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Aug. 5, 2026
Build Your Fixed-Price Contracting Skills with the Executive Order 14402 Playlist
 Executive Order 14402, Promoting Efficiency, Accountability, and Performance in Federal Contracting, establishes fixed-price contracts with performance-based considerations as the default and preferred procurement method whenever appropriate. The order aims to shift federal contracting from paying for effort toward achieving defined outcomes while strengthening cost predictability, budget discipline, contractor accountability, and procurement efficiency.
Warfighting Acquisition University and FAI developed the Fixed-Price Contracts Program – EO 14402 Playlist to help program and contracting professionals apply the order. The 12-resource playlist provides a flexible learning path focused on requirements development and contract-type selection—two critical elements of successful fixed-price acquisitions. Resources include training courses, practical tools, job aids, and real-world examples that support the formation, use, negotiation, and management of fixed-price contracts.
The playlist features an interview with Dr. Kevin Rhodes, Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy and Chair of the Federal Acquisition Regulation Council, who explains “the why” behind Executive Order 14402 and the shift toward performance-based, fixed-price contracting.
Additionally, catch our new webinar series on how acquisition teams can successfully transition from buying labor to buying results. Our first webinar, Making Fixed-Price, Outcome-Based Contracting Work is on Aug. 6, at 1 p.m. ET.
Access the playlist and strengthen your ability to plan and execute successful fixed-price acquisitions.
Recognize Acquisition and Program Management Results That Matter
The Chief Acquisition Officers Council (CAOC) is accepting nominations for the 2026 Acquisition and Program Management Excellence Awards through Aug. 31, 2026.
These awards recognize federal acquisition and program management professionals who delivered measurable results, strengthened mission outcomes, and improved value for taxpayers.
CAOC will recognize:
Acquisition Excellence Award: One individual and one team for outstanding acquisition results.
Lisa M. Wilusz Program Management Excellence Award: One individual or team for outstanding program management results.
Nominations should highlight work completed between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. Judges will evaluate nominations based on results and impact, including whether the effort exceeded expectations and provided significant value to the agency, taxpayers or other beneficiaries.
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 at jnewhart@omb.eop.gov.
Build RFO Readiness Through Peer-Led Study Sessions
How do we keep up with the constantly evolving acquisition policy landscape within the federal government? With approximately 120,000 professionals in the civilian federal acquisition workforce, many may not have heard about one of the most practical ways to support Revolutionary FAR Overhaul implementation: peer-led study sessions.
During our July FAR Forward Office Hours, three acquisition professionals in the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Acquisition Professional Career Program (APCP) shared how they use the Procurement Innovation Lab’s RFO Rapid Learning Playbook to host collaborative spaces where colleagues can discuss policy changes, share resources, ask tough questions, and solve problems together. They adapted the approach for small discussion groups, new 1102s, cross-component teams, and a large hybrid session—showing that agencies can right-size sessions for nearly any audience.
Study sessions do not require formal instructors or training programs. Peers facilitate the conversation, learn alongside participants, and build confidence through shared community. The sessions are scheduled on an ongoing basis, which gives employees a designated place to bring questions instead of researching every issue alone.
This approach is especially valuable during a chaotic fourth quarter, when acquisition professionals have limited time but must still keep pace with evolving policies and RFO changes.
Watch the July FAR Forward Office Hours recording to learn how DHS organized its study sessions and how you can start one within your organization.
If you have any questions or would like some support, you can always reach out to SAGTesting@gsa.gov.
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August FAR Forward Office Hours: The COR Role in the “Messy Middle”
As the federal acquisition community implements the new Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) and shifts to a mission-first acquisition culture, we are in the “messy middle”—a transition period involving disconnects among RFO agency class deviations, other agency regulations, policies, templates, and local practices.
Join us on Monday, August 10, 2026, from 1 to 2 p.m. ET for the next FAR Forward Office Hours, which will focus on the critical role of the contracting officer’s representative (COR) during this transition. Less prescription does not mean less discipline.
Acquisition planning, market understanding, documentation, contract performance management, and role clarity remain essential—even when forms or processes change.
We’ll discuss what CORs need from contracting officers, program managers, and policy teams to help right-size acquisition practices based on mission need, risk, and market conditions. We’ll also hear brief stories from CORs about how strong acquisition team partnership supports better mission outcomes. Bottom line: right-size the process, but don’t skip the thinking.
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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 using this link, and select one of the available sessions: Aug. 26 or Sept. 1.
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Build Practical Leadership Skills with the CFLD 001A Credential
The CFLD 001A Mid-level Leadership for Acquisition Workforce Credential helps GS-11 through GS-13 acquisition workforce members strengthen practical leadership skills they can apply on the job. Through FLD 163: CLIMB – Lead From Where You Are, participants explore leadership traits, vision setting, conflict management, ethical leadership, critical thinking, and effective communication. The credential supports emerging leaders, team leaders, and acquisition professionals who want to lead with greater confidence. The credential is available to federal non-DoD acquisition workforce members who hold a FAC-C, FAC-COR or FAC-P/PM certification and offers 80 CLPs.
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Start the 2027 Fiscal Year Strong by Learning Something New!
Are you looking to learn something new in fiscal year 2027 or earn a new certification? Sign up for one of these classes today:
FCR 201 – Contracting Officer’s Representative Level 2, Oct. 5-9
FCN 435 – Contract Administration (Five-Day), Oct. 5-9
FFM 301 – Analytics Boot Camp, Oct. 5-9
FQN 160 – Acquisition of Agile Services (Three-Day), Oct. 13-15
CON 1100V – Contract Foundational Skills, Oct. 13-22
CON 1400V – Contract Post-Award, Oct. 13-21
ACQ 265 – Mission-Focused Services Acquisition, Oct. 19-22
CON 2450V – Construction Modification Proposal Analysis, Oct. 19-23
FCR 400 – Advanced Contracting Officer’s Representative, Oct. 19-23
FPM 121 – Acquisition Fundamentals of Project and Program Management II, Oct. 19-23
SBP 2020V – Intermediate Small Business Programs, Part B, Oct. 19-27
FCN 307 – Acquisition of Commercial Products and Commercial Services, Oct. 20-21
FCN 482 – Cybersecurity for Contracting Professionals, Oct. 21-22
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ATRW Summer: Mastering the Modern Mandate
The 2026 Acquisition Training for the Real World (ATRW) Summer Session, Mastering the Modern Mandate: Execution Strategies for Evolving Acquisition, will take place virtually from Aug. 24–28, 2026. This one-week event will equip the acquisition workforce with practical strategies and actionable tools to navigate today’s evolving procurement environment. Sessions will run daily from 11 a.m. to noon ET and 2 to 3 p.m. ET, and participants may earn up to 10 continuous learning points. Register today today to reserve your place in the summer session.
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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 Aug. 18, 2026, at 2 p.m. ET. If you have questions, please contact: shawn.sandi@fai.gov.
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Process Excellence in the Age of AI: Automating Smarter for Federal Impact
Join federal colleagues for a full-day learning event focused on using artificial intelligence, automation and process improvement to increase productivity and strengthen mission delivery. Sessions will explore federal automation use cases, AI-assisted process improvement, emerging capabilities, workflow optimization and practical agency applications. The event will also feature networking, a fireside chat with GSA’s chief AI officer and a panel on the future of AI and process excellence. The Federal Automation Community of Practice and Federal Improvement Team will host the event for federal employees only. Participants must register with a .gov or .mil email address. Review the full agenda and register for the event.
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Commercial Platforms Program: Join 50+ Agencies Bringing Their Open-Market Spend Under Management
The Commercial Platforms Program gives government purchase cardholders access to eight commercial platforms: Amazon Business, ePS, Fisher Scientific, G-Commerce, Grainger, NOBLE, Pacific Ink and Staples. The governmentwide program offers competitive pricing, fast delivery, no order minimums and small business credit for eligible purchases. Administrators can establish purchasing rules, while buyers use streamlined tools that support compliant purchasing.
Administrators can email CommercialPlatforms@gsa.gov to begin onboarding, which agencies can complete within weeks. Buyers should contact their agency’s GPC lead. Learn more by watching What Is the Commercial Platforms Program? and When to Use the Commercial Platforms Program or visiting the program website.
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OneGov Training Now Available!
Access 14 new, self-paced GSA OneGov training courses in FAI CSOD. Each course offers 1 to 1.5 CLPs and helps acquisition professionals understand and use the limited-time governmentwide discounts available through the Multiple Award Schedule. Learn how to evaluate these opportunities, incorporate them into procurement strategies and support your agency’s mission more effectively. Questions? Contact itvmo@gsa.gov.
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