GSA Expo 2009

1. GSA Expo 2009 FEDERAL ACQUISITION CERTIFICATION – How to Obtain and Maintain Debbie Hahn Linda Ott Social Security FAIAdministration

2. GOALS OF THIS PRESENTATION Overview of Certification Programs Best Practices for Implementation Keys to Success Resources

3. HOW IT ALL STARTED

4. OFPP Policy Letter 05-01 Developing and Managing the Federal Acquisition Workforce—April 15, 2005 • Purpose was twofold-- • Expand definition of the acquisition workforce • Align civilian and defense workforce requirements

5. 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

6. 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

7. Governmentwide Certification and Career Development 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.)

8. 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.

9. FAC-C (cont’d) WAYS TO MEET REQUIREMENTS • Education and Experience • Training • DAWIA Certification

10. 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

11. 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)

12. FAC-C—What is required? (cont’d) Training (cont’d) • DAU training or • DAU-equivalent courses or • Fulfillment

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. QUESTIONS