News for the Acquisition Workforce

On June 16, 2022, the President signed the Supply Chain Security Training Act of 2021 into law, requiring FAI to develop a training program for officials with supply chain risk management responsibilities at Federal agencies. At this time, the one-hour course (FAC 093), Introduction to Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM), is available via FAI CSOD. As the world becomes more interconnected and as the U.S. and its allies confront more adverse challenges, SCRM is more critical than ever. Learn more about SCRM and strengthen our nation's defenses by taking FAC 093!

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 October 2022, FAI will release a new course that will replace FAC 063: Buy American Statute, which will include the new requirements along with a new web-based interactive decision tool to help acquisition workforce members navigate and apply the complex Buy American rules and procedures.

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: Management Concepts, ICF, CivicActions, EAGLES, Skylight and Graduate School USA.

Acquisition Training for the Real World is a two-week program of daily virtual training sessions on GSA’s tools, digital services and the latest information on Federal marketplace initiatives. It is open exclusively to Federal agency personnel. Earn up to 11.5 CLPs. Register today!

OASIS recently adopted the use of Symphony Procurement Suite—a web-based, commercial off-the-shelf contract management and automation tool developed by Apex Logic. Symphony provides OASIS customers and OASIS contract holders an easy-to-use, highly secure and efficient method to issue, manage and award task order requests and capture information as a database of record for all stakeholders. Join us to learn how to navigate the tool and use it for orders on OASIS. Register and earn one CLP!

July 28: Fighting Climate Change by Electrifying Communities

Join climate champion Donnel Baird, founder and CEO of BlocPower and White House Federal Chief Sustainability Officer Andrew Mayock for a discussion on electrifying and decarbonizing Federal operations to benefit all Americans. This is the third event in the White House's Sustainability Speaker Series for the Federal Community. Federal employees will learn about President Biden's Federal Sustainability Plan and their role in shifting to more sustainable and resilient operations through this series. Free registration. Limited space requires advance registration. Submit questions during registration. This event will have live closed captioning, an ASL interpreter and will be recorded.

July 26: Localization and its Impact on International Contracting

Join a panel of international contracting experts from USAID, State Department and industry to discuss how buyers and sellers can drive sustainability and project outcomes through localization. Localization is the push to involve local stakeholders in the country where the work is performed to promote sustainability and prioritize local perspectives, which leads to better program outcomes. Participants are encouraged to come with questions to help ensure a common understanding of how we meet localization goals and objectives together. Register here and read more about localization here.

Register for Small Business Works' Two-Day FREE Virtual Training

Join us for a two-day virtual event that will provide training opportunities for the small business community and the Federal acquisition workforce. On Tuesday, July 26, small businesses can obtain valuable and vital information to help them navigate the Federal government marketplace. Small businesses will also be able to expand their network during the afternoon matchmaking event. On Wednesday, July 27, training on small business programs will be provided for the Federal acquisition workforce, highlighting how each acquisition professional delivers equity in procurement within their own Federal agency. Register for this FREE event HERE!

Register Now 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 to the acquisition environment. Register through FAI CSOD for the Sept. 14 session. Earn four CLPs at completion!