Acquisition Workforce
The USDA Acquisition Workforce (AW) consists of GS-1102s, GS-1105s, Contracting Officer's Representatives, Program / Project Managers, warranted Contracting Officers regardless of general schedule series, and all other employees as designated by the Senior Procurement Executive. To develop and maintain a highly professional, well-trained AW, USDA requires AW personnel to meet a variety of Federal and USDA established education, experience and training criteria.
FAC Programs and training are not intended for contractor employees.
Information about these requirements and training opportunities is available at this site. For additional information, please contact your Mission Area Acquisition Career Manager Designee (ACMD).
USDA Acquisition Workforce Policies
Federal Acquisition Workforce Policies
- OMB Policy Letter 05-01 (April 15, 2005)
Subject: Developing and Managing the Acquisition Workforce - OMB Memorandum for the Heads of Departments and Agencies (July 29, 2009)
Subject: Improving Government Acquisition - OMB Memorandum for CAOs, SPEs, CFOs, and CHCOs (October 27, 2009)
Subject: Acquisition Workforce Development Strategic Plan for Civilian Agencies - FY 2010-2014 - OPM Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions
- OMB Acquisition Workforce Guidance
Acquisition Workforce Certifications
USDA's AW certification programs are guided by the Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI). Links providing details for each certification program follow:
- Revisions to Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C)
- M-18-19, Improving the Management of Federal Programs and Projects
- The Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting Program
- Apply for Certification (FAC-C, FAC-COR, FAC-P/PM). Requirements are as follows:
- Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C)
- Federal Acquisition Certification for Contracting Officer's Representatives (FAC-COR)
- Federal Acquisition Certification for Program / Project Managers (FAC-P/PM)
- FAC-P/PM certification is based on gaining required competencies, training, and experience. A combination of required experience and completion of the FAI suggested training curriculum to support meeting the FAC-P/PM competencies is necessary for FAC-P/PM certification. Request for fulfillment will not be considered. Completion of the applicable level FAC-P/PM Employee Self-Assessment Application, found at https://www.dm.usda.gov/procurement/policy/templates.htm, is required with submission of a FAC-P/PM application.
- FAC-P/PM certification is based on gaining required competencies, training, and experience. A combination of required experience and completion of the FAI suggested training curriculum to support meeting the FAC-P/PM competencies is necessary for FAC-P/PM certification. Request for fulfillment will not be considered. Completion of the applicable level FAC-P/PM Employee Self-Assessment Application, found at https://www.dm.usda.gov/procurement/policy/templates.htm, is required with submission of a FAC-P/PM application.
Training
- The Federal Acquisition Institute offers access and resources on online and classroom training opportunities for federal acquisition professionals seeking acquisition training for the purpose of gaining a FAI issued certification and continuous learning development.
- AW employees are encouraged to consult the USDA Contracting Desk Book and their Mission Area acquisition workforce policies for additional information. Contact your Mission Area Acquisition Career Manager Designee with questions about training including continuous learning opportunities.
- Training Portal for acquisition-related training courses across Mission Areas and USDA. Link to Training Portal on the IAS website.Integrated Acquisition System (usda.gov)