Level 1 equips participants in two different areas; it offers a basic understanding of what Federal contracting is, while providing the knowledge and tools to manage a Small Business.

Level 1 of the Federal Contracting Certification (FCC) provides basic understanding of Federal contracting.  The following topics are covered on this level:  legal issues and understanding the FAR, market research, marketing practices, how to read, understand, and respond to a solicitation, types of contracts, changes, terminations, protests; subcontracting; pricing training; accounting structure; Defense Contracting Audit Agency (DCAA) audits, development of a quality assurance plan, ethics, and introduction to the Wide Area Workflow.

Level 2 presents additional options available to business owners looking for Federal contracts.  These alternatives include:  teaming agreements, socio-economic Small Business programs, GSA schedules, and exports.

Level 2 provides intermediate contracting knowledge; it starts by showing Small Businesses how teaming agreements (such as joint ventures) help them to compete for consolidated contracts.  It also explains the rationale behind collecting past performance information, why it should be used, and how its use improves contractor performance.  This second level of certification introduces participants to Small Business program requirements related to the acquisition process as well; various socio-economic Small Business programs are discussed.  The importance of including Small Businesses in the procurement and acquisition process is taught on this level as well.  Participants also learn about the GSA schedules and how it relates to commercial products and services.  Fundamentals of technology transfer and export control are topics covered, along with international security and program protection subtopics.  Through the discussion of accounting and pricing issues, students have the opportunity to learn how to analyze profit, rates and indirect costs.  A better understanding of contracting for supplies and services is taught through a Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) overview.

Level 3 provides deeper knowledge on contracting techniques as well as how to compete in the Federal contracting arena, including the electronic tools designed to improve the contracting process. Specific procurement tools, such as Green Procurement Preference Programs, Performance-Based Services Acquisition, and the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, Program are also covered on this level.

The third level of the FCC introduces participants to electronic business, helping them to navigate through the changes that have occurred because of the Government’s elimination of paper methods normally used for acquisitions.  It also presents the Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System (eSRS), which provides insight as to how Government contracting dollars are distributed among Small and Small Disadvantaged Businesses.  Students learn how to effectively structure contracts, contracting negotiation techniques, and reverse auctioning.  In addition, they will be exposed to the internet-based contracting technique used by the Department of Defense (DoD).  The key concepts for promoting competition, while expanding knowledge on the acquisition process, are taught on this level.  A comprehensive overview to incorporating the principles of systems engineering is presented, emphasizing operational effectiveness and product support performance.  The Federally-mandated green procurement preference programs and the Performance-Based Services Acquisition are also part of this level.  The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program is addressed as well.

Level 4 provides the following industry specific knowledge:  manufacturing, service, information technology, and construction is a fourth area that should be developed.  The issues, regulations or policies that are unique to each of these industries are part of this level.  The fourth level consists of four specialty areas, but just three curriculums are currently available.  They are manufacturing, service, and information technology.  The Level 4-Track 1 curriculum covers the manufacturing industry.  It discusses the Six Sigma quality control methodology, which is designed to increase the productivity and quality of products and customer service processes.  Awareness of lean enterprise concepts and techniques, such as the Lean Six Sigma for Manufacturing, which reduces manufacturing cycle time, unit cost and improves product quality, is established through this module.  The ISO 9000:2000 quality management program is discussed.  The Capability Maturity Model-Integration (CMMI) product suite, including models, training, and appraisal methods are examined.  The Item Unique Identification, or IUID, which enables item tracking in DoD business systems and provides reliable and accurate data for management, financial accountability, and asset management purposes is explained.  Knowledge of how to go about marking a Data Matrix on an item is provided through the IUID Marking course.  Participants involved in the Packaging, Handling, Storage, and Transportation (PHS&T) process will be able to acquire related knowledge through a DoD Packaging course.  Knowledge relevant to inserting the passive Radio Frequency Identification is provided.  Explanations and examples of the Buy American Act are discussed.  Concise Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) information for the executive or program manager is provided.  Fundamentals of diminishing manufacturing sources and material shortages are discussed.  The second track of the Level 4 certification is dedicated to services.  The implementation of Performance-Based Services Acquisition, which has been reinforced at several levels throughout the Federal Government, is discussed on this module.  New policies, with links to the FAC and DFARS changes, and examples of applications are considered on the Time and Materials Contracts module.  It also provides the tools for improving the Statements of Objectives (SOOs), Statements of Work (SOWs), and Performance Work Statements (PWSs).

Two fundamental and interrelated types of Work Breakdown Structures (WBS)(the Program WBS and the Contract WBS) are studied; it provides knowledge on how to keep the program’s status constantly visible to the program manager and contractor.  The structure, format, process, and methodology of Business Case Analysis (BCA) are presented.  Scheduling, time management, estimate at completion, and report writing are additional topics covered on this curriculum.  Explanations and examples of the Buy American Act are discussed.

The Level 4-Track 3 module is the information technology (IT) specialty. It includes a Software Cost Estimating (SCE) course that enables to determine if an estimate is realistic and defendable.  The required by law Outcome-based Performance Measures are taught on this industry related certification.  The processes used to effectively plan, request, submit, evaluate, recommend and implement Engineering Change Proposals for Engineers, as well as the related Requests for Deviation (RFDs) are part of this industry specific certification as well.

The Naval Open Architecture or guidelines for implementing open architecture are discussed along with example of successful implementation.  Software reuse in the National Security Systems (NSS), as well as the assessment, the design maturity, technical risk, and programmatic risk of acquisition programs are covered for the IT participants.  The Human Systems Integration (HIS), part of the DoD efforts for optimizing system performance while minimizing total ownership costs is discussed.  This IT certification provides the tools to develop Key Performance Parameters (KPPs) and Key System Attributes (KSAs), and to relate them to technical requirements, such as staffing and validation.  The program also develops skills in obtaining and analyzing measurement data, and assessing a measurement process.  This module will provide additional knowledge to program managers regarding acquisition and support of COTS products. Explanations and examples of the Buy American Act are provided.  Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer, a highly competitive program that encourages Small Business to explore their technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from its commercialization, is one of the final topic discussed.

Construction is the Level 4 fourth module that will be developed; there is no curriculum available yet.