Certificate Courses

Certificate courses are for contracting professionals looking to build their skills and advance their careers in specific topics related to the contract management profession.

Two Courses Now Open For Registration!

U.S. Federal Contracting Fundamentals Certificate Course

The U.S. government acquisition landscape is full of complexities, rules, and nuances. Whether you are new or seeking a refresher, this certificate course will provide a solid foundation and framework for understanding the context of all the requirements, forms, and systems to navigate as well as insight into how the process really works!  

Who should attend?

Ideal candidates for this course include:

  • Current or prospective sellers (contractors or subcontractors) to the U.S. government seeking to understand the unique U.S. federal acquisition landscape 
  • Contracting professionals working for organizations that sell to the U.S. federal government 
  • New or prospective contract management professionals and students 
  • Anyone seeking an understanding of U.S. federal acquisitions  

Upcoming Sessions:

October 16–19, 2023 From 2:00-4:30pm ET

Register Now!

Course Details:

Overall Learning Objectives
 
At the end of this program, you will be able to:
  • Recognize the key requirements, forms and systems referenced in federal contracting opportunities.
  • Navigate a federal contract document to outline requirements and risk areas.
  • Set expectations as to how the contracting relationship with a federal agency is formed and formalized.
  • Evaluate cost and price in line with federal acquisition requirements.
  • Apply key federal acquisition priorities and principles to contract planning and execution.  
Session 1: U.S. Federal Acquisition System and Rules
 
Topics of conversation include:
  • Compliance environment
  • Federal Acquisition Regulation overview and supplements
  • Federal acquisition systems
  • Uniform Commercial Contract 
Session 2: How U.S. Federal Contracts are Made
 
Topics of conversation include:
  • Contract lifecycle: contract planning to award
  • Source selection
  • What’s negotiable and what’s not
  • Contract types
Session 3: U.S. Federal Cost and Price Analysis
 
Topics of conversation include:
  • Fair and reasonable pricing
  • Cost elements, cost principles and overhead costs
  • Pricing and accounting requirements
Session 4: Hot Topics in U.S. Federal Contracting
 
Topics of conversation include:
  • Small business utilization
  • Risk management
  • Supply chain management
  • Cybersecurity
  • Competition
  • Buy American
  • And more!

Cost and Pricing Fundamentals Certificate Course

Gain a valuable, high-level overview of the unique complexities of developing price proposals in the U.S. Federal contracting market. Whether you are new to contracting or a pricing expert, this certificate course will provide an engaging and accessible space to learn the basics of cost principles, fair and reasonable pricing, cost and pricing data, cost and price analysis, related regulatory requirements and more. While geared toward sellers preparing cost proposals, this course offers valuable across-the-table perspective for buyers to understand seller incentives and for sellers to catch a glimpse into how their prices will be reviewed. 

Come prepared to participate in this interactive certificate course full of contextualized instruction and hands-on problem solving! You’ll finish with a toolkit to supplement your day-to-day work and expanded knowledge in cost, pricing, and proposals.

Who should attend?

Ideal candidates for this course include:

  • Sellers and businesses looking to sell to the U.S. Federal Government and/or prime contractors.
  • Buyers seeking to understand seller perspectives and how prices are developed.
  • Current or prospective contracting professionals working in government and industry seeking hands-on exploration of cost and pricing concepts, tools, and techniques.
  • New or prospective contract management professionals and students
  • Anyone seeking to build practical knowledge of the fundamentals of cost and pricing in the U.S. Federal contracting environment.

Upcoming Sessions: 

 

December 4–7, 2023 From 2:00-4:30pm ET

Register Now!

 

Check back for additional dates. 

Course Details:

Overall Learning Objectives
 
At the end of this program, you will be able to:
  • Outline the fundamental principles and regulations associated with cost and pricing, including: CAS, fair and reasonable pricing, cost allowability, and data requirements.
  • Compare techniques and methodologies for preparing and reviewing cost proposals.
  • Develop a cost proposal informed by market research, internal business needs, and government requirements.
  • Distinguish between cost and price.
  • Compare methods used by the U.S. Federal Government to evaluate complete proposals.  
Session 1: Regulations, Compliance, and Cost Principles
 
Topics of conversation include:
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Regulatory environment
  • CAS and cost principles
  • Internal policies and procedures
  • Estimating system adequacy
  • Data requirements
Session 2: Developing Winning Cost Proposals
 
Topics of conversation include:
  • Cost proposal development models
  • Cost proposal compliance and review models
    • Proposal compliance plan
    • RFP shredding
    • Proposal adequacy checklist
    • Color team reviews
  • Pricing to win in the federal space
    • Market research
  • Impacts on pricing methodology
    • Contract types
    • Competitive vs. non-competitive
Session 3: How Buyers Analyze Proposals
 
Topics of conversation include:
  • Cost vs. price
  • Buyer proposal analysis process
  • The price analysis process
  • Competition pricing analysis
  • Historical pricing analysis
    • Economic price adjustments
Session 4: Price Analysis Methods
 
Topics of conversation include:
  • Parametric pricing analysis
  • Market research price analysis
  • Independent estimate price analysis
  • Analysis of information other than certified cost or pricing data

Pricing and Registration Details

Course Structure:

The program takes place over four days for 2.5 hours each day on Zoom. At the end of the program, you will receive a certificate of completion and a digital badge you can share on LinkedIn and elsewhere.  Attendance at all four sessions is required to receive the Certificate of Completion and the digital badge.

Credits:

Attendees who complete all four sessions will receive 10 CPE/CLP.

Cost: 

$936 NCMA member / $1,194 non-member 

Group Registration:

Large registrations are eligible for a discount. Discounts only apply to registrations in the same class.
  • 5-9 Registrants = 5% Discount
  • 10-49 Registrants = 10% Discount
  • 50-99 Registrants = 15% Discount
  • 100+ Registrants = 20% Discount

To register a group of any size, contact [email protected].

NOTE: This pricing does not apply to NCMA HQ keynote events such as SubCon, GCMS, nor World Congress. Please visit the specific event page for their respective group pricing.

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