It is the responsibility of each BPCO to establish and maintain a bureau program to monitor employee’s training and education records.

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CHAPTER 5

TREASURY IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FEDERAL ACQUISITION CERTIFICATION PROGRAM FOR

CONTRACTING OFFICER REPRESENTATIVES (FAC-COR) 1. Introduction. This chapter provides Treasury’s policy, procedure and guidance surrounding the implementation of the FAC-COR program as described in OFPP’s memorandum entitled, “Revisions to the Federal Acquisition Certification for Contracting Officer’s Representatives (FAC-COR),” dated September 6, 2011 and other authorities listed in Section 3 below. Management of the FAC-COR program is delegated to the Bureau Chief Procurement Officers (BCPOs) with OPE maintaining oversight of the program for compliance with OFPP requirements. For the purpose of this policy, the term “COR” refers not only to positions technically designated as CORs, but also to Contracting Officer’s Technical Representatives (COTRs), Technical or Task Monitors (TMs), persons certified under FAC-COR, and others who ensure proper development of requirements and assist COs in managing their contracts. This certification program will promote continued development of essential business and technical competencies for CORs Treasury’s certification program does not change the requirement that all CORs be formally appointed in writing by the contracting officer to each contract action for which he or she has been delegated COR duties and that these duties be tailored to the requirements of each contract action and specifically identified in the written appointment. 2. Purpose. Per the aforementioned OFPP memorandum, “the purpose of the Federal Acquisition Certification for Contracting Officer’s Representatives (FAC-COR) is to establish general training, experience and development requirements for CORs in civilian agencies that reflect the various types of contracts they manage”. This chapter therefore provides further detail surrounding the Treasury implementation of this program within Treasury. 3. Authority.

• The FAC-COR is issued pursuant to the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act, 41 U.S.C. § 1101 et. Seq., and OFPP Policy Letter 05-01, which established a requirement for federal acquisition certification programs.

• OFPP Memorandum, “Revisions to the Federal Acquisition Certification for Contracting Officer’s Representatives (FAC-COR)” dated September 6, 2011, and

• TD 12-11, “Authorities of the Senior Procurement Executive”. 4. Applicability. The FAC-COR program applies to all executive agencies, except the Department of Defense (DoD). FAC-COR certification is required for all individuals appointed as CORs on Treasury contracts.

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5. FAC-COR Program Requirements. 5.a. General. The FAC-COR program consists of: (1) competency-based core training and assignment-specific training to achieve certification, (2) experience requirements for Level II and III certifications, and (3) continuous learning to maintain certification. Obtaining a FAC-COR certification makes an individual eligible for appointment as a COR, but does not guarantee appointment will occur. Appointment shall be made in writing in accordance with, DTAP 1001.670. BCPOs may establish additional Bureau-specific requirements for the FAC-COR program, but may not change, lessen or eliminate any of the core requirements. BCPOs are also encouraged to include as part of the training requirements: (1) services acquisition, (2) information systems acquisition, (3) performance-based acquisition, and (4) small business utilization. 5.b. Competencies. The essential competencies required for COR positions form the foundation for the knowledge, skills, and abilities to effectively perform as a COR. The business competencies and technical competencies with associated performance outcomes for CORs are available at the FAI website and will be periodically revalidated as needed. Changes to the competencies will be maintained via the FAI website. 5.c.Training 1. General. The following table provides the minimum number of training hours that shall be completed for each FAC-COR level.

Table 5.c.1 FAC-COR Training Requirements FAC-COR level Level I Level II Level III Training (hours) 8 hours 40 hours 40 hours Training from one level may be applied to training requirements for the next higher certification level as long as continuous learning requirements have been maintained, including any annual mandatory training presecribed in Addendum A to this Handbook. 2. Treasury’s curriculum. Treasury’s training curriculum for FAC-COR levels I, II, and III are as follows:

Level I:

Option 1: FCR 100 – Contracting Officer’s Representative Level I (7 CLPs); and CLC 047 – Contract Negotiation Techniques (1 CLP); FAC 043 – Ethics & Procurement Integrity – Acquisition Workforce (1 CLP) Option 2: CLC 106 – Contracting Officer Representative with a Mission Focus (8 CLPs); FAC 043 – Ethics & Procurement Integrity – Acquisition Workforce (1 CLP)

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Level II:

Option 1 (Highly Recommended): Contracting for CORs (Classroom – Treasury Acquisition Institute) (40 CLPs); FAC 043 – Ethics & Procurement Integrity – Acquisition Workforce (1 CLP) Option 2: FCR 201 – Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) Training (40 CLPs); FAC 043 – Ethics & Procurement Integrity – Acquisition Workforce (1 CLP) Option 3: CLC222 – Online Training for Contracting Officer’s Representative (32 CLPs); CLE028 – Market Research for Technical Personnel (4 CLPs) and CLM031 – Improved Statement of Work (4 CLPs); FAC 043 – Ethics & Procurement Integrity – Acquisition Workforce (1 CLP)

Level III: Completion of Option 1, 2, or 3 under Level II and an additional 20 hours focusing on technical COR competencies with emphasis on: negotiation, market research, defining government requirements, technical analysis of proposals, earned value management, and risk management.

Bureaus may substitute other training for the Treasury-wide curriculum, provided that the substitute training covers all essential competencies. If Bureaus substitute other training, Bureaus must document how the substitute training meets all essential core competencies and submit to the ACM for approval. 5.d Experience. The below table provides minimum experience requirements for each level of certification:

Table 5.d – FAC-COR Experience Requirements

FAC-COR Level Level I Level II Level III Experience (years) none 1 year 2 years Experience may be gained by performing acquisition-related activities such as, serving as an appointed COR, performing market research; writing specifications, statements of work, performance work statements or statements of objectives; developing quality assurance surveillance plans, assisting the CO or COR as a technical monitor; and participating as a subject matter expert on a technical evaluation team. Personnel seeking Level II or Level III certification that have not served as an appointed COR must validate their experience in writing to the Bureau Certification Manager, detailing how (s)he gained the required experience and obtained the technical competencies required at this level. Additionally, in order to receive a Level III certification, candidate must be certified as a Level II COR for a minimum of one year. 5.e Continuous Learning Requirements. To maintain one’s FAC-COR certificate, an individual shall earn at a minimum the following continuous learning points (CLPs) according to the level of their certification within the time period prescribed in the table below. The time period for earning CLPs is defined as beginning the day after date of certification. For example,

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a certification issued February 5, 2014 will have a CL period starting February 6, 2014 and end on February 5, 2016. If the required CLPs are not earned within each period prescribed below, the FAC-COR will expire and the BCPO may revoke or modify the COR’s delegation letters if this condition is not met.

Table 5.e – FAC-COR CLPs Minimum Requirements

FAC-COR Level Level I Level II Level III CLPs (hours) 8 hours every 2 years 40 hours every 2 years 40 hours every 2 years For purposes of earning CLPs, CORs should not retake their original COR training classes, but take courses relevant to the work they are performing as a COR. Training or continuous learning from one level may be applied to training requirements for the next higher certification level. For Level I CORs, continuous learning must be related to acquisition management, contracting, or project/program management. For Level II and Level III CORs, 20 hours of continuous learning must be related to acquisition management, contracting or project/program management with emphasis on negotiation, market research, defining government requirements, and technical analysis of proposals. For the remaining 20 hours, CORs may complete technical training in their area of expertise that will assist with the administration of their duties as a COR and leadership development courses. CORs shall also complete every two years FAC 043 – “Ethics & Procurement Integrity – Acquisition Workforce” and one of the following courses: (1) FAC 018 – “Green Purchasing for Civilian Acquisition,” (2) FAC 038 – “How to Integrate Green into Acquisition,” or (3) CLC 046 – “Green Procurement.” Addendum A to this Handbook lists any Treasury mandatory courses required to be taken as part of continuous learning requirements. Based on competency assessments and skills gap analysis, Addendum A may be revised each fiscal year by the OPE to update mandatory training requirements. Bureau Training Requirements. The BCPO shall establish the Bureau’s training curriculum so that it contains the OFPP-required COR core competencies and is equal to a minimum of 8 hours for Level I, 40 hours for Level II, and 60 hours for Level III. The required hours of training may include Bureau-specific courses, electives, and/or those identified by the COR’s supervisor, in consultation with the Contracting Officer, as necessary, for managing a particular contract. BCPOs may establish additional Bureau-specific requirements for FAC-COR, but may not change or eliminate any OFPP or Treasury-wide requirements. 6. FAC-COR application process. 6.a. General. An individual meeting the FAC-COR requirements described in section 5 above shall request certification in FAITAS. Certification requests must be approved by the applicant’s immediate supervisor. The applicant is responsible for providing training certificates and any other records that demonstrate evidence that he or she satisfies the training and experience requirements.

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6.b. Initial Certification. To qualify for FAC-COR certification, a candidate is required to have completed the training requirements for the applicable level not more than 2 years prior to submitting an application for certification. Each FAC-COR certification is valid for 2 years. 7. Reciprocity with Other Federal Department or Agency FAC-COR Certifications. Treasury recognizes all current FAC-COR certifications issued by other federal departments and agencies, except for DOD. However, an individual must provide evidence demonstrating the other federal department/agency’s certification requirements meet Treasury’s FAC-COR requirements for the FAC-COR level being sought. 8. Reciprocity with Other Certifications (i.e. FAC-C and FAC-P/PM). Individuals certified as FAC-C Level I or II or Federal Acquisition Certification for Program and Project Managers (FAC-P/PM) Mid-Level/Journeyman are considered to have met the FAC-COR requirements for Level II. Individuals certified as FAC-C Level III or FAC-P/PM Senior/Expert are considered to have met the FAC-COR requirements for Level III. The individual shall provide a copy of the appropriate FAC certification and continuous learning documents to request FAC-COR certification. FAC-COR certification is not equivalent for FAC-C or FAC-P/PM certification. 9. BCPO Waiver of FAC-COR Certification. The BCPO may waive, for a period not to exceed 6 months, all or part of the FAC-COR requirements in writing, on a case-by-case basis, if granting the waiver is in the best interest of Bureau. This authority shall be used only when necessary. The written justification shall include reasons for and conditions of the waiver, and the BCPO must provide to the SPE a copy of the justification concurrent with issuance of the waiver. In order to receive a waiver of FAC-COR requirements, the individual and his/her supervisor must prepare and provide to the BCPO an training plan showing how all FAC-COR requirements will be met within 6 months or less. The IDP is in addition to any other documentation supporting the waiver request that may be required by the BCPO. 10. COR Appointment. A COR must be nominated in writing by the requesting office. The nomination must be submitted to the CO prior to contract award. Appointment of CORs to a contract is the responsibility of the CO. The CO has the right to revoke the delegation and CORs do not have the authority to re-delegate their appointment. Refer to DTAP 1001.670 for additional information on the COR appointment and termination of appointment process. The table below summarizes criteria for COR appointments

Contract Type/Complexity Level Minimum Required COR Level Contract Type: Firm fixed price contracts with basic provisions; Orders Complexity Level: Low risk; oversight confined to basic inspection and acceptance; non-complex

Level I

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shipping/delivery at a single domestic delivery site; if project is delayed, no serious impact to mission that cannot be easily alleviated; non Personally Identifiable Information (PII) or security concerns Contract Type: All contract types listed under Level I; cost-reimbursement contracts Complexity Level: Moderately complex; continuous oversight or technical direction required; complex shipping/delivery (i.e., staging of shipments or multiple delivery sites); potential impact on mission; moderate degree of internal or external interest anticipated; limited security concerns relating to contract classification or PII data

Level II

Contract Type: All contract types (i.e., cost-type contracts; time and materials; incentive; hybrid contracts) Complexity Level: Highly complex requirements; professional and technical services closely associated with inherently governmental and critical functions; continuous oversight or technical direction required; highly complex shipping/packaging/delivery (i.e., multiple customers with competing requirements); serious impact on mission; high degree of internal or external interest anticipated; significant security concerns relating to contract classification or PII data

Level III

11. Federal Acquisition Institute Training Application System (FAITAS). FAITAS is the system of record for the FAC-COR program for all civilian agencies. FAI is responsible for managing FAITAS and will issue guidance to support FAITAS implementation. Treasury procedures will be revised, as necessary, based on FAI guidance when issued. Each bureau shall process all FAC-COR certifications via FAITAS. Additionally, each COR shall ensure CLPs are entered into FAITAS for the purpose of tracking CLP achievement. See Appendix 2 for certification application and continuous learning process details. 12. Resources. Training, inclusive of continuous learning courses may be obtained through the Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI), the Defense Acquisition University (DAU), commercially-available sources, colleges or universities, or agency-specific courses. The Treasury Acquisition Institute (TAI) is a highly recommended source. FAI maintains a webpage with information on the FAC-COR program for civilian agencies which includes links to related items of interest. Refer to the following link: http://www.fai.gov/fac-cor

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CHAPTER 6

Treasury Implementation of OFPP’s Federal Acquisition Certification For Program and Project Managers

(RESERVED)

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APPENDIX 1

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR FAC-C CERTIFICATION Level I Experience Requirements:

• Utilize various types of market research tools (GSA Advantage, SB Dynamic Search, etc.)

• Demonstrate understanding of socio-economic programs within FAR 19 and consider socio-economic requirements including small business

• Review customer requirements (including previous procurement history of similar requirements)

• Use appropriate procedure for procurements (SAP, purchase card, mandatory sources of supply, competition, etc.)

• Prepare solicitation. • Perform price analysis to determine fair and reasonableness. • Receive, distribute, review, understand, and communicate contract requirements after

award. • Prepare contract modifications for contracting officer signature. • Utilize various Federal websites to perform research as needed.

Level II Experience Requirements:

• Conduct market research using relevant resources prior to solicitation to understand the industry environment and determine availability of sources of supply and/or services.

• Select acquisition strategy that maximizes small business participation at prime and subcontracting levels.

• Explain requirement document types (SOW, SOO, PWS, etc.), the pros and cons of each type, and the impact on competition and contract administration.

• Explain alternative approaches to requirement (RFQ, RFP, GSA, IAA, BPA, etc.). • Assist in determining evaluation factors, sub factors, and relative importance of factors.

Draft solicitation in accordance with Acquisition and Source Selection Plan and ensure proper provisions and clauses are in the solicitation.

• Demonstrate the ability to differentiate between price analysis and cost analysis. Write a negotiation memorandum determining fair and reasonable price and the basis for decision.

• Participate, understand, and communicate roles and responsibilities of government and contractor to support contract administration.

• Issue both unilateral and bilateral modifications, and option modifications and recognize when work is outside of scope of contract.

• Utilize various Federal websites, FAR, and agency policy to perform research as needed. Level III Experience Requirements:

• Perform market research to identify contract terms and conditions that may be relevant to a given industry. Examples include, financing terms, contract type and warranties, etc.

• Document decisions related to socio-economic source restrictions and preferences, including any decisions to reject or withdraw set-asides.

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• Provide proactive business advice on requirements documentation based on analysis of requirements and performance-based approaches to find the best solution to satisfy mission requirements. Review/explain contract types and existing contract vehicles to select one most suitable for fulfilling the requirements.

• Assist in development of Source Selection Plan (formal or informal) in accordance with applicable guidance and relate to the acquisition plan.

• Issue a written solicitation consistent with the requirements documents, acquisition plan and source selection plan, that includes appropriate provisions and clauses tailored to the requirement.

• Demonstrate the ability to identify and compute price/cost for negotiations. Basis may include Independent Government Cost Estimates, Historical Prices, and data obtained through market research. Conduct Best Value (tradeoff process) analysis.

• Demonstrate knowledge or reviewing contracts assigned to assure appropriate clauses, terms, and conditions are included and government and contractor understand roles and responsibilities.

• Issue change orders, understand authority, and negotiate or execute supplemental agreements incorporating contractor proposal resulting from change orders issued under changes clause.

• Provide technical advice, assistance, and training to organization on changes in policies and procedures.

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APPENDIX 2

FAITAS CERTIFICATION APPLICATION AND CONTINUOUS LEARNING PROCEDURES

CERTIFICATION

I. FAC-C Level I, II, or III Certification

Register in the FAITAS System (Click Here to Access FAITAS)

Apply for certification in FAITAS through the following commands.

Top Toolbar>>Manager Career>>Certification>>My Certification Request>>Add Certification Requests

Please Note: All applications have three sections that require an attachment to be added in order to submit.

What Happens Next? The application will be routed, in the system, to your supervisor who will approve or disapprove. Once approved, it will be routed to your Bureau Certification Manager (BCM) for review and approval/disapproval. Once approved, it will then be routed to the Treasury Agency Certification Manager (ACM) for final review and approval/disapproval. Once approved, you will be notified through FAITAS and your certification will be available in the FAITAS system. You must maintain your certification every two years by meeting all continuous learning requirements.

Supporting Documentation Requirements for FAC-C Applications: Education Documentation: Diploma or course transcript from a four-year accredited college or university, and copy of accreditation page from the U.S. Department of Education website; OR course transcript from an accredited college or university, highlighted to identify completion of 24 semester hours of business credits, and copy of accreditation page from the U.S. Department of Education website. The education documentation is required for all applications, including those applications based on DAWIA certification. Training Documentation: Applications that are not based on DAWIA certification – Evidence of completion mandatory FAC-C courses (and electives for Level III).

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Applications that are based on DAWIA certification – DAWIA certificate, and evidence of completion within the past two years of coursework or other activities for which a minimum of 80 CLPs were earned.

Experience Documentation: Resume *Note, the experience documentation is required for all applications, including those applications based on DAWIA certification. All resumes shall demonstrate experience requirements detailed in Appendix 1 and BCPOs shall certify individuals applying for FAC-C have the requisite experience.

II. FAC-COR Level I, II and III

Register in the FAITAS System (Click Here to Access FAITAS)

Apply for certification in FAITAS through the following commands.

Top Toolbar>>Manager Career>>Certification>>My Certification Request>>Add

Certification Requests

Please Note: All applications have three sections that require an attachment to be added in order to submit. For education, CORs may attach a blank word document as FAC-COR has no positive education requirement.

What Happens Next? The application will be routed, in the system, to your supervisor who will approve or disapprove. Once approved, it will be routed to your Bureau Certification Manager (BCM) for review and approval/disapproval. Once approved, it will then be routed to the Agency Certification Manager (ACM) for final review and approval/disapproval. Once approved, you will be notified through FAITAS and your certification will be available in the FAITAS system. You must maintain your certification every two years by meeting all continuous learning requirements. Supporting Documentation Requirements for FAC-COR Applications: Please refer to your bureau specific policy for documentation requirements. CONTINUOUS LEARNING FOR FAC-C AND FAC-COR Monitoring progress and completion of continuous learning (CL) is a joint effort between an employee, their Supervisor, and the Bureau CL Manager. It is the employee’s responsibility to know when their two-year period ends for CL completion, as well as understand that all required

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training must be completed and submitted in FAITAS prior to the end of the CL period. The CL period is based on initial certification date.

Apply for continuous learning points in FAITAS through the following commands.

Top Toolbar>>Manager Career>>Continuous Learning>>My Point Requests>>

Add Continuous Learning Points The CL Point request requires the requesting employee to indicate how many CLPs an event is worth. Please use the following table to determine CLP value:

SAMPLE EVENT POINTS Formal or Informal Training (such as FAI/DAU classroom or online courses)

1 CLP per hour of instruction

Accredited Higher Education Courses (such as university courses)

Generally, 10 CLPs per semester hour

Continuing Education Unit (CEU) 10 CLPs per CEU Equivalency Exam Same points as awarded for the course Learning event, training or seminar presentation

1 CLP per hour, including preparation; maximum of 20 CLPs per year

Attendance at a professional association meeting

1 CLP per meeting hour

Participation in multi-agency association meeting

1 CLP per meeting hour

Association Leadership Role 1 CLP per hour; maximum of 20 CLPs per year

Professional License or Certification 20 to 40 CLPs Publication 1 CLP per hour of material preparation;

maximum of 20 CLPs per year On-the-job Experiential Learning 1 CLP per hour of activity; maximum 20 CLPs per year

Mentoring 1 CLP per hour of activity; maximum 20 CLPs per year

Rotational or Developmental Assignment Based on learning achieved and length of assignment detail:

12 month assignment/detail 80 CLPs 9 months 65 CLPs 6 months 45 CLPs 3 months 35 CLPs 2 months 30 CLPs 1 month 20 CLPs

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What Happens Next? The request will be routed, in the system, to your supervisor who will approve or disapprove. Once approved, it will be routed to your Bureau Continuous Learning Manager (BCLM) for review and approval/disapproval.

Items of Note: You cannot request points for CL events older than your current CL Period. Points are recorded automatically when an individual completes training for which they are registered in FAITAS. If there are no points on the certificate, individuals must provide supporting documentation to indicate how many CLPs a course is worth.

*GS 1102s who are not FAC-C Certified – the system currently does not allow for tracking CLPs for individuals who are not currently FAC-C certified. All 1102s are required to complete 80 CLPs every two years. Bureaus shall maintain a continuous learning record for GS 1102s that are not FAC-C certified.

Continuous Learning Achievement: To receive credit for meeting continuous learning requirements for current CL cycle, individuals will be required to complete a CL Achievement Request. FAITAS will indicate when an employee meets all required CLPs for maintaining certification. The employee must then submit a CL Achievement Request for approval. After receiving the system generated email the employee shall go to:

Top Toolbar>>Manager Career>>Continuous Learning>>My Continuous

Learning>>Ready for Submission

What Happens Next? The request will be routed, in the system, to your supervisor who will approve or disapprove. Once approved, it will be routed to your Bureau Continuous Learning Manager (BCLM) for review and approval/disapproval.

FAITAS INSTRUCTIONS

The links below provide the FAITAS User Guides for Employee, Supervisor and Bureau Certification/Continuous Learning Manager actions in FAITAS. These are step-by-step instructions to all the actions employees, supervisors and Bureaus Certification/Continuous Learning Managers will do in the FAITAS System. Click Here for FAITAS User Guides

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APPENDIX 3

Treasury Implementation of Fulfillment in Lieu of Completion of FAC-C Mandatory Courses

(RESERVED)