News for the Federal Acquisition Workforce

Acquisition Today

April 18, 2018


FAI Training - IT'S FREE!

FAI has great training opportunities available for the Federal acquisition workforce.  The list of classes for which FAI has open seats is updated and located here.  As always, FAI's training is free of charge. There is no tuition cost to students or their agencies. 

Free Training

Gavel Money Fines

New System for Filing a Protest

Effective May 1, 2018, all new protests (except those involving classified material) must be filed via GAO’s new online E-Filing System. The fee for filing a protest will be $350. For more information and training videos, visit the GAO


Shaping the 21st Century Work Force

Resources for Shaping a 21st Century Federal Workforce

Events and Resources for Shaping a 21st Century Federal Workforce. OPM is pleased to announce the latest events and resources to assist agency leaders as they carry out Agency Reform Plans required by OMB Memorandum M-17-22. The attached calendar provides timely and relevant information to empower managers, strategically manage the workforce, leverage technology and support employee productivity. Click to see the calendar


SAM- system award management

Not the Same SAM

Following the recent cyber attack targeting contractors on the System for Award Management (SAM), the Federal Service Desk is requiring contractors to provide a notarized letter to register on SAM.gov. All new contractors must now submit a signed, notarized letter to confirm the authorized entity administrator associated with its Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number. Click to read more.


Gateway U- Spring Section

Register Today for Gateway U - Spring Session! 

Register to attend Acquisition Gateway University, from April 23 - May 4. These webinars help you get the most from the tools on the Gateway. Learn about Best in Class, the IGCE tool, best practice for Market Research and more. Open to Federal personnel. Earn CLPs!


Accepting Nominations for NCMA's

Staats Award - Nominate a Superstar

The Procurement Round Table, in cooperation with NCMA, is seeking nominations for this year’s Elmer B. Staats Contracting Professional Excellence Award. The award amount is $5,000. This is a great opportunity to recognize a superstar. Applications are due April 27, 2018. The award will be presented at the NCMA World Congress. For more information, see the Call for Nominations and the Application. Questions may be sent to ken.oscar@verizon.net.


Conflict of Interest

Webinar: Conflict of Interest 202

Did you know 20% of the published decisions by GAO involved organizational conflicts of interest (OCI)? While the number decreased in 2017, OCI remains a popular ground to challenge an award decision. This webinar will help the contracting community attempt to combat this trend. During this upcoming webinar, NASA Senior Attorney Evelyn Lyon will explain the type of advanced planning and decisions contracting officers should make and the types of OCI provisions and clauses to include. April 26 at 1:00- 2:30 p.m. ET. Register Now