Federal Contracting Basics

Gain an in-depth understanding of the basic framework and core principles governing federal procurements, from the issuance of the solicitation to contract closeout. This course is specifically tailored for procurement professionals who desire both a strong overview of federal contracts, including GSA Schedules, and a current and in-depth understanding of the legal, policy, and performance issues associated with government contracts. You will also gain the important ability to recognize and respond to the full range of issues that typically arise in federal contracting.

Topics:

Basic principles governing federal contracting
The Federal Acquisition Regulation
The procurement planning process
Traditional government contract formation principles
The commercial contract revolution—GSA Schedules, MACs, GWACs, and IDIQ contracts
The contract award process
Types of contracts
Government-unique business and accounting issues
Socioeconomic programs
Contract administration issues
Terminations
Dispute resolution processes

Learn How To:

Effectively respond to everyday problems
Identify unique differences between federal government contracting and commercial contracting
Comply with the legal and regulatory framework governing federal contracts
Abide by unique government obligations
Keep pace with the latest issues in procurement reform
Respond to compliance and ethics issues
Manage the procurement process—from initiating or responding to requests for proposals to contract closeout

What’s Included:

Breakfast
Light refreshments
Course materials

Speaker and Presenter Information

Rich Zimmerman

Richard E. Zimmerman has over 25 years of experience as a contracts professional both in Government and the private sector. In addition to his career service as an Army Infantry officer, Mr. Zimmerman held the positions of Contracting Officer, Procurement Analyst, and Procurement Inspector for the Army Inspector General’s worldwide examination of Commercial Activities (A-76) issues. While assigned to Defense Logistics Agency, he managed the efforts of a CACO and ACO for a major defense contractor as well as an in-plant QA section.

Mr. Zimmerman performed duties as Logistics Staff Officer for Her Majesty’s Forces (United Kingdom), where he managed the procurement and financial programs for material handling equipment and locomotives urgently needed for OP GRANBY/DESERTSTORM/SHIELD as an exchange officer with the British Army. In his final Army assignment, he coordinated the efforts of a diverse staff of top level Army procurement professionals to respond to numerous complex issues in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Procurement).

After leaving the Army, Mr. Zimmerman became an acquisition trainer and training developer for a small business in Fairfax, VA. His excellent background in FAR, Agency supplements and their application over the procurement lifecycle made him a critical resource for PMs, prime contractors and subcontractors.

Mr. Zimmerman has a strong background in service contracts to include Statements of Objectives, Performance Work Statements, Performance Assessment Plans and Sourcing. He developed courseware that explained the significant shifts in federal procurement resulting from watershed procurement legislation such as the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act and the Clinger-Cohen Act, especially in the areas of performance-based acquisition, best-value procurement and commercial acquisition.

Mr. Zimmerman managed the delivery of courses such as the Training for the Improved Procurement of Services series and Managing Performance Based Contracts to numerous Government customers in DoD, Veteran Affairs and Treasury as well as private sector audiences. His management responsibilities included the logistics of courseware printing and shipping, trainer availability, travel, and course ware quality control.

Expected Number of Attendees

Relevant Government Agencies

Air Force, Army, Navy & Marine Corps, Intelligence Agencies, DOD & Military, Office of the President (includes OMB), Dept of Agriculture, Dept of Commerce, Dept of Education, Dept of Energy, Dept of Health & Human Services, Dept of Homeland Security, Dept of Housing & Urban Development, Dept of the Interior, Dept of Justice, Dept of Labor, Dept of State, Dept of Transportation, Dept of Treasury, Dept of Veterans Affairs, EPA, GSA, USPS, SSA, NASA, Other Federal Agencies, Legislative Agencies (GAO, GPO, LOC, etc.), Judicial Branch Agencies, State Government, County Government, City Government, Municipal Government, CIA, FEMA, Office of Personnel Management, Coast Guard, National Institutes of Health, FAA, Census Bureau, USAID, National Guard Association, EEOC