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5/4/2017
PILOT Usage for DM/Staff Offices Employees
Application Instructions for the Federal Acquisition Certification for Program and Project Managers (FAC-P/PM) Program
1. FAC-P/PM Certification Requirements
a) FAC Levels: Go to www.fai.gov, click Certification | FAC-P/PM | Certification Requirements, click specific training and experience requirements at each level.
b) Reciprocity with other Certifications:
i. For program and project manager professionals coming from DoD, a valid, current Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) certification is equivalent to a FAC-P/PM at the same certification level, provided the FAC-P/PM experience and continuous learning requirements have been met and the agency ACM approves the certification. FAC-P/PM certification under this reciprocity rule is not automatic; an application package is required that includes a copy of the certification on which the application is based. See Paragraph 3(a) below to apply for an equivalent FAC Level Certification.
ii. The Project Management Institute (PMI) credential is not equivalent to the FAC-P/PM, but its Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) and the Project Management Professional (PMP) certifications are credited 24 and 40 hours, respectively towards the “Business, Cost Estimating and Financial Management” training requirement.
Requirements & Management / Technical Outcomes / Contracting / Business, Cost Estimating & Financial Management / LeadershipNot Met / Not Met / Not Met / Met / Not Met
iii. Fulfillment: Members of the acquisition workforce may not substitute academic degrees, experience and/or training toward fulfillment of mandatory training course requirements. USDA employees must follow the guidance herein to provide documentation to support the P/PM experience and training requirements. Request for fulfillment will not be considered.
2. FAITAS
a) FAITAS Account: All users and approving supervisors must have an account. To create an FAITAS account go to www.fai.gov, click FAITAS, and then click Do you have an account, register here to setup your profile (User Guides are found in FAITAS, under Help tab). The supervisor must register if the supervisor’s name is not shown in “Supervisor” field of the profile setup.
b) Experience: Complete the USDA Program and Project Manager Experience Sheet (Attachment 1) to document your program and project manager experience for the appropriate level being requested. The completed document should be submitted to the employee’s approving supervisor and to Agency Chief Information Officer (or their designee) for consideration. Do not submit resumes.
c) Options to Obtain Required Training:
i. Equivalent Training:
(a) A current and valid PMI credentials (CAPM and PMP certifications) may be used as a one-time credit to meet the Business, Cost and Financial Management training requirement of the FAC-P/PM program, (see Paragraph 1(b)(ii)). Individuals may submit the FAC-P/PM or the training to PMI for review as evidence to obtain credit towards meeting the education requirements of the initial or recertification of the applicable PMI credential. To learn more visit www.fai.gov, click Certification | FAC-P/PM | Reciprocity Other Certification.
(b) FAI has no verified Academic Degrees of colleges and universities that aligns to the FAC-P/PM competency model for training, (see Paragraph 1(b)(iii)).
ii. Sources for FAI-Approved Training:
Courses must be taken in order and completed before applying for the next class in the series.
(a) FAI.gov - Training offered by FAI has no tuition cost to the individual or to USDA; however, travel and per diem expenses are the responsibility of the employee’s organization.Prerequisites, if required, will display when registering. View the list of FAI’s Verified Vendor Courses at www.fai.gov, click Certification | FAC-P/PM | Training Requirements, click the FAC-PPM Verified Course Vendors (FAI has verified the courses for alignment to the FAC-PPM competency model) or scroll page to view List of Potential Training Track (Option/ Prerequisites). In FAITAS, clickManage Career | Training | Search for Training | Standard Search to find the course(s). FAC-P/PM courses in FAITAS are listed by series that begins with FPMXXX;
Or
(b) USDA/OCIO Sponsored Training via AgLearn - (FPM courses offered. There is a fee associated with this option. No prerequisites, complete courses for level needed). See details in AgLearn. All costs for participation would be incurred by the employee’s organization. AgLearn does not interface with FAITAS and the course certificate of completion must be uploaded into FAITAS;
Or
(c) Third Party Training Providers (e.g. SF182, site session. There is a fee associated with this option.) See FAC-PPM Verified Course Vendor listing at www.fai.gov, click Certification | FAC-P/PM | Training Requirements, click FAC-PPM Verified Course Vendors (FAI has verified the courses for alignment to the FAC-PPM competency model). Vendors may contact FAI to get their courseware verified for alignment with the FAC-PPM competency model. All costs for participation would be incurred by the employee’s organization. The course certificate of completion must be uploaded into FAITAS;
Or
(d) Check other sources listed at www.fai.gov.
Note1 - Training may be delivered from more than one vendor though an employee should complete the training track in which they started. Example: Marcus completes MCI’s courses FPMs 216, 217 and 218, and the FAC Academy’s course
FPM 204 to show the courses meeting the required competencies for the Mid-Level.
Requirements & Management / Technical Outcomes / Contracting / Business, Cost Estimating & Financial Management / LeadershipFPM 216 / FPM 216 / FPM 217 / FPM 218 / FPM 204
Note2 - Marcus may complete the Senior-Level “Leadership” course in the FPM 300 series since the course is considered to be “advanced” training above the Mid-Level; but he cannot use an Entry-Level “Leadership” course for the Mid-Level. Be mindful, that some courses require prerequisites so the employees are encouraged to complete the courses within the appropriate Levels.
3. FAITAS (Apply for Certification): (User guide is found in FAITAS, under Help tab)
At www.fai.gov, click FAITAS. In FAITAS, clickManage Career | Certification | My Certification Requests then Add Certification Requests. Select the appropriate certification and level as instructed below (complete all * fields):
a) Equivalent Certification
· Education - Check the box. A college degree is not required; no attachments needed. Do not attach training certificates here.
· Experience - Check the box. Attach a copy of the DAWIA Certification for appropriate Entry, Mid or Senior Level. Do not attach resume/training certificates here.
· Training - Check the box. Click Supporting Documentation to upload documentation of courses/CLPs completed within the current two-year (2) period. Courses/CLPs completed outside FAITAS registration must be uploaded. Courses/CLPs completed via FAITAS will appear in under Manage Career | Training | Training History and do not need to be uploaded.
· Remarks - Enter “Request Reciprocity for DAWIA Equivalent.”
b) New Certification
· Education - Check the box. A college degree is not required; no attachments needed. Do not attach training certificates here.
· Experience - Check the box. Click Supporting Documentation to upload the completed USDA Program/Project Manager Experience sheet (Attachment 1) for the Entry, Mid, or Senior Level. Do not attach resume/training certificates here. After reviewing the employee’s self-assessment and application, the approving supervisor provides concurrence/nonconcurrence decision on the form. Once the supervisor concurs, the entire package is submitted by the employee via the FAITAS application workflow approval process for approval consideration.
· Training - Check the box. Click Supporting Documentation to upload courses completed outside FAITAS registration.Courses completed via FAITAS will appear under Manage Career | Training | Training History and do not need to be uploaded.
4. Certification Status:
a) Employees may click “Status” on the certification request to check the application approval progress.
b) FAITAS sends automatic notifications to the employee and approvers for all action steps within the certification request approval workflow.
5. Continuous Learning Points (CLPs):
Once approved the FAC-P/PM certification lasts for two (2) years. The CLP period begins on the date an employee is certified or recertified. To retain the FAC-P/PM certification employees are required to earn 80 CLPs of skills currency training every two years; CLPs cannot be carried over.
It is each employee’s responsibility to be aware of their two-year period of certification, ensure that continuous learning is obtained in a timely fashion and to apply for renewal before their certification expires.
a) CLPs are awarded for various activities and include developmental opportunities beyond classroom and online training to retain the certification. See Procurement Advisory Number 112B, “Continuous Learning Management for USDA’s Acquisition Workforce,” at http://www.dm.usda.gov/procurement/policy/advisories.htm. The FAI website on P/PM Continuous Learning provides guidance on a variety of other activities that qualify for continuous learning credit along with any limits that apply.
b) AgLearn offers acquisition related and soft skill training for professional development that can be completed to earn CLPs to retain the certification.
c) Questions regarding acceptability of activities should be discussed with the employee’s approving supervisor or appropriate agency Acquisition Career Manager Designee before taking them.
d) Departmental policies and procedures are found at Procurement Advisory No. 85A, “Acquisition Workforce Training, Certification, Delegation and Management System.”
6. Useful Information:
From time to time, FAI or OFPP may make changes to the certification requirements. Additionally, USDA’s program may change due to the nature of the acquisition environment. To view the latest announcements, training, seminars, newsletter, etc. from FAI, bookmark www.fai.gov.
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Attachment 1
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Only complete Experience for the Level requested. Add additional lines/pages as needed.
USDA Program/Project Manager Experience (Entry-Level)Name: ______
P/PM Total Years ____ / FAC-P/PM Level ___ Date Last Certified: ______/ FAC-COR Level ___ Date Last Certified: ______
1. Explain, at least 1 year of Project Management experience within the last 5 years for the Projects:
· Project: ______, Amount $_____ Dates From ____ to ____ Position Title ______GS-Series: ____
This Project mission/scope is______
______that involved project management experience of ______
______
______
· Project: ______, Amount $_____ Dates From ____ to ____ Position Title ______GS-Series: ____
This Project mission/scope is______
______that involved project management experience of ______
______
______
· Project: ______, Amount $_____ Dates From ____ to ____ Position Title ______GS-Series: ____
This Project mission/scope is______
______that involved project management experience of ______
______
______
2. For Projects within the last 5 years above, address each item below to explain experience (e.g., day-to-day functions, how you performed, your involvements, who participated/topics addressed by IPTs, what was involved to complete the action) relating to:
[Provide details of experience for each item, do not simply list tasks and add pages as needed to fully explain experience]
a) Being a contributing member of an acquisition IPT.
b) Constructing a work breakdown structure.
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d) Constructing a work breakdown structure.
e) Preparing project analysis and tailoring acquisition documents to ensure that quality, effective, efficient systems or products are delivered.
f) Analyzing and/or developing requirements; monitoring performance and assisting with quality assurance.
g) Analyzing and/or developing budgets.
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PPM Entry-Level Experience Cross-Referenced to Performance Outcomes
Performance outcomes are task descriptions which are supported by the knowledge, skills and abilities that should be demonstrated in order to excel in the Project and Program Manager functional area. FAI’s training and verified vendors’ provides training aligned to the competencies.
Objective / State the Project Title(s) relating to the work experience that contributed to performance outcomes1.0 REQUIREMENTS DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT PROCESSES:
1.1.1 Recognize applicable laws, statues and regulations that control the Federal acquisition process
1.1.2 Identify major organizations that control and execute the Federal acquisition process
1.1.3 Comprehend the interrelationship of the applicable governance, budgeting and requirements development processes which embody all Federal acquisitions
1.1.4 Describe the requirements development process and the criticality of meeting user/mission requirements
1.1.5 Comprehend a general life-cycle model an agency may use to select concepts to meet user/mission requirements
1.1.6 Recognize the role of the Acquisition Strategy and other key planning documentation
1.1.7 Define the utility, basic tenets and guidelines for preparing an Integrated Master Plan and Integrated Master Schedule
1.1.8 Recall the concept of Total Ownership Cost (TOC) and other cost descriptions that define cost accounting of the program
1.1.9 Recognize the program manager’s responsibility for managing program cost, schedule and performance to achieve program success
1.1.10 Generalize the risk/opportunity management process
1.1.11 Compare and contrast the major planning attributes of traditional, information technology, services and facilities construction programs
1.1.12 Comprehend the concept and utility of working groups and project oriented team
1.1.13 Identify the functions of membership in a working group or projected oriented team
2.0 SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
2.1.1 Recognize the importance of integrating the Systems Engineering (SE) life-cycle and its technical mgmt. and review process with the acquisition life cycle
2.1.2 Identify and relate the utility of key technical mgmt. processes and tools used in the SE process, including configuration mgmt., technical performance measures, and technical design reviews
2.1.3 Recognize the roles and responsibilities of the Government and the contractor in the SE process
2.1.4 Recognize the utility of using work breakdown structure (WBS) as a technical mgmt. tool across all functional disciplines in the acquisition process
2.1.5 Discuss the concept of systems management and the role of human factor engineering in system engineering
2.1.6 Define key aspects of a plan for technical assessment that measures technical progress and assist in the development
2.1.7 Define key aspects of risk management in the context of systems engineering and participate in development of a risk/opportunity management plan
3.0 TEST AND EVALUATION
3.1.1 Recognize the importance of test and evaluation to acquisition decisions.
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Objective / State the Project Title(s) relating to the work experience that contributed to performance outcomes3.1.2 Explain efficient and cost effective methods for planning, monitoring, conducting, and evaluation tests of developmental, commercial or modified systems
3.1.3 Identify the role that T&E plays in the systems engineering process
3.1.4 Define and determine the need for a comprehensive test and evaluation approach including the use of modeling and simulation
3.1.5 Explain the value of comprehensive and documented test and evaluation strategy and how this strategy evolves into test and evaluation plans, such as a Test and Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP)
3.1.6 Discuss various Federal agency processes for conducting test and evaluation, including the need to conduct user testing or operational test and evaluation (OT&E)
4. 0 LIFE CYCLE LOGISTICS
4.1.1 Express understanding of the concept of integrated product support, the product support elements and purpose of a product support plan
4.1.2 Comprehend performance-based logistic efforts that optimize total life cycle costs while maintaining system readiness
4.1.3 Recognize alternative logistics support practices, including supply chain management, best public sector and commercial practices and technology solution, and their utility and appropriateness according to the type and scope of the acquisition program
4.1.4 Comprehend the concepts of availability, supportability, and reliability/maintainability while minimizing cost, the logistic footprint, and interoperability.
4.1.5 Define interoperability as a key product support factor, along with examples of interoperability application.
4.1.6 Assist in implementation of alternative logistics support practices
4.1.7 Recognize the importance of planning for the deployment of a new system or project
5.0 CONTRACTING
5.1.1 Contrast the roles and responsibilities between the contracting officer and the program manager
5.1.2 Recognize the need for a comprehensive program specification and requirements statement that fully and correctly defines the program
5.1.3 Describe pre-award actions and the associated contracting methods required by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Recognize the need for the Program Manager to participate in pre-award actions required by acquisition planning (FAR Part 7.1)
5.1.4 Recall the formal source selection process, including acquisition planning and pre-solicitation processes, market research, the request for proposal (RFP), evaluation of proposals, and contract award
5.1.5 Define the process for developing a comprehensive program specification, Statement of Work (SOW), and/or Statement of Objective (SOO) that fully and correctly defines that project, addressing the roles and missions of the government and contractor.
5.1.6 Recognize the benefits of performance-based acquisition
5.1.7 Recognize the need to formulate a source selection plan that allows for best value
5.1.8 Identify key activities in contract administration including contract modifications and terminations
5.1.9 Illustrate the role of the COR during all phases of the contracting process
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