Policies and Legislation

Legislative Authority
The responsibilities and statutory authorities of the Federal Acquisition Institute are stated in the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act, Chapter 7 of Section 41 of the United States Code (41 U.S.C.) According to the Act, FAI is located within the General Services Administration and receives policy direction from the Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP), which is part of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

  • FAI is charged with promoting the development of a professional federal acquisition workforce, as noted in Section 405(d)(5) of the Act (41 U.S.C. 405(d)).
  • FAI is also charged with supporting the heads of executive agencies in their efforts to manage and develop a professional acquisition workforce (41 U.S.C. 433).
  • Finally, FAI is charged with the administration of the Acquisition Workforce Training Fund, as directed in 41 U.S.C. 433 (h)(3)
  • FAI also works closely with the Chief Acquisition Officers Council (CAOC), which provides a senior-level forum for monitoring and improving the federal acquisition system. The duties of the CAOC are enumerated 41 U.S.C. 414b.

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OMB Policies on the Acquisition Workforce
OFPP has issued several policy letters and OMB has issued memos that define and give direction to members of the acquisition workforce:

The letter 05-01:

  • Expands the definition of the acquisition workforce;
  • Directs affected agencies to develop and maintain an acquisition career management program and include the acquisition in their human capital plans;
  • Directs agencies to appoint Acquisition Career Managers who are responsible for administering the provisions of the letter;
  • Directs OFPP to establish and maintain lists of core competencies that the acquisition workforce should possess;
  • Directs FAI to propose certification programs for Contracting, Program and Project Management, and Contracting Officer's Representatives/Contracting Officer's Technical Representatives;
  • Provides additional guidance on the use of the Acquisition Workforce Training Fund;
  • Directs agencies to input data on members of the acquisition workforce into the Acquisition Career Management Information System (ACMIS); and
  • Provides additional direction to FAI for the administration of provisions of the Letter.
  • The FAC-C Memo (PDF 156KB), issued by OMB on January 20, 2006, establishes the Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting Program. It contains requirements for achieving certification and guidance for administering the program.
  • OFPP has also issued Qualification Standards for the 1102 Series (Contracting).
  • The FAC-P/PM Memo, issued by OMB on April 25, 2007, establishes the Federal Acquisition Certification Program for Program and Project Managers. It contains requirements for achieving certification and guidance for administering the program.
  • In the Architectural and Engineering Competencies memorandum, issued November 1, 2005, OFPP establishes a model for architectural and engineering management skills.
  • The FAC-COTR Memo (PDF 643KB), issued by OMB on November 26, 2007 establishes a structured training program for COTRs and other individuals performing these functions.

Note: Many of the competencies and learning objectives for professional development can be found in the Competencies section

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Regulations Used by the Acquisition Workforce
The Department of Defense (DOD), the General Services Administration (GSA), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) jointly issue the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) for use by executive agencies in acquiring goods and services.

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Hiring Authorities Available to the Acqusition Workforce: Workshop Audio

This interactive workshop included Jason Parman, Western Group Manager, Human Resources Consulting Program, OPM, who addressed the hiring flexibilities available to the acquisition community, and Stephen Shih, Chief, Center for Equal Employment Opportunity, OPM, who addressed the EEO issues surrounding these hiring flexibilities. Additionally, a panel of acquisition and human resources professionals discussed their experiences using these flexibilities and provide you with a hands-on approach for using them. Click here to view the video.

Please note that a fully 508 compliant video will be up in a few weeks.

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