Summary for Federal Contracting Basics (CON 110: Mission Support Planning)
Module Number
and Name
Topics
Overview (Course
Objectives)
Learning Objectives
Copyright 0309
Instructional
Assessments
 Describe the federal acquisition system
 List and explain key policies and procedures in the federal
acquisition system
 Describe laws and regulations governing federal
contracting
 Explain how to use the Federal Acquisition Regulation
(FAR)
 Explain the standards of conduct that apply to federal
contracting
1.
The Federal
Marketplace
 Discussion topic: Federal vs. Commercial
Contracting
 Market size
 Trends in procurement
 Sources of information on federal contracting
 Identify the differences between federal and commercial
contracting
 Describe the federal marketplace
 Summarize federal procurement trends
 Lecture/seminar
 Class discussion
2.
The Legal
Framework of
Federal
Contracting
 Elements of a contract
 Government responsibility for the acquisition
process
 Sources of federal contract law
 Basic statutes of the Federal Acquisition
System
 Identify the elements of a contract and how they apply in
federal contracting
 Explain the roles of the legislative, executive, and judicial
branches of government in the procurement process
 Identify the principal sources of federal contracting law
 Identify the basic statutes that control the fundamentals
of federal contracting
 Lecture/seminar
 Class discussion
 Exercise: Elements of
a Contract
3.
Introduction to
the FAR
 Role of the acquisition team
 Sources, guiding principles, maintenance, and
organization of the FAR
 Agency supplements to the FAR
 Deviations
 Describe the Federal Acquisition Regulation System
 Describe the FAR—its sources, maintenance, supplements,
and use
 Define “deviation” and explain its significance to the
acquisition process
 Lecture/seminar
 Class discussion
 Exercise: FAR
Research
 Reading assignment
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Summary for Federal Contracting Basics (CON 110: Mission Support Planning)
Module Number
and Name
Topics
Learning Objectives
Copyright 0309
Instructional
Assessments
4.
Roles and
Responsibilities in
Federal
Contracting
 Federal agency roles and responsibilities
 Government contracting officer (CO) duties
 Standards of conduct for the government and
for contractors
 Fraud
 Steps to ethical decision making
 Describe the roles and responsibilities of Contracting
Officers (COs) (authority/business advisor), other
contracting personnel, program managers, contracting
officer technical representatives (COTRs), and other
interested parties
 Describe how authority is delegated
 Identify standards of conduct that apply to the acquisition
process
 Identify prohibited activities and related penalties
 Lecture/seminar
 Class discussion
5.
The Acquisition
Process
 Phases of the acquisition process: acquisition
planning (pre-award), contract formation
(solicitation and award) and contract
administration (post-award)
 Goals of the acquisition process
 Identify the three main phases and functions of the
acquisition process
 Define significant terms associated with the federal
acquisition process
 Describe how a contract is formed and administered
 Explain the goals of the federal acquisition process
 Describe the relationship between acquisition goals and
functions
 Lecture/seminar
 Class discussion
 Exercise: Goals of the
Acquisition Process
6.
Determination of
Need
 Needs recognition
 Forecasting requirements
 Relationship of acquisition planning to the
goals of the acquisition process
 Elements of an acquisition plan
 Elements of a purchase request
 Funding
 Market research
 Commercial items
 Describe the benefits and process of forecasting
requirements and acquisition planning
 Describe the contracting activity’s customer base and
related mission(s) including potential requirements for
supplies and services
 List sample elements of an acquisition plan
 Describe the purpose of a purchase request (PR) and its
typical elements
 Explain how funds are committed for obligation and the
CO’s role in that process
 Describe the impact of the Anti-Deficiency Act
 Define “market research” and identify the regulatory
requirements for conducting such research
 Lecture/seminar
 Class discussion
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Summary for Federal Contracting Basics (CON 110: Mission Support Planning)
Module Number
and Name
Topics
7.
Requirements
Analysis
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8.
Extent of Open
Market
Competition
 Competition requirements and the concept of
full and open competition (FAOC)
 Competition in Contracting Act (CICA)
 Set-asides
 Small Business Administration and the 8(a)
program
9.
Simplified
Acquisition
Procedures
 Procurement methods
 Simplified acquisition procedures
 Procurement milestones
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Specifications
Statements of work
Service contracting
Required sources for supplies and services
Economy Act
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Learning Objectives
Copyright 0309
Instructional
Assessments
 Define and describe specifications and their impact on the
acquisition process
 Describe statement of work (SOW) and its basic elements
 Distinguish personal from non-personal service contracts
 List and describe various required sources of supplies and
services
 Describe uses and restrictions of the Economy Act
 List factors used in determining the extent of competition
 List the socioeconomic goals of the government
acquisition process
 Define “set-aside” and identify types of set-asides in their
order of preference
 Explain the purpose of the 8(a) program and when and
why it might be used to meet a requirement for a supply
or service
 Define full and open competition (FAOC)
 Define FAOC after the exclusion of sources
 Describe when other than FAOC is permitted
 Lecture/seminar
 Class discussion
 Exercise:
Specifications and
SOWs
Describe the different procurement methods
List factors for selecting procurement methods
Describe the simplified acquisition procedures
Explain the process for completing/reviewing a purchase
order
 Define procurement planning and list typical elements of
a procurement plan
 Lecture/seminar
 Class discussion
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 Lecture/seminar
 Class discussion
 Case study: Other
Than Full and Open
Competition
 Reading assignment
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Summary for Federal Contracting Basics (CON 110: Mission Support Planning)
Module Number
and Name
Topics
10. Sealed Bidding
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11. Negotiation
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Sealed bidding evaluation and processing
Time extensions
Late bids
Price-related evaluation factors
Price analysis (sealed bids)
Fair and reasonable
Mistakes in bids
Determining whether a bidder is “responsive”
and “responsible”
Types of negotiated acquisitions
Evaluating and processing proposals
Basis for award (best-value)
Non-price-related evaluation factors
Technical evaluation
Price analysis (competitive negotiation)
Competitive range
Cost or pricing data
Cost analysis
Audits and the Defense Contract Audit
Agency (DCAA)
 Evaluating other terms and conditions
 Negotiation strategy
 Past performance
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Learning Objectives
Instructional
Assessments
 Identify and describe steps in processing and opening
bids
 Identify circumstances under which a late bid can be
considered
 Describe the process of price analysis
 Determine the correct method for processing mistakes in
bids and mistakes discovered after the award
 Define responsive and responsible
 Determine whether a contractor is debarred, suspended,
proposed for debarment, or otherwise ineligible
 Describe the process for referring a non-responsibility
determination to the Small Business Administration for a
certificate of competency
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Lecture/seminar
Class discussion
Case study: Late Bids
Exercise: Bid
Evaluation:
Responsive and
Responsible?
 Describe steps in evaluating proposals
 Explain the best value continuum
 Identify the order of preference in determining the type of
information required for evaluating price reasonableness
 Identify circumstances under which an offeror is required
to certify cost or pricing data
 Define cost analysis and describe typical elements of cost
that might be analyzed
 Explain the terms associated with accounting, estimating,
and auditing
 Identify terms and conditions other than the SOW and
price that may be the subject of negotiations
 Plan a negotiation strategy in accordance with FAR Part
15
 Lecture/seminar
 Class discussion
 Reading assignment
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Summary for Federal Contracting Basics (CON 110: Mission Support Planning)
Module Number
and Name
Topics
12. The Solicitation
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13. Contract Award
 Preparing and issuing awards
 Debriefing
 Protests
14. Contract
Administration
Initiation and
Quality Assurance
 Contract administration planning and
functions
 Postaward orientations
 Task and delivery order contracting
 Monitoring, inspection, and acceptance
 Performance Problems
 Remedies
 Past performance
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Solicitations
Pricing arrangements
Ordering arrangements
Agreements
Clauses and provisions
The solicitation document
Uniform Contract Format (UCF)
Publicizing procurements
Preaward inquiry
Amending and canceling solicitations
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Learning Objectives
Copyright 0309
Instructional
Assessments
 List the principle steps in soliciting offers
 List contract types and explain how to decide which type
of contract to solicit
 Describe the methods of ordering for recurring
requirements
 Recognize when the different vehicles for satisfying
recurring requirements should be used
 Describe how to select and/or review clauses and
provisions from FAR Part 52
 Describe the solicitation document and the Uniform
Contract Format (UCF)
 Describe methods for publicizing a procurement
 Determine methods for requesting and responding to
requests for information under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA)
 Describe the CO’s responsibility for answering preaward
inquiries
 Lecture/seminar
 Class discussion
 Exercise: Uniform
Contract Format
 Describe typical items on CO’s checklist for
recommending award
 Describe elements of the final contract
 Describe steps in executing awards
 Define protest and describe the potential impact of a
protest on the acquisition
 Identify CO’s responsibility for contract administration
 List elements of a contract administration plan and typical
milestones in the administration of a contract
 Describe benefits of postaward orientations
 Describe basic rules for ordering against an ID contract
 Describe the CO’s responsibilities for inspection and
acceptance
 List steps in solving performance problems
 Describe the stop-work clause and typical contractual
remedies
 Lecture/seminar
 Class discussion
 Lecture/seminar
 Class discussion
 Case study: Contract
Administration –
Quality Control
 Reading assignment
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Summary for Federal Contracting Basics (CON 110: Mission Support Planning)
Module Number
and Name
Topics
Learning Objectives
Copyright 0309
Instructional
Assessments
15. Payment and
Accounting
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Contract financing
Invoices
Allowability
Collecting contractor debts
Administering financing terms
Accounting and estimating systems
 Differentiate invoice payment from finance payment
 Define allowability and list the five factors in its
determination
 Describe contractor’s responsibility for establishing
acceptable accounting and estimating systems
 Lecture/seminar
 Class discussion
16. Modification,
Termination, and
Closeout
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Contract modifications
Options
Termination
Closeout
 Define contract modification and distinguish unilateral
from bilateral modifications
 Distinguish actual from constructive changes
 Explain scope of contract as a constraint on contract
modifications
 State reasons for terminating contracts, distinguishing
between termination for convenience and termination for
default
 Describe the steps involved in contract closeout
 Lecture/seminar
 Class discussion
Course Closeout
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 25-question
multiple-choice
exam
 Participant
evaluations
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