The Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) issued FAC-C Modernization on Jan. 19, 2023, reflecting a new model of lifelong learning. Over the past two years, the FAI team in partnership with OFPP, Defense Acquisition University, agency acquisition career managers and interagency stakeholders, has worked relentlessly to update the FAC-C framework. I commend these individuals for their tireless efforts in supporting and partnering with OFPP to make FAC-C Modernization a reality.

This is a big accomplishment and the first major change to the FAC-C program in nearly two decades, resulting in: greater mobility between civilian agencies and the DoD, simpler entrance into contracting, enhanced recruiting and retention, a comprehensive approach for lifelong learning through credentials and better industry understanding.

It is imperative that contracting supervisors and leaders work with their acquisition workforce contracting professionals in establishing career development plans. 

You can learn more about FAC-C Modernization and what it means for contracting professionals by visiting FAI.gov.

-Jeffrey Birch

Director, Federal Acquisition Institute 

Acquisition professionals, register now for these courses that are rapidly filling up:

FQN 160 - Acquisition of Agile Services (3-Day), beginning Feb. 6. 

FQN 104 - Construction Claims (3-Day), beginning Feb. 13. 

FCN 180 - Emerging Technologies - Robotic Process Automation, beginning March 3. 

These courses cover engaging and in-demand topics. Enroll now!

Access the benefits of GSA's Multiple Award Schedule to streamline your Electronic Records Management (ERM) acquisition with specialized contractors who meet the National Archives and Records Administration’s universal ERM requirements. View the fact sheet for Special Item Number 518210ERM here. Please contact recordsmanagement@gsa.gov if your agency needs support with finding capable vendors and guidance for your upcoming ERM requirements.

A collection of new 3D printer filament National Stock Numbers (NSN) has been placed on the procurement list in the AbilityOne® program and is now available for easy ordering through GSA Global Supply. In addition to the ABS, PLA, and nylon 1.75mm sizes and colors, the new NSNs add 2.85 mm-sized filaments and water-soluble NSN filaments, in both 1.75mm and 2.86mm, to the expanding 3D print NSN offerings.

A Civilian Services Acquisition Workshop (CSAW) is a highly structured, facilitated workshop built around a specific acquisition and its multi-functional integrated project team (IPT). The workshop walks the complete team through the performance-based acquisition process from beginning to end. The primary focus of the CSAW is to get all members of the acquisition team or IPT contributing and working together to accomplish the necessary work. Join GSA this month for an overview of CSAWs, how they can benefit your acquisition teams, and ways you can get involved with this valuable service offering. Register now and earn 1 CLP!

In PILCast #25, Contracting Officer Carolyn Lethert shares her experience using innovative procurement techniques during a recent $111 million BPA awarded for the DHS Science & Technology Directorate. This total small business set-aside used specific innovations in order to engage small businesses, including share draft solicitation, advisory down-select and oral presentations. You can hear the full story and find out if Carolyn and her team were able to overcome a protest by watching this episode. Visit the DHS PIL YouTube channel for more PILCasts.

Unleash the power of innovation by trying out an innovative acquisition technique on the Periodic Table of Acquisition Innovations! Newly added techniques include: (i) fusion procurements, which combine multiple requirements into a single solicitation to enable streamlined review, approval, and evaluation activities and (ii) betterment, which creates a process for vendors to propose solutions that exceed the government’s requirements while allowing the government to evaluate the value of the proposed solution separately and consider it during the overall tradeoff analysis. Try one of these techniques and see the difference it can make!

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 federal marketplace initiatives. It is open exclusively to federal agency personnel. Earn up to 11.5 CLPs. Register today!

OASIS recently adopted Symphony Procurement Suite, a web-based contract management and automation tool that helps government organizations manage complex contracts. Symphony makes it easy, secure, and efficient for OASIS customers and contract holders to issue, manage, and award task order requests and capture information as a database of record for all stakeholders. Symphony ensures agencies are purchasing according to fair opportunity laws and rules. Join GSA to learn how to navigate the tool and use it for orders.