Overview

In support of the health and safety of our students and university community, all Mason Professional Education courses are being delivered in virtual formats now through May 2021. We are fully operational and courses will begin on their scheduled start date. Register today!

We are with you! In light of the challenges many of you are facing due to the pandemic - we have lowered our tuition to help you access high quality, career advancing training in a time we know resources are tight.

The Government Contracting Fundamentals course is a comprehensive overview and discussion of the federal government contracting process, including applicable procurement laws, regulations, and practical requirements.

This "fundamentals" course is designed to be of benefit to both government and contractor personnel, including contracting officers, contract and subcontract administrators, program and item managers, finance and accounting personnel, engineers, and attorneys (in-house, outside, government).

This course may also be eligible for the following credits through The Public Contracting Institute:

• 19.5 CLEs
• 19.5 CLPs

This course is also eligible for 23.40 CPEs 

George Mason University Continuing and Professional Education is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be addressed to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Nashville, TN, 37219-2417.

Features

This course provides a strong overview of the fundamental government contracting process. Course participants will:

• Understand the major differences between government and commercial contracting.
• Understand the principle laws and regulations that affect the federal procurement environment.
• Become familiar with the major components of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS).
• Understand the government's legal environment and the players on the government’s contracting team.
• Understand the different contract types, and their associated opportunities and risks.
• Understand competition alternatives, including full and open competition, set-asides, and sole-source procurements.
• Explore various procurement methods and discuss the processes affiliated with each, including competitive negotiations, sealed bidding, simplified acquisition, and federal supply schedules.
• Identify multiple types of compliance requirements, audits, and reviews, and the associated penalties for non-compliance.
• Recognize the components of a typical government contract and discuss the use and applicability of specific contract clauses, including inspections, changes, terminations, delays, and disputes.

Requirements

Designed For

For those who are new, relatively inexperienced, or require a supervisory understanding of government contracting, this course provides an overview that will familiarize the attendee with the federal contracting process, provide a strong foundation on which to build greater subject-matter expertise, and dispel common myths and misunderstandings.

For those with some experience, the course will heighten knowledge, provide context, sharpen issue awareness, and improve the ability to operate successfully in this highly complex and competitive field.

Instructors

• Lou Chiarella
• Gary Grossman

Applies Towards the Following Certificates

• Contracting with the Federal Government: Accounting : Required Courses
• Contracting with the Federal Government: Administration : Required Courses
• Contracting with the Federal Government: Essentials : Government Contracting Fundamentas