Veterans Affairs Acquisition Academy (VAAA)

During Q4 of FY 20, GSA created a new slide deck for use in training VA customers on GSA Global Supply. This 'refresh' added material on AskGSA, and Section 889 of the 2019 NDAA, and refreshed existing material on how GSA Global Supply provides safe, simple access to office supplies, tools, and other commonly used commodities.

This video provides information on the VA Acquisition Academy’s virtual, instructor-led training opportunities for supervisory contracting officers (GS-1102s) who are looking to grow into their supervisory role.  Be the difference:  It starts with you!

This video emphasizes the importance of performing accurate, timely, and consistent file documentation in contracting.  Similar to a storybook, a reader of a contract file should be able to read the beginning, middle, and end as well as everything in between to fully understand the Contracting Officer’s decision.  Is your story complete?  Be the Change:  It Starts With You!

This video highlights the importance of determining what is appropriate for a contract modification and the criteria that needs to be considered.  How do you know if a requested change fits within the scope of the contract?  How will the change impact quantity, dollar value, and schedule?  These are all critical considerations for a Contracting Officer to determine what fits in a modification.  Be the Change:  It Starts With You!

This video illustrates the importance of timely, accurate, and complete closeouts to ensure that the contractor and government have completed all contractual requirements.  Different contract types have different time standards for closeout.  Do you know what these are?  Are you familiar with exceptions to contract closeouts?  Get on the road to speedy and complete contract closeouts.  Be the Change:  It Starts With You!

This video emphasizes the importance of completing accurate, timely, and thorough documentation to describe the details of your award decision.  Remember, as the Contracting Officer, you are ultimately responsible for the award decision documentation; therefore, you want to be sure to review and understand all documents! Be the Change:  It Starts With You!

As a Contracting Officer, you are responsible for determining if a price is fair and reasonable.  There are many techniques to determine if a price is fair and reasonable, including all competition, historical pricing, market research, commercial catalog pricing, and analysis of pricing.  Regardless of the technique you use, the most important piece is to explain your technique and analysis through complete and accurate documentation.  Don’t just check the box… Be the Change:  It Starts With You!

This video discusses the importance of entering accurate data into the data values tab and dialog sessions while using eCMS.  This video is a part of a larger training module, eCMS-FPDS Information Channel (VA 3860843), that can be viewed through TMS.

This video discusses the components used in eCMS document generation when properly using Content Manager.  This video is a part of a larger training module, eCMS-Content Manager and Briefcase (VA 3864508), that can be viewed through TMS.

This video discusses balancing multiples roles as a trainer in eCMS.  This video is a part of a larger training module, eCMS-Train the Trainer:  Conveying Your eCMS Expertise to Others (VA 3864512), that can be viewed through TMS.

This video provides information on using the eCMS Online User Guide.  This video is a part of a larger training module, eCMS User Guide Refresher (VA 3864518), that can be viewed through TMS.

This video provides an overview of the eCMS curriculum updates.  This video is a part of a larger training module, eCMS-Curriculum Updates (VA 3870692), that can be viewed through TMS.