Acquisition Career Management
The Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Acquisition Policy Memorandum No: 2008-01, "Training and Certification of Contracting Officers' Technical Representatives (COTR)," dated September 19, 2008, establishes FAC-COTR certification as a prerequisite for serving as a COTR within HHS and it’s Operating Divisions (OPDIVs).
COTR Training Requirements
- For initial FAC-COTR certifications, a minimum of 40 hours of COTR training is required.
- HHS’ policy and guidance on FAC-COTR states that training may be obtained from many commercially-available training sources, including (but not limited to) the vendors listed in the FAC-COTR Program Handbook - Table 4 - Classroom Training Providers.
- Alternative Sources for training - Individuals may complete on-line training at no cost. www.dau.mil
- Visit http://dhhs.gov/asfr/ogapa/acquisition/workplacecert.html
for more information on the FAC-COTR program
COTR Application Process
Earn 40 CLP's:
Initial Certification: 40 hrs. COTR Training
Recertification: 40 CLPs (8hr. Refresher course) prior to certification expiration
Document CLP's and submit you application to your servicing ACM. Maintain your documentation and enter Continuous Learning into required tracking system.
Provide Contracting Officer with a copy of your new FAC-COTR certificate for the contracting file.
Any questions about the FAC-COTR program can be sent to Kenneth Coriz, kenneth.coriz@ihs.gov
FAC-C
Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) program was developed to implement for civilian agencies the GS-1102 qualification standard, promote the development of core contracting competencies for all contracting personnel government-wide, and facilitate employee career mobility.
Applicability
In accordance with OFPP Memorandum, “The Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting Program,” dated January 20, 2006, the FAC-C certification program is available to all members of the federal civilian acquisition workforce. While FAC-C certification is a condition of eligibility for a delegation of Contracting Officer authority, it is not mandatory for all GS-1102s. Effective January 1, 2007, only new warrant holders or those individuals seeking an increase in warrant authority must be FAC-C certified at the appropriate level. However, it is HHS policy that all contracting personnel must meet continuing learning requirements as required under the DHHS Contracting Workforce Training and Certification Handbook.
Requirements
- FAC-C Level I
- Education - Bachelor’s degree OR at least 24 semester hours among the following disciplines: accounting, law, business, finance, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, and organization and management.
- Training
- CON 100 Shaping Smart Business Arrangements
- CON 110 Mission Support Planning
- CON 111 Mission Strategy Execution
- CON 112 Mission Performance Assessment
- CON 120 Mission Focused Contracting AND
- 1 Approved Elective
- Experience - 1 year of contracting experience
Employees who are beginning a program to become Level I certified after October 2006 must take CON 100 and may not substitute an equivalent course. Employees pursuing Level II or Level III certifications may consider taking CON 100 as an elective, if they met the requirements for FAC-C Level I with an equivalent course for CON 100, or through other fulfillment.
- FAC-C Level II
- Education - Bachelor’s degree OR at least 24 semester hours among the following disciplines: accounting, law, business, finance, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.
- Training
- CON 214 Business Decisions for Contracting (online)
- CON 215 Intermediate Contracting for Mission Support
- CON 216 Legal Considerations in Contracting (online)
- CON 217 Cost Analysis and Negotiations Techniques (online)
- CON 218 Advanced Contracting for Mission Support AND
- 2 Approved Electives
- Experience - 2 years of contracting experience (one additional year beyond the FAC-C Level I experience requirement)
- FAC-C Level III
- Education - Bachelor’s degree AND at least 24 semester hours among these disciplines: accounting, law, business, finance, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, and organization and management.
- Training
- CON 353 Advanced Business Solutions for Mission Support AND
- 2 Approved Electives
- Experience - 4 years of contracting experience
How To Apply
After completion of the required elements for a level, submit the FAC-C Certification Application Form (see Appendix D, page D-1, in the HHS Contracting Workforce Handbook) with supporting documentation to Kenneth Coriz at Kenneth.Coriz@ihs.gov. Mr. Coriz can be contacted at (301) 443-5668 with any questions regarding the FAC-C process.
