Partnerships

As a central resource for federal acquisition professional development and certification, career guidance, and current industry information and emerging trends, FAI is committed to forging partnerships with government, private, and public-sector entities, as well as educational institutions.

  • Project Management Institute (PMI) is the leading membership association for the project management profession. In August 2016, FAI signed a letter to PMI stating that a current PMI credential may be used as a one-time acquisition workforce system credit as authorized by each agency Acquisition Career Manager (ACM). This letter replaces the July 2009 letter and clarifies the comparison of the PMI certifications against the FAC-P/PM requirements and outlines the competency alignment, training equivalency, and continuous learning (CL) credit for each of the PMI credentials.

Further, individuals pursuing or renewing PMI credentials who have completed training toward the FAC-P/PM certification, or have attained the FAC-P/PM certification, may submit evidence to PMI of such training or certification, subject to PMI review, toward meeting the education requirements of the initial or recertification of the applicable PMI credential. This letter is also available as a downloadable PDF file.
  • The Partnership for Public Service Founded in 2001, the Partnership for Public Service is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works to revitalize the federal government by inspiring a new generation to serve and by transforming the way government works.

  • The University of Virginia School of Continuing and Professional Studies is pleased to announce their Defense Acquisition University Equivalent – Certificate in Federal Acquisition. The Certificate in Federal Acquisition provides students with the necessary skills and abilities to successfully use the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation (DFAR) to develop acquisition strategies, substantiate contracting decisions, evaluate proposals and awards, and manage and close out contracts. The 18-credit undergraduate certificate (6 courses) can be completed in 12 months by enrolling in 2 courses per term.

The Certificate in Federal Acquisition is a key component to attaining Level I Contracting Certification, and therefore positions students to work for either a federal or Department of Defense (DoD) agency. The certificate is ideal for individuals changing careers, veterans, or recent college graduates who are interested in seeking a rewarding and highly sought-after government position. Visit the SCPS website to register for current classes.
  • University of Maryland University College (UMUC) is pleased to announce that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with FAI to provide qualified Program and Project Managers (P/PM) the opportunity to transfer credit earned through professional certifications toward UMUC’s Master of Science program in Management with a specialization in Project Management.

A Federal Acquisition Certification (FAC) or Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) P/PM Certification provides students with the necessary skills and abilities to ensure that requirements are appropriately written, performance standards are established, and contractors deliver what they promise. P/PMs develop requirements, lead integrated project teams (IPTs), and oversee budgeting and governance processes, all of which are critical to ensuring that agency mission needs are filled and expected outcomes are achieved.
 
Establishing rigorous professional development requirements for this critical workforce in civilian agencies will better position the government for success in its efforts to acquire and manage goods and services.
The UMUC Master of Science in Management with a Project Management specialization is ideal for individuals desiring to advance their careers and for veterans, or recent college graduates who are interested in seeking a rewarding and highly sought-after government position in Program or Project Management. To learn more about these opportunities, and to get started and register, visit UMUC's website or call 844-UMUC-FED.
  • The Catholic University of America (CUA) is pleased to announce that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with FAI to provide Program and Project Managers (P/PM) the opportunity to participate in CUA’s graduate-level “Certificate in Project Management”.

Students earn the certificate by completing four courses that will provide a solid foundation for managing governmental and non-governmental projects of all types: Project Management, Project Scheduling and Cost Control, Risk Management, and Advanced Topics in Project Management. Courses are offered both as evening, face-to-face classes in Washington, D.C., and online.  The certificate’s coursework combines a strong academic foundation with practical knowledge and skills in management taught by leading management educators.
 
Project Management Certification provides students with the necessary skills and abilities to ensure that requirements are appropriately written, performance standards are established, and contractors deliver what they promise.  PMs develop requirements, lead integrated project teams (IPTs), and oversee budgeting and governance processes, all of which are critical to ensuring that mission and goal needs are filled and expected outcomes are achieved.
 
Students can choose to apply the four certificate courses toward completion of the Master of Science in Management degree with a track in Project Management.  The Project Management certificate and M.S.M. degree both are offered by the University’s highly respected Busch School of Business and Economics. For further information, please visit, http://metro.catholic.edu/academics/certificate/graduate/project-management/index.html
  • FAI is pleased to announce the establishment of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with George Washington University’s (GWU) Government Procurement Law and Master of Science in Government Contracts (MSGC) programs. The MOU will facilitate collaboration on the development and promotion of acquisition research on a variety of topics. GWU will provide vetted acquisition research papers developed by law and graduate students, and FAI will share that research with the federal acquisition workforce. This partnership will contribute to an increase in learning and development opportunities as well as promote innovation to increase efficiencies in current acquisition processes and practices. 

    To view GWU acquisition research, please visit the Research, Studies & Reports section on FAI.gov.