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Overview

Basics of Government Contracting, a flagship course of Federal Publications Seminars, is a comprehensive 3-day review of the entire federal procurement process, from start to finish, emphasizing the practical, the keys to success in today's contract world. This fundamental course covers, in critical point fashion, the key elements you need to function effectively in today's federal procurement world. Further, the course covers a comprehensive amount of ground in an easily digestible manner - in clear, concise terms you can swiftly apply to your individual work and operations.

Who should attend:

  • Newly hired professionals in all government contracting roles at all levels and all sizes of organizations
  • Businesses and organizations who are exploring or have acquired a government contract - either as a prime contractor or a subcontractor
  • Specialists who have been working in limited areas of procurement; those who have not had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the total picture
  • Experienced professionals needing an effective refresher, to be brought up to date on new rules, new procedures, new rights, and new remedies
  • Contracting officers, contract and subcontract administrators, program and project managers, accounting and finance professionals, general counsel and corporate and government attorneys, among others.
Click here for an in-depth course agenda.

Learning Objectives: 
After completing this course, you will be able to:
  • Know the historical context of federal acquisition
  • Recognize relevant statutes, laws and regulations in acquisition
  • Recognize the different contract types
  • Determine hierarchy of government structure related to acquisition and roles
  • Respond to an invitation for bids
  • Complete a basic bid proposal package
  • Understand bid deadlines and challenges
  • Prepare a basic proposal with all the correct elements
  • Respond to a bid protest 
  • Able to make an appeal if a dispute should arise
  • Understand the differences between termination types
  • Have basic knowledge on cost recovery and cost principles
Our instructors:
Our instructors are skilled professionals - many renowned for their work in the industry - who have the ability to explain clearly and to maintain the students' interest. They have the additional advantage of speaking from experience, since each is a specialist involved daily in procurement matters. Our instructors continually earn high marks for their ability to teach and knowledge they convey for both our courses and within their own careers.

Join the hundreds of other government contracting professionals who have honed their skills during this solid, fundamental course.
 

Apply your learning and skills! After mastering the 'Basics of Government Contracting,' jump to 'The 360 Federal Contracting Workshop – Turning Knowledge into Practice' This workshop integrates case studies and immerses you and your colleagues in real-world scenarios encountered in your field.

Dates/Locations
April 9-11, 2025
Executive Conference Training Center
Sterling, VA
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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May 5-7, 2025
Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine
La Jolla, CA, 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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June 4-6, 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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July 28-30, 2025
The Westin Hilton Head Island
Hilton Head Island, SC, 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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September 15-17, 2025
Planet Hollywood
Las Vegas, NV, 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.
Submit
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November 3-5, 2025
Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine (November)
La Jolla, CA
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.
Submit
Thank You
You will be contacted shortly.
December 8-10, 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.
Submit
Thank You
You will be contacted shortly.
Agenda
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Tampa, FL and Hilton Head, SC Government Contracts Weeks
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
La Jolla, CA and Las Vegas, NV Government Contracts Weeks
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
San Diego Week (November)
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
All Other Locations
BASICS OF GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING COURSE CURRICULUM
  1. The Setting
    1. Legislative Branch
    2. Executive Branch
    3. Judicial Branch
    4. Regulations
      1. Federal Acquisition Regulation
      2. Agency regulation
      3. Deviations
    5. Purchasing Offices
    6. The Procurement Process
      1. Establishing requirements
      2. Procurement methods
      3. Soliciting sources
      4. Government representative activities
  2. Sealed Bidding
    1. Invitation for Bids
    2. Correcting IFB Deficiencies
    3. Bid Preparation
      1. Instructions to bidders
      2. The complete package
      3. Formulating price quotes
      4. Acknowledging amendments
      5. Aids outside bid package
    4. Bid Opening
      1. Procedures
      2. Late bids
    5. Eligibility For Award
      1. Bid responsiveness
      2. Responsibility of bidders
      3. Mistakes in bids
      4. Bid protests
    6. Issuance of Award
    7. Two-Step Sealed Bidding
  3. Competitive Negotiation
    1. Conditions Permitting Competitive Proposals
    2. Requests for Proposals or Quotations
    3. Response Preparation
    4. Timeliness of Response
    5. Written/Oral Discussions
    6. Best and Final Offers
    7. Contract Types
      1. Fixed price
      2. Cost reimbursement
      3. Other types
    8. Post Award Notice and Debriefing
    9. Protests
  4. Costs
    1. Cost Principles
      1. Applicability
      2. Allowability
      3. Reasonableness
    2. Cost Accounting Standards
      1. Applicability
      2. Exemptions and waivers
      3. Contractor obligations
    3. Defective Pricing
      1. Requirements
      2. Submitting certified data
      3. Government recovery for defective data
    4. Government Audit Rights
  5. Specifications
    1. Design vs. Performance
    2. Purpose
    3. Types
    4. Deviations and Waivers
    5. Standards and Descriptions
    6. Availability of Specifications and Standards
    7. Qualified Products
    8. Government Warranty of Specifications
    9. Impossibility of Performance
      1. Contract interpretation rules
      2. Assumption of risk
      3. Actual and practical impossibility
    10. Remedies for Specification Problems
  6. Inspections and Warranties
    1. The Inspection Process
    2. Inspection Clauses
    3. Government Inspection
    4. Contractor Inspection
    5. Rejection and Correction
    6. Acceptance
      1. Conclusiveness
      2. Implied acceptance
      3. Exceptions to conclusiveness
    7. Warranties
      1. Implied
      2. Express
      3. Effect of warranties
  7. Contract Changes
    1. Standard Clauses
      1. Fixed-price contracts
      2. Cost reimbursement contracts
    2. Authority for Changes
    3. Contractor Duty to Proceed
    4. Value Engineering Clauses
    5. Formal Change Orders
      1. Contractor proposed
      2. Government originated
      3. Issuing changes
    6. Constructive Changes
      1. Government acts
      2. Defective specifications
      3. Nondisclosure of vital information
      4. Construction acceleration
  8. Differing Site Conditions
    1. Standard Clause
    2. Notice
    3. Conditions Covered and Not Covered
    4. Site Availability
    5. Site Investigation Duty
    6. General Disclaimers
  9. Subcontract Basics
    1. Nature of Subcontracts
    2. Privity
    3. Subcontractor Remedies
      1. Disputes procedures
      2. Other procedures
    4. Government Control
  10. Terms and Conditions
    1. Influence of the UCC
    2. Effect of Government Clauses
    3. Subcontract Clauses
  11. Claims Before the Contracting Officer
    1. Assertion of Claims
    2. Certification Requirements
    3. Fraudulent Claims
    4. Final Decision
      1. Content and timing
      2. Importance
    5. Extraordinary Contractual Relief
      1. Types of relief
      2. Relief procedures
      3. Petitions and decisions
  12. Terminations for Default
    1. Nature of Default Termination
    2. Bases for Default
      1. Failure to timely perform or meet specifications
      2. Failure to make progress
      3. Failure to otherwise perform
    3. Incorrect Default Basis
    4. Excusable Delays
    5. Waiver of Delivery Date
    6. Contractor Liability
    7. Contesting Default Termination
  13. Terminations for Convenience
    1. Nature of Convenience Termination
    2. Methods of Termination
    3. Termination Procedures
    4. Contractor Recovery
      1. Procedures
      2. Limitations
      3. Cost principles
      4. Special termination costs
      5. Settlement expenses
      6. Subcontractor claims
      7. Profit
      8. Loss contracts
    5. Partial Terminations
  14. Delays and Suspensions
    1. Delay Under Default Clause
      1. Excusable delay concept
      2. Weather and labor delays
      3. Concurrent delays
    2. Suspension of Work Clause
      1. Affirmative suspensions
      2. Constructive suspensions
      3. Recoverable costs
      4. Notice requirements
  15. Liquidated Damages
    1. Standard Clause
    2. Enforceability Criteria
    3. Contractor Defenses
    4. Measuring Assessment Period
  16. The Disputes Process
    1. Contract Disputes Act Procedures
    2. Appealing Contracting Officer’s Decision
    3. Disputes Clause
    4. Disputes Path
    5. Contesting Award Decisions
  17. Appeals to Board of Contract Appeals
    1. Initial Steps
    2. Discovery and Subpoenas
    3. Alternative Proceedings
    4. Regular Hearings
  18. Federal Court Proceedings
    1. Federal Courts Improvement Act
    2. Claims Court Practice and Trials
    3. Appeals to Court of Appeals
    4. Court of Appeals Processes
Experts
  • Perry Keating
    Managing Director and President, Protiviti Government Services (Pro Gov)
    Perry Keating is the Managing Director and President of Protiviti Government Services (Pro Gov), with over 30 years of experience in business and service with the government and the Defense Industrial Base (DIB).

    Perry’s technical expertise includes protecting government data, system...
    See Full Bio
  • Michael Killham
    Experienced Corporate Counsel
    Michael A. Killham is a California attorney specializing in U.S. Government procurement and subcontracting support. He provides legal advice, training, and assistance concerning all aspects of federal and commercial contracting and fiscal law, including but not limited to subjects relating to Contra...
    See Full Bio
  • Jonathan Kosarin
    DoD, IWTSD
    Jonathan H. Kosarin, Associate Counsel, Special Projects Division, is assigned to the Department of Defense Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate. He has over 42 years’ experience in acquisition, government contracting, and fiscal law. Mr. Kosarin previously served as Assistant Gener...
    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 West Professional Development 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: 19.5 (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, Second Floor
Arlington, VA, 22202
5714812208
Hotel & Room Block Info

Federal Publications Seminars 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 AND BEVERAGE

DC WEEK ONLY
Continental breakfast and lunch will be served (DC Week ONLY). Coffee (regular and decaf), tea, and water will be served throughout the day, with an afternoon snack (baked goods) break. 

ALL OTHER INDIVIDUAL COURSES OR TOPICAL WEEKLONG
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. 

Executive Conference Training Center
22685 Holiday Park Drive - Suite 60
Sterling, VA, 20166
7035631509
Hotel & Room Block Info

TRAVEL INFORMATION

There is a room block for this location. For guest room reservations call 703-537-7800

 

Hampton Inn & Suites Dulles (Immediately adjacent to the ECTC Dulles)

22700 Holiday Park Drive

Sterling, VA

Reference Federal Publications

 

*This hotel offers FREE high-speed Internet access, room service from the local O'Malley's Pub, as well as a complimentary area shuttle for local attractions, office buildings, and to/from Dulles Airport.

General Information

FOOD & BEVERAGE

All Day beverage service
Continental Breakfast and a buffet lunch will be served
PM Break – Coffee & Dessert

 

Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine
3777 La Jolla Village Drive
La Jolla, CA, 92122
8585521234
Hotel & Room Block Info
There is a room block for this location. The rate is $259/night plus taxes. To reserve your room, click here.  Reservations under this room block must be made by April 11, 2025.

If you need additional assistance, please get in touch with the Hyatt at 877.803.7534.

Government Per Diem
There is a government per diem rate for this location. The rate is $194/night plus taxes. To make your reservations, please click here. Reservations under this room block must be made by April 11, 2025.
General Information
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Breakfast and lunch will be served.
Coffee, tea, and water will be served throughout the day.
Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine (November)
3777 La Jolla Village Drive
La Jolla, CA, 92122
8585521234
Hotel & Room Block Info
There is a room block for this location. The rate is $249/night plus taxes. Resort fees are waved. Reservations must be made by October 11. 2025 (rooms subject to availability).

To reserve your room for the November San Diego Government Contracts Week 2025, click here.
General Information

FOOD AND BEVERAGE
Continental breakfast and lunch will be served each day.

** Please let us know about any dietary restrictions by contacting us at least two weeks before the event. **

Planet Hollywood
3667 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, NV, 89109
8669197472
Hotel & Room Block Info

There is a room block for this location. The rate is $104/night plus taxes. To reserve your room, click here. Reservations must be made by August 11, 2025.

Please note that upon booking your reservation, your credit card will be charged a deposit equal to the first night's room and tax. To avoid forfeiture of deposit, please ensure all changes and cancellations are made at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled arrival date.

General Information

Food & Beverage
Continental breakfast and lunch will be served.

The Westin Hilton Head Island
2 Grasslawn Avenue
Hilton Head Island, SC, 29928
8886278551
Hotel & Room Block Info
There is a room block for this location. The rate is $398/night plus taxes and resort fees. To reserve your room, click here - Federal Publications Government Contract Training 2025 Attendee Room Block. Reservations must be made by June 27, 2025.
Government Per Diem
There is a limited amount of per diem rate rooms for this location. The rate is $215/night plus taxes and resort fees. To reserve your room, click here - Federal Publications Government Contract Training 2025 Per Diem Room Block. Reservations must be made by June 27, 2025.
General Information
Food & Beverage
Continental breakfast and lunch will be served.
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.