Day 1: Contracting Lifecycle Fundamentals & Subcontracting Foundations

Registration: 7:30-8:30 AM

08:30 – 09:00 | Welcome and Course Orientation

• Introduction of instructors and participants
• Overview of course objectives and participant expectations

09:00 – 10:30 | The U.S. Federal Contracting Workflow – A Lifecycle Perspective

• Key phases: Pre-Award, Solicitation, Bid & Proposal, Evaluation, Award
• Contract negotiation, administration, performance, and closeout
• Common workflows and timelines for federal acquisition

10:30 – 10:45 | Break
10:45 – 12:00 | Understanding Roles: Government, Prime Contractors, and Subcontractors

• Authority and responsibilities of Contracting Officers
• Distinction between primes and subs
• The importance of procurement documentation at each lifecycle stage

12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch Break
13:00 – 14:30 | Subcontracting in the Federal Ecosystem

• FAR Part 44: Subcontracting policies and reviews
• The strategic role of subcontracting in federal acquisition
• Subcontractor risk, oversight, and value to prime contractors

14:30 – 14:45 | Break
14:45 – 16:00 | Navigating Flowdown Clauses for International Subcontractors

• Understanding mandatory vs. optional flowdowns
• Compliance implications for non-U.S. suppliers
• Example clauses: TINA, EEO, Buy American, DPAS

16:00 – 16:30 | Q&A and Wrap-Up of Day 1

Day 2: FAR, DFARS, Compliance & Cybersecurity

08:30 – 09:00 | Recap of Day 1 & Objectives for Day 2

09:00 – 10:45 | Introduction to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) (Led by Eric)

• Structure and purpose of the FAR
• Key Parts: FAR 15 (Contracting by Negotiation), FAR 31 (Cost Principles), FAR 44 (Subcontracts)
• Commonly used clauses and terms

10:45 – 11:00 | Break
11:00 – 12:15 | Introduction to the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) (Led by Eric)

• Relationship to the FAR
• DFARS-unique clauses impacting foreign suppliers
• Agency-specific supplements

12:15 – 13:15 | Lunch Break
13:15 – 14:30 | Government Audits and Reviews (Led by Jeff)

• Overview of DCMA and DCAA roles
• Audit types: Pre-award, Post-award, Business Systems, CPSR
• What international subcontractors and primes should expect

14:30 – 14:45 | Break
14:45 – 16:15 | Cybersecurity Requirements & CMMC

• Introduction to CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification)
• Applicability to foreign suppliers handling CUI or FCI
• NIST 800-171 compliance overview
• Preparing for certification

16:15 – 16:30 | Q&A and Wrap-Up of Day 2

Day 3: Legal Considerations & Strategic Subcontracting

08:30 – 09:00 | Recap of Day 2 & Objectives for Day 3

09:00 – 10:30 | Legal and International Compliance Challenges

• Trade Agreements Act (TAA), ITAR, and EAR
• Sanctions, export restrictions, and impact on foreign contractors
• Anti-corruption, IP protection, and jurisdictional concerns

10:30 – 10:45 | Break
10:45 – 12:00 | Managing Legal Risk Across Borders

• Contractual liability and indemnification
• Dispute resolution and governing law
• Foreign subcontractor considerations in teaming and joint ventures

12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch Break
13:00 – 14:30 | Subcontracting, Teaming, and Partnering for Success

• Subcontracting strategies for competitiveness
• Teaming Agreements, Mentor-Protégé, and Joint Ventures
• Best practices for managing global teaming relationships

14:30 – 14:45 | Break
14:45 – 15:45 | Practical Tools & Action Planning

• Tools for compliance tracking and clause management
• Internal documentation and training practices
• Developing a compliance readiness plan

15:45 – 16:30 | Course Conclusion

• Final Q&A and group discussion
• Key takeaways and resources
• Certificate distribution