Office of Government-wide Policy (OGP) Office of GSA Policy, Integrity, and Workforce

1. The GSA Acquisition Workforce Blueprint for Success Office of Government-wide Policy (OGP) Office of GSA Policy, Integrity, and Workforce Virginia A. Huth S. April Ratliff Brown

2. Topics Who We Are and What We Do Challenges for Today’s Workforce & Vision for Acquisition Excellence ACM Responsibilities FAC-COR Program FAITAS

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4. What do we do? Everything. (Well, not quite.) But everything we do supports the Acquisition Workforce. Acquisition Workforce Development Findings provide opportunities for acquisition workforce training S&D actions protect acquisition workforce as well as customers Training on significant PMR findings Webinars Chatter Acquisition Alerts, Acquisition Letters, Acquisition Library Chatter Procurement Management Reviews Legislation Policy Trends OMB directives FAR changes Suspension & Debarment General Services Acquisition Policy

5. By the way, who is GSA’s Acquisition Workforce? “The acquisition workforce includes individuals who perform various acquisition-related functions to support the accomplishment of an agency’s mission. Acquisition related functions include: defining, determining and managing requirements; acquisition planning and strategy; solicitation, evaluation and award of acquisitions; contract administration; managing the process Typically, we think of: • GS—1102 (Contract Specialist/Officer) • Contracting Officers regardless of series • GS-1105 (Purchasing Agent) • GS-1106 (Procurement Clerk/Technician) • GS-1170 (Realty Specialist) performing acquisition related work • Contracting Officers’ Representatives • Project and Program Managers • Component Acquisition Career Managers after business arrangements have been made to ensure Government’s needs are met; and management of those individuals involved in the activities listed above.” -- OMB Policy Letter 05-01 • We may also include policy analysts, small business analysts, and others. 5

6. Today’s acquisition workforce faces many challenges • Goal is a highly skilled, agile acquisition workforce that is #1 in government = • Good for GSA & Good for the employee • Workload & complexity • Continuous changes to law and policy • Retirements + younger workforce = skill & experience gap

7. Through the Acquisition Steering Committee – comprised of executive acquisition representatives from across the agency – we are proposing 4 pillars for a Vision of Acquisition Excellence Training • Significant PMR findings, new Administration initiatives are transformed into Just-in-Time training • More robust use of new media channels • Experience • Qualifications program for 1102 series • Consider such for other series later • Enhanced opportunities for mentoring and coaching • Enhanced opportunities for rotations and shadowing. Leadership Development • Better leverage of existing leadership development programs • Focus on the needs of first-line supervisors • Promote opportunities for leadership with junior staff through special projects Culture & Values • While GSA employees generally have strong values, a defined set of acquisition values would benefit the agency by addressing generation gap issues, establishing a common language for communicating across the agency, and reinforcing the best qualities about GSA.

8. Complementing this strategic vision are a number of near-term initiatives to advance the acquisition workforce

9. GSA Acquisition Career Manager (ACM) Responsibilities Administer Federal Acquisition Certification and Contracting Officer warrants programs. Identify training requirements and opportunities as well as workforce development strategies. Develop and manage acquisition workforce policies and procedures that are consistent with policies established by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP). Ensure accurate and consistent acquisition career management data. 9

10. Federal Certification Programs – What’s New Federal Acquisition Certification for Contracting Officer’s (FAC-COR) Program • Now a 3-Tiered Certification Program • GSA’s Office of Acquisition Policy, issued a revised memorandum , GSA Acquisition Letter MV-06-06 Supplement 4, to comply with the revised federal standards established by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP). • The term “COTR” was changed to “COR.” • “COR” aligns with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and refers to positions designated as those who assist Contracting Officers (COs) in managing their contracts. 10

11. If I was certified before, what do I need to do? • Everyone who was certified under the old system is grandfathered in at Level II. However, you must still apply in FAITAS. • If you were already certified at the P/PM level, or if you can demonstrate that you have 60 hours of initial training completed, then you may apply for a Level III through FAITAS.

12. If you are a new COR:

13. FAITAS (Federal Acquisition Institute Training Application System) • FAITAS is a Workforce Management Tool available government-wide to assist civilian acquisition personnel and agencies with managing their acquisition workforce training, certification, warranting, and other requirements. http://www.atrrs.army.mil/faitas • Creates a standard acquisition record that is transferable across government. • Allows electronic applications for online and classroom training. 13

14. FAITAS and the GSA Certification Process Employee Submits Certification Request Recommends Approval Recommends Disapproval Returns to Employee Supervisor Recommends Approval Saves Remarks Disapproves Returns to Employee Regional / Bureau Certification Manager Recommends Approval Saves Remarks Disapproves Returns to Employee Agency / Bureau Certification Manager Approves Saves Remarks Disapproves Returns to Employee Agency Certification Manager 14

15. Using FAITAS -More than just a Training Application System Transfers Acquisition Records Workforce Management Tool Manages Certifications Coming Soon: Warrant Tracking and Management Coming Soon: Automated on-line course survey’s Develops IDPs Offers Career Path Management Makes the process for managing your career simpler, quicker, and intuitive.

16. FAI is your first choice for trainingwww.fai.gov But many other opportunities exist: • Online University • FAS and PBS classes • GSA EXPO, Acquisition Excellence, etc. • Industry led training

17. Questions? 17

18. If you have more questions, please contact the following Acquisition Workforce staff members: • Ellis Osiname • ellis.osiname@gsa.gov • (202) 501-0049 • April Ratliff Brown • april.ratliff-brown@gsa.gov • (202) 208-4052