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July 1, 2026
CAOC Seeks Nominations for the 2026 Acquisition and Program Management Excellence Awards
The Chief Acquisition Officers Council (CAOC) invites nominations for the 2026 Acquisition and Program Management Excellence Awards. These annual awards recognize federal acquisition and program management professionals who deliver exceptional results, strengthen the federal acquisition system, and improve value for taxpayers.
This year’s awards come at an important moment for the acquisition workforce. Agencies have the mandate and momentum to buy faster, reduce costs, increase competition, and empower professionals to apply sound business judgment. CAOC will recognize individuals and teams who turn that vision into measurable results.
CAOC seeks nominations for federal employees who led individual or team efforts between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, in the following areas:
Acquisition Excellence Award: Recognizes one individual and one team that advanced strategic acquisition, procurement consolidation and category management, cost efficiency, performance accountability, or other high-impact acquisition outcomes.
Lisa M. Wilusz Program Management Excellence Award: Recognizes one individual or team that demonstrated outstanding program management by balancing cost, scope, schedule, risk, and performance while advancing organizational goals.
CAOC will evaluate nominations based on results and impact. Senior government professionals will review initial nominations, and a panel of executive judges will select the winners.
Submit nominations by Aug. 31, 2026, through the online form (Google Chrome recommended): http://fai.gov/survey/AE2026-Award-Submission
The awards will be presented at ACT-IAC’s Imagine Nation Executive Leadership Conference 2026 in National Harbor, Maryland, in December 2026.
For questions, contact Joanie Newhart at jnewhart@omb.eop.gov.
FAR Forward Office Hours: Stay Current as Implementation Moves Ahead
The Revolutionary FAR Overhaul continues to move forward, and acquisition professionals need a practical way to stay informed, ask questions, and understand how changes may affect day-to-day acquisition work.
FAR Forward Office Hours give the acquisition workforce a recurring forum to hear timely updates, engage with implementation topics, and connect policy changes to real acquisition scenarios.
The next session is July 13. Register now to stay connected with the FAR Forward practitioner community.
Live sessions offer one continuous learning point (CLP) and will be automatically uploaded to the attendee's dashboard if using the provided Zoom link: https://gsa.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_c238nJZeSbuyrw-luocP5A#/registration
Missed a previous session? Catch up on prior FAR Forward Office Hours sessions and still earn CLPs: https://learn.csodfed.com/ui/lms-learner-playlist/PlaylistDetails?playlistId=58c69841-3687-491e-8393-49daee47d71c
Workshop: Revolutionary FAR Overhaul High-Intensity Immersive Training – Foundation
A 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 for RFO WS 101 in FAI CSOD, and select one of the available sessions: Aug. 12 or 26, or Sept. 1, 10, or 15, 2026.
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Last Call for FAI's Instructor-Led Training in Fiscal Year 2026!
Build Practical Excel Skills with These Credentials
Acquisition professionals can strengthen their data skills through two WarU credentials focused on practical Excel application. CCON 016, Excel Skills for Data Analytics and Visualization, helps learners analyze, transform, visualize, and automate data to support better decision-making. CCON 018, Excel Skills for Business, builds advanced Excel skills for contracting professionals involved in data, proposal, cost, and price analysis. Together, these credentials offer acquisition workforce members a valuable opportunity to build confidence, improve analysis and apply Excel more effectively in day-to-day acquisition work.
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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 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 July 21, 2026, at 2 p.m. ET. If you have questions, please contact: shawn.sandi@fai.gov.
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Earn Your Digital Services Credential (DITAP) (formerly FAC-C-DS) via the DITAP Training Program!
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.
Several vendors provide the training: Management Concepts, EAGLES, ICF, CivicActions, Graduate School USA, and Skylight. Learn more about DITAP by visiting the TechFAR Hub.
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Human Trafficking in High-Risk Sectors: What to Know
Verité, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State, released updated sector and commodity reports on ResponsibleSourcingTool.org covering high-risk industries such as hospitality, construction, facility services, healthcare, and seafood. These free resources help procurement officials and suppliers identify, prevent, and address human trafficking risks, including forced labor and child labor, in global supply chains. Explore the updated reports, use the due diligence toolkit, and share feedback to support responsible sourcing.
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