DOE O 361.1C, Acquisition Career Management Program
Functional areas: Career Management, Acquisition
The order sets forth requirements and responsibilities for the Department of Energy (DOE) Acquisition Career Management Program. Supersedes DOE O 361.1B.
The Office of Project Management Oversight and Assessments (PM) is responsible for the content in Chapter V of this Order, Project Management Career Development Program. Please contact Linda Ott of PM with any questions regarding Chapter V.
Related To:
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Superseded by
A newer version replaces this document.
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Earlier documents this one replaced.
- DOE O 361.1BAcquisition Career Management Program (May 14, 2015)
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Text extracted from the attached file. Refer to the original document for the authoritative version.
Section 1
AVAILABLE ONLINE AT: INITIATED BY:
www.directives.doe.gov Office of Acquisition and Project Management
U.S. Department of Energy ORDER
Washington, D.C.
Approved: 5-14-2015
SUBJECT: ACQUISITION CAREER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
1. PURPOSE.
a. To set forth requirements and responsibilities for the Department of Energy
(DOE) Acquisition Career Management Program (ACMP). The ACMP
implements career development in accordance with (IAW) career development
objectives identified in Executive Order (E.O.) 12931 “Federal Procurement
Reform,” the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), the Office of Federal
Procurement Policy (OFPP) requirements, and the Federal Acquisition Reform
Act (FARA).
b. To establish requirements for training, certification, and career development to
ensure a common foundation of knowledge, tools, and capabilities necessary for
the development of a highly skilled acquisition workforce.
c. To establish a means for providing continuity of effective acquisition career
management and support for our customers.
d. To establish this Order as the overarching directive governing training,
continuous learning, career management and career development for the
Department’s certified workforce.
e. To ensure consistency and uniformity in acquisition certifications policy.
2. CANCELLATION. Cancels DOE O 361.1B, Acquisition Career Development Program,
dated 01-24-08.
3. APPLICABILITY.
a. Departmental Applicability. Except for the exclusions in paragraph 3.c., this Order
applies to all Departmental elements.
The Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) will
assure that NNSA employees comply with their respective responsibilities under
this directive. This Order is written to enhance and not interfere with the NNSA
Administrator’s authority under section 3212(d) of Public Law (P.L.) 106-65 to
establish Administration specific policies, unless disapproved by the Secretary.
b. DOE Contractors. This Order does not apply to contractors.
c. Equivalencies/Exemptions for DOE O 361.1C.
(1) Equivalencies. IAW the responsibilities and authorities assigned by
Executive Order 12344 (Naval Nuclear Propulsion), codified within 50 US
Code § 2406 and 2511 and to ensure consistency throughout the joint
DOE O 361.1C
http://www.directives.doe.gov/
2 DOE O 361.1C
5-14-2015
Navy/DOE Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. The Deputy
Administrator for Naval Reactors (Director) will implement and oversee
requirements and practices pertaining to this Directive for activities under
the Director's cognizance, as deemed appropriate.
(2) Exemptions. This Order does not apply to the Bonneville Power
Administration.
4. REQUIREMENTS.
a. Certification Requirements.
(1) Certification requirements must be applied as indicated in the appropriate
program module. (See Chapters I through VIII).
(2) The DOE acquisition workforce must obtain training to attain and
maintain certifications for appropriate levels or obtain waivers as specified
in this Order and the Acquisition Certifications Program (ACP)
Handbook.
(3) With one exception, requests for waivers to maintain certification
requirements must be submitted in writing to the Senior Procurement
Executive (SPE) and must describe how disapproval would affect the
organization and the course of action being taken to rectify the situation.
Individuals requesting waivers must submit a resume documenting
experience relevant to the position. In the case of the Project Management
Section 2
Career Development Program, requests for waiver must be submitted in
writing to the Chairs of the Certification Review Board.
(4) The acquisition workforce must meet all requirements for certification at
their current levels before being assigned to positions requiring the next
higher level of certification, unless a waiver is obtained. For example, an
employee at the GS-7 level, a Level I position under the Contracting and
Purchasing Career Development (contracting) Program, cannot be
promoted to GS-9, a Level II position, without having completed the
certification requirements for Level I.
(5) Federal agency certifications are limited to that agency, unlike the Federal
Acquisition Certifications (FAC), which are accepted by all civilian
agencies as evidence that an employee meets the core education, training
and experience requirements to perform contracting functions. For
example, a DOE Level III Personal Property certification will not
automatically be considered a Level III certification outside DOE.
(6) If a potential assignee to a vacant position in the next higher level has not
met the requirements for certification at that level, the supervisor must
qualify him or her to meet the requirements within the specified amount of
time or justify a waiver for them. (See Chapters I through VIII.)
(7) Ensure Program Elements provide sponsorship for any certifications. This
process ensures acquisition workforce members requesting certification
are sponsored by their respective offices.
(8) An individual certified at a specific-level by DOE or an individual
certified at a specific-level who holds a FAC or DAWIA certification and
subsequently transfers to DOE will retain that certification regardless of
any new requirements made effective thereafter, unless:
(a) Congress enacts a requirement for a new education or training
standard and designates it as “continuing education and training,”
in which case individuals must complete the new requirements of
this kind within 36 months.
(b) The individual has not maintained the certification through
continuous learning.
(c) Failure to complete new requirements or to request and justify a
waiver will result in the certification being revoked.
b. Curriculum Requirements.
The core curriculum must contain—
(1) Specific accredited courses that employees must successfully complete by
demonstrating mastery of material before becoming eligible for higher-
level certifications.
(2) A mechanism to ensure completion of core courses in a logical sequence so
that the appropriate level of knowledge is available for performance at a
particular level so that later courses can build on the knowledge gained in
earlier offerings.
c. Training Management.
(1) To use “Fulfillment” to satisfy mandatory (core) training, candidates must
submit, and supervisors must review documentation to determine how
required competencies for certification levels or classes were obtained
through alternate training, experience, or education. In the absence of a
certificate, applicants must submit available documentation in the form of
transcripts, resume, or other documentation to verify training requirement
was met.
(2) Core courses are required for certification at each level in each functional
area as described within relevant program modules.
(3) Spaces must be allotted to employees for training that is (in priority order):
(a) required by law,
4 DOE O 361.1C
5-14-2015
Section 3
(b) established as mandatory by DOE and training needed to qualify
an incumbent for the position they currently occupy,
(c) required to become eligible for the next higher career-level after
completion of mandatory training for incumbent position,
(d) for new assignments, and
(e) desired/elective for relevant skills and competency development.
d. Continuous Learning.
(1) To maintain knowledge and skills, individuals in the acquisition workforce
who have satisfied the mandatory training requirements are required to
maintain certifications through continuous learning points.
(2) Certified workforce members shall obtain and must report continuous
learning points as specified in each program module. (For additional
information on the application of continuous learning points, review the
“Continuous Learning Point Guidance” located on Powerpedia.)
5. CERTIFICATIONS MANAGED UNDER THIS PROGRAM.
a. FAC – Contracting (FAC-C)
b. FAC – Contracting Officer’s Representative (FAC-COR)
c. FAC – Program/Project Management (FAC-P/PM)
d. DOE Certifications associated with GS Job Series:
(1) 1102 – Contracting Officers/Contract Specialists
(2) 1103 – Personal Property
(3) 1105 – Purchasing
(4) 1102/1109 – Certification in Financial Assistance
(5) 1170 – Real Property
NOTE: Relative to paragraph 5(d), warrant holders and legacy employees are not limited
to 1100 series.
e. DOE Certifications required in specific positions:
(1) Federal Project Director/Project Management Career Development
Program (PMCDP)
(2) Technical Project Officers
(3) Contracting Officer’s Representatives/Contracting Officer’s Technical
Representatives.
6. RESPONSIBILITIES.
a. Chief Acquisition Officer (CAO). IAW with OFPP Policy Letter 05-01, the CAO
or designee shall develop and maintain an acquisition career management
program to ensure the development of a competent, professional workforce to
support the accomplishment of DOE’s mission.
(1) Identify members of the acquisition workforce and implement budget
strategies that reflect the workforce’s development needs.
(2) The CAO or designee appoints the DOE Acquisition Career Manager
(ACM) to lead DOE’s ACMP. The NNSA Senior Procurement Executive
appoints the NNSA ACM to lead the NNSA’s ACMP.
b. Senior Procurement Executive (SPE).
(1) The appropriate DOE and NNSA SPE provides oversight of and ensures
members of the acquisition workforce under their cognizance are certified
to the career-levels appropriate and grades they occupy or to their
responsibilities, and approves requests for waiver in general IAW this
Order.
(2) Maintain certification supporting documentation for the DOE acquisition
workforce.
c. Co-chairs of the Federal Project Director Certification Review Board (CRB).
Provide oversight of DOE and NNSA certification processes and provide
guidance and assistance to meet career development and certification policy
requirements for the Federal Project Directors. Co-chairs also convene the CRB to
consider candidates eligibility to be FPDs.
d. Acquisition Career Managers (ACMs). Provide oversight of DOE acquisition
certification processes and provide guidance and assistance to meet career
development and acquisition certification policy requirements to maintain
certifications. For DOE/NNSA the ACM leads the ACMP. ACMs will:
(1) Review the education, training profile, and experience of employees new
to DOE to determine the appropriate career-level.
Section 4
(2) Manage the identification and development of the acquisition workforce,
including identifying staffing needs, training requirements, and other
workforce development strategies.
(3) Propose an annual budget for development of the acquisition workforce.
6 DOE O 361.1C
5-14-2015
(4) Provide the existing workforce with training and experiential learning
opportunities sufficient to maintain currency in their positions and to
prepare for future leadership roles.
(5) Provide training, career management and certification management
support to Federal Acquisition Certification (FAC) programs and DOE
certifications programs. (See paragraph 4. (a))
(6) Provide input to the CAO and the Chief Human Capital Officer regarding
short- and long-term human capital strategic planning for training,
competency, fulfillment, career development, accession, recruitment and
retention, and other facets of human capital management affecting the
acquisition workforce.
(7) Implement DOE policies and procedures for acquisition workforce
management consistent with OFPP policies and procedures.
(8) Coordinate with DOE Site Acquisition Career Managers (SACMs) and
Points of Contacts (POCs) through regular conference calls and meetings
to assist in fulfillment of certification requirements.
(9) Provide support and direction as required to the SACMs for registering the
DOE certified acquisition workforce in the Federal Acquisition Institute
Training Application System (FAITAS).
(10) Provide oversight and management of training and certification records in
FAITAS DOE-wide.
(11) Review and take action on certification requests in FAITAS.
(12) Recommend, as appropriate, to the SPE waivers to FAC education and
training requirements.
(13) Provide guidance to and oversight of acquisition workforce members’
career paths to ensure training, developmental activities and experiential
learning opportunities are provided and used in a manner consistent with
their respective career development programs and Program Element
needs.
(14) Represent DOE on interagency groups, committees and advisory boards
associated with the acquisition workforce.
(15) Approve the completion of requirements and attainment of competencies
established in their respective career development modules (See
Chapters I-VIII).
(16) Track and report performance measures as identified and required by
senior management.
(17) Certification and development information and guidance of the DOE
acquisition workforce will be centralized and managed by the ACM.
e. Heads of Contracting Activity (HCA). Promote technical excellence in assisting
the SPE on career management issues in the various certifications. Except for
PMCDP,
(1) Serve as the single point of contact, with responsibility for acquisition
career development and career management matters concerning their
assigned site.
(2) Implement career development policy, review curriculum requirements,
class allocations, quotas, student attendance, priorities, and resources
provided by the ACM for the career field under their cognizance and
identify findings and recommendations for improvement of the
acquisition workforce.
(3) Provide advice and guidance on education, training, and experience
required for acquisition positions.
(4) Review certification/waiver requests for completeness prior to
forwarding to Headquarters for action.
(5) Endorse certification waiver requests.
(6) Recommend to the SPE changes in the certification curriculum.
Section 5
f. National Nuclear Security Administration, Headquarters and Field Element
Managers (FEM)/Procurement Directors (PD).
(1) Conduct continuous structured analysis of future acquisition skills
needed to support planned or emerging program needs.
(2) Identify and assess training needs, provide funding for training, and
create plans IAW DOE Order 360.1B, Federal Employee Training
Manual, so that acquisition workforce members’ development is
consistent with site mission needs, and submit workforce development
plans to the ACM on an annual basis.
(3) Ensure that existing acquisition staff and managers receive continuous
learning to remain current on emerging acquisition requirements,
policies, issues, and techniques.
(4) Provide the DOE/NNSA acquisition workforce with the appropriate
training and continuous learning opportunities to meet all certification
requirements in a timely manner.
(5) Budget for and set aside appropriate funds for required training and
payment of retention allowances to acquisition workforce members as
required.
8 DOE O 361.1C
5-14-2015
(6) Provide funding on a per-student basis for mandatory courses IAW the
contracts and agreements with the training sources approved by the
ACM.
(7) As required, reassign workforce members to duties not requiring
certification when their certifications are revoked for failure to obtain
continuous learning.
(8) Inform Government purchase card holders to meet all training
requirements for the purchase card authority they hold. Guidance can be
found in DOE Policies and Operating Procedures for Purchase Cards.
g. Site Acquisition Career Managers (SACM) and Points of Contacts (POC).
SACM duties include (excluding PMCDP):
(1) Representation.
(a) Provide guidance, oversight and assistance to certified
acquisition workforce members to maintain required certification
levels under their respective career development modules.
(b) Track the certification status of members, provide the ACM with
quarterly updates of training, developmental assignments, and
certification status.
(c) Monitor individual progress and provide supervisor with results
in each annual review.
(d) Represent and speak for the Procurement Director and HCA
regarding all acquisition career program matters for his/her
office/site.
(e) Represent site employees at scheduled acquisition career
program-related conference calls, meetings, and conferences.
(2) Proficiency and currency in:
(a) The policy and procedures in the ACP Handbook.
(b) Continuous Learning Point Guidance. (Can be found on
Powerpedia.)
(c) The DOE Order 541.1B, Appointment of Contracting Officers
and Contracting Officer’s Representatives.
(3) Certification Oversight and Maintenance.
(a) Monitor status of certifications and continuous learning for
acquisition workforce members at his/her site office.
https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives/0541.1-BOrder-b/at_download/file
(b) Work with covered individuals at his/her site to ensure they meet
ACP requirements.
(c) Confirm applications or other actions are completed, fully
supported and are aligned with FAI standards.
(d) Review, verify and approve the number of CLPs consistent with
the CLP Guidance Accreditation Table published on Powerpedia.
(e) Review and take action on certification/achievement requests in
FAITAS.
(f) Consult the ACM for guidance on CLP requests not covered in
the CLP Accreditation Table.
(g) Coordinate with the ACM locally-hosted training or other CL
Section 6
activities to determine CLP credit and available training seats.
(h) Confirm that members complete all DOE mandatory electives as
applicable.
(4) Communication.
(a) Advise and provide recommendations to supervisors when
acquisition workforce members are failing to meet training
requirements.
(b) Coordinate with the ACM as necessary to announce and
implement new certification requirements.
(5) Acquisition Workforce Analysis.
(a) Maintain demographic information, trend analysis, advise
through regular status updates of training taken, new acquisition
employees, and separation of acquisition employees to the ACM.
(b) Assist in determining the training priorities and allocations of
ACMP resources.
(c) Support the ACM in completion of acquisition workforce
reports, as assigned by SPE or CAO.
(6) Systems Administration.
(a) Maintain proficiency and use of FAITAS.
(b) Serve as the Bureau/Site Certifications Manager (BCM) or
appoint managers to monitor CL and certifications in FAITAS
10 DOE O 361.1C
5-14-2015
h. Supervisors. Ensure workforce members are afforded opportunities to complete
requisite certification requirements through the creation of Individual
Development Plans.
(1) Create Individual Development Plans (IDPs) in Employee Self Service
(ESS) IAW DOE Order 360.1B – Federal Employee Training Manual.
IDP tools are available in ESS and FAITAS.
(2) Assist in the design, development and implementation of IDPs to meet
developmental and certification requirements of the position. IDPs may
include, but are not limited to:
(c) Courses needed for the appropriate certification level;
(d) Courses for career development;
(e) Courses needed for renewal/continuous learning; and
(f) Shadowing/rotational assignments.
(3) Determine priority for training when multiple staff members require
training within one of the above priority categories.
(4) Perform annual reviews of each acquisition workforce member
participating in the ACP to ensure education, training and experience
requirements are met to maintain certifications.
(5) Review, verify and take action on CL requests in FAITAS.
(6) Approve the number of CLPs consistent with the CLP Guidance and
Accreditation Table published on Powerpedia.
i. Functional Advisor/Subject Matter Experts.
Review and evaluate curriculum requirements and delivery with course audit
procedures. Ensure course objectives and content are up-to-date and recommend
content for ACMP and PMCDP courses.
j. Acquisition Workforce.
(1) Meet all requirements for certification at their current levels.
(2) Maintain certifications IAW specified program and mission
requirements.
(3) Annually prepare and periodically update IDPs with the assistance and
counsel of supervisors.
(4) Submit requests for continuous learning, external certification, and other
equivalency through FAITAS to supervisors.
7. REFERENCES.
a. Executive Order (E.O.) 12931, Federal Procurement Reform, OFPP Policy
Memorandum, dated October 13, 1994, “Federal Procurement Reform,”
underscores the Administration’s approach to procurement management and
requires Agencies to establish career education programs for procurement
professionals.
b. Executive Order 12344, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, is integrated program
carried out by the Department of Energy and the Department of Navy.
Section 5. Within the Department of Energy, the Secretary of Energy shall assign
to the director the responsibility of performing the functions of the Division of
Section 7
Naval Reactors transferred to the Department of Energy by Section 309(a) of the
Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7158), including assigned
civilian power reactor programs, and any naval nuclear propulsion functions of
the Department of Energy, including:
Section 5(d). Training, including training conducted at the naval prototype
reactors of the Department of Energy, and assistance and concurrence in the
selection, training, qualification, and assignment of personnel reporting to the
director and of personnel who supervise, operate, or maintain naval nuclear
propulsion plants.
c. 50 U.S.C. § 2406(b), Deputy Administrator for Naval Reactors. The Deputy
Administrator shall be assigned the responsibilities, authorities, and accountability
for all functions of the Office of Naval Reactors under the Naval Nuclear
Propulsion Executive Order.
d. 41 U.S.C. Public Contracts, Subtitle I – Federal Procurement Policy. Division B –
Office of Federal Procurement Policy, Chapter 17 – Agency Responsibilities and
Procedures.
e. 41 U.S.C § 1703 – Acquisition Workforce – (c) Management Policies – Establish
policies and procedures for the effective management (including accession,
education, training, career development and performance incentives) of the
acquisition workforce for the agency.
f. 41 U.S.C § 1704 – Planning and Policy Making for the Acquisition Workforce (c)
Acquisition and Contracting Training Programs Within Executive Agencies, the
head of each executive agency shall establish and operate acquisition and
contracting training programs.
g. 48 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Subpart 901.6 – Career Development,
Contracting Authority and Responsibilities, Subpart 901.603-70 – Appointment of
Contracting Officers and Contracting Officer’s Representatives, see DOE Order
541.1B.
12 DOE O 361.1C
5-14-2015
h. OFPP Memo – December 16, 2013 – Revisions to the Federal Acquisition
Certification for Program and Project Managers (FAC-P/PM). Designed to
strengthen civilian agency P/PMs to improve program outcomes, and reflects the
need to improve the management of high-risk, high-impact programs.
i. OFPP Memo – September 3, 2013 – Increasing Efficiencies in the Training,
Development, and Management of the Acquisition Workforce. Contains policy
changes aimed at reducing duplicative training and development efforts and
saving taxpayer dollars.
j. OFPP Memo – September 6, 2011 – Revisions to the Federal Acquisition
Certification for Contracting Officer’s Representatives (FAC-COR). Issued by
OMB, establishes a structured training program for COR’s and other individuals
performing these functions.
k. OFPP FAC P/PM Memo April 25, 2007 – Issued by OMB, establishes the Federal
Acquisition Certification Program for Program and Project Managers. It contains
requirements for achieving certification and guidance for administering the
program.
l. OFPP FAC-C Memo – January 20, 2006 – Federal Acquisition Certification in
Contracting Program establishes the Federal Acquisition Certification in
Contracting. It contains requirements for achieving certification and guidance for
administering the program.
m. OFPP Policy Letter 05-01 – April 15, 2005 – Developing and Managing the
Acquisition Workforce, establishes a government-wide framework for creating a
federal acquisition workforce with skills necessary to deliver best value supplies
and services, find the best business solutions, and provide strategic business
Section 8
advice to accomplish agency missions.
n. Public Law (P.L.) 108-136 – the Services Acquisition Reform Act (SARA) of
2003, defines acquisition to include, among traditional contracting functions,
requirements definition, measurement of contract performance, and technical and
management direction.
o. P.L.104-106, the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996 – also known as the Federal
Acquisition Reform Act (FARA), amended the OFPP Act (Section 4307);
expanded OFPP responsibility to include establishing education, training, and
experience requirements for civilian agencies, comparable to those established for
the Department of Defense in 1991 by the Defense Acquisition Workforce
Improvement Act; established a new Section 37 of the OFPP Act; and
strengthened the statutory responsibility of the director of OFPP.
p. FAR 1.603-1 – requires agency heads to establish and maintain a career
management program and a system for the selection, appointment and termination
of contracting officers. The selections and appointments must be consistent with
OFPP standards of skill-based training for contracting and purchasing duties.
q. The National Performance Review - directed the Federal Government to establish
a well-trained, professional, procurement workforce to keep pace with the
demands of an increasingly complex procurement process.
r. The Defense Acquisition University Website – at www.dau.mil, provides
information on course equivalencies.
s. The Federal Acquisition Institute Website – at www.fai.gov, provides information
on available online courses.
t. DOE Order 413.3B, Program and Project Management for the Acquisition of
Capital Assets.
u. DOE Order 541.1B, Appointment of Contracting Officers and Contracting
Officer’s Representatives.
v. DOE Order 360.1B, Federal Employee Training Manual.
w. DOE Acquisition Guide – http://energy.gov/management/downloads/acquisition-
guide-0
x. DOE Policy and Operating Procedures for Purchase Cards –
http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/PCARDPolicy-August%202012-Attachment.pdf.
y. Project Management Career Development Program – Certification and
Equivalency Guidelines (CEG).
z. DOE Acquisition Certifications Program Handbook – current edition.
aa. Continuous Learning Point Guidance is located on Powerpedia.
8. DEFINITIONS.
a. Accredited courses. Those that are approved by DOE as providing a specific body
of knowledge.
b. Acquisition. The planning, design, development, testing, contracting, production,
logistics support and disposal of systems, equipment, facilities, supplies or
services that are intended for use in, or support of, DOE missions.
c. Acquisition Advisory Board. Provides a forum for select Department Acquisition
Executives to obtain advice and comment regarding potential changes in
acquisition and financial assistance policies and procedures and other issues
pertinent to acquisition and financial assistance operations. Advises on
requirements for DOE Acquisition Workforce members in the GS-1102, GS-
1109 series and contracting officers and warrant holders in other series.
d. Acquisition Career Managers (ACM). The individuals appointed to lead the
Acquisition Career Management Program. The ACM for DOE is the Director,
Office of Acquisition Management, or their designee. For NNSA, the ACM is the
http://www.dau.mil/
http://www.fai.gov/
http://energy.gov/management/downloads/acquisition-guide-0
http://energy.gov/management/downloads/acquisition-guide-0
http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/PCARDPolicy-August%202012-Attachment.pdf
Section 9
14 DOE O 361.1C
5-14-2015
Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Acquisition and Project Management,
or their designee.
e. Acquisition Career Management Program (ACMP). The professional
development program for members of the acquisition workforce at DOE. The
program includes professional development of a competent, professional
workforce to support the accomplishment of DOE’s mission.
f. Acquisition Experience. Experience gained while assigned to an acquisition
position. Acquisition experience includes cooperative education and other
developmental assignments, experience in DOE/NNSA acquisition positions, and
experience in comparable positions outside of DOE/NNSA.
g. Acquisition Guide. The DOE Acquisition Guide provides policy and guidance to
the acquisition workforce in implementing statute and regulation for both
procurement and program personnel who are involved in various aspects of the
acquisition process.
h. Acquisition Workforce. DOE employees who support acquisition functions and
occupy positions in contracting, purchasing, financial assistance, property
management, project management, program management, contractor human
resource management, contracting officers, and contracting officer’s
representatives, consistent with the statutory intent of P.L. 104-106.
i. Career Development. The professional development that integrates the
capabilities, needs, interests, and aptitudes of employees in acquisition positions
through a planned, organized, and systematic method of training and development
designed to meet organizational objectives; a combination of work assignments,
job rotation, training, education, and self-development programs.
j. Career Field. One or more occupations that require similar knowledge and skills.
There are seven acquisition career fields within DOE. The acquisition position
category determines the acquisition workforce member’s career field. The seven
career fields are identified above in “Acquisition Position Categories.”
k. Career Path. The range of opportunities at each career level and the optimum
route for vertical and horizontal progression in a career field.
l. Certification. Certification is the process by which an authorized official
determines that a workforce member meets the mandatory education, training, and
experience requirements for a certification level in an acquisition career field.
m. Certification in Financial Assistance. The Certification in Financial Assistance
(CFA) is targeted at gaining competency counterparts to contract planning,
preparing solicitation documents, proposal analysis, cost analysis, negotiation,
selection of award instrument, financing performance, audits, preparing award
documents, debriefing, administration, monitoring, terminations, and closeout.
n. Certification and Equivalency Guidelines (CEG). The Certification and
Equivalency Guidelines (CEG) document establishes the U.S. Department of
Energy’s (DOE) competency and certification requirements for DOE Federal
Project Management personnel to be certified as DOE Federal Project Directors
(FPDs).
o. Certification Levels. All acquisition positions have been assigned up to four
levels, depending on the career field. The level is determined by the grade of the
position for contracting, purchasing, and personal property management. For
project and program management, the level is determined by the total project cost.
p. Certification Program. A structured program of education, training, and
Section 10
experience that provides a framework for attaining career levels commensurate
with positions in the acquisition field.
q. Certification Review Board. The certifying body for the Federal Project Directors
co-chaired by the Director of the Office of Project Management Oversight and
Assessment and NNSA’s Associate Administrator for Acquisition and Project
Management or their designees.
r. Chief Acquisition Officer (CAO). The individual designated by the Secretary of
Energy who is responsible for management of the acquisition system of the
executive agency.
s. Continuous Learning Point (CLP). Are points awarded for qualifying education,
training, and opportunities to improve, maintain, or to learn new skills. Points may
be earned for: rotational assignments, traditional classroom training, professional
association meetings, conferences, seminars, and experiential learning in
accordance with the Continuous Learning Point Guidance on Powerpedia.
t. Contracting Officer (CO). A contracting officer is a Government employee who,
when given the authority, awards, administers or terminates a contract above the
micro purchase threshold. The term “warranted contracting officer” encompasses
persons having the authority to award or administer contracts above the micro
purchase threshold.
u. Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). A Government employee formally
designated to act as an authorized representative of a contracting officer for
specified functions that do not include actions that could change the scope, price,
terms or conditions of a contract (e.g., technical monitoring).
v. Contracting Positions. Includes positions that manage, supervise, perform, or
develop policies and procedures for professional work involving procurement of
supplies, services, construction, or research and development using formal
advertising or negotiating procedures. Personnel in contracting positions include
the evaluation of contract price proposals; administration or termination and close
out contracts.
w. Core courses. Classes taught by approved trainers and required as part of the core
curriculum.
16 DOE O 361.1C
5-14-2015
x. Core curriculum. A course of study comprising specific courses required to attain
a certification level.
y. Defense Acquisition University (DAU). A consortium of the Department of
Defense education and training institutions and organizations providing
DOE/NNSA prescribed acquisition courses for certification.
z. Elective courses. Units of study that cover functional-specific initiatives or that
provide more in-depth coverage than is offered in core courses. Electives are not
required for progression to the next higher certification level.
aa. Equivalent course. A course that has been determined by the ACM to contain the
level of knowledge that would enable individuals who take the course to perform
as if they had completed the comparable, designated, mandatory course.
bb. Federal Acquisition Certification (FAC). FAC OFPP Policy Letter 05-01
established Federal Acquisition Certifications for Contracting, Contracting
Officer’s Representative, and Program and Project Managers. OFPP issues
memoranda on the FAC requirements; FAI supports Federal agencies in
implementing the issuance of certifications at the agencies. FACs are distinct
from agency-specific certification programs as FACs are transferrable to other
agencies.
cc. Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI). Established under the Office of Federal
Section 11
Procurement Policy Act, its mission is to foster and promote the development of a
professional acquisition workforce into effective business leaders.
dd. Federal Acquisition Institute Training Application System (FAITAS). An
integrated and Government-wide acquisition workforce career management
system, which allows agencies to better manage their acquisition workforce
members and training programs.
ee. Federal Project Director (FPD). Federal Project Directors are persons responsible
and accountable for directing DOE projects IAW DOE O 413.3B, Program and
Project Management for the Acquisition of Capital Assets.
ff. Federal Technology Manager. A Federal Technology Manager is an individual,
independent of discipline, responsible for managing a technology or an element
within a given technology, for Research, Development, Demonstration and
Deployment (RDD&D) programs.
gg. Field Element Manager. The DOE employee having overall responsibility for a
field element.
hh. Financial Assistance. The transfer of money or property to a recipient or sub-
recipient to accomplish a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by
Federal statute. For purposes of this Order, financial assistance instruments are
grants, cooperative agreements, Technology Investment Agreements and sub-
awards.
ii. Fulfillment. The process by which acquisition workforce members may satisfy
mandatory training requirements based on previous experience, education, and/or
alternative training successfully completed and documented based on course
competency standards and procedure. Fulfillment may be granted by the FA of
the career field upon application on a case-by-case basis.
jj. Functional Advisor (FA). Senior civil service managers appointed by the CAO,
or designee, and have delegated responsibility for an organization’s career
development program for acquisition-related functions. The FA determines the
certification requirements and ensures the quality of the development program for
certified workforce members
kk. Functional Area. Segments of the acquisition process responsible for a specific
area of expertise, such as contracting and purchasing, personal property
management, financial assistance, project management, program management,
and contractor human resource management.
ll. Grandfathering. The granting of a certification in a career field by virtue of
incumbency in that career field. None of the certification programs covered under
this Order provide for certification based on grandfathering.
mm. Head of Contracting Activity (HCA). The official designated by the Senior
Procurement Executive with broad delegated authority regarding acquisition
functions as required by the Federal Acquisition Regulation and overall
responsibility for managing a DOE element.
nn. Individual Development Plan (IDP). Documented planning for an employee’s
education, training, and experience needs. It should specify developmental needs
as well as those required in support of the career field position. Developing the
plan is a joint effort of the employee, supervisor, and possibly other
knowledgeable persons in the training and/or acquisition fields.
oo. Mandatory DOE/NNSA acquisition course. An approved course of study that
meets DOE/NNSA acquisition training requirements for a career level.
pp. Personal Property Management. The development, implementation, and
administration of policies, programs, and procedures for the effective and
Section 12
economical acquisition, receipt, control, storage, issue, use, physical protection,
care and maintenance, determination of requirements and maintenance of related
operating records, and disposal, as appropriate, for Government personal property
exclusive of accounting records.
qq. Purchase Card Holder. A DOE employee or authorized contractor with
purchasing authority who:
(1) Are issued a DOE Purchase Card;
18 DOE O 361.1C
5-14-2015
(2) Has his or her name embossed on the card;
(3) Is the sole user of the card; and
(4) Is the custodian of the card.
rr. Program. An organized set of activities directed toward a common purpose or
goal undertaken or proposed in support of an assigned mission area. It is
characterized by a strategy for accomplishing definite objectives that identifies the
means of accomplishment, particularly in qualitative terms, with respect to
workforce, material, and facility requirements. Programs are typically made up of
technology-based activities, projects, and supporting operations.
ss. Program Manager (PM). For the sake of this document, a program manager is a
person responsible and accountable for managing a Program, including the
identification of requirements and prioritizing, authorizing, measuring,
integrating, and controlling the program activities.
tt. Project Management Career Development Program (PMCDP). Established in
2001 by a Congressional mandate to ensure the Department has well qualified and
experienced Federal Project Directors (FPDs) to oversee the agency’s diverse
portfolio of highly-technical construction, experimental equipment and
environmental cleanup projects. PMCDP’s primary goal is to provide FPDs with
the tools and training necessary to deliver projects that meet pre-defined scope,
schedule and budgetary requirements, while maintaining the safety and security of
these capital assets through training, experience, and development.
uu. Site Acquisition Career Manager (SACM). The SACM serves as the Acquisition
Career Manager for their respective field/operations/site office(s). The SACM is
appointed by the Field Element Manager to support the ACMP.
vv. Statutory Requirements. Statutory requirements are those requirements
established by law for specific acquisition positions, i.e., Contracting Positions.
ww. Senior Procurement Executive (SPE). The DOE senior official appointed under
the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act, who is responsible for managing
the direction of the Department’s procurement system, including implementation
of unique procurement policies, regulations, and standards. In DOE, this is the
Director of the Office Acquisition Management. In NNSA, this is the Deputy
Associate Administrator for Acquisition and Project Management.
xx. Subject matter expert (SME). The Headquarters individual, identified by a FA,
who is knowledgeable about and competent in a particular functional area.
yy. Technical Project Officer (TPO). An individual designated by the program
manager to coordinate DOE’s substantial involvement in the award and
administration of financial assistance agreements to ensure Federal technical
presence and oversight. TPO responsibilities include developing the
programmatic aspects of a proposed announcement, participating in the technical
review and evaluation of applications, participating in the development of
recommendations for selection, and monitoring the programmatic aspects of
project performance.
Section 13
zz. Waiver. A waiver is an approval to encumber an acquisition position or hold a
warrant above the micro purchase threshold without meeting all of the ACMP
requirements.
aaa. Warrant. An official certificate of appointment issued to an individual as evidence
of authorization to perform or act IAW specific written authorities.
9. CONTACT. Questions concerning this directive should be addressed to the Acquisition
Career Management Program Office, 202-287-5310.
BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY:
ELIZABETH SHERWOOD-RANDALL
Deputy Secretary
DOE O 361.1C i
5-14-2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACQUISITION CAREER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
1. PURPOSE .................................................................................................................... 1
2. CANCELLATION ....................................................................................................... 1
3. APPLICABILITY ........................................................................................................ 1
4. REQUIREMENTS ....................................................................................................... 2
5. CERTIFICATIONS MANAGED UNDER THIS PROGRAM .................................. 4
6. RESPONSIBILITIES .................................................................................................. 5
7. REFERENCES .......................................................................................................... 11
8. DEFINITIONS ........................................................................................................... 13
9. CONTACT ................................................................................................................. 19
CHAPTER I. FEDERAL ACQUISTION CERTIFICATIONS (FAC)
1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................... I-1
2. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES .......................................................................... I-1
CHAPTER II. CONTRACTING AND PURCHASING CAREER DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAM
1. INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................... II-1
2. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES......................................................................... II-1
3. CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS ..................................................................... II-1
4. PROMOTIONS AND CONTRACTING OFFICER WARRANTS .......................... II-2
5. RELATION TO FEDERAL ACQUISITION CERTIFICATION ............................. II-2
CHAPTER III. PERSONAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CAREER DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAM
1. INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................... III-1
2. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ....................................................................... III-1
3. PERSONAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CAREER DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAM .............................................................................................................. III-1
4. PROPERTY MANAGEMENT APPOINTMENTS ................................................ III-1
CHAPTER IV. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
1. INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................... IV-1
2. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ....................................................................... IV-1
Section 14
3. CAREER PATH CURRICULUM ........................................................................... IV-1
4. RELATION TO OTHER ACQUISITION WORKFORCE PROGRAMS ............. IV-1
CHAPTER V. PROJECT MANAGEMENT CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
1. INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................... V-1
2. CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS ..................................................................... V-1
3. INCENTIVES ........................................................................................................... V-2
4. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ........................................................................ V-3
5. CONTINUOUS LEARNING (CL)/CONTINUING EDUCATION (CE) ............... V-8
6. CAREER PATH CURRICULUM ............................................................................ V-8
7. RELATION TO OTHER ACQUISITION WORKFORCE PROGRAMS .............. V-8
ii DOE O 361.1C
5-14-2015
CHAPTER VI. CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE CAREER
DEVELOPMENT
1. INTRODUCTION................................................................................................... VI-1
2. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ...................................................................... VI-1
3. CONTINUOUS LEARNING POINTS (CLPs) ...................................................... VI-2
4. RELATION TO OTHER ACQUISITION WORKFORCE PROGRAMS ............ VI-2
CHAPTER VII. FAC – P/PM PROGRAM and PROJECT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
1. INTRODUCTION................................................................................................. VII-1
2. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES .................................................................... VII-1
3. CAREER PATH CURRICULUM ........................................................................ VII-1
4. RELATION TO OTHER ACQUISITION WORKFORCE PROGRAMS .......... VII-1
CHAPTER VIII. PURCHASE CARD PROGRAM
1. INTRODUCTION................................................................................................ VIII-1
2. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ................................................................... VIII-1
3. CAREER PATH CURRICULUM ....................................................................... VIII-1
4. RELATION TO OTHER ACQUISITION WORKFORCE PROGRAMS ......... VIII-1
DOE O 361.1C I-1 (I-2)
5-14-2015
CHAPTER I. FEDERAL ACQUISITION CERTIFICATIONS (FAC)
10. INTRODUCTION. Pursuant to OFPP Policy Act, 41 U.S.C. § 1101et.seq., and OFPP
Policy Letter 05-01, which established a requirement for Federal Acquisition Certification
programs, DOE will follow OFPP’s direction to ensure the implementation of common
certification programs that generally reflect a government-wide standard for education,
training, and experience to the fulfillment of core competencies in a variety of acquisition-
related disciplines.
11. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. The DOE and NNSA ACM is responsible for
implementing general training, experience and development requirements established by
OFPP for the following Federal Acquisition Certification programs:
a. Federal Acquisition Certification – Contracting (FAC-C)
(1) The FAC-C program is based on the DAWIA requirements for
certification at the junior, intermediate, and senior levels to reflect the
need to meet increasingly more rigorous standards for education, training,
and experience throughout the career development process.
Section 15
(2) The Federal Acquisition Certification is not mandatory for all GS-1102s.
However, members of the acquisition workforce issued new CO warrants
on or after January 1, 2007, regardless of GS series must be certified at an
appropriate level to support their warrant obligations.
b. Federal Acquisition Certification – Contracting Officer’s Representative (FAC-
COR)
(1) The FAC-COR program consists of: (a) competency-based core training
and assignment-specific training to achieve certification, (b) experience
requirements for Level II and III certifications, and (c) continuous learning
to maintain certification.
(2) Certification is required for delegation of authority made in writing by the
Contracting Officer IAW the needs of DOE.
c. Federal Acquisition Certification – Program/Project Managers (FAC-P/PM)
(1) P/PMs are required to satisfy competency requirements through successful
completion of certification or equivalent training, comparable education
and certification programs, or demonstration and documentation of
knowledge, skills, and abilities.
(2) The refreshed FAC-P/PM established a new core-plus Federal Acquisition
Certification in information technology (FAC-P/PM-IT).
DOE O 361.1C II-1
5-14-2015
CHAPTER II. CONTRACTING AND PURCHASING
CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
12. INTRODUCTION. Contracts may be entered into and signed on behalf of the Government
only by contracting officers (COs). The term “contract” includes all types of commitments
that obligate the Government to expenditures, including those at or below the micropurchase
threshold. “Financial assistance” means the transfer of money or property to a recipient or
sub-recipient to accomplish a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by Federal
statute. The term includes grants, cooperative agreements and Technology Investment
Agreements. The intent of the Contracting and Purchasing Career Development (CPCD)
Program under the ACMP is to establish performance expectations to increase
contracting/purchasing personnel efficiency and effectiveness on the job and potentially
enhance personnel opportunities in the job market.
13. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. Within DOE, overall responsibility for the CPCD
Program rests with the SPE. The day-to-day management, including design and content of
the curriculum and administration of the program, has been delegated to the Director,
Contract Management. Within NNSA, that responsibility is assigned to the NNSA SPE and
organizational management has been delegated to the Deputy Associate Administrator,
Office of Acquisition and Project Management, who serves as the NNSA ACM.
Procurement professionals are responsible for their own career progression and
development in conjunction with supervisory career guidance and opportunities presented
for career growth. In planning their careers, individuals should actively seek training and
growth opportunities. They should also consider requesting increasingly difficult and
challenging assignments, entering mentoring relationships, becoming involved with
professional societies, seeking education and training outside the CPCD curriculum, and
taking other courses offered by DOE.
14. CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS. The structured approach to training allows
employees to demonstrate comprehension and ability to apply course knowledge and skills
to analyze and resolve on-the-job performance issues, indicating the desired level of
Section 16
proficiency. The program comprises core (required courses as discussed in the Acquisition
Certifications Program Handbook) and desired/elective courses.
a. Contracting Certification.
(1) Certified workforce members must maintain currency in continuous learning
points to meet statutory requirements directed by OFPP and FAI.
(2) Failure to obtain the required CL/CE will result in expiration of the
certification. Additionally, a contracting officer’s (CO) warrant may be
revoked and may result in reassignment to a position not requiring a CO
warrant.
(3) An individual hired from another agency with an FAC-C or DAWIA
certification must meet DOE-specific requirements and will have two years
from the date certified by the previous agency to obtain DOE required
II-2 DOE O 361.1C
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training. Continuous learning points must be met by the DOE required
training before other continuous learning activities. Failure to do so may
result in revocation of the CO’s warrant and may result in reassignment to a
position not requiring a CO warrant.
(4) Failure of those not holding a CO warrant to obtain CL/CE hours may result
in reassignment to a position not involving contract management. If an SPE
chooses to revoke the warrant for failure to meet the CL/CE requirement, the
SPE will direct the head of the contracting activity (HCA) to revoke the
warrant.
(a) The HCA will notify the warrant holder in writing when the
revocation is to be effective, providing enough time to ensure that no
unauthorized obligations are made, and how the employee can
correct the situation.
(b) The warrant holder must acknowledge this notification in writing.
The Acquisition Certifications Program Handbook provides guidance
on what constitutes CL/CE.
b. GS-1105s. Personnel holding purchasing certifications must maintain certification
through continuous learning. Those certified to Level III are encouraged to take
courses and pursue opportunities leading to certification in contracting to meet their
CL/CE requirements. However, purchasing experience will not be counted as
contracting experience required to meet the certification requirements for GS-1102s.
Additionally, GS-1105s are not required to take courses in the targeted CL/CE
tracks.
15. PROMOTIONS AND CONTRACTING OFFICER WARRANTS. Contracting and
purchasing personnel must understand that promotions or issuances of CO warrants will be
contingent upon their meeting certification requirements. Any requested waivers to this
requirement must be submitted in writing by the field element manager to the contracting
functional advisor for approval by the SPE.
16. RELATION TO FEDERAL ACQUISITION CERTIFICATION—CONTRACTING. The
purpose of the Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) is to ensure
consistency and uniformity in the qualifications and development of acquisition
professionals among all Executive Branch agencies. It replaced unique acquisition
certification programs maintained by the various departments and agencies with a single,
government-wide set of certifications and standards. The Office of Federal Procurement
Policy Letter 05-01 dated January 20, 2006 and establishes three FAC-C levels and three
standards for each: academic education; contracting experience; and professional training.
Biennial refresher training is required to maintain current certification.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/procurement_policy_letter_05-01
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/procurement_policy_letter_05-01
Section 17
DOE O 361.1C III-1 (and III-2)
5-14-2015
CHAPTER III. PERSONAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
17. INTRODUCTION. The Department of Energy (DOE) has identified personal property
management as a critical acquisition-related career field. Accordingly, the DOE/NNNSA
Personal Property Management Career Development (PPMCD) Program is a mandatory
certification program.
18. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. The DOE Senior Procurement Executive is responsible
for implementing the DOE PMCD Program. The Chief, Personal Property Policy Division,
Office of Asset Management at DOE Headquarters is designated the subject matter expert
for personal property management and is responsible for day-to-day administration and
management of the certification program. The NNSA senior procurement executive is
responsible for implementation of the NNSA PPMCD Program within NNSA. Functional
management, including design and content of curriculum, has been delegated to the Deputy
Associate Administrator, Office of Acquisition and Project Management.
19. PERSONAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
The PPMCD Program has established three levels of training, each with a core curriculum of
personal property management courses. The program will provide the opportunity for
employees to apply course knowledge and skills to analyze and resolve on-the-job issues.
Completion of core courses in a logical sequence is necessary so that the appropriate level
of knowledge is available for performance at a particular level and later courses can build on
the knowledge gained from earlier courses.
20. PROPERTY MANAGEMENT APPOINTMENTS. Employees should understand that
opportunities for appointments in the career field are limited to employees with the requisite
certification unless waived by the Senior Procurement Executive.
DOE O 361.1C IV-1
5-14-2015
CHAPTER IV. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
1. INTRODUCTION. Contracting Officers often award and administer financial assistance
instruments in addition to acquisition contracts; however, the Federal standards do not
address financial assistance careers or offer a training curriculum. To ensure that its
workforce is as qualified in the award and administration of financial assistance as they
are in contracting, DOE offers its employees training resources. The application of OFPP’s
policy letter concepts to financial assistance responsibilities will improve the effectiveness
and efficiency of DOE’s contracting workforce. Implementation of a DOE financial
assistance training and career development certification program will help in meeting the
career development objectives of Executive Order (E.O.) 12931, “Federal Procurement
Reform,” dated October 13, 1994. This program provides the information and guidelines
to plan career development programs for procurement professionals performing financial
assistance duties to enable them to become more competitive for higher-level positions in
acquisition-related fields. Certification requirements are located in the DOE Acquisition
Certifications Program Handbook.
2. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. Each individual performing financial assistance
work, in conjunction with his or her supervisor’s career guidance and the opportunities
presented for career growth, is ultimately responsible for his or her career progression and
development in DOE/NNSA. However, overall responsibility for DOE Certification in
Section 18
Financial Assistance (CFA) Program implementation rests with the SPE. In DOE, the
Director, Office of Policy, serves as the financial assistance subject matter expert and is
responsible for CFA policy, design and content of the recommended curriculum,
identification of the critical financial assistance related duties, and tasks in which, at a
minimum, employees in the financial assistance career path must be competent to perform
at full performance grade levels. Within NNSA, overall responsibility for NNSA FACD
Program implementation rests with the NNSA SPE. Functional management has been
delegated to the Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Acquisition and Project
Management.
In planning their careers, individuals should pursue the training and growth opportunities
offered them and request increasingly difficult and challenging assignments, enter a
mentoring relationship, become involved with professional societies, and seek education
and training outside the FACD curriculum and other DOE/NNSA course offerings.
3. CAREER PATH CURRICULUM. The FACD Program curriculum is designed to provide
students with the necessary financial assistance skills and with experience in a wide range
of thinking, approaches, and practices. Detailed course descriptions are provided in the
Acquisition Certifications Program Handbook.
4. RELATION TO OTHER ACQUISITION WORKFORCE PROGRAMS. The CFA
Program complements the Contracting/Purchasing Career Development Program required
of all GS-1102 Federal personnel. The CFA Program is directed primarily at contract
specialist/financial assistance career employees; however, other members of the
acquisition workforce may benefit from financial assistance training. For example, cost
and price analyst personnel, contracting officer’s representatives, and sponsoring program
IV-2 DOE O 361.1C
5-14-2015
personnel. Contracting Officers are encouraged to tailor courses to their employees. Cost
and price analysts, for example, would benefit from the cost principles, and Federal funds
management courses of this curriculum.
DOE O 361.1C V-1
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CHAPTER V. PROJECT MANAGEMENT CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
21. INTRODUCTION. The Project Management Career Development Program (PMCDP)
establishes requirements and responsibilities for all federal project directors (FPDs) with line
management responsibility for capital asset projects. DOE O 413.3B, Program and Project
Management for the Acquisition of Capital Assets, updates requirements for managing DOE
capital asset projects. The PMCDP has defined necessary project management knowledge,
skills, and abilities; project management training requirements; a career development
tracking system; and a project management certification program. Certification requirements
and responsibilities must be applied as indicated IAW the Certification and Education
Guidelines (CEG).
22. CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS.
a. The PMCDP module establishes requirements for four certification levels
corresponding to progressively more project responsibility and experience. Persons
planning to be certified under the PMCDP may attain certification levels with the
following total project cost (TPC) limits.
Level 4: TPC exceeding $400 million (M)
Level 3: TPC greater than $100M and equal to or less than $400M
Level 2: TPC greater than $20M and equal to or less than $100M
Level 1: TPC greater than $5M and equal to or less than $20M
Section 19
If an FPD is managing a portfolio of projects, the required FPD certification level is
determined by the project with the highest TPC dollar value.
Certification level requirements based on TPC should be evaluated based on the
following four considerations and in concert with the requirements of this Order:
(1) General plant projects (GPPs) or similar small, routine infrastructure
improvement projects should not be included in the TPC consideration.
(2) Projects to be included must have been in progress for 12 months or more.
(3) The certification candidate
1
typically would have a broad spectrum of
experience that spans all critical decisions (CD-0 through CD-4). The TPC
utilized to show experience at a particular certification level may not be
exclusively comprised of projects that have not reached CD-1.
(4) For non-line item projects longer than five years (e.g., EM cleanup projects),
a five-year project cost can be used in lieu of the TPC for purposes of
1
Certification candidate used in DOE O 361.1C, Chapter V will mean those persons who have applied to the CRB for
PMCDP certification.
V-2 DOE O 361.1C
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crediting experience or for determining required certification levels relative
to the above thresholds.
b. FPDs must be certified according to the requirements contained in this module and
separately issued Certification and Equivalency Guidelines2 (CEG)
2
and Acquisition
Certifications Program (ACP) Handbook, and have their certifications approved by
the PMCDP Certification Review Board (CRB). FPD certification requirements are
not directly related to FAC-P/PM certification requirements.
c. A CRB is co-chaired by DOE’s Director, Office of Project Management Oversight
and Assessments and NNSA’s Associate Administrator, Office of Acquisition and
Project Management, or their designees and will approve and issue all project
management certifications. Co-chairs will perform the effective implementation of
the certification guidelines described in the CEG and ACP Handbook.
d. This module does not have a “grandfather” provision for project management
certification, and the CRB will not issue a certification based solely on the
candidate’s incumbency before the effective date of this Order.
e. To maintain certification, all persons certified under PMCDP must complete 80
hours of continuous learning development biennially. (Guidance on Continuous
Learning and Certification can be found on Powerpedia).
f. Persons who fail to maintain their certification are subject to de-certification. De-
certified FPDs must be removed from project duties within 90-days of notification.
g. All candidates for PMCDP certification must have individual development plans
(IDPs) that address planned training and course work, details, rotational
assignments, mentoring agreements, and other developmental activities defined in
this module.
h. Field element managers (FEMs), including operations offices, site offices, area
offices, project offices, and service centers, or headquarters operations/program
office directors or their designees will approve the completion of individual
competencies and requirements.
23. INCENTIVES. Incentives will be paid either as lump sum amounts or as additions to base
pay in keeping with 5 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) Part 575 covering recruitment,
relocation and retention incentives. The payment of such incentives is at the discretion of the
Section 20
head of each departmental element predicated on the availability of budgetary funds, as
follows:
a. PMCDP Level 1—up to 5 percent of basic pay;
b. PMCDP Level 2—up to 7.5 percent of basic pay; and
2
The Certification and Equivalency Guidelines are to be used for the PMCDP and contain the details of certification
training and work development certification requirements and basis for equivalencies.
DOE O 361.1C V-3
5-14-2015
c. PMCDP Levels 3 and 4—up to 10 percent of basic pay.
24. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
a. Program Secretarial Officers (PSOs) or Their Formal Designees (Including
Operations Offices, Site Offices, Area Offices, Project Offices, and Service
Centers).
(1) Ensure that their FPDs are certified according to the requirements outlined in
this module, CEG, ACP Handbook, and the requirements in DOE O 413.3B,
Program and Project Management for the Acquisition of Capital Assets.
(2) Refer all certification candidates to the PMCDP CRB for certification
requirements.
(3) Track the certification status of persons certified under PMCDP.
(4) Provide updates of project assignments, developmental assignments, and
certification status of FPDs.
(5) Ensure that Federal employees whose certifications are canceled under this
module are reassigned to duties other than serving as the FPD of capital asset
projects, and cancel any incentive pay provided under this module.
(6) Notify the Secretariat of the CRB of approved nominees for the industry
rotation program sponsored by the Office of Management.
(7) Establish project management functions that—
(a) Serve as “Communities of Practice”
3
for persons certified under
PMCDP; and
(b) Provide forums for exchanging ideas, sharing lessons learned, and
conducting technical presentations and workshops.
(8) Track and report PMCDP performance measures as identified and requested
by the CRB.
(9) May provide incentives to high performing FPDs who attain the prerequisite
level of certification and manage projects at the commensurate PMCDP
level.
b. Field Element Managers or Their Formal Designees (Including Operations Offices,
Site Offices, Area Offices, Project Offices, and Service Centers).
(1) Direct approving officials (i.e., first line/site managers) to review
3
Communities of Practice are groups of people who share a concern or share information through joint activities,
discussions that help each other in their profession. They meet regularly to learn and share best practices and trends.
V-4 DOE O 361.1C
5-14-2015
fulfillments/equivalencies for certification candidates IAW program office
protocol using guidelines established by the CRB.
(2) As appropriate, ensure that PMCDP certification requirements are used as
quality ranking factors in all FPD vacancy announcements.
(3) Conduct panel interviews for Levels 1 and 2 certifications as deemed
necessary and appropriate.
(4) Use model project management position descriptions developed by the
Office of Human Capital Management [paragraph 4.f. (7)] to the maximum
extent practical.
(5) As deemed necessary and appropriate, pay for Project Management Institute
Project Management Professional testing fees.
(6) Ensure that certification and continuous learning (CL) data is loaded in the
designated system of record for certification management.
(7) Maintain auditable records of training for those persons certified under
PMCDP.
(8) Select certification candidates based on the qualification requirements in the
Section 21
PMCDP Module.
(9) Submit applications for PMCDP certification to the PSO or designee for
review and approval within 12 months of selection for new hires,
reassignments, or promotions/advancements.
(10) Direct supervisors of persons certified under PMCDP to identify training
needs according to the requirements of this module and budget for these
recurring project management training needs on an annual basis.
(11) Ensure that persons certified under PMCDP are provided appropriate
developmental assignments and experience needed to progress to higher
levels of certification.
(12) Ensure that persons certified under PMCDP develop and execute IDPs
consistent with the training, experience, and development requirements
defined in this module.
(13) Ensure that appropriate training and CL requirements are satisfied in a
timely manner to maintain certification.
(14) Approve individual competency requirements as described in the CEG and
ACP Handbook.
(15) Ensure that training and certification records for persons certified under
PMCDP are maintained in a centralized system.
DOE O 361.1C V-5
5-14-2015
(16) At the discretion of the field office manager/program offices and
commensurate with contract management practices at the site/office, provide
certified FPDs with formal contracting officer’s representative authority
once FPDs have received the required training and their technical contract
administration competency is verified.
(17) Track FPD’s career paths to ensure that training, developmental activities,
and experiences are being provided and used in a manner consistent with the
PMCDP defined in this module.
c. Director, Office of Project Management Oversight and Assessments.
(1) Serve as co-chair on the CRB. (The CRB co-chair responsibilities may be
delegated one level.)
(2) Ensure that all FPDs are certified according to the requirements of the
PMCDP Module.
(3) Evaluate annually all project management training needs and confirm that
appropriate training is available through the Office of Human Capital
Management or other sources.
(4) Verify that appropriate training satisfies the training requirements defined in
this module is available to DOE Federal project directors.
(5) Review and take action on all certification requirement waivers.
Responsibility may be delegated per paragraph 4.c. (1) above.
(6) Track the development of persons certified under the PMCDP.
(7) Determine that priority for placement in training courses and in
developmental assignments is given to “Incumbent”
4
project directors.
(8) Create an annual agency-wide PMCDP needs assessment and statistics on
retention of persons certified under the PMCDP.
(9) Notify persons certified under the PMCDP and their supervisors of available
training and developmental needs.
(10) Develop, issue, and maintain PMCDP requirements, CEG, and PMCDP
chapter of the ACP Handbook.
(11) Review, approve, and track CL/CE credits IAW this module, the CEG, and
ACP Handbook.
(12) Track the assignments of FPDs through the DOE Project Assessment
4
“Incumbent” used in DOE O 361.1C, Chapter IV, will mean those FPDs who are the formally assigned FPD for a
capital asset.
V-6 DOE O 361.1C
5-14-2015
Reporting System (PARS IIe) and monitor the certification status.
(13) Provide written notification to program offices and the Secretariat of the
CRB of persons certified under the PMCDP who either have failed to
maintain certification as required or are de-certified.
Section 22
(14) Establish formal agreements between public and private sector organizations
to provide certified Federal project directors rotational assignments.
(15) Review quarterly reports on continuous learning status and provide 15, 30,
60, and 90-day notification to persons certified under PMCDP and PSO of
pending revocation of certification when CE requirements for maintaining
certification are not met.
(16) Establish, track, and report PMCDP performance measures to the Deputy
Secretary on an annual basis.
(17) Assist program office’s and field elements in developing any required
justifications for pay incentives.
d. NNSA Associate Administrator for Acquisition and Project Management.
(1) Serve as co-chair on the CRB. (The CRB co-chair responsibilities may be
delegated one level.)
(2) Ensure that all FPDs are certified according to the requirements of the
PMCDP Module.
(3) Approves all certification requirement waivers. Responsibility may be
delegated per paragraph 4d (1) above.
e. Certification Review Board.
(1) Co-chaired by the Director, Office of Project Management Oversight and
Assessments and the NNSA Associate Administrator, Office of Acquisition
and Project Management, or their designees.
(2) Reviews the qualifications and documentation submitted on behalf of
certification candidates by the PSOs IAW this module, the CEG, and ACP
Handbook.
(3) Reviews and evaluates certification candidates’ education, training, and
competencies to ensure that they are commensurate with the certification
level requested, and recommends certification approval to the co-chairs. The
CRB must ensure that education, experience, grade, training, skills, and
knowledge are commensurate with delegated project management
authorities.
(4) Issues guidelines for equivalencies in the CEG and ACP Handbook.
DOE O 361.1C V-7
5-14-2015
(5) Issues PMCDP certifications (subject to the provisions of this module) IAW
the CEG and ACP Handbook.
(6) Conducts interviews of all Level 3 and 4 certification candidates.
(7) Reviews and approves the CEG and ACP Handbook and any major updates.
(8) Recommends to the co-chairs revocation of certification in event that the 90-
day notification period has been exceeded without appropriate action.
(9) Approves formerly certified Federal project directors’ applications for
recertification after revocation of certification. Persons whose certifications
are revoked must successfully complete 80 hours of continuing education in
appropriate subjects before reapplying to the CRB.
f. Director, Office of Human Capital Management.
(1) Supports the PMCDP through maintaining certification records, training and
development needs, and project assignments on the DOE CHRIS.
(2) Provides continuing support for the PMCDP by ensuring that appropriate
training that satisfies the training requirements defined in this module are
available to DOE Federal project directors.
(3) Ensures that priority for placement in training courses and in developmental
assignments is given to incumbent Federal project directors.
(4) As appropriate, ensures that PMCDP certification requirements are used as a
quality-ranking factor in all FPD vacancy announcements.
(5) Ensures that appropriate pay incentives are awarded IAW this module.
(6) Assists the Secretariat to the CRB, program offices, and field elements in
developing any required justifications for pay incentives.
(7) Assists in the development of position descriptions and maintains model
Section 23
project management position descriptions.
g. Certified Federal Project Directors.
(1) Maintains certifications according to requirements of the PMCDP Module as
defined in the CEG.
(2) Ensures that their IDPs reflect the training, continuous learning and
development requirements defined in the CEG and ACP Handbook.
(3) Provides feedback on the effectiveness of the PMCDP certification program,
identifying additional training and CE needs.
V-8 DOE O 361.1C
5-14-2015
(4) Assists with training, mentoring, and certification of other project directors.
25. CONTINUOUS LEARNING (CL)/CONTINUING EDUCATION (CE).
a. Each person certified under the PMCDP is required to successfully complete 80
hours of CL every two-years, as described in the CEG and ACP Handbook under
Certification Requirements. Persons certified under the PMCDP should fulfill, as
designated, CL credit requirements to progress to the next level of certification and
project authority.
b. The Offices of Project Management Oversight and Assessments and Human Capital
Management will provide training as described in the PMCDP curriculum in the
CEG.
c. Accumulation of CL point credit will begin with the most recent FPD certification
date.
d. Certified federal project directors who fail to maintain CL hours will be notified by
the Secretariat of the CRB of this status. Unless there are extenuating circumstances
such as illness or military service which prevent them from remedying identified
deficiencies, the certification will be revoked.
e. The CRB may revoke certification and notify the person certified under PMCDP
and the PSO that the certification has been revoked.
26. CAREER PATH CURRICULUM. The PMCDP provides the project management
community the opportunity to obtain both skills and experience commensurate with their
certification levels and to enhance existing knowledge and capabilities for professional
growth. The core curriculum provides the foundation for each of the PMCDP project
management certification levels through training and developmental activities. A broad
range of project management related elective courses further enhance the Federal project
director’s knowledge, and allows him/her to tailor their requirements based upon their
specific interests, needs, and work assignments.
27. RELATION TO OTHER ACQUISITION WORKFORCE PROGRAMS. The Department
has developed a detailed set of knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are necessary to
effectively manage projects or groups of projects with specific TPC ranges. PMCDP
training, experience, and development requirements enable project directors to gain these
KSAs. Personnel from all other acquisition disciplines are encouraged to participate in
training that will broaden their understanding of project management and its interface with
their area of specialty. PMCDP manages certifications for FPDs, FAC-P/PM and specialty
certifications associated with FAC-P/PM.
DOE O 361.1C VI-1
5-14-2015
CHAPTER VI. CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE
CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
28. INTRODUCTION. This module provides specific training requirements for individuals
who wish to be delegated contracting officer representative (COR) authority in contracting,
financial assistance, sales, micropurchase, and simplified acquisition. DOE O 541.1B,
Appointment of Contracting Officers and Contracting Officer’s Representatives, dated 4-21-
04, establishes procedures governing the selection, appointment and termination of COs and
Section 24
for the appointment of CORs.
Pursuant to OFPP Act 41 U.S.C. § 1101 and OFPP Policy Letters 05-01, and September,
2011, Revisions to the Federal Acquisition Certification for Contracting Officer’s
Representatives (FAC-COR), established general training, experience and development
requirements for CORs in civilian agencies that reflect the various types of contracts they
manage. The term “COR” refers not only to positions technically designated as CORs, but
also to Contracting Officer’s Technical Representatives (COTRs), Technical or Task
Monitors (TMs) and others who ensure proper development of requirements and assist
Contracting Officers (COs) in managing their contracts. This does not apply to DOE and
NNSA Technical and Task Monitors assigned to contracts. Only Contracting Officer’s
Representative designated in writing by the Contracting Officer will utilize the universal
term COR.
29. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. The Contracting Officer’s Representative and his/her
supervisor must read and sign the appointment letter acknowledging acceptance of COR
responsibilities. IAW OFPP Policy Letter dated September 6, 2011, the COR and his/her
supervisor may consider adding COR responsibilities as a critical element in their
performance plans. The COR’s performance management process should allow for
Contracting Officer input into the COR’s performance appraisal. The COR’s supervisor
must have a performance standard related to oversight of COR responsibilities.
The COR is not authorized to perform any function that results in a change in the scope,
price, terms, or conditions of the contract. Specific responsibilities for COs and CORs are
detailed in DOE O 541.1B.
a. Contracting Officer’s Representatives.
(1) COR designations are not required for financial assistance.
(2) CORs for management, operating/management, integration, and
performance-based contract arrangements are subject to the same
appointment requirements as other CORs.
(3) Under limited conditions, non-Government personnel may be appointed as
CORs on an as-needed basis.
(a) The procurement executive’s approval to appoint non-Government
personnel as CORs must be obtained in advance of the designations.
VI-2 DOE O 361.1C
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(b) Such non-Government personnel—
1 would be subject to the same training requirements as
Government CORs; and
2 would not be allowed to perform inherently Governmental
functions.
30. CONTINUOUS LEARNING POINTS (CLPs). Individuals certified under the FAC-COR
program are required to successfully complete the required number of (CLPs) everytwo
years based on their level of certification. Additional information on FAC-COR
Certifications can be located in the DOE Acquisition Certifications Program Handbook.
31. RELATION TO OTHER ACQUISITION WORKFORCE PROGRAMS. Contracting
Officer’s Representatives must obtain FAC-COR to be eligible for appointment as a COR.
DOE O 361.1C VII-1 (and VII-2)
5-14-2015
CHAPTER VII. FAC – PROGRAM/PROJECT MANAGEMENT (P/PM) PROGRAM
32. INTRODUCTION. Pursuant to OFPP Policy Act, 41 U.S.C. § 1101et.seq., and OFPP Policy
Letter 05-01, the purpose of the Federal Acquisition Certification for Program and Project
Managers (FAC-P/PM) under the ACMP is to establish general training, experience and
development requirements for program and project managers (P/PMs) in civilian agencies
based upon core competencies needed to successfully manage programs. This certification
Section 25
program will promote continued development of essential knowledge, skills and abilities for
P/PMs to improve program outcomes.
33. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. The ACM is responsible for administering the agency
certification and continuous learning/continuous education IAW 6. (d.) of this Order and any
subsequent guidance provided by OFPP or FAI. Authority for overseeing the agency FAC-
P/PM program, resolving disputes, and granting certifications is delegated to the PMCDP by
the SPE or designee.
a. Essential responsibilities for program administration are to:
(1) Ensure all P/PMs are registered in FAITAS and developed IAW with this
program;
(2) Identify and assess the qualifications of the agency’s acquisition P/PM
workforce;
(3) Sponsor personnel for the FAC-P/PM Certification as required;
(4) Determine appropriate certification levels and issue FAC-P/PM certifications
as appropriate; and
(5) Manage the continuous learning process.
34. CAREER PATH CURRICULUM. The purpose of the FAC-P/PM core-plus specialization is
to establish additional training, experience and continuous learning requirements for FAC-
P/PM certified personnel who manage specific investments requiring specialized knowledge,
skills and abilities. The first core-plus area to be addressed in this certification program is for
information technology (FAC-P/PM-IT).. This new core-plus specialization for IT P/PMs
was developed in collaboration with OMB’s Office of E-government and Information
Technology. New core-plus areas will be recommended by the P/PM FAB, approved by
OFPP, and maintained by FAI at www.fai.gov.
35. RELATION TO OTHER ACQUISITION WORKFORCE PROGRAMS. Individuals
certified as entry level FAC-P/PMs are considered to have met the FAC-COR requirements
for Level II. Individuals certified as senior-level FAC-P/PMs are considered to have met the
FAC-COR requirements for Level III. These individuals must provide their FAC-P/PM
certificates and continuous learning documents to their ACMs or designees for FAC-COR
certification. Conversely, however, an individual with FAC-COR certification does not
necessarily meet the requirements for the FAC-P/PM.
http://www.fai.gov/
DOE O 361.1C VIII-1 (and VIII-2)
5-14-2015
CHAPTER VIII. PURCHASE CARD PROGRAM
36. INTRODUCTION. Pursuant to U.S. General Services Administration Worldwide Federal
Supply Service Contract for Purchase, the FAR, Travel, Fleet, and Integrated Card
Services, and the DOE Purchase Card Policy and Operating Procedures, the DOE
Government Purchase Card Program establishes operational procedures and general
training guidelines for DOE Government purchase card holders.
37. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. The ACM is responsible for administering the
agency certification and continuous learning/continuous education IAW 6 (d.) guidance
and any subsequent guidance provided by OFPP or FAI. Authority for overseeing the
agency Government Purchase Card Program will be at the HCA or his/her designee level.
IAW DOE Government Purchase Card Policy and Operating Procedures, the HCA or their
designee is responsible for ensuring completion of the following training for all
cardholders, Administrative Officers, and Finance Officials:
a. Mandatory initial cardholder training.
b. Biennial refresher training.
c. Supplemental training based upon alignment with program procedures, lessons
learned, and feedback from annual reviews.
38. CAREER PATH CURRICULUM. The DOE Government Purchase Card Program
provides purchase cardholders with other career opportunities in the 1102 and 1105 series
certification levels and grades.
39. RELATION TO OTHER ACQUISITION WORKFORCE PROGRAMS. Individuals
certified under this program must maintain contracting and purchasing proficiency levels
IAW the Federal Acquisition Certification Programs.