Government Best Practices Training Series

To: tayllorcriss@gmail.com ***This is one our most popular courses and fills early. Please register soonest.

Government*Horizons Inc. Best Practices Training Conference (TM)

Introduction to Federal Government Contracting

January 14-17, 2008

Government*Horizons Training Center
4301 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1003 (10th Floor)
Arlington, VA 22203

"For having no contracting experience, it’s an excellent crash course."
Analyst, Jorge Scientific Corp.

"Outstanding course - very helpful."
Murray Rupert, Deputy Director for Logistics, Defense Continuity and Crisis Management

About This Workshop:

This four-day course covers the key elements of the entire federal government contracting process. Introduction to Federal Government Contracting is designed to provide those new to government contracts (or those looking for a basic refresher) with an understanding of the entire government contracting process. By providing this framework, you will be able to understand how your work relates to the overall process and will be able to more easily move into other areas of responsibility.

Starting with a general overview, Introduction to Federal Government Contracting will address requirements definition, competition requirements, types of contracts, market research, performance-based contracting, acquisition planning and protests. It will also cover the various procurement methods available, including sealed bidding, negotiated procurements, simplified acquisitions and commercial item acquisitions. Finally, various aspects of contract administration will be covered, such as contract changes, cost allowability, inspections, terminations and claims.

You will gain a practical understanding of each of the topics covered and will be better able to protect your contractual rights. This course is intended for personnel directly involved in the federal government contracting process, whether as government employees, contractors or subcontractors. The key points will be reinforced with case studies and practical exercises so you can develop and refine your skills. You'll receive a comprehensive course manual that will serve as a valuable desk reference long after the class is over!

This workshop is recommended for 24 Continuous Learning Points (CLPs) toward DAWIA/FAC-C requirements. A Government*Horizons "Certificate of Completion" will be provided to all attendees upon conclusion of the workshop.

Who Should Attend:

Agency Program Managers
Budget and Financial Officers
General Counsel
Contracts Administrators
Procurement Executives
Federal support contractors
Federal product and services suppliers, systems integrators

Course Syllabus:

1. Overview
a. What We Will Cover
b. Definitions
c. Regulations
d. Key Steps in the Federal Contracting Process
e. How Federal Government Contracting and Commercial Contracting Differ
f. Authority to Contract
g. Current Acquisition Environment

2. Types of Contracts
a. Overview
b. How to Select the Appropriate Contract Type
c. Fixed-Price and Cost Reimbursement Contracts
d. Level-of-Effort Contracts
e. Indefinite Delivery Contracts
f. Letter Contracts
g. Options

3. Competition
a. Competition Requirements
b. Exceptions to the Competition Requirements
c. Implementation of the Competition Requirements
d. Practices That Restrict Competition
e. Publicizing Contract Actions

4. Sealed Bidding
a. Overview of the Sealed Bidding Process
b. Preparation of the Invitation for Bids (IFB)
c. Release of the IFB
d. Submission of Bids
e. Evaluation of Bids
f. Award of the Contract

5. Negotiated Contracting Procedures
a. Overview
b. When to Use Negotiated Contracting Procedures
c. Developing the Request for Proposals (RFP)
d. Drafting Evaluation Criteria
e. Award Without Discussions
f. Draft RFPs
g. Cancellation of the RFP
h. Submission and Evaluation of Proposals
i. Setting the Competitive Range’
j. Conducting Meaningful Discussions
k. Final Proposal Revisions
l. Award and Debriefings

6. Simplified Acquisition Procedures
a. When to Use Simplified Acquisition Procedures
b. Simplified Acquisition Requirements
c. Simplified Acquisition Procedures

7. Commercial Item Acquisitions
a. Overview
b. Commercial Item Definitions
c. The Federal Supply Schedule
d. Commercial Item Contracting Procedures
e. Commercial Item Clauses

8. Socioeconomic Policies and Requirements
a. Small Business Policy
b. Responsibility Determinations
c. Small Business Set-Asides
d. Small Business Programs
e. The Buy American Act

9. Protests
a. Introduction to Protests
b. Agency Protests
c. General Accountability Office Protests

10. Costs
a. General Overview
b. Cost Allowability
c. Specific FAR Cost Principles
d. The Truth In Negotiations Act
e. Cost Accounting Standards

11. Contract Changes
a. Formal Contract Changes
b. Coverage of the Changes Clause
c. Constructive Changes
d. Contract Interpretation
e. Types of Constructive Changes

12. Inspections and Warranties
a. Goals of the Inspection Process
b. Inspection and Testing
c. Government Remedies Under the Inspection Clauses
d. Strict vs. Substantial Compliance
e. Inspection Lessons Learned
f. Acceptance
g. Warranties

13. Equitable Adjustments
a. Overview
b. Measuring the Adjustment
c. Methods of Proving the Adjustment Amount
d. Advanced Topics

14. Terminations for Convenience
a. Nature of Convenience Termination
b. The Government’s Right to Terminate for Convenience
c. Termination Procedures
d. Convenience Termination Settlements

15. Terminations for Default
a. Overview
b. The Government’s Right to Terminate for Default
c. Grounds for Default Termination
d. Notice Requirements
e. Contractor Defenses to Termination for Default
f. The Contracting Officer’s Decision
g. Rights and Liabilities After Termination for Default

16. The Disputes Process
a. Overview
b. The Disputes Clause
c. Contractor Claims
d. Elements of a Claim
e. Government Claims
f. The Contracting Officer’s Final Decision
g. Appeals to the Boards of Contract Appeals

About Your Instructor:

Laura Willetts has over 12 years of federal acquisition experience in the disciplines of contracting, financial management and A-76 studies. She is the President of Alura Consulting and Training, a small business, acquisition training and consulting firm headquartered in the greater Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Previous to founding Alura Consulting and Training, Ms. Willetts was Vice President of Contracts at ManTech Information Systems and Technology. While at ManTech, she also was the Chief of Acquisition Consulting and Training for AcqCenter, a division of ManTech Information Systems and Technology. AcqCenter provides government customers turnkey, full service acquisition solutions including consulting, training and software applications.

Ms. Willetts was a warranted contracting officer for the Central Intelligence Agency where she supported a diverse set of customers, including the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA). As a contracting officer, she assisted and conducted several best value competitive source selections, performed cradle to grave contract administration functions and worked on the Agency’s contract automation working group. Upon leaving Government service, Ms. Willetts joined the acquisition-consulting field where she has provided acquisition-consulting services to a variety of customers including NSA, CIA, DLA, NRO, USPS, FAA and DESC. She has assisted in document development including Source Selection Plans, Evaluation Guides, Statements of Work, proposal instructions, etc. Prior to joining ManTech, she provided acquisition support throughout all phases of the A-76 study including: market research, assisting with the development of the Performance Work Statement (PWS), assisting with the transition phase and providing support throughout the Administrative Appeals Process to the DLA and other customers.

Ms. Willetts is also a senior instructor, researcher, writer and consultant for The George Washington University’s (GWU’s) Educational Services Institute International. Ms. WiIlletts received a Master in Science, Contract and Acquisition Management from Florida Institute of Technology. She is also a Certified Professional Contracts Manager.

Registration Charges:

Government attendees: $1,195 per person
Small Business: $1,395 per person
Industry: $1,445 per person

Registration Options:

[1] Register on-line at www.governmenthorizons.org
[2] Phone at (703) 807-2758
[3] Mail the Registration Form provided below to:
Government Horizons
4301 Wilson Blvd. #1003, Arlington, VA 22203

Email Manager:

If you wish to be removed from, or added to, our training announcements lists, see instructions below. Any questions regarding this email, please refer to Brian Adams, Email List Manager at brian.adams@marketaccess.org.

Location Information:

The workshop will be held in the NRECA Executive Conference Center (lobby area) in Room CC2 at 4301 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203. Public parking at the facility is available for $9 a day. The NRECA Building is just one block from the Ballston Metro Station in the orange line. Please note: the parking garage and a side entrance to the building is on Taylor Street.

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---- REGISTRATION FORM ----

Introduction to Federal Government Contracting
January 14-17, 2008

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REGISTRATION CHARGES (CIRCLE ONE):

Government attendees: $1,195 per person
Small Business: $1,395 per person
Industry: $1,445 per person

Method of Payment:

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Please fax this form, complete with payment information, to (703) 807-2728 or mail it with your payment to:

Government*Horizons Inc., 4301 Wilson Blvd, Suite 1003, Arlington, VA 22203

If you have questions about registration/payment, please call Katie Smith at (703) 807-2758. Thank you

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Intro to Federal Gov't Contracting - For DoD, Government and Government Contractors