Premium Government Acquisition Courses

This course equips acquisition professionals to plan, monitor, document, and evaluate contractor performance throughout the contract lifecycle. Participants examine how to establish measurable performance expectations, apply effective surveillance methods, interpret contract requirements, assess results against performance standards, and address deficiencies. The course also emphasizes timely documentation, corrective action, constructive Government-contractor communication, and preparation of well-supported performance evaluations that promote accountability, regulatory compliance, and mission success.

This course strengthens the skills acquisition professionals need to evaluate proposed prices and costs and support fair and reasonable determinations in federal contracting. Participants review key FAR principles, analytical techniques, and documentation practices used to assess pricing, identify cost drivers, compare available data, and develop sound negotiation positions. Practical application helps students make defensible recommendations that support prudent use of federal funds, cost effectiveness, and acquisition compliance.

This course provides acquisition professionals with a practical review of simplified acquisition procedures, including key roles, responsibilities, methods, and contract administration requirements. Participants examine the policies and thresholds governing FAR Part 13 acquisitions and apply those requirements to realistic procurement situations and legal scenarios. The course is designed to reinforce sound business judgment, efficient acquisition practices, and the knowledge needed to effectively procure supplies and services using simplified procedures.

This course examines how acquisition teams use the Best Value Continuum to select an evaluation approach that aligns with mission needs, risk, and acquisition objectives. Participants review acquisition team roles, the services acquisition process, evaluation factors, and the relationship between price and non-price considerations. Particular attention is given to Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) and tradeoff source selections, helping students understand when each approach is appropriate and how evaluation strategies support defensible best-value decisions.

This FAI certified five day course builds the business acumen acquisition professionals need to better understand the industries and contractors that support federal missions. Participants explore organizational structures, financial management, strategic planning, supplier relationships, incentives, operational decision-making, and negotiation considerations. The course connects these business concepts to federal acquisition decisions so students can better assess contractor motivations, market conditions, performance drivers, and the business impacts of Government requirements.

This course examines the legal framework, procedural requirements, and practical considerations associated with claims arising under federal contracts. Participants follow the claim process from identification and formulation through submission, Contracting Officer decision, and potential adjudication. Topics include the elements of a valid claim, applicable timelines, Government and contractor responsibilities, constructive changes, differing site conditions, delays, and the documentation and evidence needed to support or defend a claim. Case-based discussion reinforces strategies for preserving rights, reducing disputes, and developing well-supported positions.

This course helps acquisition professionals identify and responsibly apply the flexibilities available within the Federal Acquisition Regulation to develop more effective procurement strategies. Participants examine established but often underused FAR authorities, emerging acquisition practices, and the judgment encouraged by FAR 1.102-5. Through practical examples, students learn how to evaluate risk, challenge unnecessary process barriers, make sound business decisions, and use available flexibility to deliver timely, innovative, and mission-focused acquisition solutions.

This course prepares acquisition professionals to address the technical, security, legal, pricing, and performance considerations unique to federal cloud procurements. Participants examine cloud service models, acquisition planning, market research, cybersecurity and data requirements, provider evaluation, Service Level Agreements, pricing approaches, and performance management. The course translates specialized cloud terminology and policy considerations into practical acquisition strategies that support compliant, secure, reliable, and mission-focused cloud solutions.

This course provides acquisition professionals with a practical foundation in the laws, regulations, and legal principles that shape federal contracting. Participants examine common legal issues across the acquisition lifecycle and analyze decisions from the Comptroller General, Boards of Contract Appeals, and federal courts to understand how procurement rules are interpreted and applied. The course emphasizes recognizing legal risk, documenting sound decisions, protecting Government interests, and applying legal principles with confidence in day-to-day acquisition activities.

This course provides a practical examination of the contract types available under FAR Part 16 and the factors that influence contract-type selection. Participants compare fixed-price, cost-reimbursement, time-and-materials, labor-hour, incentive, and other arrangements, with emphasis on allocation of cost and performance risk. Students learn to evaluate requirement definition, market conditions, pricing uncertainty, contractor incentives, and Government oversight needs in order to select and administer the contract type best suited to the acquisition.

This course explores how federal acquisition professionals can support Agile development and digital service delivery through flexible, outcome-focused contracting strategies. Drawing on the TechFAR Handbook and Digital Services Playbook, participants examine acquisition planning, modular contracting, iterative requirements, evaluation approaches, performance measures, and collaboration with technical teams. Practical examples demonstrate how Agile acquisition techniques can shorten delivery cycles, manage risk, improve responsiveness, and maintain appropriate contractual controls.

This course reviews the federal policies, programs, and acquisition strategies designed to expand contracting opportunities for small business concerns. Participants examine the socioeconomic programs established by Congress, the acquisition team's responsibilities for considering small businesses, and the practical advantages and challenges associated with small business participation. The course emphasizes effective market research, competition, compliance, and acquisition planning that supports both mission requirements and federal small business objectives.

This workshop-style course gives acquisition professionals a structured approach for identifying, analyzing, mitigating, monitoring, and retiring risk throughout the acquisition lifecycle. Participants examine technical, schedule, cost, performance, contractual, and programmatic risks and learn how risk information should influence acquisition planning and decision-making. Practical exercises help students develop risk responses, assign ownership, monitor changing conditions, and document decisions that improve accountability, resource use, and mission outcomes.

This course examines cybersecurity and supply chain risk across the federal contracting environment, with particular attention to protecting systems, information, and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Participants explore how cyber requirements and vulnerabilities can extend through prime contractors and lower-tier suppliers, creating risk for both industry and the Government. The course emphasizes acquisition planning, appropriate contractual requirements, flowdowns, supplier oversight, risk assessment, and continuous monitoring to strengthen security across the supply chain.

This five-day course provides an in-depth examination of cost-reimbursement contracting and the circumstances in which these arrangements are appropriate. Participants compare major cost-reimbursement contract types and study cost and price analysis, certified cost or pricing data, direct and indirect costs, funding, financing, audits, property, subcontracting, modifications, performance oversight, and termination considerations. Realistic exercises guide students through award and administration activities while reinforcing the responsibilities of Contracting Officers, CORs, and contractors. By course completion, participants will be better prepared to manage cost, performance, compliance, and risk from acquisition planning through closeout.

This course develops the planning, communication, analytical, and interpersonal skills needed for effective federal contract negotiations. Participants examine negotiation styles, objectives, leverage, fact-finding, proposal analysis, cost and price considerations, ethics, team roles, and strategies for addressing difficult positions or impasses. Through practical exercises and mock negotiations, students practice both collaborative and competitive techniques and learn to document outcomes that support fair and reasonable agreements, mission objectives, and defensible acquisition decisions.

This refresher course reinforces the policies, procedures, roles, and responsibilities associated with simplified acquisitions under FAR Part 13. Participants revisit acquisition methods, competition requirements, documentation, evaluation, award, and contract administration while working through realistic procurement scenarios and lessons drawn from legal decisions. The course is designed for acquisition professionals who need current, practical training to maintain proficiency and effectively procure supplies and services using simplified acquisition procedures.

This course provides a structured overview of the Federal Acquisition Regulation and how its Parts work together across the federal contracting lifecycle. Participants review the organization and purpose of FAR Parts 1 through 53 while connecting regulatory requirements to acquisition planning, contract formation, award, administration, and closeout. The course is designed to improve FAR navigation, strengthen regulatory awareness, and help acquisition professionals locate and apply relevant requirements to common contracting situations.

This course prepares acquisition professionals to plan, solicit, award, and administer acquisitions for commercial products and commercial services using the streamlined framework of FAR Part 12. Participants examine commerciality determinations, market research, solicitation and evaluation methods, contract terms and clauses, price reasonableness, and the use of customary commercial practices. Practical exercises reinforce how to tailor acquisition approaches to mission needs while promoting competition, efficiency, compliance, and best value for the Government.

This five-day FAI COR Certification course provides the 40 hours of training required for personnel preparing to serve as Contracting Officer's Representatives. Participants examine COR responsibilities throughout the acquisition lifecycle, including acquisition planning, contract formation, ethics, communications, performance monitoring, documentation, surveillance, invoice review, and management of cost, schedule, and performance. Through practical exercises and case studies, students learn how to operate within delegated authority, identify and document performance issues, support the Contracting Officer, and effectively represent the Government's technical interests.

This eight-day foundational contracting course introduces the federal acquisition environment and the core competencies needed by entry-level contracting professionals. Participants examine acquisition team roles, mission requirements, acquisition planning, the procurement lifecycle, and the legal and regulatory framework governing federal contracting, including the FAR and DFARS. Scenario-based activities develop critical thinking, business judgment, and problem-solving skills while establishing the baseline knowledge needed for progressively more advanced contracting responsibilities and coursework.

This course provides acquisition professionals with a practical understanding of federal small business programs and how they are integrated into acquisition planning and execution. Participants review the Small Business Act, FAR Part 19, relevant SBA requirements, and major socioeconomic programs, including 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, SDVOSB, and SDB participation. The course also addresses market research, acquisition coordination, subcontracting plans, utilization goals, and collaboration among Contracting Officers, small business professionals, and program personnel to increase competition, maintain compliance, and support mission success.

This course teaches acquisition professionals how to plan, conduct, document, and apply market research in support of sound federal procurement decisions. Consistent with FAR Part 10 and applicable agency guidance, participants examine techniques for identifying capable sources, commercial solutions, market conditions, small business opportunities, pricing information, and industry practices. Hands-on activities demonstrate how market intelligence informs acquisition strategy, contract type, evaluation criteria, competition, and socioeconomic considerations. Students leave prepared to develop well-supported market research documentation that strengthens acquisition planning and mission outcomes.

This course examines federal subcontracting requirements from both acquisition oversight and prime contractor management perspectives. Participants review FAR Parts 19 and 44, subcontracting plans, consent to subcontract, mandatory flowdowns, small business goals, reporting through eSRS, and remedies for noncompliance. Practical exercises focus on evaluating subcontracting approaches, documenting oversight, managing lower-tier risk, and ensuring subcontractor performance and compliance support overall contract objectives. The course is particularly relevant to Contracting Officers, Contract Specialists, CORs, and small business professionals involved in post-award administration.

This course provides acquisition and program professionals with a practical framework for developing accurate, supportable Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCEs). Participants examine the purpose and use of IGCEs in acquisition planning and learn methods for estimating labor, materials, travel, indirect costs, and other cost elements across different contract types and acquisition circumstances. The course emphasizes the use of market research, historical information, technical inputs, and documented assumptions to support funding decisions, price analysis, negotiations, and source selection. Hands-on exercises give students experience building and defending realistic Government estimates.

This course follows the acquisition of federal services from requirements development and source selection through post-award administration. Participants examine performance-based requirements, market research, acquisition strategy, contract-type selection, evaluation factors, proposal evaluation, past performance, award documentation, quality assurance, surveillance, invoice review, modifications, and performance issue resolution. Practical exercises connect pre-award decisions to post-award outcomes, helping Contracting Officers, CORs, evaluators, and program managers conduct defensible source selections and maintain contractor accountability throughout the service contract lifecycle.

This course provides acquisition professionals with a practical understanding of contract changes under FAR Part 43 and applicable contract clauses. Participants examine unilateral and bilateral modifications, within-scope and out-of-scope changes, constructive changes, equitable adjustments, and the relationship between changes and claims. The course emphasizes Contracting Officer authority, COR responsibilities, timely documentation, contract-file integrity, and effective communication. Case studies help students recognize potential changes early, manage associated cost and schedule impacts, reduce disputes, and protect the Government's contractual interests.

This course guides acquisition professionals through the major responsibilities that follow contract award, from initial execution and performance management through formal closeout. Participants examine post-award orientation, surveillance, quality assurance, contractor performance, documentation, modifications, invoices and payments, delays, disputes, subcontracting, and other administration activities. The course also addresses closeout requirements such as final acceptance, property disposition, release of claims, final payment, and contract-file completion. Practical scenarios reinforce the coordination needed among Contracting Officers, CORs, program personnel, and contractors to manage risk and maintain accountability throughout the contract lifecycle.

This course examines the appropriate use, award, and administration of labor-hour contracts under FAR Part 16.6 and their relationship to time-and-materials arrangements. Participants review the conditions and approvals associated with these contract types, development of labor categories and rates, performance-based requirements, IGCEs, funding, invoicing, modifications, and labor compliance. Particular emphasis is placed on surveillance and controls needed to verify contractor hours and manage the Government's increased cost risk. Case studies help students apply sound judgment and maintain accountability when labor-hour contracting is necessary.

This course gives acquisition and program personnel practical tools for developing clear, complete, and enforceable Statements of Work (SOWs). Participants examine the purpose and structure of requirements documents, distinguish SOWs from Performance Work Statements (PWSs) and Statements of Objectives (SOOs), and learn when each approach is appropriate. The course focuses on writing measurable tasks, deliverables, standards, and acceptance criteria; aligning requirements with mission needs and acquisition strategy; and addressing applicable security, regulatory, and Government-furnished resource considerations. Workshops provide hands-on practice drafting and reviewing requirements that reduce ambiguity and support successful contract performance.