PC 4010: Introduction to Federal Procurement

Class Description:

An introduction to federal government procurement & contracting processes, exploring the fundamental principles and techniques in detail. Students will gain an understanding of best practices from both government and industry perspectives, including subcontracting. The course will navigate the highly complex federal acquisition process including the governance roles (legislative, executive and judicial branches) and the operational roles (program office, contracts office, contractors/subcontractors) and how the intersection of these is integral to the success of each agency’s mission.

Learning Outcomes:

This course encompasses the entire federal acquisition lifecycle (from the time an agency’s need is identified through contract closeout) and the challenges that arises throughout the process. It will provide an understanding of the functions within all phases of the acquisition lifecycle including: pre-award/pre-solicitation, solicitation & award, and post-award management.

Students use the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to understand the rules needed to make sound business decisions. Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

• Comprehend the “big picture” and the multitude of key stakeholders and diverse roles beyond just the “end points” (i.e. receipt of a purchase request through contract closeout)
• Describe the goals of the acquisition process in terms of compliance, timeliness, quality, customer satisfaction and value for money
• Understand the procurement & contracting business environment in order to act as business advisors
• Understand the difference between unethical and illegal activities and what constitutes appropriate standards of conduct
• Understand the essentials of acquisition planning including analysis of contracting requirements and planning for competition and source selection
• Know the fundamentals of contract formation including the drafting of solicitations, evaluation of quotes and offers, and awarding of contracts
• Understand the fundamentals of contract administration including planning for successful contract administration, monitoring contract quality, administering payments, as well as modifications, terminations and closing out the contracts.

Assessment Components:

Reading assignments, Weekly Class Participation Questions, Midterm, and Final.

Required Text:

Contract Management Body of Knowledge, Fourth Edition 
By: NCMA, Updated by Margaret G. Rumbaugh, CPCM, Fellow

ISBN- 978-0-9700897-7-9 PRICE: $50 (NCMA member)/$60 (nonmember) Purchase

Additional Resources:

(1) Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) - online:

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/index.html

(2) Supplemental resources link, which contains all reading assignment materials.

See attached Syllabus.