Federal Acquisition Institute,update

 

Dec. 7, 2022 Modernizing the Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting Program…Coming Soon!

As a member of the modern contracting workforce, you face challenges unknown to your predecessors. You work with a different kind of industrial base, use new tools in a changing acquisition system, and keep up with new technologies that are transforming both the workplace and federal procurements. All of this happens at a rapid pace. To help you succeed in this environment, the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) plans to modernize the FAC-C program in fiscal year 2023. OFPP is planning a program that can better serve you. One thing you’ve told us is that the existing FAC-C certification program forces you to spend too much time on training that isn’t relevant to your work. In this fast-paced world, you don’t have time for that. OFPP and FAI are responding and working to streamline the certification structure. The FAC-C modernization creates a new model of lifelong learning that reimagines how the federal government develops the workforce. It shifts us from a framework that requires everybody to learn everything, to a tailored approach where skills can be obtained at the time of need. The goal is to provide everyone with a strong foundation and provide training packages (credentials) on specific skills and knowledge that align with your mission. The new FAC-C Professional Certification will align with the Department of Defense's Back-to-Basics changes that were implemented in February 2022 for their workforce. No need to worry; everyone that is currently FAC-C certified will remain certified under the new modernized program. OFPP’s policy and additional details will be shared in the new year. Stay tuned to FAI.gov.

Professional Services Office Hours - Dec. 8 GSA recently added two Special Item Numbers (SIN) and revised one existing SIN under the Multiple Award Schedules’ Professional Services category. This session will cover new SINs under Financial and Technical and Engineering Services subcategories and explore the changes under the Environmental Services subcategory. Join us this month and earn one CLP! FAPIIS.gov is moving to SAM.gov On Dec. 12, 2022, FAPIIS.gov will integrate with SAM.gov as part of the ongoing integration award environment modernization. FAPIIS.gov is where users find federal awardee performance and integrity information. Once integrated with SAM.gov, these records will be renamed “responsibility/qualification” (R/Q) and will be a part of the entity information domain in SAM.gov. Learn more. FAC 097 Navigating Buy American and Trade Agreements Training Course is LIVE in FAI CSOD A new online course, FAC 097 Navigating Buy American and Trade Agreements, is now available in FAI CSOD. This new course incorporates all of the changes from FAR Rule 2021-008, including the new domestic content requirements for Buy American, the new fallback threshold, as well as the new price evaluation preferences for critical items and critical components. The course also introduces and utilizes two new Buy American and Trade Agreements decision tools that are available on FAI.gov. If you are a contracting professional that purchases supplies, this course is for you! Earn two CLPs for course completion. Register today! How GSA and the DAU Worked Together to Make Federal Buying Easier After 20 years in federal acquisition, it is encouraging to see how the workforce, technology and policies continue to drive positive change in government and ultimately, for the American public. These promising changes are happening in fascinating ways, from using robotic process automation to transform federal buying, to GSA's latest collaboration with the Defense Acquisition University. Read more about it in GSA's blog post.  Government/Industry Engagement: Strategies for Success! Government/industry engagement is essential for the success of the federal acquisition process. However, this essential component of a well-functioning procurement system is sometimes unknown or overlooked. The video linked here provides a 30-minute overview that details what government/industry engagement is, outlines strategies for success, provides practical examples of successful government/industry engagement, and reviews takeaways and resources. Tune in to learn more and support the success of federal acquisition processes! Live Training on the FSSI OS4 Purchasing-Channel Solution - Dec. 14 Learn how the Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative for Office Supplies Fourth Generation (FSSI OS4) reduces costs, reduces price variability and increases efficiencies by buying everyday office supplies from contractors with negotiated low prices. Attend this webinar to: discover benefits of FSSI OS4, learn ordering options, see a walk-through with GSA Advantage!®, get answers to questions and earn one CLP! Register today! Congratulations to the Acquisition, Program Management, and Small Business Excellence Awardees! The Chief Acquisition Officers Council presented the Acquisition, Program Management, and Small Business Excellence Awards at the ACT-IAC ImagineNation Executive Leadership Conference last month. We appreciate everyone who nominated someone this year. Nominations for next year’s awards will be announced early next calendar year. Congratulations to all the award winners and their agencies! Acquisition Excellence Individual Award – Joslann Igoe, General Services Administration, Public Building Service Acquisition Excellence Team Award – Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Vaccine Support Team: Sharon Edwards, Erich Ducote, Spenser Sams, Jessica Quinones, Monique Park, Simon McMaster, Andrew Lucaciu, Christopher Liu, Jonathan Thrower, Joe Dellamura and Lindsay McFarland Lisa M. Wilusz Program Management Excellence Award – The Department of State’s Armored Vehicle Program: Sarah E. Gregory, Katherine Vultaggio, Wanda Cruz, Brady Russell, Alex Arbizo, Randy Mineard, Kevin Lehman, Lily Li, Cassidy Massey, Kristin Pavone, Jessica Broadnax, Stephen Allen, Nathan Weeks, Frederick Naramore, Michael Bajer, Christopher Bolin and Rodger Mineard Small Business Excellence Award – Dr. Gladys Bailey, Department of Labor. Learn more about the awardees and their extraordinary accomplishments on FAI.gov.

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