Class Description 

This course covers all subchapters of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) providing intensive review of topics located throughout the far parts, subparts, sections and paragraphs the professional contracts specialist is likeliest to encounter in the workplace.  No prerequisite.

Required Texts 

A. Procurement & Contracting Principles and Administration, Course Work Book

Author: Michael E. Giboney, ISBN-13: 978-0-9792246-5-2; ISBN-10: 0-9792246-5-9.

The required textbook is only available from the UVA bookstore in Charlottesville.  To order you may call the bookstore at 1-800-759-4667 (choose option #5 when prompted).

B. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) available free online, or purchase from various commercial sources, including the UVA bookstore in Charlottesville.

Learning Outcomes 

Demonstrate the accurate use of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental principles of competition, solicitation and contracting methodologies. Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental principles of post-award contract administration. Demonstrate the application of the Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI) acquisition competencies.

Assessment Components

Through the use of exercises and team building (team required responses for elessons 6 and 7, case studies for required response for elesson 8, 10, 13 and optional extra credit responses for elessons 1-5 and 15 the course will provide the setting to improve the students’ ability to understand and implement policies, procedures, and preparation of a federal contractual document. The course will include a requirement for student participation in a practice solicitation document in elesson 6 and 7 teaming with up to four other students to produce the final product. In addition nearly all elessons will include required student responses and there will be a required final examination. Five scheduled chats with assigned topics will be scheduled on various dates and will allow a total of approximately 5 hours. Types of assessments will include live chats, discussion threads, text reading, supplemental readings, lecture notes, online required and optional research links, short essay type final examination.

Delivery Mode Expectations 

Four to five scheduled synchronous online chat room discussions using assigned topics and questions. Students may submit suggested topics of particular interest.

Technical Resources 

Embedded web links in online lectures and optional web links listed.

 PC 5010 PROCUREMENT & CONTRACTING PRINCIPLES

This course is designed to introduce the occupational field of federal acquisition (federal contracting, procurement, and contracts management) using the governing Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).

Through the use of exercises and team building, case studies and Optional Extra Credit the course will provide the setting to improve the students’ ability to understand and implement policies, procedures, and preparation of a federal contractual document. The course will include a requirement for student participation in a practice solicitation document.  In addition nearly all Lessons will include required student responses several Live Chats with assigned topics using texting, and a required final examination.

Students may work with each other on any aspect of this course except the final exam.  Students should be prepared to spend time reading the required Course Work Book and even more time reading the FAR references and electronic links found in the Work Book. 

Although this course will furnish you with a broad view of federal acquisition you will be surprised by the amount of detail you will learn in the time available. Your instructor is drawing upon the experience of teaching several other UVA courses to bring you key points.