News for the Acquisition Workforce

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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.

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

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!

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.

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. 

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is announcing that the Made in America Office job announcement for interagency rotation opportunities has been posted on USAJobs. It is open until Aug. 22, 2022 and is for non-reimbursable, full-time, program management positions detailed to OMB under a memorandum of agreement for a preferred length of 12 months. Qualified and motivated personnel at any Federal agency are welcome to apply and become part of developing solutions to the multitude of Made in America initiatives. If you wish to learn more, please email Timothy.F.Soltis@omb.eop.gov. 

FAI's fiscal year 2023 FAC-C and FAC-COR training sessions are now available for registration in FAI CSOD. The list of sessions is located on FAI.gov. Seats are first come, first serve; there is no tuition cost to students or their agencies. Do not delay, seats fill quickly!

In August 2022, FAI and the Professional Services and Human Capital Category launched FAC 153, a combined Delegation of Procurement Authority (DPA) for One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services (OASIS) and Human Capital and Training Solutions (HCaTS). To issue a task order on OASIS or HCaTS, a warranted contracting officer (CO) must obtain a DPA. The DPA clearly outlines the roles and responsibilities between the OASIS or HCaTS contracting office and the ordering CO. The course allows a CO an opportunity to receive both DPA certificates in one on-demand training and earn two CLPs! Register today.

The Mission Support Leadership Program is designed for GS-12 to GS-14 Federal employees in acquisitions. Federal professionals will become more effective leaders by focusing on the four core tenets of the Partnership’s Public Service Leadership Model—self-awareness, engaging others, leading change and achieving results. By the end of the course, participants are able to make values-based decisions, use their roles to build strong partnerships, identify how to drive positive impact within their organizations and demonstrate enhanced leadership attributes. Accepting applications now.