News for the Acquisition Workforce

Federal Acquisition Institute sent this bulletin at 07/15/2026 11:30 AM EDT

July 15, 2026

Celebrating 50 Years of FAI: A Half-Century of Advancing the Acquisition Workforce

“Advancing the Acquisition Workforce, 1976–2026” over a backdrop of federal columns and the U.S. Capitol.

Fifty years ago—on July 14, 1976—the Office of Federal Procurement Policy took a landmark step by establishing the Federal Procurement Institute, the organization we know today as the Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI).

The founding memorandum set a clear, ambitious vision: to create a government-wide focal point for procurement research, education, and career development. From its inception with the Department of Defense as the first executive agency, the goal was simple yet profound—to professionalize federal acquisition and ensure the workforce was equipped to deliver real results for the American people.

Five decades later, those founding priorities are as relevant as ever. Today, FAI operates within the General Services Administration, guided by Title 41 of the U.S. Code and the Federal Acquisition Institute Improvement Act of 2011. While the tools and technologies of our trade have evolved, FAI’s mission remains the same: empowering you with the training, credentials, data, and resources needed to meet the complex demands of modern federal acquisition.

As we celebrate this milestone, we honor the generations of acquisition professionals, instructors, and agency partners who have built this legacy. This isn't just a look back at where we started—it’s a commitment to the next 50 years of innovation, collaboration, and mission excellence.

Thank you for being part of this journey as we continue to shape the future of federal acquisition together.

Fiscal Year 2027 Training Schedule Now Open in FAI CSOD

Four acquisition professionals review an FY 2027 training schedule on a laptop, highlighting certification and continuous learning.

FAI’s fiscal year 2027 instructor-led training schedule is now available in FAI CSOD, with FAC-C, FAC-COR, FAC-P/PM, credential, and continuous learning courses scheduled from August 2026 through February 2027.

This is a great opportunity for acquisition workforce members to plan ahead, maintain certification requirements, strengthen core acquisition skills, and continue building professional expertise. Courses are offered at no cost to students or agencies, and seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Register early to secure your seat. View the fiscal year 2027 training schedule.

What Makes a Strong Awards Nomination?

The Chief Acquisition Officers Council (CAOC) is accepting nominations for the 2026 Acquisition and Program Management Excellence Awards through Aug. 31, 2026.

Strong nominations do more than describe good work. They clearly explain the challenge, the approach taken, and the quantifiable results and impact. CAOC will evaluate nominations based on two criteria: whether the individual or team exceeded original expectations and whether the effort provided significant value to the agency, taxpayers or other beneficiaries.

The awards recognize federal employees who led individual or team efforts between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026.

Acquisition Excellence Award: Recognizes one individual and one team for outstanding acquisition results.

Lisa M. Wilusz Program Management Excellence Award: Recognizes one individual or team for outstanding program management results.

Review the nomination template before submitting. Submit nominations by Aug. 31, 2026, through the online form: http://fai.gov/survey/AE2026-Award-Submission

For questions, contact Joanie Newhart, Associate Administrator of Acquisition Workforce Programs, Office of Federal Procurement Policy, at jnewhart@omb.eop.gov.

Stay Engaged with FAR Forward Office Hours

FAR Forward Office Hours will continue through December 2026, offering recurring opportunities for the federal acquisition workforce to stay connected to FAR modernization updates.

Upcoming sessions will be held Aug. 10, Sept. 14, Oct. 19, Nov. 9, and Dec. 14 at 1 p.m. ET.

Whether you have attended previous sessions or are joining for the first time, office hours are designed to help workforce members stay informed, ask questions, and better understand the direction of FAR Forward. Register here.

Build Stronger Small Business Outcomes with CSBP 001A

Four professionals meet as two shake hands, with charts and icons highlighting small business partnerships, contracting and growth.

Help small businesses compete and contribute more effectively with CSBP 001A, Small Business Professional Credential. This credential gives acquisition workforce members practical knowledge of small business laws, policies, tools, market research techniques, socioeconomic programs, and subcontracting concepts. Participants learn how to advise acquisition teams earlier in the process, assess subcontracting plans, evaluate small business participation, support compliance, and guide small businesses pursuing prime and subcontractor opportunities.

TODAY: See How Federal Employees Are Automating Workflows with Google Workspace

What if the next big productivity breakthrough in government starts with a workflow someone automated at their desk? Join the Cloud & Infrastructure COP and the Federal Automation CoP for Innovating with Google Workspace on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 1 p.m. ET. This virtual session will show how federal employees use Google Workspace to save time, simplify manual processes, build reusable solutions, and scale automation responsibly. Whether you develop automations, manage programs, lead technology efforts, or simply want better ways to work, you will leave with practical ideas to bring back to your team. Register and join today.

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

Two women review information on a laptop as one points to the screen.

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: EAGLES, ICF, CivicActions, Graduate School USA, Skylight, and Management Concepts. Learn more about DITAP by visiting the TechFAR Hub.

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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