Senior/Expert Acquisition Management

What is FAC-P/PM Certification?

The quality and effectiveness of the federal acquisition process depends on the development of a capable and competent workforce. Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) Letter 05-01 Section 8(c) charged the Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI) to develop-and the Chief Acquisition Officers Council (CAOC) to approve-a Federal Acquisition Certification for Program and Project Managers (FAC-P/PM) with the expressed intent to improve the competence of the federal acquisition workforce.

What is the Learning Tree FAC-P/PM Level III Curriculum?

Learning Tree designed and developed a comprehensive curriculum specifically based on the FAI competency standards. All the content within the Level III curriculum has been designed exclusively for the Senior/Expert federal acquisition workforce and has been validated by a team of former federal executives. This advisory board provided guidance and counsel throughout the curriculum development process to ensure the content addressed the unique challenges of complex federal acquisitions.

The curriculum consists of the following courses:

• Course U152, Senior/Expert Program Management-Learn to simplify the complexity of the Integrated Master Plan, Integrated Master Schedule, and Systems Engineering Lifecycle.
• Course U153, Senior/Expert Acquisition Management-Learn to evaluate complex acquisitions, identify potential performance issues, and establish a process to mitigate risk.
• Course U154, Senior/Expert Business Management for Government Applications-Learn to reduce program complexity by instituting advanced measurements of technical performance, schedule performance, and cost performance.
• Course U155, Senior/Expert Leadership and Interpersonal Skills-Learn to develop advanced leadership skills to facilitate organizational change and lead successful negotiations with internal and external stakeholders.

What is this course about?

In this course, you gain the senior/expert acquisition knowledge and skills to advance towards becoming Level III FAC-P/PM certified.

Through peer collaboration, expert facilitation, and a complex acquisition simulation, you develop the critical acumen, terminology, tools, and techniques to effectively manage large, complex acquisitions. You also create a personal strategy and implementation plan to improve your project performance and consider specific recommendations for acquisition reform within your organization and agency.

What background knowledge and experience would help me in obtaining FAC-P/PM Level III Certification?

Candidates are required to possess at least four years of program and project management experience within the federal sector. This experience should include managing and evaluating agency acquisition investment performance, developing and managing a program budget, building and presenting a successful business case, reporting program results, strategic planning, and communicating strategy with internal and external stakeholders.

Confirm your specific certification requirements with your agency's Acquisition Career Manager or Chief Acquisition Officer, as they vary between agencies.

Does this course teach complex market research strategies?

Yes. As most major federal acquisitions now require a systematic process for gathering, recording, and analyzing data, participants contribute extensively in these activities. Participants are exposed to overseeing the application of a business strategy and dual-use technologies, as well as validating the market research of commercial items.

How does this course address technology in the context of the acquisition lifecycle?

This course offers each participant the ability to evaluate customer needs in the following system requirements-performance parameters, objectives, and thresholds; affordability constraints; scheduling constraints; technical constraints; environmental issues; interoperability and change requirements.

How much time is devoted to each topic?

Is this course lecture-based?

No, this course is not lecture-based. Learning Tree has invested extensively in an acquisition simulation that extends through all four courses of the Senior/Expert FAC-P/PM program.

Acquisitions begin by developing clear business and user requirements then progress through concept development to performance-based contracts. Thus, participants of this course are immersed in a complex acquisition simulation that mirrors these activities.

This course provides the skills to evaluate complex acquisition projects including requirements, concept, technology, and contract documentation. Throughout the simulation, participants learn to evaluate potential performance issues and develop viable approaches to resolve them.

Does this course discuss performance-based service agreements?

Yes. This course does address this type of contract vehicle. The course teaches how to establish the negotiated baseline of performance with operational users and commercial support providers. The course also provides a strategy for overseeing compliance issues required of program managers when they are engaged in the acquisition of complex services.

How will my skills and competence improve after investing in this Senior/Expert Acquisition Management course?

Participants who complete this course increase their ability to effectively perform the following key aspects related to successful acquisition management:

• Evaluate a complex requirements development process and results
• Supervise effective market research and develop a confidence level that options have been identified
• Evaluate a concept selection process and results
• Evaluate a technology development process and results
• Interpret commercial business strategies and how intellectual property plays into the acquisition process
• Recognize and solve problems that arise in developing and processing clear, executable agency level contracts
• Anticipate and mitigate special problems associated with service type contracts

What other related Learning Tree courses will help me maintain certification?

To maintain the mandated 80 continuous learning points (CLP) every two years, Learning Tree offers a comprehensive library of complementary courses in the areas of Management and Communication, Business Analysis, Project Management, SharePoint, and many other management and technology-related fields to maintain your Clinger-Cohen competencies. For additional information on these and other Learning Tree courses, please visit our Web site: http://www.learningtree.com.