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- How can I do business with the Graduate School, USDA? Answer...
- Are you on the GSA General Schedule? Where can I find the Graduate School’s published price listing for the GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract? Answer...
- Can I carry over funds from one fiscal year to the next to pay for Graduate School training? Answer...
- How quickly can you respond to a request for training at your location? Answer...
- Can the Graduate School tailor classes or develop new courses for us? Answer...
- If I’m contracting to bring a course to my location, can I request a specific instructor? Answer...
- Can you tailor a self-paced course to meet an agency’s specific needs? Answer...
- Can you include my agency’s regulations when conducting a course at my location? Answer...
- How secure is your online registration? Answer...
- How do I register more than one person? Answer...
- How do I establish a prepayment account so that I can simply request a course whenever an employee needs one? Answer...
- Do your courses have college credit? Answer...
- The Basic Position Classification Course is 10 days long. Is it possible to bring this course to my agency in a five-day format? Answer...
- I am a supervisor in an agency that is exempt from Title 5; are any of your courses appropriate for me? Answer...
- How can I do business with the Graduate School, USDA?
The Graduate School, USDA’s products and services are available through:
- GSA Federal Supply Service Schedules 69 and 874 (MOBIS) – government-wide contracts
- The Government Employees Training Act (5 U.S.C. 41) and Executive Order 11348 -- Training Registration Form (SF-182, DD-1556, or equivalent)
- Small Purchase Acquisition regulation allows agency to make purchases non-competitively when price is under $2,500 using a government purchase card (agency contacts desired vendor directly).
- The Graduate School responds to competitive solicitations (RFPs, RFQs, RFBs, RFIs, etc.).
- Are you on the GSA General Schedule? Where can I find the Graduate School’s published price listing for the GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract?
The General Services Administration has approved the Graduate School, USDA under Federal Supply Schedule 69 for instructor-led contract training, course development and test administration. Our contract number is GS-02F-0107N. Read more about
GSA Schedule 69. Schedule 69 is a convenient means for customers to contract for our products and services. The Graduate School, USDA is also on the GSA Federal Supply Schedule 874, Mission Oriented Business Integrated Services (MOBIS). The contract number is GS-10F-0228P. Read more about
GSA Schedule 874
- Can I carry over funds from one fiscal year to the next to pay for Graduate School training?
The requirements for the use of end-of-year funds are provided in the Federal Acquisition Regulation Section 52-216-22 (1997). As outlined by the Comptroller General Decision B-238940, “Proper Fiscal Year Appropriation to Charge for Expenses Relating to Nonseverable Training Course (February 25, 1991),” training is an appropriate use for these end-of-year funds. The Comptroller General allows current-year funds to pay for a current year need even if it is "delivered" (completed) in the following fiscal year. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your agency’s training needs and the steps necessary to take advantage of the procurement flexibility provided through CG Decision B-238940.
Please contact us at onsite@grad.usda.gov or call one of our
Business Development Contacts.
- How quickly can you respond to a request for training at your location?
Our Business Development staff responds to Training at Your Location requests within 24-48 hours. Staff will work with training managers to identify organizational needs, appropriate solutions and scope the project. If training requires significant customization or new development, Graduate School staff would develop a project timetable typically within a week. Off-the-shelf courses can begin delivery within two to three weeks of the contract, depending on instructor availability. You may contact Business Development staff at onsite@grad.usda.gov.
- Can the Graduate School tailor classes or develop new courses for us?
Of course. Almost all of the courses in our curriculum can be tailored to meet your agency or organization’s unique needs and situation. But we’re also happy to develop new courses for you. For more information, please contact onsite@grad.usda.gov.
- If I’m contracting to bring a course to my location, can I request a specific instructor?
We are happy to accommodate your request for a specific instructor, subject to his or her availability.
- Can you tailor a self-paced course to meet an agency’s specific needs?
Yes we can! Contact us at selfpaced@grad.usda.gov for more information
- Can you include my agency’s regulations when conducting a course at my location?
We will be happy to customize delivery to include your agency’s rules and regulations. Our instructors have vast experience working with many different organizations and are willing to modify delivery to accommodate special requests. There may be some additional costs if extensive course modifications are necessary.
- How secure is our online registration?
The Graduate School, USDA values the security and privacy of our customers. To secure all personal information about our customers, the Graduate School uses state-of-the-art electronic commerce technology, including A Secured Socket Layer and Digital Certificate from Verisign and PGP encryption software. To read more, please click
here.
- How do I register more than one person?
Right now, each on-line registration must be processed separately. If you would like register multiple participants for one session, or a single participant for multiple sessions, you may complete the registration form in our catalogs and fax it to our Customer Service Center toll-free at (888) 744- 4723..
- How do I establish a prepayment account so that I can simply request a course whenever an employee needs one?
Contact our Business Development team
(onsite@grad.usda.gov) to discuss establishing a deferred account with us. Once funds are deposited with the School, we can issue an account number, which becomes the funding reference on registrations for all courses (classroom or self-study).
- Do your courses have college credit?
Some Graduate School courses have been designated to receive college credit recommended by the ACE College Credit Recommendation Service. You can read more about how to transfer these credits to another college or university
here and about our certificate programs and partnerships here.
- The Basic Position Classification Course is 10 days long. Is it possible to bring this course to my agency in a five-day format?
Yes, it is possible to reduce the length of the course, but not without sacrificing some elements. The two-week version of the course permits participants to develop skills and confidence in applying many different standards and guides. A shortened course reduces the range of topics covered and the skill-building activities and may add some additional costs if extensive course modifications are necessary.
- I am a supervisor in an agency that is exempt from Title 5; are any of your courses appropriate for me?
Yes. Many of our courses may be of value to you. Nearly all agencies that are exempt from Title 5 are still covered by the Merit System Principles and Prohibited Personnel Practices. Our newly designed course, Human Resources for Supervisors and Managers, is focused around the MSPs and PPPs, so it is very relevant to you as a supervisor.
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