**FAQs: Federal Acquisition Certification**

**in Contracting (FAC-C) Program**

***1. What is the Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting
(FAC-C) Program?***

> The FAC-C Program establishes the minimum education, training, and
> experience requirements for contracting professionals in civilian
> agencies. It was established by OFPP's [Policy Letter
> 05-01](http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/procurement/policy_letters/05-01_041505.html)
> and OMB
> [Memorandum](http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/procurement/acq_wk/fac_contracting_program.pdf),
> The Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting Program, dated
> January 20, 2006. The intent of the FAC-C Program is to ensure that
> all contracting professionals throughout the Government are properly
> trained and qualified to effectively conduct the acquisition business
> of the Government. A similar program has existed in the Department of
> Defense for over a decade and is now being implemented in the civilian
> agencies. One must be FAC-C certified in order to be appointed as a
> Contracting Officer.

***2. Who needs to be FAC-C certified?***

-   Anyone, regardless of series, who wants to be appointed a
    Contracting Officer

-   Procurement/Policy Analysts at the GS-13 level and above

***3.* *Who may apply for a FAC-C?***

In accordance with OFPP Policy Letter 05-01, anyone in the acquisition
workforce can apply. The first priority is COs in the GS-1102
contracting series. See the

FAC-C Program Manual for additional guidance.

***4. How does an individual qualify for FAC-C certification?***

There is a three-part qualification:

-   education

-   training requirements

-   experience

> Qualified persons may apply for certification by following the
> procedures in the FAC-C Program Manual.

***5. I haven't been to college. How can I get a FAC-C certification?***

> There are two education exceptions for 1102s, sometimes called
> "grandfathering provisions":
>
> a\. If you were an 1102 at the GS 5 - 12 level on January 1, 2000, you
> are assumed to have met the education requirement of a bachelor's
> degree or 24 hours of business-related courses.
>
> b\. If you were an 1102 at the GS 13 or higher level on January 2,
> 2000, you are assumed to have met the education requirement of a
> bachelor's degree and 24 hours of business-related courses.
>
> If you are any other series, and held a warrant on January 1, 2000 and
> have continuously maintained a warrant since then with no break longer
> than 90 days, you are assumed to have met the education requirement of
> a bachelor's degree or 24 hours of business-related courses needed for
> Level I certification.

***6. When do existing contracting officers need to be FAC-C
certified?***

> Certification for existing contracting officers is required by:

-   January 1, 2007, for anyone to hold a COA Level III of \$100 million
    or above

-   January 1, 2008, for anyone to hold a COA Level III of \$10 million
    to 100 million

-   January 1, 2009, for anyone to hold a COA Level 1A, 1B and II up to
    \$10 million

***7. When do new contracting officers need to be FAC-C certified?***

-   October 1, 2006

***8. My office has little or no budget to send employees to extra
training. How will we meet this new requirement?***

Offices should include training for the acquisition workforce in their
budgets. Contact your Bureau Acquisition Training Coordinator (BATC) for
a list of resources for low or no cost training. Appendix 5 of the FAC-C
Program Manual also describes less formal ways to satisfy the training
requirement.

***9. Will I have to maintain my FAC-C certification?***

Yes, you are required to complete 80 continuous learning points (CLPs)
of acquisition related training every 2 years from the anniversary of
your original certification.

***10. Do I have to spread the training out equally over two years or
can I obtain it all in one year?***

Training can be taken at any time during the two year period. Taking
training early will not change the anniversary date by which the
training needs to be completed.

***11. I would like to retake some of the acquisition courses (CON 210:
Contract***

***Law, for example) as refresher courses. Will retaking courses count
toward my training/skills currency requirement?***

> Yes, retaking these courses will apply towards your CLPs.

***13. What does "acquisition related training" mean? How will I know if
the training I am taking counts toward the requirement?***

Training should cover concepts that will assist you in the duties you
perform as an acquisition workforce member. For the FAC-C Program, the
training does not have to be so narrow as to only cover acquisition.
Other topics might include project management, leadership, or other
business-related topics. Your supervisor must approve your training
using either the guidance provided in the FAC-C Program Manual or your
own bureau policy.

***14. What are CEUs and CLPs? How many hours are they worth?***

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and Continuous Learning Points (CLPs)
are forms of measurement for training. CEUs are usually given for
college courses or in-depth, long-term training. Each academic quarter
or semester hour equals one CEU. One CEU equals ten CLPs. CLPs are
usually given for less formal training or conferences, and are roughly
equivalent to the number of hours of training.

***15. How is the hour or point value of the training determined?***

The training provider usually supplies the value. There is basic
guidance on CLPs in Appendix 5 of the FAC-C Program Manual.

***16. Will on-line training count toward my continuous learning
requirement?***

> Yes. On-line training is a great, often free, way to meet some of your
> continuous learning requirements. Defense Acquisition University
> ([www.dau.mil](http://www.dau.mil/)) offers many on-line acquisition
> related courses.

***17. Where can I find more information on all of the acceptable ways
to meet my continuous learning requirement?***

> Please review the FAC-C Program Manual and contact your Bureau
> Acquisition Training Coordinator (BATC).

***18.* *What will happen if I haven't met the continuous learning
requirement at the end of the two-year cycle?***

> If the 80 CLP requirement is not met, the FAC-C certification will
> lapse. A COA based on that certification will be automatically
> suspended.

***19. If I don't apply for the FAC-C, what will happen to my current
job?***

You can continue to perform contract specialist duties but without the
ability to sign and obligate actions as a CO. If you are a
procurement/policy analyst at Grade 13 or above, your duties will need
to be re-evaluated by your supervisor.

***20. Who makes the final decision on FAC-C certification?***

> The Senior Procurement Executive (SPE). At DOI, the SPE is the
> Director, Office of Acquisition and Property Management.

***21. What are the differences between the DoD DAWIA certification and
the FAC-C certification?***

> DoD has a different qualification standard for GS-1102 grades 5-12
> than the civilian agencies. All of DoD's GS-1102s must have both a
> bachelor's degree and 24 hours in business-related courses. Civilian
> agencies do not require both until GS-13 level.
>
> At this time, civilian agencies recognize DAWIA certification, but DoD
> does not recognize FAC-C certification.

***22. When can I apply for a FAC-C?***

> The program is effective October 1, 2006. The DOI PAM website will
> have updates announcing the acceptance of applications, or contact
> your Bureau Acquisition Career Coordinator (BACC) for additional
> information.

***23. If the FAC-C is a Federal program, to whom do I apply?***

> Your application will be processed at your bureau and subsequently
> forwarded to the SPE for approval.

***24. What do I need in order to apply for a FAC-C?***

> You must have training certificates, transcripts, and/or other
> evidence of your education, training, and experience before you can
> apply. Please refer to the FAC-C Program Manual under Application
> Process in Part III for additional information.

***25. I took the required training but I don't have any of my
certificates. Can I still apply?***

> Yes, you can also provide a copy of a signed official training record
> or you can use the Fulfillment Process. More information about the
> Fulfillment Process can be found in the FAC-C Manual in Part III, or
> contact your Bureau Acquisition Career Coordinator for additional
> information.

***26. How will agencies track continuous learning?***

> The Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI) has developed the Acquisition
> Career Management Information System (ACMIS). Your Bureau ACMIS
> Administrator will provide information to assist you in accessing the
> ACMIS system. Employees and supervisors will use the system to manage
> their individual education, training, and experience data. The system
> is web based making it "portable" if an employee moves to another
> agency.

***27. Is ACMIS mandatory for the entire acquisition workforce?***

> Yes. OFPP Policy Letter 05-01 mandates that all Federal agencies must
> use ACMIS. At DOI, each individual in the 1102/1105 series,
> procurement/policy analysts, other COs above the micro-purchase
> threshold, and all CORs must maintain records in ACMIS. Individuals
> must establish and maintain their records in ACMIS, or their FAC-C
> certification, COA, or COR status may be jeopardized.

***28. How can I access ACMIS?***

> The website is [www.acmis.gov](http://www.acmis.gov/)*.*

***29. Where can I find out how to register in ACMIS?***

> The FAI web site has instructions at
> [www.fai.gov/workforce/acmis.htm](http://www.fai.gov/workforce/acmis.htm).
> The ACMIS site has instructions at
> [www.acmis.gov](http://www.acmis.gov/).

***30. I am an 1102 but I don't hold a COA. Do I have to use ACMIS?***

Yes. If you are a member of the acquisition workforce, as defined in
OFPP Policy Letter 05-01, you are required to have an ACMIS record.

***31. My office uses another tracking system. Do I still have to use
ACMIS?***

> Yes. Some offices might decide to continue using their system in
> addition to ACMIS.

***32. I was at another Federal agency and used ACMIS. How do I update
my account?***

> Since ACMIS is web-based, it is easy to update your account. Please
> contact your Bureau ACMIS Administrator for further information.

***33. I tried to register myself in ACMIS and the system has no record
for me.***

> Please contact your Bureau ACMIS Administrator for further
> information.

***34. Who has access to my ACMIS record and personal information?***

> The DOI ACMIS Administrator and your Bureau ACMIS Administrator can
> view portions of your record (Sensitive information, e.g., SSN, is
> only viewable by you.). Your supervisor, identified by you in ACMIS,
> is limited to viewing the training/skills currency you enter.

**35. *I have a question that is not answered here or in the manual.***

Contact your Bureau Acquisition Career Coordinator (BACC), Bureau ACMIS
Administrator, or Bureau Acquisition Training Coordinator (BATC).

***36. Can college classes taken a long time ago count as electives for
FAC-C***

***purposes?***

Older training classes may be acceptable as elective training, provided
that the

applicant's supervisor agrees that the classes are reasonably relevant
to the

employee's current job, necessary for career development, or suitable
cross

training. Examples of acceptable classes: an engineering class in
college that

included blueprint reading, when the applicant now does construction
contracting; a

leadership class taken in an MBA program, when the applicant will be a
team

leader or supervisor; or a Networking IT class taken in the past, when
the applicant

will working on a large IT procurement involving networking. To sum up,
the date of

training proposed as an elective is not the determining factor, rather

reasonableness and relevancy are.

**37**. ***Can courses in core subjects be used as electives if they are
not used to***

***meet the core training requirement? For example, if the candidate
has***

***completed the legacy curriculum for CON 101 using the ALMC Basic***

***Management of Defense Acquisition Contracts, and also took the 3
week***

***Contract Administration course from AFIT, can we count the
Contract***

***Administration class as an elective?***

Yes, this is an accurate interpretation of the FAC-C Manual.

**38*. Can* *the 3 day Appropriation Law course be used as an
elective?***

Yes.