GSA Expo 2009

FEDERAL ACQUISITION CERTIFICATION –

How to Obtain and Maintain

Debbie Hahn Linda Ott

Social Security FAIAdministration

GOALS OF THIS PRESENTATION

Overview of Certification Programs Best Practices for Implementation Keys to Success Resources

HOW IT ALL STARTED

• Purpose was twofold--• Expand definition of the acquisition

workforce • Align civilian and defense workforce

requirements

OFPP Policy Letter 05-01 Developing and Managing the Federal Acquisition Workforce—April 15, 2005

Expand Definition of the Acquisition Workforce

• At a minimum, the acquisition workforce includes:

• All GS-1102s• All warranted Contracting Officers (COs) regardless of

series• All GS-1105s• Program and project managers, as identified by the SPE• All Contracting Officers Representatives and Contracting

Officers Technical Representatives• Any acquisition-related position identified by the SPE

Aligning the Civilian and Defense Workforce Requirements

• Core competencies• Common to Civilian and Defense Agencies

• Core Training Aligned• Uniform Core Training Requirements for Civilian

and Defense Agencies

• Development and Implementation of Governmentwide Federal Acquisition Certification Programs

Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) -- (Generally applies to the GS-1102 Series)

Federal Acquisition Certification for Program and Project Managers (FAC-P/PM)(Required for P/PMs working on programs considered major acquisitions such those covered by OMB Circular A-11, Exhibit 300 Acquisitions)

Federal Acquisition Certification for Contracting Officer Technical Representatives (FAC-COTR)(Applies to all COTRs appointed to a contract.)

Governmentwide Certification and Career Development Programs

FAC-C

FAC-C was established via OMB Memo dated January 20, 2006 (available at http://www.fai.gov)

Not mandatory for all 1102s; however, required for new COs warranted after January 1, 2007.

Mirrors Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements.

FAC-C (cont’d)

WAYS TO MEET REQUIREMENTS

• Education and Experience• Training• DAWIA Certification

FAC-C—What is required?

Education and experience• Education requirement is set forth in the GS-1102

Qualification Standards (www.opm.gov)• There is no waiver authority for this requirement

under FAC-C• SPE may waive requirement for FAC-C

certification, not education, for warranting purposes

• Experience is generally based on the qualification standard referenced above and is cumulative as set forth in the January 2006 memo

FAC-C—What is required? (cont’d)

Training FAC-C aligns with DAWIA for training

requirement at the junior, intermediate, and senior levels

The training requirements for FAC-C are contained in the January 2006 implementation memo found at http://www.fai.gov)

FAC-C—What is required? (cont’d)

Training (cont’d) DAU training or DAU-equivalent courses or Fulfillment

FAC-C—What is required? (cont’d)

DAWIA Certification A valid, current DAWIA certification in

contracting is equivalent to FAC-C at the same certification level

Education and experience requirements for FAC-C still must be met

How To Maintain FAC-C Certification

80 continuous learning points (CLP) every 2 years

January 2006 Memo, Appendix B provides specific guidance on meeting CLP requirements

FAC-P/PM

FAC-P/PM was established via OMB Memo dated April 25, 2007 (available at http://www.fai.gov)

Not mandatory for all program and project managers; however, those assigned to programs considered major acquisitions must, at a minimum, be senior-level certified

Certified professionals are required to earn 80 CLPs every 2 years to maintain FAC-P/PM

FAC-P/PM (cont’d)

Different from FAC-C--– No specific curriculum prescribed– Describes core, minimum competencies

considered essential for successful program and project management

– Certification is based on attaining these competencies

– No education requirement

FAC-COTR

FAC-COTR was established via OMB Memo dated November 26, 2007 (available at http://www.fai.gov)

All COTRS appointed to a contract after the effective date of this policy letter must be certified and must maintain their skills currency through continuous learning

FAC-COTR (cont’d)

Like FAC-P/PM, there is no prescribed curriculum for FAC-COTR

– Must have a minimum of 40 hours of training to receive certification

22 of the 40 hours must cover essential COTR competencies

18 should include agency-specific courses/assignment specific courses

– Must earn 40 CLPs every 2 years to maintain certification

THINGS TO REMEMBER

All certification programs require continuous learning to maintain certification

All certification programs are based on core competencies forming the foundation for the knowledge, skills, and abilities to effectively perform as a contracting officer, program/project manager, or COTR

Things to Remember (cont’d)

Federal Certification Programs are designed to establish consistent competencies and standards for those performing acquisition-related work in civilian agencies.

Important for all of us to maintain the integrity of the programs to ensure we are accomplishing the intent of this effort--– Improving the competency of the acquisition

workforce—current and future

Things to Remember (cont’d)

– Improving recruitment by targeting those individuals possessing the core competencies needed to be a successful acquisition professional.

A well-trained acquisition workforce is essential to agencies in order to accomplish acquisition mission goals effectively and responsibly

Summary

YOUR BEST RESOURCE FOR INFORMATION IS THE FAI WEB SITE-- http://www.fai.gov/

ONE-STOP SHOP FOR ALL CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS AND THE REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH PROGRAM

QUESTIONS