News for the Acquisition Workforce

Federal Acquisition Institute sent this bulletin at 01/21/2026 10:46 AM EST

Jan. 21, 2026

Continuous Learning Requirement Update from the Office of Federal Procurement Policy

What the Acquisition Workforce Needs to Know

The Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) has released an Acquisition Flash outlining an update to Federal Acquisition Certification (FAC) Continuous Learning (CL) requirements. All members of the acquisition workforce are encouraged to review the update to stay informed.

Key highlights include:

The current CL common period runs May 1, 2024 through April 30, 2026.
The FAC-C (Professional) CL requirement has been reduced from 100 CLPs to 80 CLPs every two years, effective immediately.
This change applies to the current and all future common periods.
There is no change to FAC-COR or FAC-P/PM CL requirements.
CL progress continues to be tracked through the CLIP dashboard in FAI CSOD.
OFPP and FAI have identified 60+ CLPs available through existing Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) resources and training opportunities.

Please review the full Acquisition Flash. If you have questions about how this update applies to you, contact your acquisition career manager or small agency representative for guidance.

Don't Miss Out on FAR Forward Office Hours

The FAR Forward Office Hours series continues to help acquisition professionals stay ahead of the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO). Each session delivers timely updates, practical insights, and live Q&A with subject-matter experts—supporting confident navigation of the modernized FAR while earning CLPs.

Upcoming sessions:

Feb. 2, 2026, at 1 p.m. ET
Negotiations

March 9, 2026, at 1 p.m. ET
RFO Part 15: Commercial Procurements

Registration is limited to federal employees and requires a .gov or .mil email address.

Missed a session? Recordings from prior FAR Forward Office Hours remain available and are still eligible for CLPs:

FAC Certification, Credentials, and CL Courses Now Available in FAI CSOD

A person types on a laptop with code on the screen, while a second laptop displays an online presentation on a desk.

Now is an ideal time to invest in your professional development! FAI has released a new slate of FAC-C, FAC-COR, FAC-P/PM certification courses, along with credentials and continuous learning (CL) opportunities, now available in FAI CSOD. With the CL common period already underway, this is a smart window to get ahead—rather than scramble later. The CL common period ends April 30, 2026. Earning CLPs now helps you stay compliant while building relevant acquisition skills. Enrolling early gives you greater flexibility throughout the year. Seats are available now, and demand typically increases as the common period progresses. If professional growth is on your fiscal year 2026 checklist, this is the time to act.

Call for Entries: Procurement Round Table Staats Award for Bold Acquisition

The Procurement Round Table, in partnership with the National Contract Management Association (NCMA), is accepting nominations for the Elmer B. Staats Award for Bold Acquisition. This national award recognizes federal acquisition professionals who deliver bold, high-impact improvements to efficiency and effectiveness.

The winner receives $5,000, free admission to NCMA World Congress for themselves and their supervisor, a year of NCMA membership, and national recognition. Honorable mentions also receive recognition and conference opportunities.

The nomination deadline is March 28, 2026, and details are available here: https://www.ncmahq.org/awards.

Earn Your Digital Services Credential (DITAP) (formerly FAC-C-DS) via the DITAP Training Program!

Two professionals sit side by side reviewing content on a laptop screen, collaborating on work or professional training.

Successful completion of the Digital IT Acquisition Professional (DITAP) training program earns students a DITAP training certificate, 80 CLPs, and the ability to apply for the Digital Services Credential (DITAP) (formerly FAC-C-DS) through FAI's credential program. FAC-C (Professional) holders with at least two years of experience and assigned to acquisitions consisting primarily of digital services over FAR 13.500(c) thresholds are required to attend the DITAP training program.

FAC-COR Level II/III and FAC-P/PM Level II/III holders with at least two years of experience and assigned to acquisitions consisting primarily of digital services over FAR 13.500(c) thresholds are encouraged to attend DITAP training to create a cohesive team that fully understands how to buy digital services. There are several vendors who provide the training: Graduate School USA, Skylight, Management Concepts, EAGLES, ICF, and CivicActions. Learn more about DITAP by visiting the TechFAR Hub.

Learn PowerAutomate for beginners

Wooden letter tiles scattered on a table with two arranged to spell "AI", symbolizing learning, skills, and professional development concepts.

Join Chris Russell, AI Training Lead for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, for two live Power Platform demos:

On Jan. 29, 2026, from 2–3:30 p.m. ET, Chris demonstrates how he automated mandatory training tracking using Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power BI.

On Feb. 17, 2026, at noon ET, he builds an AI-enabled issue tracking and routing system. Both sessions include live walkthroughs, practical takeaways, and Q&A.

Cloud Smarter, Not Harder: Learn How Government Buys Cloud

A glowing cloud icon formed by digital circuitry hovers above streaming data, symbolizing cloud computing and data flow.

Join GSA on Feb. 10, 2026, from noon–1 p.m. ET for a free, one-hour webinar that explains how federal agencies can procure cloud computing—without the complexity. Designed for acquisition and program professionals, this session breaks down cloud computing in plain language and shows how GSA contract solutions streamline purchasing. You’ll learn how to navigate costs, understand FedRAMP in seven minutes, leverage consumption-based pricing, select the right contract type, and overcome common acquisition barriers. Participants earn one CLP. Registration is free.

Acquisition Today is published the first and third Wednesday of each month. If you have information that you would like to share with the federal acquisition workforce community via Acquisition Today, you may submit your article for consideration by completing this form. If you have feedback that you would like to share with FAI, please email us at contact@fai.gov.

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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