Market*Access International - Fed Govt Contracting

July 31-August 3, 2006

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

”For having no contracting experience, it’s a good crash course.“
Analyst, Jorge Scientific Corp.

NOTE: On-line registrations for this workshop are now closed. Space is available for walk in registrants. To register the day of the conference, please bring your payment and the attached registration form

Registration: 8:00 AM (Day One Only)
Program Starts: 8:30 AM
Wrap-up: 3:30 PM

Course materials, continental breakfast, refreshments included.

This workshop is recommended for 32 Continuous Learning Points (CLPs) toward DAWIA/FAC-C requirements. A Market*Access "Certificate of Completion" will be provided to all attendees upon conclusion of the workshop.

For information on fulfilling core, elective and continuous learning requirements, visit: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/procurement/policy_letters/05-01_041505.html

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!

A new government report recommends contract training to achieve better federal contracting results. Click here to download the Managing the Government’s Technical Experts to Achieve Positive Contract Outcomes report by the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board dated December 2005.

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

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.

“This course was very useful and a source of good reference for future use.” NCI

“Excellent and informative class. Has been a great help” Red River Army Depot

NOTE: On-line registrations for this workshop are now closed. Space is available for walk in registrants. To register the day of the conference, please bring your payment and the attached registration form

Registrations are payable by Visa, American Express, Mastercard, company check or government purchase order.

CANCELLATION POLICY: You may designate a substitute in writing any time before the conference. If you need to cancel your registration, you must send your notice in writing and will be subject to a $50 processing fee. No refunds are given for cancellations received one week to the conference start date or later. PLEASE NOTE: No shows will be liable for the entire registration fee.

We're sure you'll be satisfied with the content of our conferences.
If you're not, please tell us why in a brief letter and we will credit your investment
towards another Market*Access event.
You risk nothing!

The workshop will be held in the Market*Access Training Center in the NRECA Building at 4301 Wilson Boulevard, Suite #1003 (10th floor), 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.

Market*Access can provide training, wherever and whenever you need, including on-site at your facility. Our staff will cost-effectively implement training customized to your needs. If you have group of attendees (usually 15 or more), we can bring this course to you and help save you time, travel costs, and more!

To request a proposal and schedule training, e-mail Laura Johnson, VP of Conferences & Strategic Planning, at ljohnson@marketaccess.org or call (703) 807-2747.

Marketing, Conference Management and Production by:

Market*Access International, Inc.
4301 Wilson Boulevard
Suite 1003
Arlington, VA 22203
(703) 807-2755

Government Best Practices Training Workshop™

Marketing, Conference Management and Production by: