News for the Acquisition Workforce

We are pleased to share the FAI FY21 Annual Report, which details our accomplishments and future outlook. Highlights from the report include: transitioning civilian agencies from FAITAS to FAI Cornerstone OnDemand, hosting 135 training sessions for over 4,000 members of the acquisition workforce, 24 publications of Acquisition Today and establishing the new Management Systems Advisory Board. FAI is appreciative of your support and cooperation and remains dedicated to fostering a high-performing, qualified civilian 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 this course!

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.

In June 2021 the President committed to increase Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDB) contract dollars to 15% by 2025. FAI created three micro-learning videos with interagency experts. FAC 096: Equity in Procurement highlights Executive Orders 13985, 14035 and Office of Management and Budget Memos 22-03 and Strategies for Meeting and Exceeding SDB of 11% for FY 2022. This series of videos describes tools, programs, and resources the acquisition community can use to increase spending to 11% by FY 2022 and 15% to SDBs by FY 2025. Register here and earn .5 CLPs after completing the post-assessment. 

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

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. Learn how to navigate the tool and use it for orders on OASIS. Register and earn one CLP!

New Content Available Now: The Periodic Table of Acquisition Innovations

We're excited to announce the beta release of information about acquisition automation on the Periodic Table of Acquisition Innovations (PTAI), a knowledge management resource for innovative techniques and tools. Similar to the techniques on the PTAI, agency automations will be featured on "cards" with information to help agencies adapt or adopt the tools, as appropriate, in accordance with agency policies and Federal Acquisition Regulations. Other "card" information includes how the agency automation or technology solutions work, benefits of use, how automation and/or code may be obtained (if available) and useful artifacts for developing similar or new technology solutions. View the new content here.

Professional Services Spotlight Webinar- Aug. 16

Timely contract closeout has been identified as a government-wide issue. Closing contracts in a timely manner can help to limit the government’s exposure to risks by identifying and recovering improper payments to contractors and avoiding paying interest fees when the government does not pay contractors on time. A timely closeout ensures that the government deobligates and uses unspent funds from completed contracts before the funds expire. Join this session to learn about the resources available to the contracting community to ensure proper and timely contract closeout. Register now and earn one CLP!