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Jan. 7, 2026
Don't Miss the Next FAR Forward Office Hours!
The FAR Forward Office Hours series continues to help acquisition professionals stay ahead of the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO). These sessions deliver timely updates, practical insights, and live Q&A to support confident navigation of the modernized FAR.
The next session takes place on Jan. 12, 2026, at 1 p.m. ET and will focus on communicating with industry. Participants will hear directly from subject-matter experts, learn from real-time workforce questions, and earn one CLP for attending.
More upcoming sessions:
Registration is limited to federal employees and requires a .gov or .mil email address.
Recordings from past sessions remain available and are still eligible for CLPs:
FAR Forward Office Hours, July 28, 2025
FAR Forward Office Hours, Aug. 25, 2025
FAR Forward Office Hours, Sept. 22, 2025
FAR Forward Office Hours, Dec. 1, 2025
FAR Forward Office Hours, Dec. 15, 2025 (new!)
Deadline Extended: The Revolutionary FAR Overhaul - What Happens Next?
The Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) is entering its next phase, and you still have time to help shape what comes next. The Office of Federal Procurement Policy has extended the public input deadline to Jan. 12, 2026, giving the acquisition workforce, industry partners, and other stakeholders additional time to contribute to this historic effort. Your feedback will help agencies identify the buying practices that matter most—and those that no longer add value—as they prepare to operate under a streamlined FAR. Review what others have shared and submit your input by Jan. 12.
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New Training: Navigating the FAR Framework
The Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) is reshaping how the acquisition workforce operates, and Navigating the FAR Framework helps you stay ahead of the change. This new on-demand course explains the vision behind RFO, the structure of the FAR Framework, and the phased approach to implementation, with clear takeaways you can apply to your work today. If you have followed RFO updates on Acquisition.gov but have not yet seen the full picture, this course connects the dots. Complete the training to earn 1.5 CLPs and build essential awareness of what is coming next.
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New Workshop: Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) High-Intensity Immersive Training (HIIT) – Foundation
A new one-day (six-hour), virtual instructor-led training is now available on the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) and the new FAR framework. This immersive session covers three core areas: an overview of the RFO and its structure, a deep dive into RFO updates to acquisition planning (including market research), and updates to commercial buying procedures under FAR Parts 8, 12, and 16.
This foundational course is the first in a planned series of RFO HIIT offerings and is designed to build a shared, government-wide understanding of how RFO changes affect acquisition practice. Participants will learn from RFO acquisition experts and apply the framework through hands-on exercises focused on real-world acquisitions.
Register in FAI CSOD using this link, and select one of the following session dates:
Jan. 13, 2026
Jan. 21, 2026
Feb. 3, 2026
Feb. 18, 2026
Feb. 26, 2026
March 5, 2026
March 10, 2026
March 16, 2026
March 25, 2026
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Are You Studying for the Contracting Exam?
Prepare with the FCN 3930 Contracting Exam Study Challenge—a live, interactive study session from the Federal Acquisition Institute. Held monthly on the third Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. ET, this session offers expert insights, engaging gameplay, and a chance to tackle challenging questions. Register through FAI CSOD, join the competition, and earn one CLP while sharpening your contracting knowledge. If you are eligible to take the exam, you can register for FCN 3930 in FAI CSOD. The next session is Jan. 20, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. ET. If you have questions, please contact: shawn.sandi@fai.gov.
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Boost Your COR Expertise with FCR 201 - Contracting Officer's Representative Level 2!
Designed for current CORs pursuing FAC-COR Level II certification, this comprehensive virtual instructor-led training equips participants with the skills to excel in the role. FCR 201 covers standards of conduct, requirements development, contract documentation, inspection procedures, and managing changes, terminations, and disputes. Participants earn 40 CLPs while strengthening their ability to support effective contract management. Register for a session during the week of Feb. 9 to secure your spot.
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CPP Platform Demos: Managing Open Market Spend Under the Micro-Purchase Threshold
GSA’s Commercial Platforms Program (CPP) launches its 2026 Meet the Platform virtual training demo series on Tuesday, Jan. 13. The series features platform overviews and live Q&A sessions. Each session focuses on one CPP-awarded platform: Amazon Business, e-Procurement Services, Fisher Scientific, G-Commerce, Grainger, NOBLE, Pacific Ink, or Staples. Demos highlight features that streamline micro-purchasing and support compliance. Register now on the CPP website. All registrants receive training materials, even if they cannot attend the live session. For government personnel only. Questions? Email CommercialPlatforms@gsa.gov
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Ready to Buy IT Services Through 8(a) STARS III? Start with DPA Training
Get ready to use one of GSA’s premier IT services contract vehicles. On Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at 2 p.m. ET, this Delegation of Procurement Authority (DPA) training equips federal and military acquisition professionals with the knowledge to confidently buy IT services through the 8(a) STARS III GWAC. Participants will learn GWAC fundamentals, key features and benefits of STARS III, ordering procedures, and the roles and responsibilities of ordering contracting officers. This required training is open to federal and military personnel only. Questions? Email the STARS III team at S3@gsa.gov. Register and get STARS III–ready.
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Tap Into Veteran-Owned IT Solutions with VETS 2
Join GSA on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, from 2–3 p.m. ET for the VETS 2 Delegation of Procurement Authority training—your gateway to using one of GSA’s premier IT services contract vehicles. This free, one-hour session equips federal acquisition professionals and program staff to leverage VETS 2 for mission-critical IT needs through veteran-owned small businesses. Participants will learn how VETS 2 works, ordering requirements for warranted contracting officers, and how the vehicle supports agency IT initiatives. Attendees earn one continuous learning point. This training is open to federal employees only. Questions? Email ITCSC@gsa.gov or call 855-482-4348. Real-time captioning will be provided, and ASL interpretation is available upon request.
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Power Your Agency’s IT Projects with Alliant 2
Join GSA on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET for Alliant 2 Delegation of Procurement Authority training, an essential session for federal teams using one of GSA’s most robust IT services contract vehicles. This free webinar helps federal contracting officers, program officials, managers, and executive staff understand how Alliant 2 supports complex, mission-driven IT solutions. Warranted contracting officers must complete this training before requesting a DPA to issue orders. Participants earn two continuous learning points. This session is open to federal employees only. Questions? Email alliant2@gsa.gov. Real-time captioning will be provided, and ASL interpretation is available upon request.
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Get Ready to Use Polaris: DPA Training for Federal IT Services
Prepare to leverage GSA’s Polaris GWAC for mission-critical IT services by attending this Delegation of Procurement Authority training on Jan. 21, 2026. This session equips federal and military acquisition professionals to confidently use Polaris by covering GWAC fundamentals, Polaris features and benefits, ordering procedures, and the responsibilities of ordering contracting officers. Completion is required to issue orders under Polaris. This training is open to federal and military personnel only and is not available to industry. Questions? Email polaris@gsa.gov. Register to get Polaris-ready.
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Any reference to, or information discussing, a specific commercial training organization, or its products, processes, or services within this Acquisition Today newsletter does not constitute or imply an endorsement by FAI, GSA, or the United States Government of the commercial training organization, or its products, processes, services, producers, or providers. The views and opinions expressed in any referenced document, website, linked information, or any other information, contained in the newsletter regarding a commercial training organization do not necessarily state or reflect those of FAI, GSA, or the United States Government. All references to commercial training organizations are for information purposes only. Neither the FAI, GSA, or the United States Government, nor any of their employees, assumes any legal liability for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information from a commercial training organization's referenced information, linked information, services, products, producers, or providers. |
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