Veterans Affairs Acquisition Academy (VAAA)

Course Description:  This course is a FAC-C Level II certification training course.  Business Decisions for Contracting builds on contracting Level I pre-award business and contracting knowledge necessary to process complex procurements.  The emphasis of this course is on planning successful mission-support strategies and executing an acquisition that optimizes customer mission performance.  Students will learn various techniques for building successful business relationships, the benefits of strategic sourcing and spend analysis, and the ins and outs of providing contract financing.  Students will also take an in-depth look at subcontracting, how to conduct a formal source selection, and how to analyze the information necessary to determine contractor responsibility.  FTF offerings are limited. Students can enroll in the DAU course using FAITAS.

Course Description:  This course is a FAC-C Level II certification training course.  This course focuses on legal considerations in the procurement process.  Participants are introduced to the basic principles and sources of law relevant to procurement, including fiscal law.  The course also addresses various other legal issues that may develop during the course of a contract, such as protests, assignment of claims, disputes, fraud, contractor debt, performance issues, and contract termination.

Course Description:  This course is a FAC-C Level II certification training course. This course builds on the foundation established through the Level I curriculum and the course prerequisites. The primary focus is on the acquisition of services under FAR Part 15 procedures, with an emphasis on performance-based acquisitions (PBA) for services, contract types, contract incentives, source selection, and contract administration. Students will learn the fundamentals of a performance based service acquisition — from acquisition planning to contract closeout through a realistic case study. The course takes students through the solicitation process using the mandatory DoD Source Selection Procedures. Students will prepare contractual documents, and develop and deliver high-level source selection briefings with recommendations for contract award.

Course Description:  This course is a FAC-C Level II certification training course. In this case-based course, students apply Contracting concepts and techniques learned in prerequisite courses to meet customer supply requirements and resolve complex Contracting issues. Special emphasis is placed on applying legal concepts from CON 216, intermediate pricing concepts from CON 270, and negotiation techniques from HBS 428. Students experience the full spectrum of Contracting processes and issues by following a supply requirement through all phases of the acquisition life cycle, from acquisition planning through contract close-out. Research, analysis, and communication skills are honed through development and presentation of a critical thinking project requiring in-depth focus on one area of Contracting. Negotiation skills are sharpened through active student participation in two simulated contract negotiations.

Course Description: Students will complete this self-paced course in Blackboard. Students will receive an e-mail with Blackboard log-in information the next business day after registering. This self-paced course provides training on the Veterans First Contracting Program. Students will be provided a brief overview of the program as well as an in-depth review of its applicability to each phase of the procurement cycle - market research, procurement strategy, solicitation, evaluation, award, and post-award. Implementation challenges will also be addressed, including file documentation, mandatory sources, Buy American Act requirements, fair and reasonable price determinations, and monitoring subcontractor compliance. This course is intended for all VA acquisition professionals.