News for the Acquisition Workforce

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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, FAC 097: Navigating Buy American and Trade Agreements, that will replace FAC 063: Buy American Statute, which will include the new requirements along with new web-based interactive decision tools to help acquisition workforce members with clause selection and evaluating foreign offers.

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!

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!

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.

As a reminder, the FAI.gov Frequently Asked Questions page has a collection of resources for FAI CSOD users. Under the "training and help desk support" tab, you'll find a training video with answers to commonly asked FAI CSOD questions and a variety of task aids with step-by-step directions for performing FAI CSOD functions. While logged in to FAI CSOD, you can visit the Training Guides and Videos link under the “Help” tab to learn more about the roles you are assigned. Additionally, you can contact the Defense Acquisition University help desk for FAI CSOD troubleshooting, error reporting and password problems. Bookmark this page today!

Last chance to attend the FY23 Agency Planning Tools and Templates session! OMB requests agency FY23 plans by Oct. 31. The government-wide Category Management Program Management Office will host the training session; the date and registration link are below. Access FY23 agency planning documents, agency targets, planning template/instructions, training recordings and key performance indicators methodology on Acquisition Gateway. For office hours, email govtwidecmdashboards@gsa.gov. Federal employees can attend this training on Sept. 15 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. E.T. Register today!

On March 2, 2021, GSA began its work to create the next generation contract program for non-IT services. The new contract seeks to fulfill federal agencies' non-IT services requirements through highly qualified contractors and a simpler buying experience. GSA aims to expand access to best-in-class non-IT service contracts for highly qualified contractors while providing for increased small business opportunities and an improved selling experience. Join them this month for the latest updates on significant elements of the acquisition strategy, including: contract features, small business participation, scope and domains. Register today and earn one CLP!

The Acquisition Regulation Comparator (ARC) provides Acquisition.gov users the ability to compare up to three regulations side-by-side. The results are displayed in a column layout, with regulations compared at the part and subpart level and lined up by sections. FAR, GSAR and Department of Defense acquisition regulations are included in the ARC release, and all civilian agency acquisition regulations will be provided soon. Visit the ARC here and view its user guide here.