Acquisition Workforce

The USDA Acquisition Workforce (AW) consists of GS-1102s, Contracting Officer's Technical Representatives, Program / Project Managers, and non GS-1102 Contracting Officers. To develop and maintain a highly professional, well-trained AW, USDA requires AW personnel to meet a variety of Federal and USDA established education, experience and training criteria.

Information about these requirements and training opportunities is available at this site. For additional information, please contact your Acquisition Career Manager (ACM) Designee.

 

USDA Acquisition Workforce Policies

Acquisition Workforce, Training, Delegation and Tracking System - Establishes procedures for the USDA Acquisition Workforce (AW) Career Management Program

• AGAR ADVISORY NO. 85 (Part 1), PDF
• AGAR ADVISORY NO. 85 (Part 2), PDF
• DR 5001-1 - Under Construction - Therefore AGAR ADVISORY NO. 85 takes precedence.
• Acquisition Human Capital Plan FY 2012
• Acquisition Human Capital Plan FY 2011
• Acquisition Human Capital Plan FY 2010
• Fulfillment Policy
  • Fulfillment Application
  • Fulfillment of FAC-C Competency Standards

Federal Acquisition Workforce Policies

• OMB Policy Letter 05-01 (April 15, 2005)
  Subject: Developing and Managing the Acquisition Workforce
• OMB Memorandum for the Heads of Departments and Agencies (July 29, 2009)
  Subject: Improving Government Acquisition
• OMB Memorandum for CAOs, SPEs, CFOs, and CHCOs (October 27, 2009)
  Subject: Acquisition Workforce Development Strategic Plan for Civilian Agencies - FY 2010-2014
• OPM Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions
  

 

Acquisition Workforce Certifications

USDA's AW certification programs are guided by the Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI). Links providing details for each certification program follow:

• The Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting Program (NEW)
• Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C)
  • Submit course completion certificates and Appendices K and L from AGAR Advisory 85 to your ACM Designee
• Federal Acquisition Certification for Contracting Officer's Technical Representatives (FAC-COTR)
  • THE USDA FAC-COTR program is decentralized. Please contact your ACM Designee for further details on certification requirements for your Agency.
• Federal Acquisition Certification for Program / Project Managers (FAC-P/PM)
  • USDA FAC-P/PM requirements are outlined in Appendix M of AGAR Advisory 85. Attainment of competencies and proficiencies corresponding to each FAC-P/PM level shall be documented, signed by supervisor, and submitted to ACM Designee. For more information, click here.
    
  • FAC-P/PM Application
    

Features

Publications

• Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI) Guiding Policies and Publications
• Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions

Professional Contract Organizations

• National Contract Management Association (www.ncmahq.org/index.cfm)
• Project Management Institute (www.pmi.org)