Posted on Dec 8, 2017
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
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I can sure use some advise RALLYPOINT NATION!

I WILL BE TAKING THIS COURSE AT THE DEFENSE ACQUISITION UNIVERSITY (DAU CHESTER, VIRGINIA 22 JAN 2018-15 FEBRUARY 2018

Course Description

FAR Fundamentals is a four week, resident, foundational course for new hires that provides a total immersion into the Federal Acquisition Regulation and the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS). The course will prepare the 21st century acquisition workforce to operate successfully in a web enabled environment.
CON 090 is a limited lecture, research intensive, exercised-based curriculum. Participants will support contracting business positions developed through research of the FAR and its supplements as applicable to contract planning, formation, management and contract pricing.
The course is presented in four modules as follows: Contracting Overview; Contract Planning; Contract Formation; and Contract Management.  The resident course learning materials within the four (4) modules are found in your student guide.  The student guide will be available to you approximately one (1) week prior to class in the Course Documents tab. 

CON 090 is a very rigorous course, and it will require a considerable amount of focused effort and discipline on your part to be successful.  CON 090 will most likely be quite different than any other class you have taken before, and it is also very likely that nothing has prepared you for reading, interpreting, and applying the FAR and DFARS.  Therefore, preparation is paramount by executing a thorough review of the Performance Support Tool (PST) content found within the pre-course work requirement by which to increase your success during the resident portion of the course. 

CON 90, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Fundamentals provides a deep immersion into the regulations.  While the term "fundamentals" and numbering sequence, "CON 090" being the first resident course within the DAWIA certification process, lends itself towards meaning the course is simplistic; CON 90 is anything but simple. The Federal Acquisition Regulations System can be rather complex to navigate, interpret and apply accordingly.  Additionally, CON 90 is a college graduate level accredited course.  It is important to plan your time and expectations accordingly throughout completion of this rigorous course.
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Responses: 7
CAPT Kevin B.
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Edited >1 y ago
Like everything else, context is important. One thing DAU was horrible about is not giving due credit to the history of government acquisition. It doesn't need to be deep, but should depict the beginnings and pathway Government contracting has taken to get to where it is today, including the big flubs ($600 toilet seats, AF tanker fiasco, etc.). The second thing they don't do well is making sure the fairly newly minted contract specialists understand and recognize when they're headed down the path of weaponizing a contract. History has lead us to the separation of contract functions and a humility pill should be prescribed with the authority.

That said, the FAR applies to appropriated funds. It doesn't necessarily apply in other areas like doing work overseas with "other people's money". So pay attention to the appropriate use, accountability, and obtaining the right result with taxpayer money.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
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LTC Stephen F.
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Okay SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL I have some experience with the Defense Acquisition University since I was the primary expert for a couple of their long-stand-courses for over a decade.
I would familiarize yourself with the basics of the FAR [Federal Acquisitions Regulation] so that you are familiar with the legal basis for it, terminology and the organization of the FAR.
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SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth
SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth
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Thank you for the great share and information sir.
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SGT David T.
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As with any DAU course, focus on what they teach you even if you know things are done differently in your workplace. They teach the text book answer and not necessarily the real world application. From what some of the Contract Specialists tell me, you will need large amounts of caffeine lol
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