News for the Federal Acquisition Workforce

August 5, 2020

SBA First Wednesday Virtual Learning Series—ASMPP The Small Business Administration (SBA) is hosting the 1st Wednesday Virtual Learning Series on the All Small Mentor Protégé Program (ASMPP) on August 5 at 2:00 p.m. ET. No pre-registration is required and the conference will open to participants 10 minutes before it begins. To listen to the conference by phone, call 888-251-2949 or 215-861-0694 and enter the access code 6436999##. To join the conference on your computer, click here. Call 888-796-6118 for assistance with audio and 888-793-6118 for help with Webex.

Virtual Interactive Cross-Functional Courses  Take advantage of FAI’s four virtual interactive cross-functional courses and earn four CLPs! Discover the value of acquisition professional collaborations and understand the role of COs, CORs, PMs, and other members of the larger acquisition team. Learn when to engage with industry and the vital role they play in the process. These short courses can all be completed between other responsibilities in a day or two. They include FAC-072 Foundational Overview of the Acquisition Team (Integrated Project Team), FAC-073 Requirements Development, FAC-074 Obtaining the Best Solution through Contracting, and FAC-075 Achieving Program/Project Goals. This series of short courses supports OFPP's requirement for cross-functional training on critical thinking in the acquisition process identified in the Program Management Improvement and Accountability Act of 2016. Review the course descriptions in FAITAS or register for the courses on DAU Virtual Campus.

FPDS Reports Are Moving to beta.SAM.gov The reports tool on FPDS.gov will be decommissioned on October 17, 2020. The Integrated Award Environment is offering classes on the new contract data reporting tool in beta.SAM.gov. The free, online, instructor-led classes will outline reporting and detail how to drill, send, and export standard, administrative, and ad hoc reports. Get training to make the change to beta.SAM.gov before the FPDS tool becomes unavailable. Register on FAITAS now; space is limited.

August GSA Spotlight Webinar Register for the next GSA Spotlight Webinar, to be held August 20 at 11:00 a.m. ET. Join Government-wide Professional Services Category Program Manager Adam Soderholm and learn about cost avoidance methodologies and how to use an existing government-wide contract to avoid cost, leverage administrative efficiency, and free agency resources to focus on mission-critical work. Spotlight webinars are free, online classes that are open to the federal acquisition workforce. Register now to earn one CLP!

BIC Solution Sees Ceiling Increase Thanks to a long-standing partnership with the Small Business Administration, the best in class (BIC)-designated 8(a) STARS II GWAC ceiling has been increased to $22B. This increase, effective July 1, directly supports America’s small businesses and allows all of the nearly 800 businesses on 8(a) STARS II to continue offering more BIC IT services to agency clients through the contract ordering period ending August 30, 2021. Read more on the Acquisition Gateway.

Professional Services Office Hours August 13  Register for the next GSA Professional Services Office Hours, to be held on August 13 at 1:00 p.m. ET. In response to local, state, and federal requests, the General Services Administration (GSA) has conducted initial market research and prepared ordering guidance and procurement resources to help agencies quickly procure Enhanced Entry Screening Services (EESS) at government facilities within the U.S. and its territories. Attend for a closer look at the procurement resources posted on the Acquisition Gateway COVID-19 Hub, including an ordering guide, a market research report, a sample Performance Work Statement, a sample Request for Quote, and vendor data. Ask specific questions about procuring these services to support your agency. GSA's Professional Services Category monthly office hours are free, online classes designed to address federal customer agency questions about professional services acquisition. Register now to earn one CLP!

Register for Camp Gateway! Camp Gateway is a two week program of daily virtual training sessions on the Acquisition Gateway and category management. It will be held from July 27 to August 7. Camp Gateway is open exclusively to federal agency personnel. Earn one CLP for each fully attended class. Register today!

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