News for the Acquisition Workforce

On March 7, 2022, the FAR Council published FAR Rule 2021-008, which included substantial and complex changes to the requirements of the Buy American statute. FAI has created a five-minute micro-learning video to help contracting professionals understand the changes that take effect on Oct. 25, 2022. In addition, GSA has developed decision trees to assist in further understanding the new process. You can also review the Federal Register Notice for the complete details about FAR Case 2021-008.

Learn how GSA's professional services labor categories are established under the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract and how to evaluate them for task orders. During this session, you will learn how to set clear expectations in a request for quote (RFQ) and ensure that proposed labor categories meet minimum education and experience requirements. This session will also cover GSA’s pricing methodology and price escalation under MAS contracts and orders. Register and join GSA on June 9 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET to earn one (1) CLP!

FAI's FAC-P/PM training sessions are now available for your registration in FAI CSOD. FAC-P/PM entry, mid and senior levels, and IT Core-Plus specialization sessions are ready and waiting for you. See the entire list of sessions with open seats. Remember, FAI's training for federal employees is free of charge; there is no cost to you or your agency.

Join GSA for the Federal Acquisition Service Training (FAST) event “Insights for Impact” from June 21 to 23 to hear from agency and industry experts on how to make your next acquisition a success. Earn up to nine CLPs at this three-day, no-cost training. Find out more on the FAST 2022 webpage and register now!

GSA eBuy can save your agency time and money! It’s a powerful, intuitive acquisition tool used by thousands of U.S. government agencies worldwide to achieve required competition, best pricing and value. Join GSA on Tuesday, June 7, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET, to learn about GSA’s eBuy program and how it benefits government buyers and vendors. There’s no charge for this event, and you can earn two CLPs. Sign up today! If you have questions about this event, please contact gsa.acquisitiontraining@gsa.gov.

A FAC-C-Digital Services (DS) is required prior to being assigned requirements for digital services acquisitions over $7.5 million (or $15 million for acquisitions described in FAR Part 13.500(c)). FAC-C Level II or III certified candidates can earn a FAC-C-DS via the Digital IT Acquisition Professional (DITAP) program. There are several vendors who provide the training with open applications now: Graduate School USA, Management Concepts, ICF, CivicActions, EAGLES and Skylight.

Help Shape Acquisition Goals for the President's Management Agenda!

The Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) is hosting a two-week crowdsourcing campaign to gather feedback on acquisition goals and actions for the President's Management Agenda (PMA). Help OFPP develop strategies to improve the Federal acquisition system! Join the campaign anytime between June 1 and June 14. OFPP is especially interested in input on creating a competitive and diverse Federal marketplace and workforce perspectives on top Federal procurement challenges. Your input will shape plans and solutions that affect agencies' capacity to achieve their missions and provide meaningful input into the PMA. 

Acquisition, Program Management, and Small Business Excellence Awards 2022

The Chief Acquisition Officers Council (CAOC) is accepting nominations for the Acquisition, Program Management, and Small Business Excellence Awards until June 30, 2022. These awards recognize acquisition professionals who have contributed to improvements in acquisition, particularly for efforts responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The awards will be presented at Imagine Nation ELC 2022, October 15–23. To read more or begin the nomination process, visit FAI's website.