Acquisition Workforce
The USDA Acquisition Workforce (AW) consists of GS-1102s, Contracting Officer's Representatives, Program / Project Managers, and non GS-1102 Contracting Officers. 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.
Information about these requirements and training opportunities is available at this site. For additional information, please contact your Bureau Career Manager (BCM).
USDA Acquisition Workforce Policies
Acquisition Workforce, Training, Delegation and Tracking System - Establishes procedures for the USDA Acquisition Workforce (AW) Career Management Program
- Procurement Advisory 112B, PDF
- Procurement Advisory 100E, PDF | DOC
- Procurement Advisory 85A, DOC
- FAC-C Experience (OJT Toolkit) XLSX
- Fulfillment Policy
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) through FAITAS. Requirement are as follows:
- Federal Acquisition Certification for Contracting Officer's Representatives (FAC-COR)
- Federal Acquisition Certification for Program / Project Managers (FAC-P/PM)
- FAC-P/PM Employee Self Assessment 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 (upload in FAITAS FAC-P/PM application).
- FAC-P/PM Employee Self Assessment 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 (upload in FAITAS FAC-P/PM application).
Mentoring Opportunities
Features
Publications
- AW Policies and Legislation
- Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions
- Acquisition Human Capital Plan
Professional Contract Organizations
- National Contract Management Association (www.ncmahq.org/index.cfm)
- Project Management Institute (www.pmi.org)