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Overview
This intensive three-day workshop provides contracting professionals with the knowledge and skills to effectively understand and apply the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) in daily acquisition activities. Participants will not only master the current FAR framework but also gain critical insights into the FAR Overhaul process and the potential impact of upcoming changes on acquisition strategies and contract management.

The FAR governs over $700 billion annually on supplies, services, and construction acquired by federal agencies. As a comprehensive, complex, and constantly evolving regulation, the FAR demands a working knowledge that is detailed, practical and current. This workshop addresses these challenges by combining structured instruction with hands-on exercises to demonstrate how to interpret, apply, and navigate the FAR in real-world contracting scenarios.

Students will learn to distinguish between FAR provisions that are mandatory and those that provide flexibility and discretion, enabling them to structure contracts to meet both compliance requirements and mission needs. The course also examines recent court and board decisions that shape FAR interpretation, giving participants a legal and business edge in acquisition decision-making.

Since most professionals rely on electronic access to the FAR, the course includes a live demonstration of online research techniques to ensure students can efficiently search, track, and stay current with regulatory updates.

Learning Objectives
Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:
  • Apply FAR clauses effectively in acquisition planning and contract execution.
  • Correctly use applicable acquisition forms.
  • Cite and navigate relevant sections of the FAR with confidence.
  • Understand the FAR regulatory system, its structure, and the role of the Contracting Officer.
  • Define and apply key terms and definitions in contracting.
  • Identify and resolve conflicts of interest.
  • Explain how contracts are advertised, competed, and awarded.
  • Differentiate between major contract vehicles and their applications.
  • Stay current with evolving FAR regulations, including proposed changes under the FAR Overhaul initiative.
Dates/Locations
December 15-17, 2025
American Management Association
Arlington, VA, United States
Travel Info
Request Group Quote
Fill out this form and someone from FPS will contact you shortly. You can fill out as much or as little information as you would like. Prefer to talk to us? Call 651.666.2030.
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Agenda

DAY 1
General Information 

  • The Federal Acquisition Regulation System & FAR Overhaul *
  • Where to Find the Regulations
  • How to Keep Up With the Regulations
  • The Contracting Officer
  • Definitions of Key Terms, Phrases, and Words
  • Improper Business Practices
  • Personal Conflicts of Interest
  • Procurement Integrity Matters

Acquisition Planning

  • Publicizing Contract Actions
  • Competition Requirements
  • Required Sources of Supplies and Services
  • Contractor Qualifications
    • Responsibility
    • Debarment
    • Suspension
  • Specifications, Standards, and Other Purchase Descriptions
    • Design vs. Performance
    • Minimum Needs
    • Brand Name or Equal
  • Acquisition and Distribution of Commercial Products
  • Contract Delivery or Performance

Contracting Methods and Types of Contracts

  • Small Purchase and Other Simplified Purchase Procedures
  • Sealed Bidding
    • Bid Opening
    • Late Bids
    • Mistakes in Bids
  • Contract by Negotiation
  • Source Selection Procedures
  • Best and Final Offers
  • The Truth in Negotiations Act

DAY 2
Contracting Methods and Types of Contracts Cont.

  • Types of Contracts
    • Fixed Price
    • Cost Reimbursement
    • Other types
  • Special Contracting Methods

Socio-Economic Programs

  • Small Business and Small Disadvantaged Business Concerns
  • Labor Surplus Areas Concerns
  • Application of Labor Laws to Government Contracts
  • Environmental Regulations & Restrictions; Conservation & Occupational Safety
  • Protection of Privacy & Freedom of Information Issues
  • Foreign Acquisition
    • Buy American Act
    • Trade Agreement Act
    • Balance of Payments Program
  • Other Socio-Economic Programs

General Contracting Requirements 

  • Patents, Data and Copyrights
  • Bonds and Insurance
  • Taxes
    • Cost Accounting Standards
    • The OFPP
  • CAS Board
  • Contract Cost Principles & Procedures
  • Contract Financing
    • Progress payments
    • Assignment of Claims
    • Prompt Payment Act
  • Protests, Disputes and Appeals
    • The Contracting Officer
    • The GAO
    • Agency Boards
    • The Court of Federal Claims
    • The Boards of Contract Appeals
    • The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
Special Categories of Contracting
  • Major System Acquisition
  • Research and Development Contracting
  • Construction and Architect- Engineer Contracts
  • Service Contracts
  • Federal Supply Schedule Contracting
    • Single Award Schedules
    • Multiple Award Schedules
  • Management Acquisition and Use of Information Resources; IT Procurement
Contract Management
  • Contract Administration

DAY 3 

  • Disallowances
  • Contract Modifications
  • Change Orders, Constructive Changes and Equitable Adjustments
  • Subcontracting Policies
  • Government Property
  • Quality Assurance; Inspection, Acceptance, and Warranties
  • Transportation 
  • Value Engineering
  • Termination of Contracts- Convenience and Default
  • Extraordinary Contractual Actions
  • Use of Government Sources by Contractors

Clauses and Forms

  • Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses
  • Incorporation by Reference and Full Text
  • The Numbering Systems
  • The Clause Matrices
  • Using the Forms
  • Standard Forms
  • Optional Forms

Latest Developments

  • The OFPP and FAR Council
  • Pending Legislation
  • Federal Acquisition Circulars (FAC)


* NOTE: FAR Overhaul content will be covered during all the topics where appropriate

Experts
  • Steven Tomanelli
    J.D., LL.M.
    Steven N. Tomanelli is the owner of Steven N. Tomanelli & Associates and is an attorney specializing in government contract law in the Washington DC area. Steven N. Tomanelli & Associates provide legal services, training and consulting services in all aspects of government contracting and fe...
    See Full Bio
Accreditation
See Individual Courses For Available Credits
Certificates of Completion are provided to all seminar participants who attend Federal Publications Seminars courses following the event, upon request.
CPE: Continuing Professional Education
Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge
Delivery Method: Group-Live Classroom
Federal Publications Seminars is affiliated with Cerifi LegalEdge and 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 submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.
For more information regarding administrative policies such as refunds, cancellations and complaints, please contact Federal Publications Seminars at 888.494.3696.
CPE Hours
This program is eligible for: 17.0 (CPE) hours of credit
Program Level: Basic
Program Prerequisite: None
Advance Preparation: None
Method: Group-Live
CLP: Continuous Learning Points
Approved for CLP by Defense Acquisition University
Defense Acquisition Workforce members must acquire 80 Continuous Learning Points (CLP) every two years from the date of entry into the acquisition workforce for as long as the member remains in an acquisition position per DoD Instruction 5000.66. We will provide you with documentation of points awarded for completing the event.
CLP Hours
This program is eligible for: 17.0 (CLP) hours of credit
CLE: Continuing Legal Education
States have widely varying regulations regarding MCLE credit. LegalEdcenter is an approved provider in AL, AK, AR, CA, GA, IL, ME, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, VI, VT, WA, WI, and WV. Credit may be applied for in other jurisdictions on request and in accordance with state MCLE rules.
Please note that because some states are changing their policy on CLE reporting, you will need to fill out the request for credit from Federal Publications Seminars within 10 business days, or we may not be able to issue credits for the program.
CLE Hours
This program is eligible for: 16.5 (60 minutes), (50 minutes)
Travel
American Management Association
2345 Crystal Drive
Suite 200
Arlington, VA, 22202
5714812208
Hotel & Room Block Info
FPS doesn’t have a room block for this location. AMA does not arrange hotel accommodation. However, AMA has negotiated preferred rates at the following hotels based upon availability. Be sure to mention that you are an AMA conference attendee to secure your reservation and preferred rates. Contact the hotels below directly. Note: that we recommend that reservations be made early, as the number of rooms at preferred rates is limited.

Hyatt Regency Crystal City
Click here to reserve using the AMA preferred rate. For AMA’s preferred rate enter corporate code 00433. 
Reagan National Airport
2799 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington, VA 22202
AMA Reservation Number 1-703-418-1234

Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel
Click here to reserve using the AMA preferred rate by entering corporate code A10
2800 South Potomac Avenue
Arlington, VA 22202
AMA Reservation Number 1-703-413-1300

Hilton Arlington National Landing
Click here to reserve using the AMA preferred rate by entering corporate code N3433483.
2399 Richmond Hwy
Arlington, VA 22202
AMA Reservation Number 1-703-418-6800

METRO RAIL LINE:
Yellow & Blue Line – METRO Stop – Crystal City
From the METRO - AMA is 2 blocks east and 4 blocks south on Crystal Drive
http://www.amaconferencecenter.org/washington-directions-maps.htm

General Information

FOOD & BEVERAGE
Breakfast and lunch are on your own. Coffee (regular & decaf), tea and water will be served throughout the day with an afternoon snack (baked goods) break. 

In-House
Bring Federal Publications Seminars to your location! If you would like to offer this course in-house, please contact us.
Schedule Training
Schedule Training
Fill out this form and someone from FPS will contact you shortly. You can fill out as much or as little information as you would like. Prefer to talk to us? Call 888.865.9082.
Request a Quote
Thank You
You will be contacted shortly.
CMBOK Alignments
Leadership
Character
Collaboration
Competence
Emotional Intelligence
Vision
Management
Business Management
Change Management
Financial Management
Project Management
Risk Management
Supply Chain Management
Guiding Principles
Communication and Documentation
Contract Principles
Regulatory Compliance
Situational Assessment
Skills and Roles
Standards of Conduct
Team Dynamics
Pre-Award
Plan Sales
Plan Solicitation
Prepare Offer
Request Offers
Award
Manage Disagreements
Plan Negotiations
Price or Cost Analysis
Select Source
Post-Award
Administer Contract
Close Out Contract
Ensure Quality
Manage Changes
Manage Subcontracts
Learn
Continuous Learning
Individual Competence
Organizational Capability
Level
  • 100
    Basic or fundamental subject matter is covered. Courses are geared to general knowledge or can be taken as a refresher.
  • 200
    Specific topics or issues within a topic area are covered. Students should be familiar with terms of art and general concepts concerning the course topic.
  • 300
    Workshops and class discussions cover specific subject matter in-depth, and participation is strongly encouraged. Attendees should have at least 2-3 years' experience in the area of study.
  • 400
    Courses build upon students' knowledge and experience, and cover complex issues within the subject matter. Should have 4-5 years' mastery of subject for in-depth analysis.
  • 500
    Masters-level programs designed for professionals with 5+ years' experience. Courses cover in-depth and technical analysis on specific subjects and updates on current issues.