This course provides an extensive analysis of current developments in the acquisition of commercial products and services by the Federal Government. It will assist you in learning how to benefit from specialized regulations applicable to the acquisition of commercial items.

The Federal Acquisition Regulation establishes a mandatory preference for the Federal Government to purchase products and services available in the commercial marketplace using commercial terms and conditions. Since the passage of the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act of 1994, federal agencies have sought to comply with its mandatory requirements in various ways. This course reviews both the regulatory requirements and the practical application of the commercial acquisition process in the federal marketplace.

If you are a contractor selling commercial products and services to either the Federal Government or to higher tier government contractors, this course is designed to give you both the regulatory knowledge and the practical tips to marketing and selling to federal customers. If you are a federal buyer, you will be able to learn what other agencies are doing, within the regulatory framework, to simplify the acquisition process so that you can easily acquire the commercial products and services your agency needs.

The course focuses on the type of products and services covered by the regulatory definition of a commercial item, the procedures used by the Federal Government to acquire those items, the terms and conditions used in solicitations and contracts, and the special price analysis methods used to determine that offered prices are fair and reasonable. In addition, there is a discussion of the specialized terms and conditions associated with the $35 billion General Services Administration multiple award schedule contract program as well as proven methodologies for marketing commercial products and services to federal agencies.

The program will be presented by a faculty of experienced practitioners who were involved in the early commercial acquisition statutory reforms and who have focused on working with commercial vendors and agencies purchasing commercial items. In addition to their detailed lectures, course participants will receive a comprehensive Course Manual to use during the program and after the program has been completed.