August 4, 2021

FAI CSOD: Your Gateway to Training & Certification

Through its first 50 days in operation, FAI CSOD has helped many acquisition workforce members access the training and certifications they need to develop in their careers. More than 21,000 users have completed instructor-led training (ILT) and on-line training (OLT). More than 4,000 workforce members are actively pursuing Federal Acquisition Certifications (FACs) and agency-specific certifications, with more than 600 certifications already awarded! Users are also earning DoD credentials through FAI CSOD, giving them new ways to develop acquisition skills at no cost to agencies.

Register by August 18 for FQN 076 Critical Decision Making-Capstone FQN 076 Critical Decision Making-Capstone teaches acquisition professionals how to synthesize lessons from the prerequisite courses FAC 072, 073, 074, and 075 and how to apply the Program Management Improvement Accountability Act (PMIAA) to the acquisition environment. Register through FAI CSOD by August 18 for the September 8 session. Earn 4 CLPs at completion!

DUNS Transition to UEI - Stakeholder Forum

The federal government is transitioning from using the DUNS Number to the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) assigned by SAM.gov for all federal award purposes. Learn more by registering for the next online Integrated Award Environment (IAE) Stakeholder Forum on August 12 at 1:00 p.m. ET. This session will provide an overview of transition activities, discuss the impact to IAE systems users, and offer guidance on finding and using the new identifier.

Learn from DoD's Category Management Best Practices

Join the OMB, the Category Management (CM) team, DAU, Air Force, Army, and Navy to learn how they train their acquisition workforce on CM and use CM principles for procurement planning. This webinar will take place on August 19 from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. ET. Register using Zoom and FAI CSOD. Earn 1.5 CLPs for attending.

Professional Services Spotlight Webinar – August 17

Do you have a Cost Contract that you need to close out? Are you looking for contract audit support through the GSA Multiple Award Schedules (MAS) program? Procuring and conducting Federal contract audits are different from standard financial audits. This session will address concepts unique to acquiring Federal contract audits and contract audit related services. GSA will highlight best practices and recommendations to consider when securing a contractor. Register today and join to earn 1 CLP!

Customers Can Order GSA Furniture on Their Own

With their Activity Address Code (AAC/DoDAAC), your customers can order furniture National Stock Numbers (NSNs) on their own, even when the order exceeds their purchase card limit. Used for funding, an AAC/DoDAAC is a six-character code used to identify their office. If they do not know their AAC/DoDAAC, civilian agencies can reach out to their AAC point of contact, and DoD offices can email GSA at ordermgmt@gsa.gov.

Webinar on Basic Contracting for GSA Schedule

This training course covers Federal Supply Schedule contracting and ordering procedures. Learn how to place orders against the GSA Schedule, as outlined in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 8.4. This course will also highlight the unique flexibility within the GSA Schedule program. Join on August 5 at 10:30 a.m ET and earn 4 CLP. Register today while virtual seats are still available!

Best-In-Class Fair Highlights

Unable to attend the Government-wide Category Management Program Management Office’s (GWCM PMO) Best-in-Class fair? Check out the recordings to stay up to date with all the category management priorities. Visit the Best-in-Class website for additional resources.

Two Online Training Courses Are Retiring FAC 087 - GSA GWACs for IT Services-Based Solutions and FAC 088 - GSA's GWAC: 8(a) STARS II will be retiring on August 30, 2021. Complete them now before they disappear!

Acquisition Today is published the first and third Wednesday of each month. If you have information that you would like to share with the federal acquisition workforce community via Acquisition Today, you may submit your article for consideration by completing this form. If you have feedback that you would like to share with FAI, please email us at contact@fai.gov.

Any reference to, or information discussing, a specific commercial training organization, or its products, processes, or services within this Acquisition Today newsletter does not constitute or imply an endorsement by FAI, GSA, or the United States Government of the commercial training organization, or its products, processes, services, producers, or providers. The views and opinions expressed in any referenced document, website, linked information, or any other information, contained in the newsletter regarding a commercial training organization do not necessarily state or reflect those of FAI, GSA, or the United States Government. All references to commercial training organizations are for information purposes only. Neither the FAI, GSA, or the United States Government, nor any of their employees, assumes any legal liability for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information from a commercial training organization's referenced information, linked information, services, products, producers, or providers.