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Acquisition Workforce\
Training, Delegation,\
and Management System

United States

Department of

Agriculture

Office of Procurement

And Property Management

AGAR ADVISORY \# 85

May 9, 2008

USDA Acquisition Workforce Training, Delegation and Management System

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section Page[]{#_Purpose__ .anchor}

3.  [Purpose](#PURPOSE) 1

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2.  [[]{#Section2 .anchor}Cancellation](#Cancellation)[]{#_Policy__
    .anchor} 1

3.  [Policy](#POLICY) []{#_Applicability__ .anchor} 1

4.  [Applicability](#APPLICABILITY) []{#_Background__ .anchor} 2

5.  [Background](#BACKGRD) []{#Section6 .anchor}2

6.  [Abbreviations](#ABBREVIATIONS) []{#Section7 .anchor} 2

7.  [Definitions](#DEFINITIONS) 3[]{#_Acquisition_Workforce_Training
    .anchor}

8.  [Education Requirements and Procurement Training](#section-3)
    6[]{#Section9 .anchor}

9.  [Federal Acquisition Certifications](#federal_acq_cert)
    []{#Section10 .anchor} 8

10. [Appointments and Warrant
    Authority](#appointment_and_warrant_authority) []{#section11
    .anchor} 9

11. [Continuous Learning for Acquisition Workforce
    Employees](#Continuious_learningforacquuisition) []{#Section12
    .anchor} 13

12. [Termination/Revocation of
    Appointment](#Terminationrevocationofappt) 1[]{#Section13 .anchor}3

13. [GS-1102 Qualification Standard Waivers](#GS1102) []{#Section14
    .anchor} 14

14. [Responsibility for the Acquisition Workforce Career Management
    Program](#acquisitionworkforcecareer) 15 []{#Section15 .anchor}

15. [Acquisition Workforce
    Contractor-Employees](#Acq_workforce_contractoremployee)
    []{#Section16 .anchor}16

16. [Civil Rights](#Civilrights) 16

17. [Conflict of Interest/Ethics](#conflictofinterest)[]{#section17
    .anchor} []{#Section18 .anchor}16

18. [Agency Supplements](#agencysupplements) []{#Section19 .anchor}16

19. [Authorization to Waive the Requirements of this
    Advisory](#waivetherequirementsofthisregulation) 17

20. [Inquiries](#inquires-1) 17

> Appendix A [[[]{#Section20 .anchor}]{#A .anchor}Qualification Standard
> for General Schedule Positions](#APPENDIXA) A-1
>
> Appendix B [[]{#B .anchor}OFPP Policy Letter 05-01](#APPENDIXB) B-1
>
> Appendix C [[]{#C .anchor}The Federal Acquisition Certification in
> Contracting Program](#APPENDIXC) C-1
>
> Appendix D [[]{#D .anchor}Contracting Officer Warrant Authority for
> GS-1102/GS-1105](#APPENDIXD) D-1
>
> Appendix E [[]{#E .anchor}Contracting Officer Warrant Authority for
> GS-1102](#APPENDIXE) E-1
>
> Appendix F [[]{#F .anchor}Education and Training for
> GS-1102](#APPENDIXXF) F-1
>
> Appendix G [[]{#G .anchor}Training for COR/COTRs or Equivalent
> Positions](#APPENDIXXG) G-1
>
> Appendix H [[]{#H .anchor}Contracting Officer Qualification
> Statement](#appendixxh) H-1
>
> Appendix I [[]{#I .anchor}Contracting Officer Representative
> Qualification Statement](#APPENDIXXI) I-1
>
> Appendix J [[]{#J .anchor}Format for Contracting Office Warrant
> Request](#APPENDIXXJ) J-1
>
> Appendix K [[]{#K .anchor}USDA Federal Acquisition Certification
> in](#APPENDIXXK)
>
> [Contracting Application Format](#APPENDIXXK) K-1
>
> Appendix L [[]{#L .anchor}Federal Acquisition Certification in
> Contracting Checklist](#APPENDIXXL) L-1
>
> Appendix M [[]{#M .anchor}The Federal Acquisition Certification
> for](#APPENDIXXM)
>
> [Program and Project Managers](#APPENDIXXM) M-1
>
> Appendix N [The Federal Acquisition Certification for](#APPENDIXN)
>
> [Contracting Officer Technical Representatives](#APPENDIXN) N-1

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE\
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20250

##  {#section .unnumbered}

## [[]{#PURPOSE .anchor}**PURPOSE**](#_Purpose__) 

> This Advisory establishes the following procedures for the USDA
> Acquisition Workforce (AW) Career Management Program:

a.  Procedures for effective career development pursuant to Office of
    Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) Policy Letter No. 05-01.

b.  Departmental procedures for the selection, appointment, and
    termination of appointment of Contracting Officers as required by
    Section 1.603 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and
    Section 401.603 of the Agriculture Acquisition Regulation (AGAR).

##  {#section-1 .unnumbered}

## [[]{#Cancellation .anchor}**CANCELLATION**](#Section2) 

This AGAR Advisory does not cancel DR 5001-1 Departmental Regulation
(DR) 5001-1 "*Acquisition Workforce Training, Delegation, and Tracking
Systems*" dated September 30, 2003. However, guidance within this AGAR
Advisory shall supersede DR 5001-1 Departmental Regulation (DR) 5001-1
"*Acquisition Workforce Training, Delegation, and Tracking Systems*"
dated September 30, 2003, on an interim basis.

## [[]{#POLICY .anchor}**POLICY**](#_Policy__) 

> Contracting activities shall provide AW employees government-wide
> training for creating the skills necessary to deliver best value
> supplies and services, to find the best business solutions, and to
> provide strategic business advice to accomplish agency missions. On
> behalf of the Chief Acquisition Officer (CAO) and Senior Procurement
> Executive (SPE), each Head of the Contracting Activity (HCA) is
> responsible for developing and maintaining an acquisition career
> management program that is in compliance with mandatory acquisition
> training and experience standards as outlined in this Advisory.

##  {#section-2 .unnumbered}

## [[]{#APPLICABILITY .anchor}**APPLICABILITY**](#_Applicability__) 

[]{#APPLICABILITY .anchor}

> The guidance contained herein shall apply to the following acquisition
> workforce personnel:

a.  Contracting Officers regardless of General Schedule series;

b.  All positions in the GS-1102 Contracting series;

c.  All positions in the GS-1105 Purchasing Series;

d.  Contracting Officer Representatives/Contracting Officer Technical
    Representatives or equivalent positions;

e.  Program and project managers as identified by the CAO;

f.  Heads of Contracting Activity Designees; and

g.  Any other position identified by the CAO to be an acquisition
    workforce position.

## [[]{#BACKGRD .anchor}**BACKGROUND**](#_Background__)

> In 1996, Congress passed the Clinger-Cohen Act (Act), Pub. L. 104-106,
> to establish education, training, and experience requirements for
> civilian agencies that are comparable to the Defense Acquisition
> Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) for the Department of Defense (DOD).
> This Advisory builds on that Act by implementing OFPP Policy Letter
> No. 05-01 and closely aligning civilian (non-DOD) and DOD workforce
> requirements.

## [[]{#ABBREVIATIONS .anchor}**ABBREVIATIONS**](#Section6)

> ACM Acquisition Career Manager
>
> AGAR Agriculture Acquisition Regulation
>
> ACMIS Acquisition Career Management Information System

AW Acquisition Workforce

CAO Chief Acquisition Officer

CO Contracting Officer

COTR Contracting Officer Technical Representative

DAU Defense Acquisition University

DAWIA Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act

DOD Department of Defense

DR Departmental Regulation

EO Executive Order

FAC-C Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting

FAC-COTR Federal Acquisition Certification for Contracting Officer

Technical Representatives

> FAC-P/PM Federal Acquisition Certification for Program and Project
> Managers

FAR Federal Acquisition Regulation

FAI Federal Acquisition Institute

FPDS-NG Federal Procurement Data System-Next Generation

FSS Federal Supply Schedule

GS General Schedule

GSA General Services Administration

HCA Head of the Contracting Activity

HCAD Head of the Contracting Activity Designee

> IT Information Technology
>
> NCMA National Contract Management Association
>
> OFPP Office of Federal Procurement Policy (Office of Management and
> Budget)
>
> OPPM Office of Procurement and Property Management
>
> PPD Procurement Policy Division
>
> SAP Simplified Acquisition Procedures
>
> SPE Senior Procurement Executive
>
> USDA United States Department of Agriculture

## [[]{#DEFINITIONS .anchor}**DEFINITIONS**](#Section7) 

a.  [Acquisition Workforce]{.underline}. The personnel component of the
    Federal acquisition system. The Acquisition Workforce includes
    employees in the GS-1102 series, GS-1105 series, HCADs, Contracting
    Officers, COTRs/CORs or equivalent, program and project managers,
    and other positions as identified by the CAO.

b.  [Acquisition Career Manager]{.underline}. An employee responsible
    for an agency's acquisition career management program. The ACM helps
    to assure the agency's acquisition workforce meets the requirements
    of OFPP Policy Letter 05-01. The ACM for USDA is in OPPM/PPD. Each
    contracting activity appoints an ACM to carry out their agency's
    workforce activities.

c.  [Acquisition Career Management Information System]{.underline}.
    ACMIS is a federal system of records to track acquisition workforce
    training and education. FAI developed the system to assist civilian
    agencies in making informed budgeting, staffing, training, and
    employment development decisions. It also supports agencies\'
    requirements to maintain AW training records as directed under the
    Clinger-Cohen Act. Acquisition workforce employees are responsible
    for updating and maintaining their training record using ACMIS.

d.  [Acquisition Career Management Program.]{.underline} An established
    program within OPPM responsible for enhancing the careers of USDA's
    AW by developing, implementing, and evaluating training policies
    issued pursuant to Executive Order No. 12931, and Policy Letter No.
    05-01.

e.  [Appointing Official]{.underline}. A person authorized to confer
    warrant authority (issue a Contracting Officer warrant) consistent
    with the applicable requirements of the FAR, AGAR, and this
    Advisory.

f.  [Certification]{.underline}. An assurance that an employee has the
    experience, education and training plus personal factors such as
    business acumen, judgment, character, reputation, and ethics to
    perform selected duties.

g.  [Chief Acquisition Officer]{.underline}. A non-career employee
    designated by the Secretary pursuant to Public Law 108-12, Title XIV
    (Title 41, Chapter 7 §414) to assure best value acquisition services
    are delivered to USDA customers in support of their mission, while
    balancing an emphasis on compliance, ethics, and integrity. The CAO
    is responsible for managing a broad range of acquisition activities
    including:

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(1) Managing USDA's contract activities;

(2) Overseeing the development of procurement systems;

(3) Evaluating system performance in accordance with approved criteria;

(4) Enhancing career management of the AW;

(5) Certifying to the Secretary that procurement systems meet approved
    criteria.

> The Secretary has designated the Senior Procurement Executive as the
> Deputy CAO.

h.  [Continuous Learning Point (CLP).]{.underline} Continuous learning
    activities enhance the employees' ability to stay current by
    learning new skills and improving current competencies. These
    activities may consist of events, self-paced and instructor-led
    training, and other educational activities. One continuous learning
    point is equivalent to one hour of instruction or learning activity.

i.  [Contract.]{.underline} See definition in FAR 2.101. A mutually
    binding legal agreement signed by a Contracting Officer that
    obligates the Government to an expenditure of funds, despite the
    character of the funding.

j.  [Contract Specialist]{.underline}. Federal employees in the GS-1102
    series.

k.  [Contracting Activity]{.underline}. A USDA organization with a
    written departmental delegation from the SPE establishing it as a
    contracting activity with authority to manage its contract function
    and those of other organizations for which it provides contracting
    support.

l.  [Contracting Officer (CO)]{.underline}. A person delegated authority
    to (1) enter, administer, terminate contracts in accordance with
    Federal acquisition laws and regulations, and (2) make related
    determinations and findings.

m.  [Contracting Officer's Representative (COR)]{.underline}. See
    Contracting Officer Technical Representative.

n.  [Contracting Officer's Technical Representatives
    (COTR)]{.underline}. Also referred to as Contracting Officer
    Representative. A person designated by the Contracting Officer to
    assist in the technical monitoring or administration of a contract.
    Procedures vary slightly from agency to agency, but agencies must
    designate COTRs in writing with a copy furnished to the contractor.
    The designation does not include authority to make commitments or
    changes that affect price, quality, quantity, delivery, or other
    terms and conditions of the contract.

o.  [Contracting Officer Warrant Authority]{.underline}. Authority to
    bind the Government.

p.  [Current Certification]{.underline}. A certification that meets all
    continuous learning requirements.

q.  [Defense Acquisition University (DAU) Equivalency]{.underline}.
    Contractor courses that correspond to the mandatory DAWIA
    contracting courses.

r.  [Equivalent Course.]{.underline}. A course used as a substitute for
    one or more of the mandatory government-wide courses as specified by
    FAI or DAU.

s.  [Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting
    (FAC-C).]{.underline} An acquisition certification program that
    reflects a government-wide standard for education, training, and
    experience leading to core competencies. Certifications do not
    expire. However, employees are required to keep certificates current
    by meeting the continuous learning requirements of OFPP 05-01 and DR
    5001-1.

t.  [Federal Supply Schedule (FSS).]{.underline} Indefinite delivery
    contracts, including requirements contracts, awarded by the General
    Services Administration (GSA), using competitive procedures to
    provide supplies and services for given periods.

u.  [Head of the Agency or Agency Head]{.underline}. The Secretary of
    Agriculture, Deputy Secretary, or the Assistant Secretary for
    Administration.

v.  [Head of the Contracting Activity (HCA)]{.underline}. The official
    delegated broad authority by the SPE to manage the contracting
    activity (e.g., Chief, Forest Service, USDA Agency Administrator,
    etc.). Unless stated otherwise, the HCA may designate, on a
    non-delegable basis, an employee (not a position), to act as the
    HCA.

w.  [Head of the Contracting Activity Designee (HCAD)]{.underline}. An
    employee (not a position) designated by the HCA to carry out the
    functions of the HCA. The HCAD must meet the requirements of DR
    5001-1 and be no lower in the organization than the Director of
    Administrative Services or an equivalent position.

x.  [Procurement Authority]{.underline}. Includes one or more of the
    rights to appoint contracting officers on a SF-1402, *Certificate of
    Appointment*, sign FAR determinations, or bind the government by
    signing contracts. Procurement authority within USDA flows from the
    SPE, to the HCA, to the HCAD, on to the Contracting Officer.

y.  [Procurement System]{.underline}. The integration of the procurement
    process, the professional development of the AW, and the management
    structure for carrying out the procurement function. Authority over
    the procurement system flows from the CAO, to the SPE, to the HCA,
    on to the HCAD.

z.  [Program Manager]{.underline}. The person with overall
    responsibility for program plans, budgets, schedules, and timely
    completion within cost limitations. Planning responsibilities
    include developing acquisition strategies and promoting full and
    open competition.

a.  [Project Manager]{.underline}. The person with knowledge of the
    principles, methods, or tools for developing, scheduling,
    coordinating, and managing projects and resources, including
    monitoring and inspecting cost, work, and contract performance.

b.  [Senior Procurement Executive (SPE]{.underline}). The Agency
    official designated by the Secretary pursuant to Executive Order
    No.12931 and the OFPP Act, 41 U.S.C. 414. Through a delegation to
    the Assistant Secretary for Administration, the Secretary has
    designated the Director, Office of Procurement and Property
    Management, to serve as the SPE.

c.  [Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP).]{.underline} The methods
    prescribed in FAR Part 13 for making purchases of supplies or
    services up to \$100,000 or the otherwise defined simplified
    acquisition threshold.

d.  [Unauthorized Commitments]{.underline}. Commitments made without
    authority to bind the Government.

e.  [Valid Certification]{.underline}. Authentic documentation signed
    and issued by an authorized employee within a legitimate
    organization.

f.  [Warrant]{.underline}. A Certificate of Appointment, SF-1402,
    authorizing an employee to serve in the capacity of a Contracting
    Officer. It also assures the public that the Contracting Officer has
    authority to enter into, administer, and/or terminate contracts.

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1.  [EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS AND PROCUREMENT
    TRAINING](#_Acquisition_Workforce_Training)

##  {#section-3 .unnumbered}

## [Educational Requirements]{.underline}

## Appendix A, *Qualification Standard for GS-1102 Personnel*, outlines educational requirements for contract specialists (e.g., college degree, semester hours, etc.) Educational requirements for COTRs and HCA/HCADs fall within the purview of their job series and are not AW requirements. USDA recommends GS-1105 employees meet the minimum educational requirement outlined in Appendix D for Level I contracting officers. {#appendix-a-qualification-standard-for-gs-1102-personnel-outlines-educational-requirements-for-contract-specialists-e.g.-college-degree-semester-hours-etc.-educational-requirements-for-cotrs-and-hcahcads-fall-within-the-purview-of-their-job-series-and-are-not-aw-requirements.-usda-recommends-gs-1105-employees-meet-the-minimum-educational-requirement-outlined-in-appendix-d-for-level-i-contracting-officers. .unnumbered}

## [GS-1102 Qualification Standard Mandatory Procurement Training]{.underline}

> Whether warranted or unwarranted, GS-1102 employees are responsible
> for knowing, understanding, and performing contract duties
> commensurate with their grade level. Upon issuance of this Advisory,
> employees shall meet the FAC-C Level II requirements to qualify for a
> GS-1102-13 and above position. Two years after issuance of a revised
> version of DR 5001-1, employees shall meet the FAC-C Level III
> requirements to qualify for a GS-1102-13 and above position (See
> Appendix F). Hiring activities who are considering hiring individuals
> who do not meet the Qualification standard or FAC-C requirements shall
> coordinate with their Human Resource officer when submitting a waiver
> request in accordance with Paragraph 36. The hiring activity shall
> provide the Human Resource officer a copy of the approved SPE waiver
> prior to making a job offer.

## [Training GS-1105 Personnel]{.underline}

## Personnel in the GS-1105 series, Purchasing Agents, are not required to meet FAC-C Level I educational requirements. Contracting activities are encouraged to provide GS-1105 employees FAC-C Level I procurement training upon completion of the basic SAP course. At a minimum, contracting activities shall provide GS-1105 employees an extensive *Simplified Acquisition Procedure* course.  {#personnel-in-the-gs-1105-series-purchasing-agents-are-not-required-to-meet-fac-c-level-i-educational-requirements.-contracting-activities-are-encouraged-to-provide-gs-1105-employees-fac-c-level-i-procurement-training-upon-completion-of-the-basic-sap-course.-at-a-minimum-contracting-activities-shall-provide-gs-1105-employees-an-extensive-simplified-acquisition-procedure-course. .unnumbered}

## [Training Heads of the Contracting Activity Designees]{.underline}

(1) Each HCAD shall have a cumulative sum of 160 hours of procurement
    training within one year after designation by the HCA. Non-GS-1102
    HCADs shall obtain at least 40 hours of procurement training every
    two years. GS-1102 employees shall comply with the continuous
    learning requirements outlined in Appendix C. Listed below are some
    activities for accumulating procurement training:

    a.  Attend seminars to remain current with new procurement reforms;

    b.  Attend courses via formal classroom training, brown-bag
        luncheons, on line, etc.;

    c.  Attend NCMA and other meeting with special speakers on
        procurement issues; or

    d.  Attend procurement courses.

(2) HCADs shall assure training accomplishments, including the number of
    hours, are included in ACMIS. Submit all requests for exceptions or
    extensions to the Director/OPPM.

## [Training Contracting Officer Technical Representatives]{.underline}

> Employees designated as COTRs must demonstrate an ability to perform
> selected pre-award and post-award administrative functions on behalf
> of the Contracting Officer.
>
> Professional business and technical competencies for COTRs are listed
> on the FAI website. COTR training shall be as directed in Appendix G
> or as updated by FAI at (www.fai.gov). In lieu of formal classroom
> instruction, COTRs may obtain basic on-line training from the FAI
> Continuous Learning Center

## [Micro-Purchase Training for Nonprocurement Personnel]{.underline}

> Unwarranted Micro-purchase cardholders are not AW members. USDA issued
> purchase cards to employees to reduce the issuance of administratively
> costly purchase orders for inexpensive goods and services up to the
> Micro-purchase threshold. Purchase Card Managers are responsible for
> providing cardholders training prior to issuance of the purchase card.

2.  [[]{#federal_acq_cert .anchor}FEDERAL ACQUISITION
    CERTIFICATIONS](#Section9)

## [The Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting Program]{.underline}

> The Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) program
> establishes mandatory core requirements for education, training, and
> experience for GS-1102 contracting professionals within civilian
> contracting activities. A FAC-C Level III is the acceptable standard
> throughout the Federal Government and is evidence that senior level
> employees have met the requirements for a GS-1102, grade 13 and above
> position.
>
> Upon issuance of this Advisory, contracting officers issued new
> warrants must meet
>
> the FAC-C program requirements at an appropriate level to support
> their warrant. Executive guidance defines new warrants as warrants
> issued for the first time in USDA.
>
> In special situations, the SPE may waive the FAC-C training
> requirements for warranting purposes by granting a non-transferable
> waiver when it is determined to be in the best interest of the agency.
> Contracting activities shall submit their request through the HCA to
> the SPE. At a minimum, each request shall include a description of the
> deficiency, the estimated time required to meet the FAC-C warrant
> requirement, and the impact on the agency should the SPE not grant a
> waiver.
>
> The CAO has determined non-GS-1102 contracting officers to be outside
> the scope of the FAC-C program. Therefore, their participation in the
> FAC-C program is highly advised, but not required to obtain a new
> warrant.

a.  [FAC-C Application Process]{.underline}

After completion of the requirements listed in Appendix L, employees
must apply for a FAC-C certificate (see Appendix K) through their
supervisor or other requesting official as directed by the agency.
Verification of mandatory training for the specified FAC-C request level
and a copy of any previous FAC-C certification shall be part of the
submission package to the contracting activity. The ACM for the agency
shall review the request and forward the FAC-C application, minus
education and training documentation, to OPPM/PPD. Upon receipt, the
USDA ACM will provide a final FAC-C review, verify employee documented
training information in ACMIS, obtain SPE approval, and forward the
signed FAC-C certificate back to the requesting agency HCA/HCAD.

> The issuance of the FAC-C certificate at a specific level is a
> one-time process. The certificate represents completion of
> government-wide standards and each Executive agency shall accept the
> certificate as proof of competency for the certified level.

b.  [FAC-P/PM Program]{.underline}

> On April 25, 2007, the OFPP established guidelines for well-trained
> and experienced program and project managers. The guidelines help
> establish a partnership between program/project managers and
> contracting professionals. Details for the program are in Appendix M.
> OPPM will post the application process at
> [www.usda.gov/procurement](http://www.usda.gov/procurement).

## [FAC-COTR Program]{.underline}

Contracting activities are responsible for establishing and managing
their COTR programs. Each activity shall administer the program in
accordance with the guidance in Appendix G. The HCA/HCAD shall assure
the COTR enters applicable training information in ACMIS after issuance
of the designation letter by the Contracting Officer and before issuance
of the FAC-COTR certificate.

> Agencies shall certify Level I COTRs no later than six months from the
> date of appointment. Level II or Level III COTRs shall meet the
> training and experience requirements within three months after
> assuming COTR duties. During unusual and compelling emergencies, when
> it is certain that a higher level COTR is needed but not available,
> the HCA/HCAD, on a one-time, non-delegable basis, may temporarily
> waive any COTR training requirements above the basic 40 hour minimum.
> Waivers shall document why the designated employee(s) will not have an
> opportunity to obtain the required training within the three-month
> timeframe and a proposed schedule for completion of the training.
>
> COTRs who fail to meet the 40 CLP training requirement are not
> considered current in the FAC-COTR program. Inactive COTRs must meet
> the continuous learning requirement within six months from their date
> of appointment.
>
> Contracting Officers and Program managers shall determine when a COTR
> is required and the level necessary to administer the contract.

Specific details on the FAC-COTR program are in Appendix N. The Office
of Federal Procurement Policy and FAI will periodically update the
FAC-COTR program. Federal FAC-COTR guidance and program changes shall
take precedence over USDA guidance.

3.  [[]{#appointment_and_warrant_authority .anchor}APPOINTMENTS AND
    WARRANT AUTHORITY](#Section10)

## [Appointing Officials for Contracting Officers]{.underline}

> Unless authorized otherwise by the SPE in writing, the HCA and HCAD
> are the agency's appointing officials for Contracting Officers. The
> HCA and HCAD shall determine if the appointment is consistent with
> applicable requirements of the AGAR, DR 5001-1, the FAR and other
> delegations of authority.
>
> Appointing officials shall issue warrants when there is an
> organizational need for a Contracting Officer. Factors such as volume
> of actions, complexity of work, and organizational structure shall be
> major consideration when determining whether to grant a warrant
> request. The appointing official shall assure the applicant has
> demonstrated an ability to apply applicable procurement laws,
> regulations, policies, and sound business judgment.

##  {#section-4 .unnumbered}

## [Contracting Officer Appointments]{.underline}

> Appointing officials shall grant Level I through Level III Contracting
> Officer warrants in writing on a Certificate of Appointment (SF-1402).
> The certificate shall state the employee's name (not a position);
> limitations on the scope of warrant authority; and be displayed openly
> to the general public and agency personnel. Appointing officials shall
> ensure employees nominated as Contracting Officers meet the minimum
> requirements of Appendix D and Appendix E. The ACM shall periodically
> examine the qualifications and need for Contracting Officer
> appointments.

## [Contracting Officer Appointment Procedures]{.underline} 

The following guidance is not mandatory for non-GS-1102 employees or
GS-1102 employees applying for Level I Contracting Officer warrants.

(1) *Warrants to new USDA employees without a FAC-C certificate:*
    Employees applying for new warrants must become FAC-C members at a
    level to support their warrant. Contracting Officer candidates shall
    provide a copy of their training information to their supervisor or
    Agency ACM as directed by the contracting activity. Supervisors and
    Agency ACMs shall accept training certificates or other official
    documentation as verification of the successful completion of
    warranting requirements outlined in Appendix D and Appendix E.
    Excluding the issuance of an unlimited warrant, the agency HCA/HCAD
    has authority to issue a new warrant after approval of the warrant
    request and submission of the FAC-C package to OPPM. The HCA/HCAD
    shall issue an unlimited warrant after receipt of the Level III
    FAC-C certificate.

(2) *Warrants to new USDA employees with a FAC-C certificate:*
    Contracting activities shall accept FAC-C certificates issued by
    USDA and other Executive agencies as verification of successful
    completion of government-wide standards. Upon presentation of a
    valid and current certificate, the HCA/HCAD may issue the warrant in
    accordance with agency standards. Employees who do not hold current
    FAC-C certificates must complete the "*80 CLP requirement*" prior to
    the issuance of a warrant.

(3) *Warrants to USDA employees without a FAC-C certificate:* The
    HCA/HCAD may reissue warrants at the same dollar amount (or less)
    without meeting the FAC-C requirements when employees move from one
    USDA Contracting Activity to another USDA Contracting Activity. USDA
    employees must meet the FAC-C requirements using procedures in
    paragraph (1) above for an increase in warrant authority.

(4) *Warrants to DAWIA Certified employees*: A DAWIA certification in
    contracting is equivalent to a FAC-C at the same certification
    level. Employees are responsible for providing a current DAWIA
    certificate and information that documents their continuous learning
    history. Upon satisfactory review, the HCA/HCAD may issue a warrant
    to employees who hold a valid and current DAWIA certification.
    Employees who do not hold current DAWIA certificates must complete
    the "*80 CLP requirement*" prior to the issuance of a warrant.

## [Required Amount of Delegated Warrant Authority]{.underline}

> Contracting Officers have authority to sign contracts up to their
> delegated warrant authority as specified on the SF-1402. They also
> have authority to use Government-wide purchase cards as a payment
> mechanism for contractual actions over the micro-purchase threshold
> and up to their delegated warrant authority or \$1 million, whichever
> is less, after confirming the receipt of goods and services.
>
> Contracting Officers shall not sign contracts, including
> modifications, options, estimated orders against an indefinite
> delivery contract, or any other agreement, that will result in the
> total amount of the contract exceeding their delegated warrant
> authority. In some situations, higher-level Contracting Officers must
> sign the contract when amendments or modifications to orders and
> contracts make the total amount of the contract exceed the Contracting
> Officer's warrant limitation. Contracting Officers are not necessarily
> required to conduct or participate in every aspect of the contract
> personally. However, the Contracting Officer is the person responsible
> for assuring the signed document complies with all applicable laws,
> rules, and regulations.
>
> Contracting Officers are legally responsible for their signed
> procurement documents. Contracting Officers cannot sign "for" or over
> the name of another Contracting Officer, or at a level exceeding the
> limitations stated on his or her warrant.

## [Maximum Warrant Authority for GS-1102 Personnel]{.underline} 

> Appointing Officials may grant up to an unlimited amount of warrant
> authority to GS-1102 personnel. Warrant authority should be limited to
> the level necessary to support the agency's procurement requirements.
> Contracting Officers shall meet all general and specialized
> requirements outlined requirements in Appendix D and Appendix E prior
> to the issuance of a warrant.

##  {#section-5 .unnumbered}

## [Maximum Warrant Authority for GS-1105 Personnel]{.underline} 

> When authorized, GS-1105 personnel have authority to purchase
> supplies/services, IT products, construction, and
> architect/engineering contract requirements using the simplified
> acquisition procedures with the following limitations:

(1) Purchase orders, including modifications, up to \$100,000 and

(2) Delivery orders, including modifications, up to \$300,000.

## [USDA Warrant Authority and Intra-Agency /Interagency Procurements]{.underline}

> The contracting activity has the ultimate responsibility for
> determining the acceptability of intra-agency and interagency work
> assignments. Contracting Officers are authorized to award contracts
> for other agencies or government entities using the USDA Certificate
> of Appointment when the work assigned by their supervisor is an
> approved agency work project.

##  {#section-6 .unnumbered}

## [COTR Authority]{.underline}

> On occasion, the HCA/HCAD may delegate a COTR Administrative
> Contracting Officer (ACO) authority, (e.g., award modifications
> against the contracts, etc.). A COTR who is also an ACO shall meet the
> requirements listed in Appendix D and Appendix E at a level equivalent
> to the estimated value of the contract with options.

## [Warrant Authority for Non-Procurement Personnel]{.underline}

> Appointing officials may grant non-procurement personnel warrant
> authority to issue purchase orders and delivery orders up to \$25,000
> for commercial supplies and services, including construction.
> Non-procurement personnel granted procurement authority must comply
> with all Federal laws, rules, regulations, agency directives, FPDS
> reporting requirements, and other acquisition guidelines.

a.  [Contracting Officer Appointment Equivalencies]{.underline}

> Employees may use ONE of the following equivalencies when they have a
> year or more of on-site procurement experience. Equivalent experience
> shall not exceed one year.

(1) Completion of a 2-year associate degree program in
    [procurement]{.underline} for six months of procurement experience;

(2) Completion of a 4-year undergraduate program in
    [procurement]{.underline} from an accredited college or university
    for one year of procurement experience; or

(3) Completion of a graduate program in [procurement]{.underline} from
    an accredited college or university for one year of procurement
    experience.

## [Exemptions from Warranting Requirements]{.underline} 

> The Contracting Officer warranting requirement does not cover
> personnel carrying out transactions or executing documents listed
> below. Contracting activities should duly authorize and instruct
> employees on their responsibilities and limitations when obligating
> the Government using these procedures. Although the following
> transactions and documents are exempt by the FAR warranting
> requirements, a HCA/HCAD may require a warranted Contracting Officer
> to sign any or all of the listed procedures:

(1) *Request, Authorization, Agreement, and Certification of Training,*
    SF-182,

(2) Government Bills of Lading.

(3) Micro-purchase credit card transactions (authorized under DR 5013-6)

(4) Cooperative agreements and grants.

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4.  [[]{#Continuious_learningforacquuisition .anchor}Continuous Learning
    for Acquisition Workforce Employees](#section11)

> Contracting Officers and GS-1105/GS-1102 employees shall obtain a
> minimum of 80 CLPs every two years to remain current in the FAC-C
> training program. Employees working as COTRs shall obtain a minimum of
> 40 CLPs every two years to remain current in the COTR certification
> program as outlined in Appendix G. Program and project managers shall
> obtain a minimum of 80 CLPs as outlined in Appendix M. Failure to meet
> the continuous learning requirements may result in the termination of
> a Contracting Officer warrant, an outdated certification, or an
> inability to meet the GS-1102 qualification standard.
>
> []{.mark}
>
> Continuous learning may include the study of new requirements,
> procedures caused by changes in law, regulations, policy, reviews, or
> business research. In addition to attending Government- wide training
> facilities, maintenance training may include non-mandatory classroom
> training, conferences, on-line courses, agency sponsored training,
> management/executive seminars, professional association-related
> projects, or any other training that enhances present acquisition job
> skills. Contracting activities shall not grant employees continuous
> learning credit for taking the same or similar course within a
> four-year period.
>
> Agencies may credit employees with 60 CLPs of "general subject"
> training for certifications awarded during a continuous learning
> period. Professional organizations may include:

a.  The National Contract Management Association

b.  National Institute of Government Purchasing

c.  National Association of Purchasing Management

##  {#section-7 .unnumbered}

## [[]{#Terminationrevocationofappt .anchor}**Termination/Revocation of Appointment**](#Section12)

[]{#Terminationrevocationofappt .anchor}

> The HCA/HCAD may terminate or revoke a Contracting Officer warrant at
> any time. Termination/revocation is appropriate for the following
> situations []{.mark}

a.  Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations

b.  Violation of the Standards of Conduct for Employees of the Executive
    Branch. (See C.F.R. Part 2635).

c.  Failure to maintain training standards after appointment.

d.  Failure to maintain a satisfactory performance rating.

e.  Reassignment to a position not requiring a warrant.

f.  Discontinuance of the organization's need for the appointment.

g.  Separation from the organization (Automatic Termination).

##  {#section-8 .unnumbered}

## [[]{#GS1102 .anchor}**GS-1102 Qualification Standard Waivers**](#Section13)

a.  For a specific vacant position at grade 13 and above, the GS-1102
    qualification standard includes a provision that permits the SPE to
    waive mandatory requirements. The SPE may consider waiving the
    following requirements in unusual situations when a highly qualified
    candidate does not meet the GS-1102 standard:

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(1) Mandatory procurement training as prescribed in this Advisory
    (Appendix L)

(2) 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree requirement

(3) 24 semester hours in specified business courses, and

(4) Experience in performing contracting duties.

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b.  To meet the conditions of OFPP Policy Letter 05-01 and the GS-1102
    qualification standard, the SPE, on a non-delegable basis, shall
    sign a certification detailing the basis for a decision to waive the
    mandatory requirement(s).

c.  The requesting HCA/HCAD shall prepare a decision memorandum for the
    SPE's approval that includes the following information:

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(1) A description of the position, location, grade and anticipated
    procurement workload/warrant level;

(2) Adherence to the Agency's Human Capital Plan and the recruiting
    strategy used;

(3) Why qualified candidates are not readily available for the position;

(4) The candidate's efforts to meet the standard and the estimated
    timeframe for completion;

(5) Details on how the candidate shows potential for advancement to
    levels of greater responsibility and authority based on demonstrated
    analytical and decision making capabilities, job performance,
    qualifying experience, etc.;

(6) The impact on the agency should the SPE not issue a waiver for the
    candidate; and

(7) A request that the SPE certify the candidate's potential for
    advancement to levels of greater responsibility and authority based
    on demonstrated analytical and decision-making capabilities, job
    performance, and qualifying experience.

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d.  The requesting organization may make a job offer to the waiver
    candidate upon approval of the waive request.

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5.  [[]{#acquisitionworkforcecareer .anchor}Responsibility for the
    Acquisition Workforce Career Management Program](#Section14)

a.  OPPM/PPD shall develop and issue policies, procedures, training
    plans, and other guidance for implementation of AW mandates. As the
    oversight authority for USDA's AW programs, OPPM/PPD shall:

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(1) Make final determinations on applicability of this Advisory;

(2) Review Contracting Officer appointments;

(3) Assure Contracting activities urge their AW to use ACMIS; and

(4) Review agency supplements to this Advisory

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b.  HCADs shall:

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(1) Establish and prescribe an AW accountability system that:

    a.  Sets a performance standard;

    b.  Includes an adequate set of checks and balances;

    c.  Includes external and internal review coverage;

    d.  Involves annual appraisals; and

    e.  Identifies effective and ineffective performance

(2) Ensure supervisors and ACMs are fully knowledgeable of the program
    requirements and comply with the provisions.

(3) Ensure supervisors or ACMs schedule and evaluate classroom training.

(4) Review Contracting Officer requests.

(5) Sign Contracting Officer Certificates of Appointment and assure
    Contracting Officers properly display the Certificates.

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c.  Supervisors or ACMs shall:

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(1) Recommend employees for Contracting Officer appointments.

(2) Ensure training is scheduled, conducted, and evaluated.

(3) Monitor and evaluate employees' progress.

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d.  Participating Employees shall:

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(1) Make a personal effort to take maximum advantage of developmental
    experiences, and training opportunities, as authorized by their
    supervisors.

(2) Actively participate with supervisors and ACMs in discussing,
    developing, and preparing training plans.

(3) Maintain a personal file containing training certificates and other
    verification of education, procurement training, and job experience.

(4) Keep training record updated in ACMIS.

## [[]{#Acq_workforce_contractoremployee .anchor}**Acquisition Workforce Contractor-Employees**](#Section15)

> Contract Specialist awarding contracts for the performance of
> acquisition functions as outlined in OFPP Policy Letter 05-01
> (Appendix B) shall assure solicited personnel meet comparable training
> requirements for government employees performing the same or similar
> functions.

## [[]{#Civilrights .anchor}**Civil Rights**](#Section16)

> The USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities
> (including the hiring, developing, and assigning of personnel) based
> on race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability,
> and where applicable, political beliefs, marital or family status, or
> sexual orientation.

## [[]{#conflictofinterest .anchor}**Conflict of Interest/Ethics**](#section17)

> USDA acquisition workforce personnel must comply with existing
> conflict of interest regulations/laws, and file the approved forms as
> required. At a minimum, all individuals whose duties involve
> procurement and contracting shall file a financial disclosure
> statement.
>
> Acquisition workforce employees must also comply with the high
> standards of ethical behavior to assure complete trust in the
> integrity of the acquisition system.

## [[]{#agencysupplements .anchor}**Agency Supplements**](#Section18)

> The policy provided in this Advisory supersedes supplemental guidance
> issued by a contracting activity. A departure from this Advisory
> requires a written request and authorization from the SPE. Changes to
> the FAC-C, FAC-COTR, and FAC-P/PM programs by FAI supersede this
> Advisory. Federal program changes are not considered a departure from
> this Advisory.
>
> Supplemental instructions and amendments to DR 5001-1 require review
> and concurrence by OPPM/PPD before issuance. Contracting activities
> are reminded that supplements shall not repeat, paraphrase, or restate
> policy guidance.

## [[]{#waivetherequirementsofthisregulation .anchor}**Authorization to Waive the Requirements of This Advisory**](#Section19)

[]{#waivetherequirementsofthisregulation .anchor}

> Unless otherwise specified, the SPE and CAO are the only individuals
> authorized to waive the requirements in this Advisory.

6.  [Inquiries](#Section20)

> []{#inquires-1 .anchor}Direct all AW inquiries through agency channels
> to the Division Chief/OPPM/PPD or to ACM@usda.gov.
>
> -END-

[[]{#APPENDIXA .anchor}APPENDIX A](#A)

**Qualification Standard for General Schedule Positions**

**Individual Occupational Requirements for**

GS-1102 Contract Specialist Revised Standard Effective Date: January 1,
2000

The text below is extracted verbatim from Section IV-B of the Operating
Manual for Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions
(p.166-167), but contains minor edits to conform to web-page
requirements. This is an individual qualification standard developed by
the Office of Federal Procurement Policy under the authority of 41
U.S.C. 433. It does not apply to Department of Defense positions.

**Basic Requirements for GS-5 through GS-12**

> A. 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major
> in any field or;

#  {#section-9 .unnumbered}

> B. At least 24 semester hours in any combination of the following
> fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing,
> economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or
> organization and management.
>
> Applicants who meet the criteria for Superior Academic Achievement
> qualify for positions at the GS-7 level.

The following table shows the amounts of education and/or experience
required to qualify for positions GS-7 thorough GS-12 covered by this
standard.

**GRADE** **EDUCATION** **OR SPECIALIZED**

  -------------- -------------------------- ---------------------------------
  GS-7           1 full academic year of    1 year equivalent to at least
                 graduate education or law  GS-5
                 school or superior         
                 academic achievement       

  GS-9           2 full academic years of   1 year equivalent to at least
                 progressively higher level GS-7
                 graduate education or      
                 masters or equivalent      
                 graduate degree or LL.B.   
                 or J.D.                    

  GS-11          3 full academic years of   1 year equivalent to at least
                 progressively higher level GS-9
                 graduate education or      
                 Ph.D. or equivalent        
                 doctoral degree            

  GS-12 and      (No educational            1 year equivalent to at least
  above          equivalent)                next lower grade level

  Equivalent                                
  combinations                              
  of education                              
  and experience                            
  are qualifying                            
  for all grade                             
  levels for                                
  which both                                
  education and                             
  experience are                            
  acceptable.                               
  -------------- -------------------------- ---------------------------------

**Graduate Education**. To qualify for GS-1102 positions on the basis of
graduate education, graduate education in one or a combination of the
following fields is required: accounting, business, finance, law,
contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing,
quantitative methods, or organization and management.

> **Note** - For positions at GS-7 through GS-12, applicants who are
> qualifying based on experience must possess at least one year of
> specialized experience at or equivalent to work at the next lower
> level, that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform
> successfully the work of the position, in addition to meeting the
> basic requirements in paragraph A or B, above.
>
> C. Exceptions: Employees in GS-1102 positions will be considered to
> have met the standard for positions they occupy on January 1, 2000.
> Employees who occupy GS-1102 positions at grades 5 through 12 will be
> considered to meet the basic requirements for other GS-1102 positions
> up to and including those classified at GS-12. This includes positions
> at other agencies and promotions up through grade 12. However,
> employees must meet specialized experience requirements when seeking
> another position.

**Basic Requirements for GS-13 and Above**

A. Completion of all mandatory training prescribed by the head of the
agency for progression to GS-13 or higher level contracting positions,
including at least 4-years experience in contracting or related
positions. At least 1 year of that experience must have been specialized
experience at or equivalent to work at the next lower level of the
position, and must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to
perform successfully the work of the position.

B. A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, that
included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours in any
combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law,
contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing,
quantitative methods, or organization and management.

C. Exceptions: Employees in GS-1102 positions will be considered to have
met the standard for positions they occupy on January 1, 2000. This also
applies to positions at the same grade in the same agency or other
agencies if the specialized experience requirements are met. However,
they will have to meet the basic requirements and specialized experience
requirements in order to qualify for promotion to a higher grade, unless
granted a waiver under Paragraph D.

D. Waiver: When filling a specific vacant position, the senior
procurement executive of the selecting agency, at his or her discretion,
may waive any or all of the requirements of Paragraphs A and B above if
the senior procurement executive certifies that the applicant possesses
significant potential for advancement to levels of greater
responsibility and authority, based on demonstrated analytical and
decision making capabilities, job performance, and qualifying
experience. With respect to each waiver granted under this Paragraph D,
the senior procurement executive must document for the record the basis
of the waiver. If an individual is placed in a position in an agency on
the basis of a waiver, the agency may later reassign that individual to
another position at the same grade within that agency without additional
waiver action.

[[]{#APPENDIXB .anchor}**APPENDIX B**](#B)

April 15, 2005

**OFPP POLICY LETTER 05-01**

**TO THE HEADS OF CIVILIAN EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES**

**SUBJECT:** Developing and Managing the Acquisition Workforce

**1. *Purpose.*** This Policy Letter establishes the government-wide
framework for creating a federal acquisition workforce with the skills
necessary to deliver best value supplies and services, find the best
business solutions, and provide strategic business advice to accomplish
agency missions.

**2. *Authority.*** This Policy Letter is issued pursuant to section
6(a) of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) Act, as amended
(41 U.S.C. § 405(a)), and sections 37(b)(3) and (g) of the OFPP Act, as
amended (41 U.S.C. § 433(b)(3) and (g)).

**3. *Rescission.*** OFPP Policy Letters 92-3 and 97-01 are rescinded.
Policy Letter 05-01 consolidates OFPP policy on acquisition workforce
development.

**4. *Background.*** The quality and effectiveness of the federal
acquisition process depend on the development of a capable and competent
workforce. Congress recognized the need for a professional workforce
through the passage of the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act
(DAWIA) (10 U.S.C. §§ 1741-46) and section 4307(a) of the Clinger-Cohen
Act (40 U.SC. §1401(3), amending section 37 of the OFPP Act (41 U.S.C. §
433)). These acts established education, training, and experience
requirements for entry and advancement in the acquisition career fields
for the Department of Defense (DOD) and civilian agencies respectively.
Policy Letter 92-3, dated June 24, 1992, established policies for
skill-based training in contracting and purchasing duties for all
executive agencies. Policy Letter 97-01, dated September 12, 1997,
established career management, education, and training requirements for
contracting personnel in civilian executive agencies. This Letter builds
on those previous efforts to improve the development of the acquisition
workforce by more broadly defining the acquisition workforce and more
closely aligning civilian (non-DOD) and defense acquisition workforce
requirements.

**5. *Applicability.*** This Letter applies to all executive agencies,
except those subject to DAWIA.

The acquisition workforce includes individuals who perform various
acquisition-related functions to support the accomplishment of an
agency's mission. The Services Acquisition Reform Act of 2003 (SARA)
(P.L. 108-136) defines acquisition to include, among traditional
contracting functions, requirements definition, measurement of contract
performance, and technical and management direction. One of the
principal purposes of this Letter is to include formally these
individuals in the definition of the acquisition workforce so they can
be trained and developed using common standards.

To facilitate the identification of individuals included in the
acquisition workforce, agencies shall consider the functions performed
by those individuals. Membership in the acquisition workforce may be on
a full-time, part-time, or occasional basis. For example, members of the
acquisition workforce may include: individuals who are substantially
involved in defining, determining, and managing requirements,

-   individuals involved in acquisition planning and strategy,

-   individuals who participate in the process of establishing the
    business relationship to obtain needed goods and services, (e.g.,
    contracting process, those involved in the solicitation, evaluation
    and award of acquisitions),

-   individuals who manage the process after business arrangements have
    been made to ensure that the government's needs are met (e.g.,
    testing and evaluating, managing and monitoring the manufacturing
    and production activities, auditing, contract administration,
    performance management and evaluation, etc.),

-   individuals who arrange disposal of any residual items after work is
    complete, (e.g., property management/disposal),

-   individuals who support the business processes of the above listed
    activities (e.g., General Counsel, finance, or other subject matter
    experts), and

-   individuals who directly manage those involved in any of the above
    activities.

At a minimum, the acquisition workforce of an agency, for purposes of
this Letter, includes:

1.  All positions in the general schedule contracting series (GS-1102)
    and non-DOD uniformed personnel in comparable positions.

2.  All Contracting Officers (CO) regardless of general schedule series
    with authority to obligate funds above the micropurchase threshold.

3.  All positions in the general schedule purchasing series (GS-1105).

4.  Program and project managers, as identified by the agency's Chief
    Acquisition Officer (CAO), or equivalent.

5.  All Contracting Officer's Representatives (CORs) and Contracting
    Officer's Technical Representatives (COTRs), or equivalent
    positions.

6.  Any significant acquisition-related positions identified by the CAO,
    or equivalent, using the guidance provided above.

**6. *Agency Responsibilities.***

> **a. Authority** - In accordance with section 16(b)(6) of the OFPP
> Act, as amended (41 U.S.C. § 414(b)(6)), sections 37(g)(1) and (g)(3)
> of the OFPP Act, as amended (41 U.S.C. §§ 433(g)(1) and (3)), and
> subject to the authority, direction, and control of the
>
> head of an executive agency, the CAO, or equivalent, shall develop and
> maintain an acquisition career management program to ensure the
> development of a competent, professional workforce to support the
> accomplishment of agency mission. The CAO is responsible for
> identifying the members of the agency's acquisition workforce and for
> implementing a budget strategy that reflects the workforce's
> development needs and organizational structure of the agency. This
> strategy might include identifying funding sources, establishing a
> methodology for prioritizing funding needs, and otherwise
> institutionalizing a process for maximizing the agency's acquisition
> workforce training budget. The CAO shall carry out the powers,
> functions, and duties of the agency head with respect to
> implementation of this Letter. The CAO may delegate this
> responsibility to a level no lower than the deputy CAO, or equivalent,
> and may appoint functional advisors for each segment of the
> acquisition workforce (i.e. contracting, program management, etc.) to
> facilitate the management of the agency's acquisition workforce, in
> accordance with the requirements of this Letter. The CAO shall
> consider appointing senior civil service managers as functional
> advisors to promote technical continuity in advising the CAO on career
> management issues in the various disciplines.
>
> **b. Inclusion of Acquisition Workforce in Agency Human Capital
> Plans -** The CAO, in consultation with agency acquisition career
> managers and functional advisors, shall **provide to the agency's
> Chief Human Capital Officer, or equivalent, substantial input to the
> agency's human capital strategic plan regarding the acquisition
> workforce. T**his may include recruitment needs and hiring strategies,
> relevant agency workforce statistics, skills assessments, accession
> plans, workforce development initiatives, and performance incentive
> plans (in accordance with section 37(b)(1) of the OFPP Act, 41 U.S.C.
> § 433(b)(1)). Additionally, the CAO is responsible for assessing the
> current skills inventory of the workforce, identifying short- and
> long-term agency needs, and establishing plans, including recruitment
> and retention strategies, for obtaining the acquisition workforce
> resources and skills required to meet future agency mission needs.
>
> **c. Agency Acquisition Workforce Management** - The CAO, or designee,
> shall appoint an individual with acquisition experience to lead the
> agency's acquisition career management program. The Acquisition Career
> Manager (ACM) will be responsible for ensuring that the agency's
> acquisition workforce meets the requirements of this Letter. At a
> minimum, the ACM shall:

1.  manage the identification and development of the acquisition
    workforce, including identifying staffing needs, training
    requirements, and other workforce development strategies;

2.  propose to the CAO an annual budget for the development of the
    acquisition workforce to fulfill the requirements of this Letter and
    other agency human capital objectives;

3.  provide coordinated input to the CAO and Chief Human Capital Officer
    regarding short and long term human capital strategic planning for
    training, competency fulfillment, career development, accession,
    recruitment and retention, and other facets of human capital
    management affecting the acquisition workforce;

4.  recommend to the CAO a transition plan for meeting the requirements
    of this Letter;

5.  ensure that agency policies and procedures for workforce management
    are consistent with those established by OFPP, as appropriate;

6.  coordinate with agency functional advisors to ensure fulfillment of
    requirements of this Letter;

7.  recommend to the Senior Procurement Executive (SPE) waivers to the
    GS-1102 education and training provisions of this Letter, as needed
    and in accordance with the qualification standards; and

8.  maintain and manage consistent agency-wide data on those serving in
    the agency's acquisition workforce in the acquisition career
    management information system (Acquisition Career Management
    Information System (ACMIS)) -- see paragraph 12).

> ***The CAO shall forward the name and contact information (phone
> number, email, etc.) of the person designated to perform these roles
> to the Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI) at <ACMinfo@fai.gov> not
> later than October 1, 2005*,** and shall update this information, as
> needed, to ensure that agencies receive timely information from FAI
> and Defense Acquisition University (DAU) regarding training and
> development opportunities and other related information.
>
> **7. *Core Competencies.*** The development of a highly-qualified,
> well-trained workforce will generally be based on a framework of core
> competencies that are common to defense and civilian agencies. DOD
> maintains core competencies that OFPP, in consultation with the Office
> of Personnel Management (OPM) shall consider for civilian agency use
> in fulfilling the requirements of this Letter. OFPP, in consultation
> with OPM, and DOD shall also establish a process for updating these
> competencies, as needed, and developing specialized competencies for
> particular areas of focus. Agencies may require their acquisition
> workforce members to obtain additional competencies to fulfill agency
> mission needs.
>
> **8. *Federal Acquisition Certifications.***
>
> **a. General -** OFPP's vision for the federal acquisition workforce
> is the development of common certification programs that generally
> reflect a government-wide standard for education, training, and
> experience leading to the fulfillment of core competencies in a
> variety of acquisition-related disciplines. To promote the development
> of core acquisition competencies government-wide and to facilitate
> employee mobility, FAI, in consultation
>
> with OPM, shall develop federal acquisition certification programs
> that shall be accepted by, at a minimum, all civilian executive
> agencies. These certifications will generally serve as one means to
> demonstrate that an employee meets the core education, training, and
> experience requirements, as appropriate, for that acquisition-related
> discipline (e.g., contracting, program management, etc.).
> Agency-specific certification programs are not transferable to other
> agencies.
>
> Federal acquisition certifications shall be offered to, though not
> necessarily required of, the general acquisition workforce as defined
> in this Letter and further identified by agency CAOs. However,
> agencies may specify a particular type and/or level of certification
> when establishing quality ranking factors when it is determined that
> the certification is job related.
>
> **b. Federal Acquisition Certification -** Contracting (GS-1102)
> Series - Not later than January 1, 2006, FAI, in partnership with DAU,
> shall develop a certification program that considers a variety of
> means, including [a fulfillment process]{.underline}, for assessing
> and certifying that the education, training, and experience
> requirements for the GS-1102 series, as described herein, have been
> met. The program shall be based on the DAWIA requirements for
> certification at the junior, intermediate, and senior levels to
> reflect the need to meet increasingly more rigorous standards for
> education, training, and experience throughout the career development
> process. The Chief Acquisition Officers Council (CAOC) shall approve
> the program. Once granted, the certification shall be accepted by, at
> a minimum, all civilian executive agencies as evidence that an
> employee meets the core education, training, and experience
> requirements for the GS-1102 series.
>
> The GS-1102 federal acquisition certification is not mandatory for all
> GS-1102s. However, members of the workforce issued new CO warrants on
> or after January 1, 2007, regardless of GS series, must be certified
> at an appropriate level to support their warrant obligations. New CO
> warrants are defined as warrants issued to employees for the first
> time at a department or agency. This requirement does not apply to
> senior level officials responsible for delegating procurement
> authority or those whose warrants are generally used to procure
> emergency goods and services.
>
> CAOs shall establish agency-specific requirements for tying warrant
> levels to certification levels based on agency needs. However,
> agencies are encouraged to require a senior level certification for
> any employee issued an unlimited Contracting Officer's warrant on or
> after January 1, 2007. The SPE of a civilian agency may waive this
> requirement in writing, on a case-by-case basis, if granting a waiver
> is in best interest of the agency. This authority may not be
> delegated, and the use of this authority shall be adequately
> documented. This waiver is not transferable to another agency. The CAO
> shall ensure that an employee's warrant information is entered and
> maintained in ACMIS (see paragraph 12).

1.  **Contracting (GS-1102) Series Education Requirements -** The
    Contract Specialist (GS-1102) Qualification Standard, established in
    consultation with OPM, establishes the education requirements for
    civilian GS-1102s (see www.opm.gov). This Policy Letter does not
    change the education requirements for the civilian GS-1102 series,
    and the certification program shall be developed to reflect any
    differences between civilian and defense education requirements. For
    example, a GS-7 civilian contract specialist (1102) who meets the
    education requirement in the qualification standard (a bachelor's
    degree OR 24 hours of business classes) but does not meet the DAWIA
    requirements (a bachelor's degree AND 24 hours of business), may
    still be eligible for a federal acquisition certification, but would
    not be considered qualified for a position subject to DAWIA.\
    \
    The SPE of a civilian agency may waive the education and training
    requirements for an applicant for a GS-13 position and above based
    on that person's demonstrated analytical and decision making
    capabilities, job performance, and qualifying experience. This
    authority may not be delegated. In accordance with the Contract
    Specialist (GS-1102) Qualification Standard, this waiver must be
    based on a certification by the SPE that the applicant possesses
    significant potential for advancement to levels of greater
    responsibility and authority. The use of this authority shall be
    adequately documented and exercised on a case-by-case basis, as
    needed, to ensure that the best candidate for a position is
    selected. This waiver is not transferable to another agency and does
    not apply toward the requirements for federal acquisition
    certification.

2.  **Contracting (GS-1102) Series Training Requirements -** One of the
    principal purposes of this Letter is to establish uniform core
    training requirements for the civilian and defense acquisition
    workforce. Not later than October 1, 2005, civilian agencies shall
    prospectively follow the training requirements established by DOD,
    in consultation with OFPP, as part of their acquisition workforce
    development program (see Attachment 1)
    <http://www.whitehouse.gov/goodbye/005d0c33e796692dd11f5ef59f0151322307fca1.html>).
    Employees are not required to retake classes, but shall follow the
    DOD training requirements when considering additional core training,
    if needed, or continuous learning.\
    \
    The SPE of a civilian agency may waive the training requirements for
    an applicant for a GS-13 position and above based on that person's
    demonstrated analytical and decision making capabilities, job
    performance, and qualifying experience. (Please see paragraph
    8(b)(1) above for additional information on the SPE waiver
    authority.)\
    \
    To ensure consistent quality of the training provided to the
    acquisition workforce, civilian agencies shall follow the course
    equivalency determinations accepted by DAU to ensure that core
    training is comparable across the workforce and qualifies for
    certification. Electives and other courses do not generally require
    a course equivalency determination.

3.  **Contracting (GS-1102) Series Experience Requirements -**
    Experience requirements for GS-1102 positions are identified in the
    Contract Specialist (GS-1102) Qualification Standard.

4.  **Contracting (GS-1102) Series Continuous Learning Requirements --**
    GS-1102s, including all warranted Contracting Officers regardless of
    series, shall earn 80 continuous learning points every two years to
    maintain the GS-1102 federal acquisition certification. Civilian
    agencies shall generally follow the guidance provided by DOD on how
    these points can be earned (see www.dau.mil), and are encouraged to
    use continuous learning opportunities to assist individuals in
    obtaining core acquisition competencies, maintaining critical
    acquisition skills, and acquiring agency-specific training. The
    Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy may prescribe specific
    continuous learning courses to ensure that training is provided to
    the acquisition workforce on topics such as ethics,
    performance-based contracting, strategic sourcing, or others, as
    needed.

> **c. Federal Acquisition Certification - Program and Project
> Managers -** A cross-agency and cross-functional working group will be
> formed to assist FAI in developing recommendations for the
> establishment of certification programs for program and project
> managers that are guided by the general competencies, experience, and
> training associated with the DAWIA requirements, accepted industry
> certification programs, and existing government requirements, such as
> the qualification requirements established by the Chief Information
> Officers Council (CIOC) for information technology project management.
>
> FAI shall work with the CAOC, the CIOC, the Chief Financial Officers
> Council, the Chief Human Capital Officers Council, and other
> organizations with subject matter expertise, as appropriate, to ensure
> that these certification programs reflect the needs and priorities of
> the community and meet the general requirements of this Letter. FAI
> shall develop these recommendations not later than October 1, 2006.
>
> Not later than, January 1, 2007, agency CAOs shall identify program
> and project managers who will be subject to the requirements of this
> Letter, and shall establish appropriate timeframes and policies for
> applying the certification program requirements. (For example,
> agencies may choose to require certification for individuals working
> on certain critical agency projects or programs, those of a certain
> dollar threshold, or other high visibility programs and projects.)
> Individuals identified by the CAO as subject to this Letter shall
> ensure that the appropriate information is included in ACMIS (see
> paragraph 12) so that workforce data may be captured for future
> training and development planning.
>
> **d. Federal Acquisition Certification -** Other Acquisition-Related
> Positions - At the direction of the FAI Board of Directors, FAI shall
> develop additional recommendations for certification programs that are
> guided by the general competencies, experience, and training
> associated with the DAWIA requirements and accepted industry
> certification programs for other acquisition-related positions (see
> paragraph 5), excluding requirements for CORs and COTRs (see paragraph
> 9).
>
> **9. *Contracting Officer's Representatives (CORs) and Contracting
> Officer's Technical Representatives (COTRs).*** The CAO is responsible
> for developing basic and refresher training requirements to ensure
> CORs and COTRs are adequately trained for the functions they perform
> in the acquisition workforce. FAI and DAU have a number of continuous
> learning resources to assist agencies in this effort (see
> <http://www.whitehouse.gov/goodbye/6f28a0148c29dd67d271be1b9bb2aa082764ac55.html>
> and
> <http://www.whitehouse.gov/goodbye/a845c611abc06095342e223bee6b9abdde233699.html>).
> CAOs shall require that CORs and COTRs enter their information into
> ACMIS (see paragraph 12) to ensure that agency acquisition workforce
> information is complete.
>
> CAOs shall establish agency requirements for continuous learning for
> CORs and COTRs. Agencies are [encouraged to require]{.underline}, at a
> minimum, 40 continuous learning points every two years for CORs and
> COTRs. Additionally, the Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy
> may prescribe specific continuous learning courses to ensure that
> training is provided on topics such as ethics, performance-based
> contracting, strategic sourcing, or others, as needed.
>
> **10. *Tuition Assistance.*** Each executive agency must recognize, in
> its strategic planning and budgeting activities, the importance of
> developing its acquisition workforce. OMB Circular A-11 provides
> guidance concerning classification of education and training
> obligations within budget documentation. To the extent that funding is
> available, agencies may provide tuition reimbursement at accredited
> institutions for education, including a full-time course of study
> leading to a degree, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. § 4107 (as authorized
> by section 37(h)(2) of the OFPP Act, as amended (41 U.S.C. 433(h)(2)),
> for personnel serving in acquisition positions in the agency.
>
> ***11. Acquisition Workforce Training Fund.*** In accordance with
> section 37(h)(3)(A) of the OFPP Act (41 U.S.C. § 433(h)(3)(A)), as
> amended by the Services Acquisition Reform Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-136),
> the Administrator of General Services shall establish an acquisition
> workforce training fund (AWTF) to support the training of the
> acquisition workforce of the executive agencies other than the DOD.
> Agencies administering contracts specified in section 37(h)(3)(B) of
> the OFPP Act, as amended (41 U.S.C. § 433(h)(3)(B)) shall credit *5
> percent of the fees collected under these contracts to the AWTF at the
> end of each quarter of the fiscal year and in accordance with the
> instructions issued by the Administrator of General Services*. The
> fund shall be managed by FAI in accordance with section 37(h)(3)(A) of
> the OFPP Act, as amended (41 U.S.C. §433(h)(3)(A)). OFPP and the FAI
> Board of Directors (see paragraph 13(b)) shall provide direction to
> FAI on the allocation of these resources to ensure equitable training
> opportunities for all civilian agencies.
>
> The AWTF supplements, but does not replace, existing agency training
> budgets, and agencies should continue to budget separately for the
> training and education of their acquisition workforce. In accordance
> with section 37(h)(1)(A) of the OFPP Act, as amended (41 U.S.C. § 433
> (h)(1)(A)), agency heads shall set forth separately the funding levels
> requested for education and training of the acquisition workforce in
> the agency's annual budget request to OMB.
>
> ***12. Management Information Systems.*** In accordance with section
> 37(d) of the OFPP Act, as amended, (41 U.S.C. § 433(d)) each executive
> agency must collect, maintain, and utilize information to ensure
> effective management of the acquisition workforce. FAI maintains an
> acquisition career management information system (ACMIS) that can
> assist agencies in managing their workforce and help members of the
> workforce manage their individual education, training, and experience
> information. Civilian agencies may populate ACMIS through existing
> agency learning management systems or may populate ACMIS directly.
> However, all civilian agencies shall ensure that ACMIS has complete
> and current information on the members of the acquisition workforce as
> described below.
>
> Not later than October 1, 2006, each civilian agency shall have
> complete, current records in ACMIS for, at a minimum, the following:

-   All positions in the general schedule contracting Series (GS-1102)
    and non-DOD uniformed personnel in comparable positions;

-   All Contracting Officers regardless of general schedule series with
    authority to obligate funds above the micropurchase threshold;

-   All positions in the general schedule purchasing series (GS-1105).

> Not later than April 1, 2007, each civilian agency shall have
> complete, current records in ACMIS for program and project managers,
> including CORs and COTRs, who have been identified by the CAO as
> members of the acquisition workforce. Information on employees in
> other acquisition-related disciplines can be entered, as appropriate,
> but not later than one year after the certification program for that
> discipline has been developed.
>
> The Enterprise Human Resources Integration (EHRI), developed by OPM to
> manage human resources information government-wide, will work in
> concert with ACMIS by providing general workforce data and
> information. ACMIS will use the EHRI information, agency learning
> management systems information, if applicable, and additional
> information provided by employees and supervisors to capture more
> specific data on the acquisition workforce. Additionally, ACMIS will
> provide detailed reports to assist agencies in short- and long-term
> workforce planning.
>
> As soon as practicable, FAI will prepare guidance for agencies on
> ACMIS implementation.
>
> ***13. The Federal Acquisition Institute.***
>
> **a. Roles and Responsibilities --** FAI fosters and promotes the
> development of a professional acquisition workforce and is responsible
> for performing a wide range of activities supporting management of the
> acquisition workforce as directed by the Administrator for Federal
> Procurement Policy, pursuant to section 6(d)(5) of the OFPP Act, as
> amended (41 U.S.C. § 405(d)(5)). To support the management of the
> workforce in accordance with this Letter, FAI shall focus on the
> following priorities:

1.  *Establish performance measures.* Not later than April 1, 2006, and
    in consultation with the CAOC and other organizations, as
    appropriate, FAI shall establish general performance measures that
    agencies may use in assessing their acquisition workforce
    development programs.

2.  *Core competencies and curriculum support:* In partnership with DAU,
    FAI shall support the identification and maintenance of core
    acquisition workforce competencies and a core curriculum to develop
    these competencies government-wide. FAI shall develop curriculum
    content, if necessary, to support the civilian workforce needs.

3.  *Establish career development programs.* To assist the workforce in
    obtaining the necessary competencies and skills, FAI shall establish
    career development programs. These may include developing a
    rotational program among agencies, managing a government-wide intern
    program for agencies that don\'t have their own, developing
    mentoring programs, or identifying other career enrichment
    experiences. The FAI Board of Directors will assist FAI in
    prioritizing the development of these programs.

4.  *Establish the federal acquisition certification programs:* FAI
    shall develop and administer, with agency involvement, the federal
    acquisition certification programs. Certification program
    requirements for the GS-1102 series shall be submitted to the CAOC
    for approval not later than January 1, 2006. Recommendations for the
    requirements for the program and project management certification
    shall be submitted to the CAOC, and other organizations, as
    appropriate, not later than October 1, 2006. The Board shall direct
    FAI to prepare recommendations for other certification programs as
    needed.

5.  *Manage the AWTF:* In accordance with SARA, FAI shall manage the
    AWTF fund. The Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy and the
    Administrator of General Services, in consultation with the FAI
    Board of Directors, shall provide direction to FAI on the allocation
    of these resources.

> **b. FAI Board of Directors -** In FY 2004, OFPP established a Board
> of Directors to assist FAI in its efforts to support the acquisition
> workforce. The Board provides general direction to FAI to ensure
> fulfillment of FAI's statutory requirements and the requirements of
> this Letter.
>
> The Board, which reports to the Administrator for Federal Procurement
> Policy, makes recommendations to OFPP regarding the development and
> execution of FAI's annual budget. The Board also provides general
> direction to FAI on the allocation of AWTF resources, in accordance
> with the priorities of the acquisition community. The Board's charter
> can be found on
> <http://www.whitehouse.gov/goodbye/a845c611abc06095342e223bee6b9abdde233699.html>.
>
> **14. *Information Contact.*** Questions regarding this Policy Letter
> should be directed to Lesley A. Field, Office of Federal Procurement
> Policy (<lfield@omb.eop.gov>), or call (202) 395-7579.
>
> **15. *Judicial Review.*** This Policy Letter is not intended to
> provide a constitutional or statutory interpretation of any kind and
> it is not intended, and should not be construed, to create any right
> or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law by a party
> against the United States, its agencies, its officers, or any persons.
> It is intended only to provide policy guidance to agencies in the
> exercise of their discretion concerning federal contracting. Thus,
> this Policy Letter is not intended, and should not be construed, to
> create any substantive or procedural basis on which to challenge any
> agency action or inaction on the ground that such action or inaction
> was not in accordance with this Policy Letter.
>
> **16. *Effective Date.*** This Policy Letter is effective April 15,
> 2005.
>
> David H. Safavian\
> Administration

[[]{#APPENDIXC .anchor}**APPENDIX C**](#C)

**EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT**

**OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET**

**WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503**

**DEPUTY DIRECTOR**

**FOR MANAGEMENT**

January 20, 2006

MEMORANDUM FOR CHIEF ACQUISITION OFFICERS AND SENIOR PROCUREMENT
EXECUTIVES

FROM: Clay Johnson III

Deputy Director for Management

SUBJECT: The Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting Program

In April 2005, the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) published
Policy Letter 05-01, *Developing and Managing the Acquisition
Workforce*, which required the Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI) to
develop, and the Chief Acquisition Officers Council (CAOC) to approve, a
certification program for contracting professionals in civilian agencies
that reflects common standards. The goal of the certification program is
to standardize the education, training, and experience requirements for
contracting professionals, which will improve workforce competencies and
increase career opportunities. The attached Federal Acquisition
Certification in Contracting Program was approved by the CAOC in
December 2005.

The program mirrors, as closely as possible, the requirements that the
Department of Defense established for its contracting workforce under
the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act. The program will be
administered by each civilian agency, and FAI will conduct periodic
reviews to ensure that the program is being managed consistently. The
certification shall be accepted by, at minimum, all civilian agencies as
evidence that an employee meets the core education, training, and
experience requirements to be a contracting professional (generally the
GS-1102 series).

A well-trained acquisition workforce is critical to ensuring that
agencies accomplish their mission goals. Investment in the development
of the federal acquisition workforce will improve our ability to meet
mission needs and continue being effective stewards of taxpayer dollars.
If you have questions regarding the implementation of the program,
please call Lesley Field on the OFPP staff at (202) 395-7579.

Attachment

cc: Chief Human Capital Officers

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="0.7854166666666667in"
height="0.78125in"}![](media/image3.jpeg){width="0.5in"
height="0.5104166666666666in"}

Attachment

[The Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting
Program]{.underline}

**1. [Purpose.]{.underline}** The purpose of the Federal Acquisition
Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) program is to establish core
requirements for education, training, and experience for contracting
professionals in civilian agencies.

**2. [Authority.]{.underline}** This certification program is issued
pursuant to section 6(a) of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy
(OFPP) Act, as amended (41 U.S.C. § 405(a)), 6(c)(5) of the OFPP Act, as
amended (41 U.S.C. § 405(c)(5)), sections 37(b)(3) and (g) of the OFPP
Act, as amended (41 U.S.C. § 433(b)(3) and (g)), and OFPP Policy Letter
05-01, paragraph 8(b).

Based on these authorities, all executive agencies, except those subject
to the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA), shall
accept the FAC-C as evidence that an employee meets the applicable core
education, training, and experience requirements for the general
schedule (GS)-1102 series.

**3.** **[Background.]{.underline}** OFPP Policy Letter 05-01
established a requirement for federal acquisition certification
programs. Section 8(b) of this Letter required the Federal Acquisition
Institute (FAI) to develop, and the Chief Acquisition Officers Council
(CAOC) to approve, a FAC-C program. The FAC-C program was approved by
the CAOC in December 2005.

**4. [Applicability.]{.underline}** The FAC-C program applies to all
executive agencies, except those subject to DAWIA (10 U.S.C. §§
1701-64).

The federal certification in contracting is not mandatory for all
GS-1102s; however, members of the workforce issued new Contracting
Officer (CO) warrants on or after January 1, 2007, regardless of GS
series, must be certified at an appropriate level to support their
warrant obligations, pursuant to agency policy. New CO warrants are
defined in Policy Letter 05-01 as warrants issued to employees for the
first time at a department or agency. This requirement does not apply
to: • senior level officials responsible for delegating procurement
authority; • non-1102s whose warrants are generally used to procure
emergency goods and services; or • non-1102s whose warrants are so
limited as to be outside the scope of this program, as determined by the
Chief Acquisition Officer (CAO).

Agencies have discretion to make additional warranting requirements, and
employees should review carefully agency warranting policy. CAOs shall
establish agency-specific requirements for tying warrant levels to
certification levels based on agency needs. However, agencies are
encouraged to require a senior level certification for any employee
issued an unlimited Contracting Officer's warrant on or after January 1,
2007. All agency warranting programs

should be updated to reflect the need for a minimum of 80 continuous
learning points every two years (see paragraph 6.e.).

The SPE of a civilian agency may waive the requirement for obtaining a
certification for warranting purposes in writing, on a case-by-case
basis, if granting a waiver is in the best interest of the agency. This
authority may not be delegated, and the use of this authority shall be
adequately documented. This waiver is not transferable to another
agency.

The certification program is available to all members of the federal
acquisition workforce and the volume of requests may be significant when
the program begins. For agency planning purposes, priority for
consideration will be as follows:

1.  • all warranted COs in the GS-1102 contracting series and non-DOD
    uniformed personnel in comparable positions;

    • all warranted COs regardless of general schedule series with
    authority to obligate funds above the micropurchase threshold;

    • other GS-1102s;

    • other eligible individuals.

**5.** **[Certification Program Oversight and
Administration]{.underline}**. The FAI Board of Directors, in
consultation with FAI, the Interagency Acquisition Career Management
Council (IACMC), and other organizations as appropriate, shall provide
general program oversight and shall recommend program changes to the
Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy to ensure that the program
reflects the needs of all civilian agencies. Changes to the program may
be communicated formally through the CAOC or through other means,
depending on the significance of the change. FAI shall maintain the most
current version of the FAC-C program on its website,
[[www.fai.gov]{.underline}](http://www.fai.gov/).

FAI shall administer the program through issuance of guidance,
processes, and information dissemination, principally through its
website. Additionally, FAI shall periodically review agencies'
implementation to ensure that the program remains rigorous and that the
standards for certification for education, training, experience, and
continuous learning are consistently applied by all civilian agencies.

FAI shall conduct periodic agency audits to validate that the standards
for the certification program are being met. Audit checks may include:

1.  • verifying that the agency maintains FAC-C applications;

    • auditing an individual's records for documentation that they
    attended the training reported on the FAC-C application;

    • verifying that a rigorous fulfillment process is being followed by
    the agency and that this process is aligned with the Department of
    Defense (DOD) DAWIA fulfillment process; and

    • after January 1, 2007, verifying that new warrant holders are
    appropriately certified in accordance with agency-specific policy.

The certification process, including verification and assessment of
applications, will be managed by each agency. Authority for overseeing
the agency FAC-C program, resolving disputes, and granting
certifications shall be at the Senior Procurement Executive (SPE) level.
The SPE may delegate, in writing, certain functions to a level no lower
than the Acquisition Career Manager (ACM), as needed, to ensure
effective and efficient management of the program. The SPE may not
delegate the waiver function as defined in the GS-1102 Qualification
Standard.

The ACM, appointed by the CAO under Policy Letter 05-01, or designee, is
responsible for administering the agency certification program,
including developing a communications strategy, in accordance with this
and any subsequent guidance provided by OFPP or FAI. The ACM shall also
serve on the Interagency Acquisition Career Management Committee
(IACMC), which is run by FAI, to ensure that workforce development
policies and opportunities meet the needs of the acquisition workforce.

**6.** **[General Information on Core Competencies and the FAC-C
Requirements for Education, Training, Experience, and Continuous
Learning.]{.underline}**

**a. Competencies -** Although DOD and OFPP retain responsibility for
managing their respective workforces, the establishment of core
competencies will ensure that the acquisition community develops common
skills. The objective of the FAC-C is to align the core competencies and
training requirements across the acquisition workforce, and the current
competencies for the GS-1102 workforce shall be maintained on the FAI
website, www.fai.gov. However, these core competencies will periodically
be updated, expanded, or otherwise modified to meet the current and
future acquisition workforce requirements, and specialized competencies
may be developed to support emerging trends in the government's
acquisition practices. OFPP, Dodd, and OPM shall establish a competency
management process to ensure that the core competencies remain relevant
and current and are integrated into the curriculum, as appropriate.

**b. Education -** This program does not change the education
requirement in the Qualification Standard for Contract Specialist
(GS-1102). The civilian (non-DOD) and DOD education requirements for the
GS-1102 series differ at grades 5 through 12 (or equivalent). In
accordance with the Qualification Standard, available on
[[www.opm.gov]{.underline}](http://www.opm.gov/), persons in civilian
(non-DOD) 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. Persons seeking positions
subject to DAWIA must have both 24-semester hours of business related
education AND a baccalaureate degree at all grade levels.

Civilian agency employees in GS-1102 positions will be considered to
have met the standard, including the education requirement, for
positions they occupied on January 1, 2000. FAC-C Appendix 1 provides
guidance on the subject areas and types of classes that meet the
education requirement, and agencies shall use this guidance to ensure
consistent interpretation of the standard. FAI and the Defense
Acquisition University (DAU) will make further guidance available on
their respective websites, as needed.

Education waivers granted by an agency, in accordance with the
Qualification Standard, are not transferable to other agencies and do
not satisfy the education requirement for a FAC-C. An

employee must meet the appropriate education requirements to be
certified.

**c. Training -** In accordance with OFPP Policy Letter 05-01, civilian
agencies shall follow the training curriculum established by DOD (see
paragraph 7). Core courses must be provided by DAU or be considered
DAU-equivalent courses. Agencies may require agency-specific training as
part of the elective requirements or continuous learning requirements,
but additional agency-specific training beyond the training specified
under paragraph 7 is not required for certification. Business-related
academic courses that are recognized by DAU as equivalent to core
courses may be used to meet training requirements for this program.

When DAU modifies its curriculum, it publishes a list of predecessor
classes that allows an individual to associate past training with the
new requirements. That list is provided in the DAU catalog
(www.dau.mil/catalog), and will assist individuals in determining the
DAU courses or DAU-equivalent courses that meet these requirements. FAI
will make this information available on its website as well.

As agreed to by the employee and supervisor, electives may be any
training opportunity related to the employee's job, those necessary for
career development, or those used for cross training. 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. There are no DAU equivalency requirements for electives.

**d. Experience -** The requirements for experience are generally based
on the Contract Specialist (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.

**e. Continuous Learning --** To maintain a FAC-C, acquisition
professionals are required to earn 80 continuous learning points (CLPs)
of skills currency training every two years beginning October 1, 2007.
During the transition to the FAC-C program, agencies are encouraged to
be flexible on how this requirement is met initially to ensure that
employees are given credit for earlier continuous learning activities.
ACMs, or designees, shall monitor the continuous learning requirements
for employees holding FAC-Cs to ensure they meet this requirement. A
FAC-C will expire if the 80 CLPs are not earned every two years, and the
SPE, or other appropriate warranting authority, may choose to revoke or
modify a warrant if this condition is not met. If the SPE revokes or
modifies a warrant, he or she must notify the warrant holder in writing
when the revocation or modification is to be effective, providing enough
time and sufficient instruction to ensure that no unauthorized
obligations are made.

Civilian agencies shall generally follow the guidance provided by Dodd
on how CLPs can be earned. DAU equivalency is not required for
continuous learning. Agencies are encouraged to use continuous learning
opportunities to assist individuals in obtaining core competencies,
maintaining critical acquisition skills, and acquiring agency-specific
training. Continuous learning activities include, but are not limited
to, the following:

1.  • 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.

FAC-C Appendix 2 provides guidance on earning CLPs and assigning points
to various developmental activities. FAI will provide additional
guidance, as needed, on its website.

**7.** **[FAC-C Requirements for Education, Training, Experience, and
Continuous Learning.]{.underline}**

**a. General -** The FAC-C program is based on the DAWIA requirements
for certification at the junior, intermediate, and senior levels to
reflect the need for an individual to meet increasingly more rigorous
standards for education, training, and experience throughout his or her
career. Federal certification levels are not directly associated with
warrant limits as certification requirements for warrants are determined
by each agency. However, agencies are encouraged to require a senior
level certification for any employee issued an unlimited CO's warrant on
or after January 1, 2007. Achievement of the FAC-C is based on three
requirements: education, training, and experience and the requirements
are cumulative, (i.e., a person must meet the requirements of each
previous certification level). Maintenance of a FAC-C is a function of
continuous learning, which is addressed in paragraph 6.e.

The requirements for the FAC-C are shown below. Agencies may determine
that an assignment requires additional training beyond the FAC-C
requirements. Many civilian agencies are moving toward implementing new
personnel systems that are not based on the general schedule system.
However, the education requirements in the Qualification Standard are
tied to grade level and are reflected in these requirements.

**b. Level I -**

> 1\) Education (see also paragraph 6.b) -- Baccalaureate degree OR at
> least 24 semester hours among these disciplines: accounting, law,
> business,
>
> finance, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management,
> marketing, quantitative methods, and organization and management.
>
> 2\) Training --

1.  • CON 100 Shaping Smart Business Arrangements\*

    • CON 110 Mission Support Planning

    • CON 111 Mission Strategy Execution

    • CON 112 Mission Performance Assessment

    • CON 120 Mission Focused Contracting

    • 1 Elective

    3\) Experience -- 1 year of contracting experience

> \*CON 100 should be taken by those just entering the acquisition
> workforce or those new to the government. Employees who are beginning
> a level I certification program must
>
> take CON 100. Employees pursuing Level II or Level III certifications
> may consider taking CON 100 as an elective.

**c. Level II\* -**

> 1\) Education (see also paragraph 6.b) -- Baccalaureate degree OR at
> least 24 semester hours among these disciplines: accounting, law,
> business, finance, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial
> management, marketing, quantitative methods, and organization and
> management.
>
> 2\) Training --

1.  • CON 202 Intermediate Contracting

    • CON 204 Intermediate Contract Pricing

    • CON 210 Government Contract Law

    • 2 Electives

> 3\) Experience -- 2 years of contracting experience
>
> \* DAU is in the process of revising the level II curriculum for FY07.
> Employees are encouraged to complete CON 202, 204, and 210 training in
> FY06, if possible, to facilitate the transition to the new curriculum.

**d. Level III -**

> 1\) Education (see also paragraph 6.b) - Baccalaureate degree AND at
> least 24 semester hours among these disciplines: accounting, law,
> business, finance, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial
> management, marketing, quantitative methods, and organization and
> management.
>
> 2\) Training -

1.  • CON 353 Advanced Business Solutions for Mission Support

    • 2 Electives

> 3\) Experience - 4 years of contracting experience

**8. [Ways to Meet the Requirements]{.underline}**

**a. Education and Experience --** A candidate must meet the education
and experience requirements established in the Contract Specialist
(GS-1102) Qualification Standard. There are no exceptions to these
requirements and candidates must provide evidence of this to the ACM. In
accordance with the Qualification Standard, employees in GS-1102
positions will be considered to have met the standard, including the
education requirement, for positions they occupied on January 1, 2000.
Please see the Qualification Standard on
[[www.opm.gov]{.underline}](http://www.opm.gov/) for specific
requirements for the GS-5 through GS-12 level, and for GS-13 and above.

**b. Training --** A candidate must meet the training requirements by
taking DAU training,

DAU-equivalent courses, or through fulfillment.

> 1\) **DAU training or DAU-equivalent courses -** A full list of the
> currently required courses and their predecessor courses is available
> on [[www.dau.mil/catalog]{.underline}](http://www.dau.mil/catalog) and
> [[www.fai.gov]{.underline}](http://www.fai.gov/). Candidates must
> provide evidence of satisfactory completion of these courses.

1.  2\) **Fulfillment -** The FAC-C fulfillment process will follow the
    fulfillment process for DOD agencies so that the DAWIA certification
    and FAC-C programs are closely aligned. Details regarding and tools
    for using DOD's fulfillment process will be maintained on the DAU
    and FAI websites, but generally candidates must submit, and
    supervisors must review, evidence as to how the required
    competencies for a particular certification level were attained
    through alternative training, experience, education, certification
    by another recognized organization, or other developmental
    activities.

```{=html}
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```
1.  • Alternative training: If an applicant obtained competencies
    through courses that were not DAU or DAU-equivalent courses, he or
    she must provide for each competency the dates of training, course
    descriptions, provider names, grades (if applicable), and
    competencies achieved, to the maximum extent practicable. To
    facilitate this process, the IACMC will recommend and FAI will
    approve certain common acquisition training courses that members of
    the civilian agency workforce completed in the past to meet the
    requirements of their agency training program. The IACMC and FAI
    will review course information to determine if the necessary
    competencies were presented to fulfill all or part of a course
    requirement, and this information will be available on the FAI
    website. This process will facilitate fulfillment determinations by
    establishing common alternative training courses that were taken
    previously by current members of the acquisition workforce.

    • Experience: If the applicant is using job experience, he or she
    must provide the agency name, dates, location, position title, and
    the duties performed that provided the relevant competencies.

    • Education: If an applicant obtained competencies through academic
    courses provided at an accredited institution, he or she must
    provide the dates of each class, course descriptions, provider
    names, grades (if applicable), and competencies achieved.

    • Certification by a recognized organization: Civilian agencies
    shall follow the determinations made by DOD as to which
    certifications by organizations outside the federal government are
    eligible for full or partial consideration under the DAWIA and FAC-C
    programs. These determinations are maintained by DAU as part of
    DOD's fulfillment program and shall be maintained on the DAU and FAI
    websites.

**c. DAWIA Certification** **--** A valid, current DAWIA certification
in contracting is equivalent to a FAC-C at the same certification level.
The employee is responsible for providing the necessary documentation of
the DAWIA certification and the appropriate continuous learning history
to ensure validity and currency of the DAWIA certification.

**9. [Application Processes.]{.underline}** In consultation with the CAO
and other agency stakeholders, the SPE shall establish the agency
process for applying for a FAC-C, verifying information, granting the
FAC-C, and maintaining currency. At a minimum, an individual meeting the
FAC-C requirements shall request certification through their immediate
supervisor. The individual is responsible for producing certificates,
transcripts, and records that provide evidence that he or she satisfies
the requirements for the program. The supervisor should take this
opportunity to assess the skills and competencies of the applicant and
develop a plan for enhancing or adding to the employee's competencies,
if appropriate. FAI will develop checklists that agencies can use for
the FAC-C application process and will make these available on the FAI
website.

The certification will be issued at the employing agency, but will
represent the achievement of government-wide standards. This
decentralized approach will allow for efficiency, especially during the
first year of the FAC-C program. Authority to grant the FAC-C shall be
at the SPE level and may be delegated no lower than the ACM (see
paragraph 5 above). The ACM is responsible for ensuring that
certification applications are available for audit purposes.

**10. [Acquisition Career Management Information System
(ACMIS).]{.underline}** ACMIS will be the official system of records for
the FAC-C program for all civilian agencies and will support the
application process. However, agencies must maintain supplemental
records for quality assurance (e.g., copies of course certificates,
etc.). FAI is responsible for managing ACMIS and will issue guidance, as
necessary, to support ACMIS implementation.

**11. [Information Contact]{.underline}.** Questions regarding this
program should be directed to Lesley A. Field, Office of Federal
Procurement Policy
([[lfield@omb.eop.gov]{.underline}](mailto:lfield@omb.eop.gov) ), or
call (202) 395-7579.

**12. [Effective Date]{.underline}.** This program is effective January
20, 2006.

**FAC-C APPENDIX 1**

Guidance on Meeting the Business Course Requirements for the

Contract Specialist (GS-1102) Qualification Standard

Below are types of courses that generally satisfy the Qualification
Standard requirement for 24-semester hours (or equivalent) of study from
an accredited institution of higher education in any of the following
disciplines: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing,
economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or
organization and management. Additional information about accreditation
can be found on: ope.ed.gov/accreditation.

The following is based on guidance provided by the Defense Acquisition
University to the defense workforce and lists subject areas identified
by the American Council on Education for each of the business
disciplines listed above. Although not an exhaustive list, this guidance
should be used by civilian agencies to determine if certain courses
provide enough business instruction to count toward the 24-semester hour
business requirement. ACMs should work with their human resources
departments to ensure a consistent interpretation of which types of
courses should count toward the requirement.

+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| **BUSINESS/MANAGEMENT             | **AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EDUCATION   |
| DISCIPLINE**                      | SUBJECT AREA**                    |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Accounting                        | Cost Accounting Standards         |
|                                   |                                   |
| Business Finance                  | Business Communications           |
|                                   |                                   |
| Contracts                         | Business and Personnel            |
|                                   |                                   |
| Economics                         | Business Statistics               |
|                                   |                                   |
| Industrial Management             | Financial Cost Management         |
|                                   |                                   |
| Law                               | Financial Planning and Analysis   |
|                                   |                                   |
| Organization and Management       | Inventory Management              |
|                                   |                                   |
| Purchasing                        | Resource Planning                 |
|                                   |                                   |
| Quantitative Methods              | Risk Analysis                     |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Acquisition Contracting           |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Acquisition Management            |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Business Communications in        |
|                                   | Contracting Writing               |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Business Contract Law             |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Contract Administration           |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Contract Law                      |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Contract Management               |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Contract Pricing and Negotiation  |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Contracting Management            |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Cost & Price Analysis             |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Government Contracting            |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Government Contract Law           |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Procurement                       |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Procurement and Contracting       |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Procurement Management            |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Cost and Price Analysis           |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Cost Analysis                     |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Economic Analysis                 |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Economic Principles and Decision  |
|                                   | Making                            |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Economics and Financial           |
|                                   | Management                        |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Economics                         |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Automated Systems in Logistics    |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Management                        |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Civil Engineering Management      |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Environmental Management          |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Engineering and Analysis          |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Logistics Management\             |
|                                   | Manufacturing Management          |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Material Acquisition Process &    |
|                                   | Support                           |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Systems                           |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Property Disposal Management      |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Supply Management                 |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Systems Engineering               |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Technology                        |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Warehousing Operations            |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Commercial or Business Contracts  |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Contract Law                      |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Business Administration           |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Advanced Management (Math)        |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Business                          |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Business Management               |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Business and Personnel Management |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Computer Programming              |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Computer Programming & Systems    |
|                                   | Development                       |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Computer Sciences, Data           |
|                                   | Processing                        |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Data Entry and Automated Systems  |
|                                   | Input                             |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | General Management                |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Human Resource Development        |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Leadership and Group Decision     |
|                                   | Process                           |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Management Science                |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Management & Leadership           |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Managerial Analysis               |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Manpower Management               |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Materiel Management               |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Methods of Adult Education        |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Organizational Behavior           |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Personnel Administration          |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Principles of Management          |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Quality and Reliability Assurance |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Research and Development          |
|                                   | Management                        |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Strategic Management              |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Survey of Program Operations      |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Basic Purchasing                  |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Business Statistics               |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Computer Science                  |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Decision Risk Analysis            |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Operations Research               |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Probability Statistics            |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Quantitative Analysis             |
|                                   |                                   |
|                                   | Statistics                        |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

**FAC-C APPENDIX 2**

Guidance on Meeting Continuous Learning Points Requirements

These guidelines are generally based on DOD's requirements for achieving
continuous learning points (CLPs). Agencies have flexibility in
assigning points and ACMs and/or supervisors, as appropriate, should
work with employees to identify appropriate opportunities. Below is
guidance on how training, professional activities, education, and
experience can be used to meet the CLP requirements. All activities must
be job-related.

A. Training

1\) *Completing awareness training*. Periodically agencies conduct
briefing sessions to acquaint the workforce with new or changed policy.
Generally, no testing or assessment of knowledge gained is required.

2\) *Completing learning modules and training courses*. These may be
formal or informal offerings from a recognized training organization,
including in-house training course/sessions, which include some form of
testing/assessment for knowledge gained.

3\) *Performing Self-Directed Study*. An individual can keep current or
enhance his or her capabilities through a self-directed study program
agreed to by the supervisor.

4\) *Teaching*. Employees are encouraged to share their knowledge and
insights with others through teaching of courses or learning modules.
Teaching is also a part of the Professional Activities category.

5\) *Mentoring*. Helping others to learn and become more productive
workers or managers benefits the agency and the individuals involved.
Mentoring is also a part of the experience category.

B. Professional Activities

1\) *Participating in Organization Management*. Membership alone in a
professional organization will not be considered as fulfilling
continuous learning requirements, but participation in the organization
leadership will. This includes holding elected/appointed positions,
committee leadership roles, or running an activity for an organization
that you are permitted to join under current ethics law and regulation.
The employee must first ensure that participating in the management of
an organization is allowed by the agency.

2\) *Attending/Speaking/Presenting at Professional
Seminars/Symposia/Conferences.* Employees can receive points for
attending professional seminars or conferences that are job related.
However, the supervisor needs to determine that the individual learned
something meaningful from the experience. Because significant effort is
involved in preparing and delivering presentations, credit should be
given for each hour invested in the preparation and presentation.

3\) *Publishing*. Writing articles related to acquisition for
publication generally meets the criteria for continuous learning. Points
will be awarded only in the year published. Compliance with

agency publication policy is required.

4\) *Participating in Workshops*. Points should be awarded for workshops
with planned learning outcomes.

C. Education

1\) *Formal training.* ACMs and supervisors should use Continuing
Education Units (CEUs) as a guide for assigning points for formal
training programs that award CEUs. The CEUs can be converted to points
at 10 CLP points per CEU.

2\) *Formal academic programs.* For formal academic programs offered by
educational institutions, each semester hour is equal to one CEU. A
three-hour credit course would be worth three CEUs and 30 CLP points,
assuming that it is applicable to the acquisition function.

+--------------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| **CREDITABLE ACTIVITIES**            | **POINT CREDIT (see note)**   |
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------------+
|                                      |                               |
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| **Academic Courses:**                |                               |
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| Quarter Hour                         | 10 per Quarter Hour           |
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| Semester Hour                        | 10 per Semester Hour          |
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| Continuing Education Unit (CEU)      | 10 per CEU                    |
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| Equivalency Exams                    | Same points as awarded for    |
|                                      | the course                    |
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| **Training Courses/Modules:**        |                               |
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| DAU Courses                          | 10 per CEU (see DAU catalog)  |
|                                      | or:                           |
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| -   Awareness Briefing/ Training- no | -   .5 point per hour of      |
|     testing/assessment associated    |     instruction               |
|                                      |                               |
| -   Continuous Learning Modules-     | -   1 point per hour of       |
|     testing/assessment associated    |     instruction               |
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| Other Functional Training            | 1 point per hour of           |
|                                      | instruction                   |
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| Leadership or Other Training         | 1 point per hour of           |
|                                      | instruction                   |
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| Equivalency Exams                    | Same points as awarded for    |
|                                      | the course                    |
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| **Professional Activities:**         |                               |
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| Professional                         | 10-30 points                  |
| Exam/License/Certificate             |                               |
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| Teaching/Lecturing                   | 2 points per hour; maximum of |
|                                      | 20 points per year            |
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| Symposia/Conference Presentation     | 2 points per hour; maximum of |
|                                      | 20 points per year            |
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| Workshop Participation               | 1 point per hour; maximum of  |
|                                      | 8 points per day and 20       |
|                                      | points per year               |
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| Symposia/Conference Attendance       | .5 point per hour; maximum of |
|                                      | 4 points per day and 20       |
|                                      | points per year               |
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| Publications                         | 10 to 40 points               |
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------------+

Note- All activities may earn points only in the year accomplished,
awarded or publishes.

D. Experience

Experience includes on-the-job experiential assignments, and
intra/interorganizational rotational career broadening and developmental
experiences. While agencies can use discretion in arriving at a
reasonable point value to be awarded for rotational and developmental
assignments, a sliding scale is recommended. Suggested points for such
assignments are in the table below.

The assumption is that longer assignments are more beneficial than
shorter assignments.

The supervisor may feel that an individual may deserve more or less than
the value

shown. In determining the points for a rotational/developmental
assignment, the

supervisor should consider both the long-term benefit to the agency, and
the immediate

benefit to the supervisor's organization and the workforce member. For
example, a second rotational assignment of the same sort would be less
valuable than a different type of rotational assignment.

  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
  **CREDITABLE ACTIVITIES**           **POINT CREDIT**

  **Experience:**                     

  On-the-job Experiential Assignment  Maximum of 20 points per year

  Integrated Product Team (IPT)/      Maximum of 15 points per year
  Special Project Leader              

  IPT/ Special Project Member         Maximum of 10 points per years

  Mentor                              Maximum of 5 points per year

  **Assignment Length (Rotational     **Recommended Points:**
  Assignments of Training with        
  Industry):**                        

  12 Months                           80

  9 Months                            60

  6 Months                            40

  3 Months                            15

  2 Months                            10

  1 Month                             5
  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------

+-------+----------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| **C   |          |         |         |         |         |         |
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| GS-11 |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| 02/GS |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| -1105 |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| Perso |          |         |         |         |         |         |
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| Act   |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| ivity |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| Desig |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| nee** |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| [[]{  |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| #APPE |          |         |         |         |         |         |
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| ENDIX |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| D**   |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| ](#D) |          |         |         |         |         |         |
+-------+----------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| **Le  | *        | **C     | **      | **      | **Conti | **      |
| vel** | *Minimum | ontract | Minimum | Minimum | nuous** | Maximum |
|       | Pro      | Duties  | Educ    | Tra     |         | PO/DO   |
|       | curement | %**     | ation** | ining** | **L     | Warrant |
|       | Exp      |         |         |         | earning | Auth    |
|       | erience/ |         |         |         | P       | ority** |
|       | Series** |         |         |         | oints** |         |
+-------+----------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| Level | 1 Year   | 25%     | High    | Must    | 80 CLPs | Up to   |
| IA    | Proc.    |         | School  | include | every   | \       |
|       | Exp. Any |         |         | a       | two     | $10,000 |
|       | Job      |         |         | Sim     | years   |         |
|       | Series   |         |         | plified |         |         |
|       |          |         |         | Acqu    |         |         |
|       |          |         |         | isition |         |         |
|       |          |         |         | Course  |         |         |
|       |          |         |         | or      |         |         |
|       |          |         |         | equ     |         |         |
|       |          |         |         | ivalent |         |         |
|       |          |         |         | (60     |         |         |
|       |          |         |         | hours)  |         |         |
+-------+----------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| Level | 2 Years  | 50%     | High    | C       | 80 CLPs | Up to   |
| IB    | Proc     |         | School  | ontract | every   | \       |
|       | Exp. Any |         |         | and     | two     | $25,000 |
|       | Job      |         |         | P       | years   |         |
|       | Series   |         |         | urchase |         |         |
|       |          |         |         | Related |         |         |
|       |          |         |         | Courses |         |         |
|       |          |         |         | (100    |         |         |
|       |          |         |         | hours)  |         |         |
+-------+----------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| Level | 4 Years  | 90%     | High    | FAC-C   | 80 CLPs | Up to   |
| IC    | Proc.    |         | School  | Level I | every   | \$      |
|       | Exp.     |         |         |         | two     | 100,000 |
|       | GS-1102  |         |         | T       | years   | on      |
|       | and      |         |         | raining |         | P       |
|       |          |         |         |         |         | urchase |
|       | GS-1105  |         |         |         |         | Orders  |
|       |          |         |         |         |         | \$      |
|       |          |         |         |         |         | 300,000 |
|       |          |         |         |         |         | on      |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         | D       |
|       |          |         |         |         |         | elivery |
|       |          |         |         |         |         | Orders  |
+-------+----------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| Head  | N/A      | N/A     | N/A     | 160     | 40      | Un      |
| of    |          |         |         | hours   | Hours   | limited |
| the   |          |         |         | of      | of      |         |
| C     |          |         |         | c       | c       |         |
| ontra |          |         |         | ontract | ontract |         |
| cting |          |         |         | t       | t       |         |
| Act   |          |         |         | raining | raining |         |
| ivity |          |         |         |         | every   |         |
| Des   |          |         |         |         | two     |         |
| ignee |          |         |         |         | years   |         |
+-------+----------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| -     |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| Level |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|     I |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|     C |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| ontra |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| cting |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|   Off |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| icers |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|   are |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|    li |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| mited |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|    to |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|    wr |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| iting |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|   Del |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| ivery |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|    Or |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| ders, |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|   Pur |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| chase |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|    Or |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| ders, |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|   and |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| calls |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|    up |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|    to |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| their |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|  dele |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| gated |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|    am |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| ounts |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| only. |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| -     |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| There |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|   are |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|    no |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| grade |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|     l |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| evels |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| assoc |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| iated |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|  with |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| Level |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|     I |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|     C |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| ontra |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| cting |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|    Of |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| ficer |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|    wa |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| rrant |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| autho |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| rity. |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| -     |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| Level |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|    IC |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|     C |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| ontra |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| cting |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|   Off |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| icers |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|  must |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|  have |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|    24 |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| hours |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|    of |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|    co |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| nstru |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| ction |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|     a |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| nd/or |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|   A/E |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|     b |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| efore |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|   awa |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| rding |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|     o |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| rders |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|  over |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|   \$2 |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| 5,000 |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|    in |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|     s |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| pecia |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| lized |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|     a |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| reas. |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| -     |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| Level |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|    IC |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|     C |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| ontra |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| cting |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|   Off |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| icers |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|   are |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|   not |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|   req |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| uired |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|    to |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|    be |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| FAC-C |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| certi |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| fied. |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|   How |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| ever, |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|    at |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|     a |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|   min |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| imum, |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|  they |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|  must |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|  have |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|  comp |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| leted |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|   all |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| FAC-C |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| Level |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|     I |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|   tra |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| ining |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|       |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|    or |          |         |         |         |         |         |
|     e |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| quiva |          |         |         |         |         |         |
| lent. |          |         |         |         |         |         |
+-------+----------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+

+-----+-------+-----+-----------------+--------+----------+---------+
| *   |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| *CO |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| NTR |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ACT |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ING |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| O   |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| FFI |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| CER |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| W   |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ARR |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ANT |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| AU  |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| THO |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| RIT |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| Y** |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| **  |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| FOR |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| G   |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| S-1 |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| 102 |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| PE  |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| RSO |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| NNE |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| L** |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| [[  |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ]{# |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| APP |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| END |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| IXE |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| .an |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| cho |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| r}* |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| *AP |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| PEN |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| DIX |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| E*  |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| *]( |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| #E) |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
+-----+-------+-----+-----------------+--------+----------+---------+
| *   | **Mi  | *   | **Minimum       | **M    | **Co     | **      |
| *Le | nimum | *Co | Education**     | inimum | ntinuous | Warrant |
| vel | P     | ntr |                 | Tr     | Learning | Auth    |
| an  | rocur | act |                 | aining | Points** | ority** |
| d** | ement | Dut |                 | /OJT** |          |         |
|     | Ex    | ies |                 |        |          |         |
| **M | périe | (%  |                 |        |          |         |
| ini | nce** | )** |                 |        |          |         |
| mum |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| G   |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| rad |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| e** |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
+-----+-------+-----+-----------------+--------+----------+---------+
| Le  | 4     | 90% | Mandatory       | FAC-C  | 80 CLPs  | Up to   |
| vel | Years |     | 4-year course   | LEVEL  | every    | \$      |
| IIA |       |     | of study        | II     | two      | 500,000 |
|     |       |     | leading to a    |        | years    |         |
| (GS |       |     | bachelor's      |        |          |         |
| -11 |       |     | degree with a   |        |          |         |
| 02/ |       |     | major in any    |        |          |         |
| 11) |       |     | field OR        |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     | At least 24     |        |          |         |
|     |       |     | semester hours  |        |          |         |
|     |       |     | in business     |        |          |         |
+-----+-------+-----+-----------------+--------+----------+---------+
| Le  | 6     | 90% | Mandatory       | FAC-C  | 80 CLPs  | Up to   |
| vel | Years |     | 4-year course   | LEVEL  | every    | \$1,    |
| IIB |       |     | of study        | II     | two      | 000,000 |
|     |       |     | leading to a    |        | years    |         |
| (GS |       |     | bachelor's      |        |          |         |
| -11 |       |     | degree with a   |        |          |         |
| 02/ |       |     | major in any    |        |          |         |
| 11) |       |     | field OR        |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     | At least 24     |        |          |         |
|     |       |     | semester hours  |        |          |         |
|     |       |     | in business     |        |          |         |
+-----+-------+-----+-----------------+--------+----------+---------+
| Le  | 7     | 90% | Mandatory       | FAC-C  | 80 CLPs  | Up to   |
| vel | Years |     | 4-year course   | LEVEL  | every    | \$5,    |
| I   |       |     | of study        | III    | two      | 000,000 |
| IIA |       |     | leading to a    |        | years    |         |
|     |       |     | bachelor's      |        |          |         |
| (GS |       |     | degree with a   |        |          |         |
| -11 |       |     | major in any    |        |          |         |
| 02/ |       |     | field OR        |        |          |         |
| 11) |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     | At least 24     |        |          |         |
|     |       |     | semester hours  |        |          |         |
|     |       |     | in business     |        |          |         |
+-----+-------+-----+-----------------+--------+----------+---------+
| Le  | 9     | 90% | Mandatory       | FAC-C  | 80 CLPs  | Up to   |
| vel | Years |     | 4-year course   | LEVEL  | every    | \$25,   |
| I   |       |     | of study        | III    | two      | 000,000 |
| IIB |       |     | leading to a    |        | years    |         |
|     |       |     | bachelor's      |        |          |         |
| (GS |       |     | degree with a   |        |          |         |
| -11 |       |     | major in any    |        |          |         |
| 02/ |       |     | field OR        |        |          |         |
| 11) |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     | At least 24     |        |          |         |
|     |       |     | semester hours  |        |          |         |
|     |       |     | in business     |        |          |         |
+-----+-------+-----+-----------------+--------+----------+---------+
| Le  | 10    | 90% | Mandatory       | FAC-C  | 80 CLPs  | Up to   |
| vel | Years |     | 4-year course   | LEVEL  | every    | an      |
| I   |       |     | of study        | III    | two      | Un      |
| IIC |       |     | leading to a    |        | years    | limited |
|     |       |     | bachelor's      |        |          | Amount  |
| (GS |       |     | degree with a   |        |          |         |
| -11 |       |     | major in any    |        |          |         |
| 02/ |       |     | field OR        |        |          |         |
| 11) |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     | At least 24     |        |          |         |
|     |       |     | semester hours  |        |          |         |
|     |       |     | in business     |        |          |         |
+-----+-------+-----+-----------------+--------+----------+---------+
| -   |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|  Le |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| vel |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|  II |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| and |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| III |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|  Co |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ntr |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| act |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ing |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|  Of |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| fic |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ers |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|   m |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ust |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|   h |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ave |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|  40 |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|  ho |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| urs |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|  of |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| con |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| str |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| uct |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ion |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| and |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| /or |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| A/E |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|  tr |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ain |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ing |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| bef |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ore |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|  aw |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ard |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ing |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ord |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ers |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|   o |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ver |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| \$2 |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| 5,0 |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| 00. |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| -   |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|   M |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ini |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| mum |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| edu |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| cat |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ion |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| req |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| uir |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| eme |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| nts |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|  do |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|  no |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|  ap |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ply |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|  to |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|   G |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| S-1 |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| 102 |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| emp |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| loy |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ees |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|   g |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ran |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| dfa |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| the |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| red |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|   i |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| nto |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| the |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ser |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ies |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|  on |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|   J |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| anu |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ary |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|  1, |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|  20 |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| 00. |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| -   |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|  [N |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ew] |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| {.u |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| nde |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| rli |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ne} |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| Unl |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| imi |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ted |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|  Co |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ntr |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| act |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ing |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|   O |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ffi |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| cer |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|   c |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| and |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ida |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| tes |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|   m |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ust |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|   h |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| old |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|   a |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|  FA |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| C-C |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|  Le |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| vel |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| III |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|  ce |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| rti |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| fic |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ate |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|  pr |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ior |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|  to |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| the |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|  is |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| sua |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| nce |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|  of |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|  an |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| unl |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| imi |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| ted |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|  wa |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| rra |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| nt. |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|   ( |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| See |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| Par |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| agr |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| aph |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
|     |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
| 36) |       |     |                 |        |          |         |
+-----+-------+-----+-----------------+--------+----------+---------+

+------+------------------+------------------+------------------------+
| **E  |                  |                  |                        |
| duca |                  |                  |                        |
| tion |                  |                  |                        |
| and  |                  |                  |                        |
| Trai |                  |                  |                        |
| ning |                  |                  |                        |
| f    |                  |                  |                        |
| or** |                  |                  |                        |
|      |                  |                  |                        |
| *    |                  |                  |                        |
| *GS- |                  |                  |                        |
| 1102 |                  |                  |                        |
| Per  |                  |                  |                        |
| sonn |                  |                  |                        |
| el** |                  |                  |                        |
|      |                  |                  |                        |
| [[]  |                  |                  |                        |
| {#AP |                  |                  |                        |
| PEND |                  |                  |                        |
| IXXF |                  |                  |                        |
| .a   |                  |                  |                        |
| ncho |                  |                  |                        |
| r}** |                  |                  |                        |
| APPE |                  |                  |                        |
| NDIX |                  |                  |                        |
| F**] |                  |                  |                        |
| (#F) |                  |                  |                        |
+------+------------------+------------------+------------------------+
| *    | **Education**    | **Minimum        | **Continuous Learning  |
| *GS- |                  | Training/OJT**   | Points**               |
| 1102 |                  |                  |                        |
| G    |                  | **During Grade   |                        |
| rade |                  | Levels**         |                        |
| Lev  |                  |                  |                        |
| el** |                  |                  |                        |
+------+------------------+------------------+------------------------+
| GS   | Mandatory 4-year | FAC-C Level I    | 80 CLPs every two      |
| -- 5 | course of study  |                  | years                  |
| thr  | leading a        |                  |                        |
| ough | bachelor's       |                  |                        |
| 9    | degree with a    |                  |                        |
|      | major in any     |                  |                        |
|      | field **OR**     |                  |                        |
|      |                  |                  |                        |
|      | At least 24      |                  |                        |
|      | semester hours   |                  |                        |
|      | in business      |                  |                        |
|      | **AND**          |                  |                        |
|      |                  |                  |                        |
|      | Specialized      |                  |                        |
|      | experience as    |                  |                        |
|      | outlined in the  |                  |                        |
|      | GS-1102          |                  |                        |
|      | Qualification    |                  |                        |
|      | Standard         |                  |                        |
+------+------------------+------------------+------------------------+
| GS   | Mandatory 4-year | FAC-C Level II   | 80 CLPs every two      |
| --   | course of study  |                  | years                  |
| 10   | leading a        |                  |                        |
| thr  | bachelor's       |                  |                        |
| ough | degree with a    |                  |                        |
| 12   | major in any     |                  |                        |
|      | field **OR**     |                  |                        |
|      |                  |                  |                        |
|      | At least 24      |                  |                        |
|      | semester hours   |                  |                        |
|      | in business      |                  |                        |
|      | **AND**          |                  |                        |
|      |                  |                  |                        |
|      | Specialized      |                  |                        |
|      | experience as    |                  |                        |
|      | outlined in the  |                  |                        |
|      | GS-1102          |                  |                        |
|      | Qualification    |                  |                        |
|      | Standard         |                  |                        |
+------+------------------+------------------+------------------------+
| GS   | Mandatory 4-year | FAC-C Level III  | 80 CLPs every two      |
| --   | course of study  |                  | years                  |
| 13   | leading a        | (See Paragraph   |                        |
| and  | bachelor's       | 12 for           |                        |
| a    | degree with a    | Exception)       |                        |
| bove | major in any     |                  |                        |
|      | field **AND**    |                  |                        |
|      |                  |                  |                        |
|      | At least 24      |                  |                        |
|      | semester hours   |                  |                        |
|      | in business      |                  |                        |
|      | **AND**          |                  |                        |
|      |                  |                  |                        |
|      | Specialized      |                  |                        |
|      | experience as    |                  |                        |
|      | outlined in the  |                  |                        |
|      | GS-1102          |                  |                        |
|      | Qualification    |                  |                        |
|      | Standard         |                  |                        |
+------+------------------+------------------+------------------------+
| >    |                  |                  |                        |
| Requ |                  |                  |                        |
| irem |                  |                  |                        |
| ents |                  |                  |                        |
| >    |                  |                  |                        |
|  out |                  |                  |                        |
| side |                  |                  |                        |
| > of |                  |                  |                        |
| > O  |                  |                  |                        |
| PM's |                  |                  |                        |
| > GS |                  |                  |                        |
| 1102 |                  |                  |                        |
| > Q  |                  |                  |                        |
| uali |                  |                  |                        |
| fica |                  |                  |                        |
| tion |                  |                  |                        |
| >    |                  |                  |                        |
| Stan |                  |                  |                        |
| dard |                  |                  |                        |
| >    |                  |                  |                        |
|  are |                  |                  |                        |
| >    |                  |                  |                        |
|  sub |                  |                  |                        |
| ject |                  |                  |                        |
| > to |                  |                  |                        |
| >    |                  |                  |                        |
| revi |                  |                  |                        |
| sion |                  |                  |                        |
| > by |                  |                  |                        |
| >    |                  |                  |                        |
|  the |                  |                  |                        |
| >    |                  |                  |                        |
|  CAO |                  |                  |                        |
| > or |                  |                  |                        |
| >    |                  |                  |                        |
| SPE. |                  |                  |                        |
+------+------------------+------------------+------------------------+

+----+---------------+----------------------------+-------+----------+
| ** |               |                            |       |          |
| Tr |               |                            |       |          |
| ai |               |                            |       |          |
| ni |               |                            |       |          |
| ng |               |                            |       |          |
| f  |               |                            |       |          |
| or |               |                            |       |          |
| C  |               |                            |       |          |
| OR |               |                            |       |          |
| /C |               |                            |       |          |
| OT |               |                            |       |          |
| Rs |               |                            |       |          |
| or |               |                            |       |          |
| Eq |               |                            |       |          |
| ui |               |                            |       |          |
| va |               |                            |       |          |
| le |               |                            |       |          |
| nt |               |                            |       |          |
| P  |               |                            |       |          |
| os |               |                            |       |          |
| it |               |                            |       |          |
| io |               |                            |       |          |
| ns |               |                            |       |          |
| ** |               |                            |       |          |
|    |               |                            |       |          |
| [  |               |                            |       |          |
| [] |               |                            |       |          |
| {# |               |                            |       |          |
| AP |               |                            |       |          |
| PE |               |                            |       |          |
| ND |               |                            |       |          |
| IX |               |                            |       |          |
| XG |               |                            |       |          |
| .a |               |                            |       |          |
| nc |               |                            |       |          |
| ho |               |                            |       |          |
| r} |               |                            |       |          |
| ** |               |                            |       |          |
| AP |               |                            |       |          |
| PE |               |                            |       |          |
| ND |               |                            |       |          |
| IX |               |                            |       |          |
| G* |               |                            |       |          |
| *] |               |                            |       |          |
| (# |               |                            |       |          |
| G) |               |                            |       |          |
+----+---------------+----------------------------+-------+----------+
| *  | *             | **Competencies**           | *     | **Cont   |
| *L | *Experience** |                            | *Mini | inuous** |
| ev |               |                            | mum** |          |
| el |               |                            |       | **       |
| ** |               |                            | **    | Learning |
|    |               |                            | Train | Points** |
|    |               |                            | ing** |          |
|    |               |                            |       |          |
|    |               |                            | **Ho  |          |
|    |               |                            | urs** |          |
+----+---------------+----------------------------+-------+----------+
| L  | None          | Basic COR Course that      | 40    | 40 CLPs  |
| ev |               | includes the Federal       |       |          |
| el |               | Acquisition Process        |       | Every    |
| I  |               |                            |       | two      |
|    |               |                            |       | Years    |
+----+---------------+----------------------------+-------+----------+
| L  | One year as a | As outlined in the         | 80    | 40 CLPs  |
| ev | Level I COR   | FAC-COTR Program Guidance  |       |          |
| el |               |                            |       | Every    |
| II |               |                            |       | two      |
|    |               |                            |       | Years    |
+----+---------------+----------------------------+-------+----------+
| L  | One year as a | As outlined in the         | 120   | 40 CLPs  |
| ev | Level II COR  | FAC-COTR Program Guidance  |       |          |
| el |               |                            |       | Every    |
| I  |               |                            |       | two      |
| II |               |                            |       | Years    |
+----+---------------+----------------------------+-------+----------+
| -  |               |                            |       |          |
|    |               |                            |       |          |
|  E |               |                            |       |          |
| mp |               |                            |       |          |
| lo |               |                            |       |          |
| ye |               |                            |       |          |
| es |               |                            |       |          |
|    |               |                            |       |          |
|    |               |                            |       |          |
|  s |               |                            |       |          |
| ha |               |                            |       |          |
| ll |               |                            |       |          |
|    |               |                            |       |          |
|    |               |                            |       |          |
| go |               |                            |       |          |
|    |               |                            |       |          |
|    |               |                            |       |          |
| to |               |                            |       |          |
|    |               |                            |       |          |
|    |               |                            |       |          |
| [w |               |                            |       |          |
| ww |               |                            |       |          |
| .f |               |                            |       |          |
| ai |               |                            |       |          |
| .g |               |                            |       |          |
| ov |               |                            |       |          |
| ]( |               |                            |       |          |
| ht |               |                            |       |          |
| tp |               |                            |       |          |
| :/ |               |                            |       |          |
| /w |               |                            |       |          |
| ww |               |                            |       |          |
| .f |               |                            |       |          |
| ai |               |                            |       |          |
| .g |               |                            |       |          |
| ov |               |                            |       |          |
| /) |               |                            |       |          |
|    |               |                            |       |          |
|    |               |                            |       |          |
|  f |               |                            |       |          |
| or |               |                            |       |          |
|    |               |                            |       |          |
|    |               |                            |       |          |
|  C |               |                            |       |          |
| OR |               |                            |       |          |
|    |               |                            |       |          |
|    |               |                            |       |          |
| co |               |                            |       |          |
| mp |               |                            |       |          |
| et |               |                            |       |          |
| en |               |                            |       |          |
| cy |               |                            |       |          |
|    |               |                            |       |          |
|    |               |                            |       |          |
| up |               |                            |       |          |
| da |               |                            |       |          |
| te |               |                            |       |          |
| s. |               |                            |       |          |
+----+---------------+----------------------------+-------+----------+

[**APPENDIX H**](#H)

[[]{#appendixxh .anchor}](#H) **CONTRACTING OFFICER QUALIFICATION
STATEMENT**

Use a similar format with the following information:

Last/Middle/ First Name:

Title, Series, Grade:

Agency/Office/Organizational Identification Number (four-digit code):

 

Office Address:

 

 Telephone Number: Fax Number: E-Mail Address:

American Citizen: \[ \] Yes \[ \] No

 

Experience: (Begin with your current position and work back until you
have demonstrated the required relevant work experience). Information on
each position should include:

> Name of Employer
>
> Dates Employed
>
> Title of Position
>
> Kind of Business/Organization
>
> Description of Work
>
> Percent of Time Spent on Contract Duties
>
> Current Acquisition Career Specialties (e.g., Policy, IT,
> Construction, A/E, General, SAP)

FAC-C certified \_\_\_\_ Yes \_\_\_\_No\_\_\_\_\_ (If yes, attach a copy
of the FAC-C certificate)

Are you presently a warranted Contracting Officer? No\_\_\_\_\_
Yes\_\_\_\_\_ If yes, provide Warrant Level\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Continuous Learning Period: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Education: (Highest Level Completed):

# Name of High School/College/University {#name-of-high-schoolcollegeuniversity .unnumbered}

> Dates Attended
>
> Diploma Received
>
> Years Completed
>
> No. of Semester/Quarter Hour Credits Completed
>
> Type and Year of Degree
>
> Major Field of Study
>
> Other relevant special qualifications, certifications (e.g., CPCM,
> CFCM, CCCM, CACM, SAS, etc.)

I have at least 24 Semester Hours in a combination of the following
fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing,
economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or
organizational and management.

Yes \_\_\_\_ No \_\_\_\_ (You must provide a list of courses and the
number of semester hours for each course if you do not have a Bachelors
or Masters Degree in one of the previously listed fields)

Procurement Related Training: (If applicable, attach a copy of your
ACMIS printout or equivalent)

> Name of Course
>
> Dates Attended
>
> Training Mode (e.g., tests, classroom, waiver, etc.)
>
> Name of School/Vendor

Number of Training Hours Per Course

[[]{#APPENDIXXI .anchor}**APPENDIX I**](#I)

**CONTRACTING OFFICER REPRESENTATIVE QUALIFICATION STATEMENT**

Use a format similar to this with the following information:

 

Last/Middle/ First Name:

 

Title, Series, Grade:

 

Agency/Office/Organizational Identification Number (four-digit code):

 

Office Address:

American Citizen: \[ \] Yes \[ \] No

 

Telephone Number: Fax Number: E-Mail Address:

 

COR Experience:

> Information on each position should include :(Begin with your current
> position and work back until you have demonstrated the required
> relevant work experience).
>
> Name of Employer
>
> Dates Employed
>
> Title of Position
>
> Description of Work
>
> Percent of Time Spent on COR Duties
>
> Type of Acquisition Project (e.g., Policy, IT, Construction, A/E,
> General, SAP)

Education:

> High School: Yes\_\_\_\_\_ No\_\_\_\_\_
>
> College: Yes\_\_\_\_\_ No\_\_\_\_\_ Graduated Yes\_\_\_\_\_
> No\_\_\_\_\_
>
> Graduate School Yes\_\_\_\_\_ No\_\_\_\_\_ Graduated Yes\_\_\_\_\_
> No\_\_\_\_\_
>
> Major Field of Study:
> \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

 

Procurement Related Training: (Attach a copy of your ACMIS printout or
equivalent)

> Name of Course
>
> Dates Attended
>
> Training Mode (e.g., tests, classroom, waiver, etc.)
>
> Name of School/Vendor
>
> Number of Training Hours Per Course

[[]{#APPENDIXXJ .anchor}**APPENDIX J**](#J)

# **FORMAT FOR CONTRACTING OFFICER WARRANT REQUESTS** {#format-for-contracting-officer-warrant-requests .unnumbered}

 

1\. There is a clear and convincing need to appoint a contracting
officer at Level \_\_\_\_\_\_ for the following reasons:

  

2\. The Contracting Officer candidate is:

> \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

(Name, Title, Series, and Grade)

3\. Work location:

> \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
> (Office/Branch/Division/City/State)

4\. The candidate meets established qualification standards.

5\. If required, the candidate\'s current conflict of interest
disclosure statement and OGE 450 reports are on file in the appropriate
personnel office. \_\_\_\_\_ Yes \_\_\_\_\_ No

6\. A copy of the candidate\'s qualification statement is attached

7\. In addition to Procurement Laws, Regulations, and other applicable
requirements, the following warrant limitations are requested:

> Dollar Thresholds:
>
> a\. Supplies and Services:
> \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
>
> b Construction, A/E:
> \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
>
> c\. Delivery Orders:
> \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
>
> d Other Limitations:
> \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

8\. Is the candidate FAC-C certified: \_\_\_\_ Yes \_\_\_\_No (If yes,
attach a copy of the FAC-C certificate)

FAC-C trained: \_\_\_ Yes \_\_\_ No

FAC-C Level: \_\_\_\_\_ FAC-C Application Attached \_\_\_\_\_ Yes
\_\_\_\_\_ No

I hereby certify that the above information, including any attachment,
is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Nominating Officer:

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

(Signature)

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

(Typed Name, Title, and Agency) (Date)

[**APPENDIX K**](#K)

[[]{#APPENDIXXK .anchor}**USDA Federal Acquisition Certification in
Contracting Application Format**](#K)

**PART A -- EMPLOYEE INFORMATION**

Name (Last, First, Middle Initial)

Organizational /Address

Title, Series, Grade

Date Submitted:

**[PART B -- CERTIFICATION REQUESTED]{.smallcaps}**

*Certification Level Requested*

\[ \] FAC-C Level I \[ \] FAC-C Level II \[ \] FAC-C Level III

**PART C -- PREVIOUSLY HELD CERTIFICATION FROM**

Name of Agency:

Date Certification Issued:

(*Attach a copy of the certification including confirmation of last 80
CLPs)*

**[PART D -- CERTIFICATION ANALYSIS]{.smallcaps}**

*Applicable Standard How Met & Verified*

\[ \] Experience
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
(SF-171, SF 50s, previous certification resume OF 612, etc.)

\[ \] Education (Major)

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
(Copy of Degree, Previous certification, etc.)

\[ \] 24 Sem. Hrs of Bus.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

(Degree, College transcripts if other than a Business Degree, previous
certification SF 171, OF 612)

\[ \] Training

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
(Course certificates and transcripts for documenting FAC-C Level
requested only)

\[ \] Mandatory training documented in ACMIS?

\[ \] Waiver (If applicable attach copy of waiver)

**PART E -- SIGNATURES**

Applicant's signature
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Date:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Supervisor or requesting official's signature
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Date: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Print Name
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Agency FAC-C approving official's signature:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_Date: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Print Name
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**PART F - USDA CERTIFICATION DECISION (***for Departmental use
only***)**

Recommend Certification \[ \] Approval \[ \] Disapproval

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_Date:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**USDA Acquisition Career Manager or other authorized official**

**APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE FAC-C PROGRAM**

**FILL IN APPLICATION SHEET AS FOLLOWS:**

**PART A - EMPLOYEE INFORMATION**

**PART B - CERTIFICATION REQUESTED**

Place an "X" in box next to level you are requesting.

**PART C -- PREVIOUSLY HELD CERTIFICATION FROM ANOTHER FEDERAL AGENCY**

Employees holding certifications from other Federal agencies are not
required to complete Part C. To verify the possession of a current
certification, applicants shall provide evidence for their last
continuous learning period.

**PART D - CERTIFICATION ANALYSIS**

> Check each applicable box and describe the type of documentation you
> are providing as confirmation:
>
> **Experience** - Attach documents detailing contracting experience.
> Acceptable documentation includes SF-50s (showing beginning and ending
> dates served in qualifying positions), SF-171/OF617, or a resume with
> a description of the contracting work performed.
>
> **Education** - Attach a copy of degree. Specify if it is a business
> degree.
>
> **24 Semester Hours of Business -** College transcript if providing
> other than a Business Degree to verify Education above (List of
> College Courses and Certificate of Scholastic Achievement) or an
> SF-171/OF-617 showing college courses completed.
>
> **Training -** Attach verification of successful completion of FAC-C
> training. Acceptable documentation includes copies of course
> certificates, an official FAI or ACMIS training transcript,
> fulfillment of mandatory training record, or other acceptable
> documentation as noted by OPPM/PPD. Provide mandatory course numbers
> for all mandatory and equivalent, fulfillment, or predecessor courses.

**Waiver**: Attach a copy of any waivers granted (i.e. education, 24
business hours, procurement training, or experience).

**PART E - SIGNATURES**

> Three signatures are required. Applicant shall sign on line one. Your
> supervisor or other authorized official shall sign Part E, line two.
> The agency approving official, which is generally the ACM or other
> official as designated by the contracting activity, shall approve the
> request by signing on line three. The Agency ACM shall review all
> certification requests prior to approval of the
>
> FAC-C request and submission to the Department. Applicants shall
> submit their application packages to the office designated by the
> contracting activity.

**PART F -- USDA CERTIFICATION DECISION**

> The USDA ACM will review each FAC-C application and recommend SPE
>
> approval/disapproval of the FAC-C request.

**SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION TO OPPM/PPD**

> The FAC-C package must contain the following:

1.  Signed FAC-C Application (Education and training verification not
    required by OPPM)

2.  FAC-C Checklist (Appendix L or equivalent format with course name
    and number)

> Mail package to USDA/OPPM/PPD, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Stop 9303,
> Washington, DC 20250.

**FOR QUESTIONS,** Contact your Agency ACM or the USDA's ACM at
<linda.persons@usda.gov>.

[[]{#APPENDIXXL .anchor}APPENDIX L](#L)

FEDERAL ACQUISITION CERTIFICATION IN CONTRACTING CHECKLIST

Level I

1.  EDUCATION

    a.  \[ \] Baccalaureate degree OR

    b.  \[ \] At least 24 semester hours among accounting, law,
        business, finance, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial
        management, marketing, quantitative methods, and organization
        and management

2.  EXPERIENCE

    a.  \[ \] 1 year of contracting experience

3.  TRAINING

    a.  \[ \] CON 100 Shaping Smart Business Arrangements

    b.  \[ \] CON 110 Mission Support Planning

    c.  \[ \] CON 111 Mission Planning Execution

    d.  \[ \] CON 112 Mission Performance Assessment

    e.  \[ \] CON 120 Mission Focused Contracting

    f.  \[ \] 1 Elective

Level II

1.  EDUCATION

    a.  \[ \] Baccalaureate degree OR

    b.  \[ \] At least 24 semester hours among accounting, law,
        business, finance, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial
        management, marketing, quantitative

> methods, and organization and management

c.  \[ \] (Desired) Graduate studies in business administration or
    procurement

\* Electives must be at least 16 CLPs

2\. EXPERIENCE

d.  \[ \] 2 years of contracting experience

e.  \[ \] (Desired) An additional 2 years of contracting experience

3\. TRAINING

f.  \[ \] CON 202 Intermediate Contracting

g.  \[ \] CON 204 Intermediate Contract Pricing

h.  \[ \]CON 210 Government Contract Law

i.  \[ \] 2 Electives

Level III

1.  EDUCATION

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
a.  \[ \] Baccalaureate degree AND

b.  \[ \] At least 24 semester hours among accounting, law, business,
    finance, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management,
    marketing, quantitative methods, and organization and management

c.  \[ \] (Desired) Master's degree in business administration or
    procurement

    1.  EXPERIENCE

> a\. \[ \] 4 years of contracting experience
>
> b\. \[ \] (Desired) An additional 4 years of contracting experience
>
> 3\. TRAINING
>
> a\. \[ \] CON 353 Advanced Business Solutions for Mission Support
>
> b\. \[ \] 2 Electives
>
> c\. \[ \] (Desired) 2 weeks of management and leadership training

![](media/image4.wmf){width="3.65625in" height="0.71875in"}

**April 25, 2007**

[]{#APPENDIXXM .anchor}

[MEMORANDUM FOR CHIEF ACQUISITION OFFICERS](#M)

FROM: Paul A. Denett

> Administrator

SUBJECT: The Federal Acquisition Certification for Program and Project
Managers

Well-trained and experienced program and project managers are critical
to the acquisition process and the successful accomplishment of mission
goals. A strong partnership between program and project managers and
contracting professionals requires a common understanding of how to meet
the government's needs through acquisitions that deliver quality goods
and services in an effective and efficient manner. This memorandum
establishes a structured development program for program and project
managers that will improve this partnership and our collective
stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

The Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI) led an interagency working group
to develop common, essential competencies for the program and project
management community. The attached Federal Acquisition Certification for
Program and Project Managers (FAC-P/PM) reflects these recommendations
and applies to all executive agencies, except those subject to the
Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act. The certification shall
be accepted by, at minimum, all civilian agencies as evidence that an
employee meets the core training and experience requirements.

The certification is required for program and project managers that are
assigned to major acquisitions as defined in Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) Circular A-11, Part 7, exhibit 300, *Planning, Budgeting,
Acquisition, and Management of Capital Assets.* The attached provides
more details on transition time, waivers, and the responsibilities of
the Chief Acquisition Officer in implementing the policy. Program and
project managers assigned to information technology (IT) investments
must also meet the technical requirements of the Federal IT Project
Manager Guidance Matrix.

The program will be administered by each civilian agency, and FAI will
conduct periodic reviews to ensure that the FAC-P/PM program is being
managed consistently. Additionally, FAI is mapping the program and
project management competencies, which are included in the attachment,
to learning objectives that will be used to assess current training or
develop new training to meet these requirements. 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.

A well-trained acquisition workforce is necessary to ensure that
agencies accomplish their mission goals effectively and responsibly.
Skilled program and project managers are critical in developing accurate
government requirements, defining measurable performance standards, and
managing contractor activities to ensure that intended outcomes are
achieved.

If you have questions regarding the implementation of the program,
please call Lesley Field on the OFPP staff at (202) 395-7579, or Karen
Pica, Director of the Federal Acquisition Institute, at (703) 805-2333.

Attachment

cc: Chief Information Officers

Chief Human Capital Officers

Senior Procurement Executives

**Federal Acquisition Certification for Program and Project Managers
(FAC-P/PM)**

# 1. [Purpose**.**]{.underline} **The purpose of the Federal Acquisition Certification for Program and Project Managers (FAC-P/PM) is to establish general training and experience requirements for program and project managers in civilian agencies. The FAC-P/PM focuses on essential competencies needed for program and project managers; the program does not include functional or technical competencies, such as those for information technology, or agency-specific competencies.**  {#purpose.-the-purpose-of-the-federal-acquisition-certification-for-program-and-project-managers-fac-ppm-is-to-establish-general-training-and-experience-requirements-for-program-and-project-managers-in-civilian-agencies.-the-fac-ppm-focuses-on-essential-competencies-needed-for-program-and-project-managers-the-program-does-not-include-functional-or-technical-competencies-such-as-those-for-information-technology-or-agency-specific-competencies. .unnumbered}

# 2. [Authority**.**]{.underline} **Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) Policy Letter 05-01, *Developing and Managing the Acquisition Workforce*, established a requirement for federal acquisition certification programs. The Federal Acquisition Certification for Program and Project Managers (FAC-P/PM) is issued pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 401, et seq and OFPP Policy Letter 05-01, paragraph 8(c).**  {#authority.-office-of-federal-procurement-policy-ofpp-policy-letter-05-01-developing-and-managing-the-acquisition-workforce-established-a-requirement-for-federal-acquisition-certification-programs.-the-federal-acquisition-certification-for-program-and-project-managers-fac-ppm-is-issued-pursuant-to-41-u.s.c.-401-et-seq-and-ofpp-policy-letter-05-01-paragraph-8c. .unnumbered}

**3. [Background]{.underline}**[.]{.underline} The Services Acquisition
Reform Act of 2003, P.L. 108-136, expanded the definition of acquisition
to include functions performed by program and project managers, such as
requirements development, performance management, and technical
direction. OFPP Policy Letter 05-01 built upon this broader definition
of acquisition workforce and required FAI to make recommendations for a
program and project management certification program. FAI partnered with
twenty federal agencies to recommend the competencies and framework for
this program. A report on the working group's efforts is available at
<http://www.fai.gov/policies/sturep.asp>.

#  {#section-10 .unnumbered}

**4. [Applicability.]{.underline}** This policy applies to all executive
agencies, except those subject to the Defense Acquisition Workforce
Improvement Act (DAWIA, 10 U.S.C. §§ 1741-46). The broader definition of
the acquisition function, in accordance with the Services Acquisition
Reform Act of 2003 (SARA, P.L. 108-136) and further defined by OFPP
Policy Letter 05-01, includes program and project management. The
similarities and distinctions between program and project management are
discussed in FAC-P/PM Appendix 4. The certification shall be accepted
by, at a minimum, all civilian agencies as evidence that an employee
meets core training and experience requirements for general program and
project management.

The Chief Acquisition Officer (CAO), in consultation with appropriate
agency officials, is responsible for developing workforce policies that
apply the FAC-P/PM requirements as necessary to ensure agency program
and project managers have essential program and project management
competencies. The competency-based model serves as a foundation allowing
agencies to build on these requirements or modify existing programs.
Agencies may require additional management and technical competencies
for particular functional areas, agency programs, or program
assignments. The CAO may give implementation authority to other
functional managers, such as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) or
Chief Financial Officer (CFO), to ensure the FAC-P/PM requirements are
implemented appropriately.

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 (see paragraph

below). The target completion date for this certification is one year
from the date of assignment to the program or project. Major
acquisitions are defined in Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Circular A-11, Part 7, exhibit 300, *Planning, Budgeting, Acquisition,
and Management of Capital Assets.* OMB may work with an agency to
declare other investments as major investments, and agencies should
consult with the appropriate agency personnel about what investments to
consider major.

The CAO, or designated functional manager, 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. This authority shall
be used only when necessary, the written justification shall include
reasons for and conditions of the waiver,** **and agency Acquisition
Career Managers (ACMs) must maintain all supporting documentation to
confirm information entered into the Acquisition Career Management
Information System (ACMIS -- see paragraph 8) and for program quality
assurance. Waivers are not needed for the first year following
assignment to a major acquisition, in accordance with the paragraph
above.  However, waivers for additional time beyond that year shall be
granted for no more than an additional year.  If time is necessary
beyond this, the CAO must concur with any extensions.  ** **

Program and project managers assigned to information technology (IT)
investments must also meet the requirements of the Federal IT Project
Manager Guidance Matrix found (see
[www.cio.gov/documents/Federal%20IT%20PM%20Guidance%20Matrix2.ppt](http://www.cio.gov/documents/Federal IT PM Guidance Matrix2.ppt)).
This matrix references additional Office of Personnel Management
guidance for IT project managers (see
[www.opm.gov/fedclass/cg03-0001.pdf](http://www.opm.gov/fedclass/cg03-0001.pdf)).
The FAC-P/PM generally mirrors the program and project management
competencies and experience standards found in the matrix. However, the
FAC-P/PM does not include the technical standards found in the IT PM
guidance. Individuals certified under the FAC-P/PM program can be
considered to meet the general PM competencies and suggested experience
standards of the IT PM qualification guidance for purposes of
identifying qualified project managers, but must also meet the technical
standards to satisfy fully the IT PM requirements.

When identifying individuals to be certified under this program and
other applicability requirements, the CAO shall review the guidance
provided in OFPP Policy Letter 05-01 and obtain concurrence from the
CIOs, CFOs, Chief Human Capital Officers (CHCOs), or others as
appropriate. At a minimum, agencies should consider applying the
FAC-P/PM requirements to the following:

1.  individuals with significant involvement in one or more phases of
    the acquisition investment process (initiation,
    conceptualization/design, development, implementation, modification,
    maintenance, evaluation, disposal),

2.  managers with authority and responsibility for overseeing multiple
    phases of the acquisition investment process,

3.  individuals with responsibility for leading cross-agency or
    acquisition investment programs for a major portion or all of the
    investment life-cycle,

4.  individuals responsible for leading, coordinating, managing
    integrated project teams for acquisition investments,

5.  individuals participating on an integrated project team or a phase
    of the investment lifecycle with aspirations for career development
    as a program or project manager

The certification is not intended to confer qualification for assignment
as a program or project manager within an agency, as the assignment of
personnel is an agency-specific function, but provides a structured
approach to developing program and project managers.

**5. [Certification Program Oversight and Administration.]{.underline}**
The FAI Board of Directors, in consultation with FAI, the Interagency
Acquisition Career Management Council (IACMC), the Chief Acquisition
Officers Council (CAOC), the CIOC Council IT Workforce Committee, and
other organizations as appropriate, shall provide general program
oversight and shall recommend program changes to the Administrator for
Federal Procurement Policy to ensure the program reflects the needs of
all civilian agencies. Changes to the program may be communicated
formally through the CAOC and other councils or through other means
depending on the significance of the change. FAI shall maintain the most
current version of the FAC-P/PM on [www.fai.gov](http://www.fai.gov/).

FAI will administer the program through issuance of guidance and
dissemination of information, principally through its Web site. Upon
agency request, FAI will review existing agency programs against the
requirements contained in this document to identify the extent to which
an agency's certification program meets the FAC-P/PM guidelines. In
addition, FAI will periodically review agencies' implementation of this
guidance to ensure the program remains rigorous and the standards for
certification for training, experience and continuous learning are
consistently applied by all civilian agencies.

Essential FAI responsibilities for program administration are included
below:

-   develop and review competencies and training standards

-   review agency programs as needed

-   manage and analyze workforce information

-   develop training blueprints to be used by agencies, vendors, or
    other organizations in assessing existing courses against these
    standards or developing new courses to satisfy the requirements of
    the FAC-P/PM

The certification process, including assessment of applications, will be
managed by each agency. The agency Acquisition Career Manager (ACM)
appointed by the CAO under Policy Letter 05-01, or designee, is
responsible for administering the agency certification program, in
accordance with this guidance and any subsequent guidance provided by
OFPP or FAI. Authority for overseeing the agency FAC-P/PM program,
resolving disputes, and granting certifications will be at the CAO or
designee level. The CAO may delegate, in writing, certain functional
responsibilities as needed to ensure effective and efficient management
of this program within an agency.

Essential agency responsibilities for program administration are
included below:

-   identify and assess the program and project management acquisition
    workforce

-   develop this workforce in accordance with the standards

-   issue FAC-P/PMs

-   monitor continuous learning achievement

**6. [General Information on Essential Competencies and the FAC-P/PM,
Requirements for Training, Experience, and Continuous
Learning.]{.underline}**

**a. General** **--** Unlike the Federal Acquisition in Contracting
(FAC-C) program, which prescribes a specific curriculum, the FAC-P/PM
describes core, minimum competencies that are

considered essential for successful program and project management.
Certification under the FAC-P/PM is based on attaining these
competencies and having a certain number of years of experience
associated with each of three levels. Additionally, 80 hours of
continuous learning is required every two years to ensure currency. The
competencies and experience are cumulative across levels. While a
specific curriculum is not articulated, training plans are available at
FAC-P/PM Appendix 1 that will help agencies and individuals determine
training and development needs.

An applicant 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 at
[www.fai.gov](http://www.fai.gov/) or through your agency Acquisition
Career Manager.

FAI has developed a Program/Project Manager training blueprint that
associates the competencies in FAC-P/PM Appendix 2 with learning
outcomes. This document is located at
[www.fai.gov](http://www.fai.gov/). The blueprint can be used to compare
existing or planned training and/or certification programs to the
FAC-P/PM. The blueprint can also be used by individuals to identify
areas where training has already been completed and where training
should be targeted to meet FAC-P/PM requirements.

**b. Competencies (see FAC-P/PM Appendix 2 for complete list) --** The
establishment of core competencies ensures the program and project
management community develops common, basic skills. The competencies in
FAC-P/PM Appendix 2 were developed by an interagency working group using
a competency confirmation process, which involved identifying tasks,
conducting focus groups, rating tasks, and analyzing results. Focus
group subject matter experts were drawn from various civilian and
defense agencies, including the Office of Personnel Management, and the
competencies associated with this certification program were determined
by this group to be essential competencies for program and project
management. (See paragraph 3 for additional details.)

The objective of the FAC-P/PM is to align a base of essential
competencies across the federal government's acquisition workforce. Some
departments will have additional competencies associated with essential
mission areas that overlay these common elements.

The current competencies for program and project managers will be
maintained by FAI at the FAI Web site,
[www.fai.gov](http://www.fai.gov/). These essential competencies will be
updated periodically, expanded, or otherwise modified to meet current
and future acquisition workforce requirements and to reflect emerging
trends in the government's acquisition practices. FAI, DoD, and OPM will
work collaboratively to establish a competency management process to
ensure the base core competencies remain relevant and current and are
integrated into the curriculum, as appropriate.

> **c. Certification Levels \--** FAC-P/PM will recognize three levels
> of certification---entry/apprentice, mid level/journeyman and
> senior/expert. A brief explanation of each follows. (To avoid
> confusion with established terms associated with levels of program
>
> investment, the FAC-P/PM will not use I, II, or III to distinguish the
> levels.) A sample training plan for meeting these competencies is
> included in FAC-P/PM Appendix 2.
>
> **1) Entry Level --** At this level, program and project managers
> should have, through training, experience, and other development
> activities:

-   knowledge and skills to perform as a project team member

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   ability to manage low risk and relatively simple projects or to
    manage more complex projects under direct supervision of a more
    experienced manager

-   overall understanding of project management practices, including
    performance-based acquisition

-   recognition of an agency's requirements development processes

-   ability to define and construct various project documents, under
    supervision

-   understanding of and involvement in the definition, initiation,
    conceptualization or design of project requirements

> [Competencies and Proficiencies at Entry Level]{.underline}: See
> FAC-P/PM Appendix 2.
>
> [Experience at Entry Level:]{.underline} At least one year of project
> management experience within the last five years. Project management
> experience includes experience constructing a work breakdown
> structure, preparing project analysis documents, tailoring acquisition
> documents to ensure that quality, effective, efficient systems or
> products are delivered, analyzing and/or developing requirements,
> monitoring performance, assisting with quality assurance, and budget
> development.
>
> [Training:]{.underline} Training in program and project management at
> this level should be provided to develop the essential interpersonal
> and management competencies required of high-performing, successful
> program and project managers. See FAC-P/PM Appendix 1 for training
> plans that provide the necessary competencies at this level.
>
> **2) Mid-Level/Journeyman --** At this level, program and project
> managers should have, through training, experience, and other
> development activities:

-   knowledge and skills to manage projects or program segments of low
    to moderate risks with little or no supervision

-   ability to apply management processes, including requirements
    development processes and performance-based acquisition principles,
    to support the agency's mission to develop an acquisition program
    baseline from schedule requirements, plan technology developments
    and demonstrations and apply agency policy on interoperability

-   ability to identify and track actions to initiate an acquisition
    program or project using cost/benefit analysis

-   ability to understand and apply the process to prepare information
    for a baseline review, and can assist in assist in development of
    Total Ownership Cost (TOC) estimates

-   ability to manage projects as well as program segments and
    distinguish between program and project work

> [Competencies at Mid-Level/Journeyman]{.underline}: See FAC-P/PM
> Appendix 2
>
> [Experience at Mid-Level/Journeyman:]{.underline} At least two years
> of program or project management experience within the last five years
> that includes experience at the entry level as well as experience
> performing market research, developing documents for risk and
> opportunity management, developing and applying technical processes
> and technical management processes, performing or participating in
> source selection, preparing acquisition strategies, managing
> performance based service agreements, developing and managing a
> project budget, writing a business case, and strategic planning.
>
> [Training:]{.underline} It is highly recommended that interactive
> training in these areas be designed to develop the essential
> interpersonal and management competencies required of high-performing,
> successful program and project managers such as team building,
> influencing/negotiating, decisiveness, partnering, and managing
> diverse workforce. See FAC-P/PM Appendix 1 for training plans that
> provide the necessary competencies at this level.
>
> **3) Senior/Expert Level --** At this level, program and project
> managers should have, through training, experience, and other
> development activities:

-   knowledge and skills to manage and evaluate moderate to high-risk
    programs or projects that require significant acquisition investment
    and agency knowledge and experience

-   ability to manage and evaluate a program and create an environment
    for program success

-   ability to manage and evaluate the requirements development process,
    overseeing junior level team members in creation, development, and
    implementation

-   expert ability to use, manage, and evaluate management processes,
    including performance-based management techniques

-   expert ability to manage and evaluate the use of earned value
    management as it relates to acquisition investments

> [Competencies at Senior/Expert Level]{.underline}: See FAC-P/PM
> Appendix 2
>
> [Experience at Senior/Expert Level]{.underline}: At least five years
> of program and project management experience at the federal level,
> including managing and evaluating agency acquisition investment
> performance, developing and managing a program budget, building and
> presenting a successful business case, reporting program results,
>
> strategic planning, and high-level communication with internal and
> external stakeholders.
>
> [Training:]{.underline} It is highly recommended that interactive
> training in these areas be designed to develop the essential
> interpersonal and management competencies required of high-performing,
> successful program and project managers such as strategic thinking,
> vision, and external awareness. See FAC-P/PM Appendix 1 for training
> plans that provide the necessary competencies at this level.
>
> **d. Continuous Learning --** To maintain a FAC-P/PM, certified
> professionals are required to earn 80 continuous learning points
> (CLPs) of skills currency training every two years beginning the first
> fiscal year following the effective date of this memorandum. CLPs
> begin to accumulate on the date the individual is certified. For
> further information on CLPs, refer to FAC-P/PM Appendix 3. 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.
>
> 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 its Web site,
> [www.fai.gov](http://www.fai.gov/).
>
> **e. Certification by a recognized organization:** Civilian agencies
> will follow the determinations made by FAI, which will consider the
> determinations made by DoD, as to which certifications by
> organizations outside the federal government are eligible for full or
> partial consideration under the FAC-P/PM. Information will be
> available at [www.fai.gov](http://www.fai.gov/).

**8. [Acquisition Career Management Information System
(ACMIS).]{.underline}** For all civilian agencies, ACMIS will be the
official system of records for the FAC-P/PM program and will include
waiver information, as necessary (see paragraph 4). Agencies and
individuals are responsible for maintaining supporting certification
documentation for quality assurance purposes. FAI is responsible for
managing ACMIS and will issue guidance, as necessary, to support ACMIS
implementation. Agencies are encouraged to begin entering or migrating
data on designated program and project managers as soon as practicable
but no later than July 1, 2007 or as otherwise directed. Please refer to
[www.fai.gov](http://www.fai.gov/) for the most up-to-date information.

**[FAC-P/PM Appendices]{.underline}**

1 Training Plans for the FAC-P/PM

2 Competencies and Proficiencies at Each FAC-P/PM Certification level

3 Guidance on Meeting the Requirements for Continuous Learning Points

4 Relationship Between Program Management and Project Management

**FAC-P/PM** **APPENDIX 1 -- Training Plans for the FAC-P/PM**

**Entry/Apprentice Level Training**

Between 24-40 hours of coursework in basic acquisition that cover the
competencies contained in FAC-P/PM Appendix 1 and enable the individual
to:

-   Explain the requirements development process;

-   Define concept selection;

-   Recognize technology development process;

-   Perform a business strategy for market research (FAR Parts 10
    and 12) to include socio-economic considerations.

Between 24-40 hours of coursework in basic project management that
enable the individual to:

-   Prepare project components to the task level in preparation for
    developing the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

-   Define requirements in terms of performance-based outcomes, where
    appropriate;

-   Recognize role of an estimate in Total Ownership Cost (TOC)/Life
    Cycle Cost process;

-   Recognize the risk and opportunity management process;

-   Recognize systems life cycle management concepts used for
    information systems;

-   Recognize the need for a comprehensive Test and Evaluation (T&E)
    program;

-   Recognize the need to implement alternative logistics support.

Between 16-24 hours of coursework in employing effective leadership and
interpersonal skills to include:

-   Effective oral and written communications;

-   Understanding of the functions of membership in a working group or
    project oriented team;

-   Customer service;

-   Conflict management;

-   Accountability.

Between 24-40 hours of coursework that is government-specific and
prepares the individual to:

-   Become aware of a process by which the efforts of all acquisition
    personnel are integrated through a comprehensive plan;

-   Recognize a need for the Project/Program Manager to participate in
    pre-award actions required by acquisition planning (FAR Part 7.1);

-   Recognize the need for a comprehensive program specification and
    requirements statement that fully and correctly define the program;

-   Recognize the need to formulate a source selection plan that allows
    for best value selection from competitive solicitations;

-   Recognize the need to support contract administrative actions;

-   Recognize the need for establishment of a negotiated baseline of
    performance;

-   Recognize the need to oversee application of Total Life Cycle
    Systems Management (TLCSM);

-   Discuss Management's Responsibility for Internal Control (OMB
    Circular A-123) and Capital Asset Planning (OMB exhibit 300).

Between 24-40 hours in Earned Value Management (EVM) and cost estimates
that will prepare the individual to:

-   Recognize EVM policies, methodologies, and software for performance
    measurement of programs;

-   Identify management techniques;

-   Recognize the need for an Integrated Baseline Review process;

-   Recognize allocation of funds within appropriation categories and
    use of funds from each appropriation;

-   Identify the information system for financial management reporting;

-   Be knowledgeable of a cost estimating processes, methods,
    techniques, analytical principles, data, confidence bands,
    specialized costing, application of OMB A-94, *Guidelines and
    Discount Rates for Benefit-Cost Analysis of Federal Programs*, and
    management applications.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**Mid Level/Journeyman Training**

Between 24-40 hours of coursework in intermediate project management
that enables an individual to:

-   Develop and document an integrated master schedule;

-   Assist in the development of an estimate of Total Ownership Cost
    (TOC);

-   Clearly define requirements to meet needs including, where
    appropriate, performance-based outcomes and setting performance
    standards;

-   Formulate the key features of a risk/opportunity management process;

-   Establish a requirements development process that provides
    traceability back to user-defined capabilities;

-   Formulate the key features of the T&E program, including modeling
    and simulation;

-   Develop a life-cycle plan for delivering, maintaining, and retiring
    a product that includes supply chain considerations.

Between 16-24 hours of coursework in employing correct and effective
leadership and interpersonal skills to include:

-   Partnering;

-   Entrepreneurship;

-   Strategic Thinking;

-   Team Building/IPT;

-   Conflict Management;

-   Creativity/Innovation;

-   Leveraging Diversity.

Between 24-40 hours of coursework that is government-specific and
prepares the individual to:

-   Develop an overall strategy for managing the acquisition,
    coordination, and development of the acquisition strategy to include
    socioeconomic considerations;

-   Identify key features in terms of pre-award actions required by
    acquisition planning (FAR Subpart 7.1);

-   Formulate the key features of a comprehensive program specification
    and requirements statement;

-   Identify and develop source selection criteria, including risk
    analysis method (FAR Part 15.3);

-   Identify and track contract performance and administrative actions;

-   Conduct financial planning and execution reviews;

-   Build program and project plans in accordance with Management's
    Responsibility for Internal Control (OMB Circular A-123) and Capital
    Asset Planning (OMB exhibit 300).

-   Use strategic souring when building and finalizing requirements
    across the program.

Between 24-40 hours in EVM and cost estimates that will prepare the
individual to:

-   Identify the information system for financial management reporting;

-   Conduct EVM analysis and implementing changes based on analysis;

-   Analyze resource needs for management, including planning for an EVM
    program linked to risk;

-   Apply business process re-engineering methods for continuous
    improvement.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**Senior/Expert Level Training**

Between 24-40 hours of learning in advanced acquisition management that
prepares the individual to:

-   Manage a departmental/agency effort;

-   Direct the development of concepts, requirements, and project
    documents related to the program;

-   Manage the preparation of a program's acquisition strategy;

-   Maximize the use of performance-based acquisition principles;

-   Manage team activities in appropriate market research and
    acquisition of commercial items in accordance with FAR Parts 10 and
    12;

-   Direct requirements baselining, change processes, and resourcing.

Between 24-40 hours of instruction in advanced program management to
provide skills in:

-   Coordinating an integrated master plan for life-cycle management and
    support ;

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-   Interpreting and overseeing application of department/agency
    financial policies and directives as it relates to program and
    resource management;

-   Directing and monitoring risk management processes and making
    adjustments as necessary;

-   Overseeing a comprehensive test and evaluation program;

-   Examining and implementing innovative, alternative logistics support
    practices;

-   Ensuring adequate staffing and resources across the program
    lifecycle.

Between 16-24 hours of coursework in employing correct and effective
leadership and interpersonal skills to include:

-   Delivering effective presentations to senior level audiences through
    practice and instruction;

-   Building and directing high-powered teams;

-   Creating a culture of development and accountability;

-   Communicating a compelling vision that generates excitement,
    enthusiasm, and commitment among team members.

Between 24-40 hours of coursework that is government-specific and
prepares the individual to:

-   Work with a warranted contracting officer and develop the overall
    strategy for managing the acquisition;

-   Participate in pre-award actions required by acquisition planning
    (FAR Part 7.1)

-   Apply appropriate principles of OMB Circular A-123, *Management's
    Responsibility for Internal Control*;

-   Direct completion of successful Capital Asset Plan (OMB exhibit
    300);

-   Employ strategic planning and resource management in the federal
    environment (budget cycle, paperwork, and congressional
    considerations);

-   Apply principles of contract and fiscal laws and regulations
    (anti-deficiency, procurement integrity, and specific purpose
    statues) as they pertain to development of program funding,
    contracts, and strategies;

-   Manage program in accordance with the agency's and OMB's planning,
    programming, and budgeting process, as appropriate.

Between 24-40 hours in EVM and cost estimates that will prepare the
individual to:

-   Direct and manage EVM implementation across the program spectrum;

-   Use advance project management skills with extensive EVM
    capabilities.

**FAC-P/PM** **APPENDIX 2** Essential Competencies and Proficiencies for
each Certification Level

This FAC-P/PM Appendix provides the essential competencies and levels of
proficiency for the FAC-P/PM. As an individual gains experience, the
proficiency level evolves from recognition and awareness of concepts at
the entry level to the management and evaluation of their application at
the senior level. Additionally, the individual is expected to obtain
increasingly more complex leadership competencies.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Entry/Apprentice Level**                                            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Requirements Development and Management Processes -- Recognition of   |
| government-wide and agency-specific investment management             |
| requirements, acquisition policies, and program management strategies |
| that support assigned missions and functions; understanding of how to |
| manage risk; understanding of the many factors that influence cost,   |
| schedule, and performance; attention to lessons learned;              |
| understanding of metrics needed to manage programs and projects that  |
| deliver quality, affordable, supportable, and effective               |
| systems/products. Specifically includes recognition of:               |
|                                                                       |
| -   Requirements Development Process                                  |
|                                                                       |
| -   Concept Selection Process                                         |
|                                                                       |
| -   Technology Development Process                                    |
|                                                                       |
| -   Core Management Skills and Processes                              |
|                                                                       |
| -   Total Ownership Cost (OMB Circular A-94)                          |
|                                                                       |
| -   Risk and Opportunity Management                                   |
|                                                                       |
| -   Market Research (including socio-economic considerations)         |
|                                                                       |
| -   Communications Management                                         |
|                                                                       |
| -   Working Groups and Teams                                          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Systems Engineering -- Recognition of the scientific, management,     |
| engineering, and technical skills used in the performance of systems  |
| planning, research and development, with an emphasis on performing    |
| and managing a technical process.                                     |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Test and Evaluation (T&E) -- Recognition of efficient and cost        |
| effective methods for planning, monitoring, conducting, and           |
| evaluating tests of prototype, new, or modified systems equipment or  |
| materiel, including the need to develop a thorough T&E strategy to    |
| validate system performance through measurable methods that relate    |
| directly to requirements and to develop metrics that demonstrate      |
| system success or failure.                                            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Life Cycle Logistics (LCL) -- Recognition of performance-based        |
| logistic efforts that optimize total system lifecycle availability,   |
| supportability, and reliability/maintainability while minimizing cost |
| and logistic footprint, and interoperability.                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Contracting -- Recognition of the supervision, leadership and         |
| management processes/procedures involving the acquisition of supplies |
| and services, construction, research and development; acquisition     |
| planning to include performance-based considerations; cost and price  |
| analysis; solicitation and selection of sources; preparation,         |
| negotiation, and award of contracts; all phases of contract           |
| administration; termination options and processes for closeout of     |
| contracts; legislation, policies, regulations, and methods used in    |
| contracting, and business and industry practices, with particular     |
| emphasis on:                                                          |
|                                                                       |
| -   Participation in determination of contract approach               |
|                                                                       |
| -   Development of performance-based solutions                        |
|                                                                       |
| -   Preparation of requirements and supporting documentation          |
|                                                                       |
| -   Participation in source selection                                 |
|                                                                       |
| -   Management of contractor performance and contract administration  |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Business, Cost Estimating and Financial Management -- Recognition of  |
| the forms of cost estimating, cost analysis, reconciliation of cost   |
| estimates, financial planning, formulating financial programs and     |
| budgets, budget analysis/execution, benefit-cost analysis, Earned     |
| Value Management (EVM) in accordance with American National Standards |
| Institute (ANSI) Electronics Industries Alliance (EIA) Standard for   |
| EVM Systems #748-A, and other methods of performance measurement.     |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Leadership/Professional -- These are the skills, knowledge, abilities |
| and traits acquired through experience, training and education within |
| government and the private sector and are cumulative, leading to      |
| skilled supervision and seasoned leadership. These competencies may   |
| appear in successive levels to emphasize the process of evolving,     |
| developing, and maturing leadership skills.                           |
|                                                                       |
| -   Oral Communications - Flexibility                                 |
|                                                                       |
| -   Problem Solving - Conflict Management                             |
|                                                                       |
| -   Interpersonal Skills - Resilience                                 |
|                                                                       |
| -   Accountability - Customer Service                                 |
|                                                                       |
| -   Written Communication                                             |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Mid-Level/Journeyman**                                              |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Management Processes -- Individuals at this level should be able to   |
| recognize and [apply]{.underline} the concepts presented at the       |
| entry/apprentice level.                                               |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Systems Engineering -- Individuals at this level should be able to    |
| recognize [and]{.underline} apply the concepts presented at the       |
| entry/apprentice level.                                               |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Test and Evaluation (T&E) \-- Individuals at this level should be     |
| able to recognize [and]{.underline} apply the concepts presented at   |
| the entry/apprentice level.                                           |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Life Cycle Logistics (LCL) -- Individuals at this level able to       |
| recognize [and]{.underline} apply the concepts presented at the       |
| entry/apprentice level.                                               |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Contracting -- Individuals at this level should be able to recognize  |
| [and]{.underline} apply the concepts presented at the                 |
| entry/apprentice level.                                               |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Business, Cost Estimating & Financial Mgmt -- Individuals at this     |
| level should be able to recognize [and]{.underline} apply the         |
| concepts presented at the entry/apprentice level.                     |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Leadership/Professional -- These competencies, in addition to those   |
| listed at entry-level, comprise a foundation for effective mid-level  |
| program/project manager-related responsibilities. These competencies  |
| may appear in successive levels to emphasize the process of evolving, |
| developing, and maturing leadership skills                            |
|                                                                       |
| -   Influencing/Negotiating - Partnering                              |
|                                                                       |
| -   Team Building/IPT - Conflict Management                           |
|                                                                       |
| -   Political Savvy - Strategic Thinking                              |
|                                                                       |
| -   Decisiveness - Creativity/Innovation                              |
|                                                                       |
| -   External Awareness - Developing Others                            |
|                                                                       |
| -   Entrepreneurship                                                  |
|                                                                       |
| -   Leveraging Diversity                                              |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Senior/Expert Level**                                               |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Management Processes -- Individuals at this level should be able to   |
| recognize, apply, [and]{.underline} manage and evaluate the concepts  |
| presented at the entry/apprentice level.                              |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Systems Engineering -- Individuals at this level should be able to    |
| recognize, apply, [and]{.underline} manage and evaluate the           |
| application of the scientific, management, engineering, and technical |
| skills used in the performance of systems planning, research and      |
| development.                                                          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Test and Evaluation (T&E) -- Individuals at this level should be able |
| to recognize, apply, [and]{.underline} manage and evaluate the        |
| concepts presented at the entry/apprentice level.                     |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Life Cycle Logistics (LCL) -- Individuals at this level should be     |
| able to recognize, apply, [and]{.underline} manage and evaluate the   |
| concepts presented at the entry/apprentice level.                     |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Contracting -- Individuals at this level should be able to recognize, |
| apply, [and]{.underline} manage and evaluate the concepts presented   |
| at the entry/apprentice level.                                        |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Business, Cost Estimating & Financial Mgmt -- Individuals at this     |
| level should be able to recognize, apply, [and]{.underline} manage    |
| and evaluate the concepts presented at the entry/apprentice level.    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Leadership/Professional \-- These are the skills, knowledge,          |
| abilities and traits acquired through experience, training and        |
| education within government and the private sector and are            |
| cumulative, leading to skilled supervision and seasoned leadership.   |
| These competencies may appear in successive levels to emphasize the   |
| process of evolving, developing, and maturing leadership skills.      |
|                                                                       |
| -   Vision                                                            |
|                                                                       |
| -   Strategic Thinking                                                |
|                                                                       |
| -   External Awareness                                                |
|                                                                       |
| -   Entrepreneurship                                                  |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

**FAC-P/PM** **APPENDIX 3 Guidance on Meeting the Requirements for
Continuous Learning Points (CLP)**

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.

A. Training

1\) [Completing awareness training]{.underline}. Periodically agencies
conduct briefing sessions to acquaint the workforce with new or changed
policy. Generally, no testing or assessment of knowledge gained is
required.

2\) [Completing learning modules and training courses]{.underline}.
These may be formal or informal offerings from a recognized training
organization, including in-house training courses/sessions, which
include some form of testing/assessment for knowledge gained.

3\) [Performing Self-Directed Study]{.underline}. An individual can keep
current or enhance his or her capabilities through a self-directed study
program agreed to by the supervisor.

4\) [Teaching]{.underline}. Employees are encouraged to share their
knowledge and insights with others through teaching of courses or
learning modules.

5\) [Mentoring]{.underline}. Helping others to learn and become more
productive workers or managers benefits the agency and the individuals
involved.

B. Professional Activities

1\) [Participating in Organization Management]{.underline}. Membership
alone in a professional organization will not be considered as
fulfilling continuous learning requirements, but participation in the
organization leadership will. This includes holding elected/appointed
positions, committee leadership roles, or running an activity for an
organization that one is permitted to join under current ethics law and
regulation. The employee and supervisor must first ensure that
participating in the management of an organization is allowed by the
agency.

2\) [Attending/Speaking/Presenting at Professional
Seminars/Symposia/Conferences]{.underline}. Employees can receive points
for attending professional seminars or conferences that are job related.
However, the supervisor needs to determine that the individual learned
something meaningful from the experience. Because significant effort is
involved in preparing and delivering presentations, credit should be
given for each hour invested in the preparation and presentation.

3\) [Publishing.]{.underline} Writing articles related to acquisition
for publication generally meets the criteria for continuous learning.
Points will be awarded only in the year published. Compliance with
agency publication policy is required.

4\) [Participating in Workshops]{.underline}. Points should be awarded
for workshops with planned learning outcomes.

C. Education

1\) [Formal training]{.underline}. Supervisors should use Continuing
Education Units (CEUs) as a guide for assigning points for formal
training programs that award CEUs. The CEUs can be converted to points
at 10 CLP points per CEU.

2\) [Formal academic programs]{.underline}. For formal academic programs
offered by educational institutions, each semester hour is equal to one
CEU. A three-hour credit course would be worth three CEUs and 30 CLP
points, assuming that it is applicable to the acquisition function.

+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------+
| SAMPLE ACTIVITIES                   | RECOMMENDED NUMBER OF HOURS    |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------+
| Active Association Membership (in   | 5 hours for an active          |
| relevant subject area or            | membership year OR 1 hour for  |
| program/project management          | each 60 minutes of activity    |
| association)                        | attended during the year       |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------+
| Publication of                      | 20 hours for articles          |
| P/PM/acquisition-related articles,  |                                |
| technical papers, etc.              | 25 for technical paper         |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------+
| Formal rotational assignments       | 40 hours per assignment        |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------+
| Conference presentations, training  | 2 hours for 60 minutes of      |
| or seminar delivery                 | first-time presentation (1 for |
|                                     | presentation, 1 for            |
|                                     | preparation, .5 credit for     |
|                                     | repeat delivery of same        |
|                                     | material)                      |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------+
| Team leadership activities,         | 1 hour for every 60 minutes of |
| participation on project teams for  | participation                  |
| new products/activities             |                                |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------+
| Formal education                    | 1 hour for each hour of        |
|                                     | instruction up to 36 hours for |
|                                     | a 3 credit course or American  |
|                                     | Council on Education (ACE)     |
|                                     | recommendation                 |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------+
| Professional examination, license,  | 40 hours in the year obtained  |
| or certification                    |                                |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------+
| 1 Continuing Education Unit (CEU)   | 10 hours                       |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------+
| 1 Continuous Learning Point (CLP),  | 1 hour                         |
| Professional Development Unit       |                                |
| (PDU), or Professional Development  |                                |
| Hour (PDH)                          |                                |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------+
| 1 credit hour (college course or    | 12 hours                       |
| ACE recommendation)                 |                                |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------+
| Conference attendance               | 1 hour for each 50 minute      |
|                                     | presentation attended          |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------+

Note - All activities may earn points only in the year accomplished,
awarded or published.

D. Experience

Experience includes on-the-job experiential assignments and intra- or
inter-organizational rotational career-broadening and developmental
experiences. While supervisors and employees must use discretion in
arriving at a reasonable point value to be awarded for rotational and
developmental assignments, a sliding scale is recommended. Suggested
points for such assignments are in the table below.

The assumption is that longer assignments are more beneficial than
shorter assignments. The supervisor may feel that an individual may
deserve more or less than the values shown. In determining the points
for a rotational/developmental assignment, the supervisor should
consider both the long-term benefit to the agency and the immediate
benefit to the supervisor's organization and the individual. For
example, a second rotational assignment of the same sort would be less
valuable than a different type of rotational assignment.

When experience or other activities are to be used to earn CLPs, certain

principles should be followed. Supervisors and employees should
pre-define, as closely

as possible, the tasks to be accomplished, expected outcomes, and the
learning

opportunities. If it is an assignment, the individual should be mentored
during the

assignment. Accomplishment of a product, such as a briefing, a project
design, a report,

or other work product that shows the learning attained, is desirable.
Sharing the knowledge and experience gained and the product with others
in the organization is encouraged.

+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| CREDITABLE ACTIVITIES             | POINT CREDIT                      |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Experience:                       |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| On-the-Job Experiential           | Maximum of 20 points per year     |
| Assignments                       |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Integrated Product Team (IPT)/    | Maximum of 15 points per year     |
|                                   |                                   |
| Special Project Leader            |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| IPT/Special Project Member        | Maximum of 10 points per years    |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Mentor                            | Maximum of 5 points per year      |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Assignment Length (Rotational     | Recommended Points:               |
| Assignments or Training with      |                                   |
| Industry):                        |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 12 Months                         | 80                                |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 9 Months                          | 60                                |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 6 Months                          | 40                                |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 3 Months                          | 15                                |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 2 Months                          | 10                                |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 1 Month                           | 5                                 |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

**FAC-P/PM** **APPENDIX 4** Relationship Between Program Management and
Project Management

The relationship between program and project is interdependent, not
discrete, and cumulative. Entry level project managers gain experience
leading teams, building technical and leadership skills that continue to
mature as the nature of assignments becomes more complex. The project
manager builds skills and expertise in project management throughout
his/her career. Instead of a dividing line between program and project,
there is generally an overlap during mid-level assignments.

The FAC-P/PM includes both program and project management within a
single certification rather than two separate tracks. These program
guidelines are built to reflect both the interdependent nature of
program and project management as well as the development needs of a
program and project manager. The definitions below shape the discussion.

-   Project: a specific investment having defined goals, objectives,
    requirements, lifecycle cost, a beginning and an end that delivers a
    specific product, service or result.

-   Program: a group of related work efforts, including projects,
    managed in a coordinated way. Programs usually include elements of
    ongoing work.

-   Program Management and Project Management: as appropriate, these
    specific definitions are the responsibility of the respective
    agency.

This is pictorially represented below:

![](media/image6.jpeg){width="4.439583333333333in"
height="2.4819444444444443in"}

Program management competencies are built into the project management
foundation. Some of the core project management competencies are a
subset of program management competencies. As project managers develop
their project management competencies (i.e., knowledge, skills and
abilities), they acquire the important program perspectives. The ability
to use sound judgment in both project and program management is
critical.

![](media/image7.png){width="0.7777777777777778in"
height="0.7916666666666666in"}![](media/image8.png){width="2.0416666666666665in"
height="0.375in"}

![](media/image9.wmf){width="6.753472222222222in"
height="9.313194444444445in"}