Veterans Affairs Acquisition Academy (VAAA)
Training and Lodging Information
Please note that students are responsible for arranging their own travel. VAAA does not make travel arrangements for students.
On this page:
Training Time | Official Lodging Dates | Training Location | Travel Training Videos | Lodging Information | Airports | Classroom Attendance and Cancellation Policy | Special Needs & Assistance | Supplies/Equipment | Student Expectations | VAAA Facility | Inclement Weather Policy | Other Student Policies
8:00am — 4:30pm, Monday through Friday
Students are encouraged to be early on the first day of class.
Students should not book a flight that conflicts with the above stated training hours.
Obtain lodging for the day prior to a class start date, through the last day of class. Students may make flight arrangements for the day after class ends.
VA Acquisition Academy
7485 New Horizon Way
Frederick, MD 21703
Telephone: (240) 215-0724
Directions
Contact Us
The purpose of the travel training video series is to assist VA students with creating and adjusting cross-funded* travel documents in CONCUR. These videos will educate students traveling to a VAAA-offered class with creating a cross-funded Travel Authorization, Travel Voucher, Local Voucher, and what to do if their travel document needs to be adjusted/corrected. Viewers are encouraged to use two monitors or a split-screen while watching this video so they can view the video while accessing CONCUR to create a “live” travel document.
*When an organization other than the traveler’s home organization pays for the travel event, the travel is considered “cross-funded” travel.
Videos are available on the VA intranet at https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/OITVAAA/CM/SitePages/Travel-Videos.aspx.
There are three major airports within a 50-mile radius of the VAAA: Washington Dulles Airport in Dulles, VA, Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC, and Baltimore-Washington Airport in Baltimore, MD. Given distance and regional traffic congestion, please allow ample time for travel to the airport (approximately 2 hours).
You will be held accountable for ensuring that your travel arrangements are secured to allow you to attend the training in its entirety. Classroom hours are 8:00am—4:30pm, Monday through Friday, therefore no travel arrangements should conflict with these stated hours. Please allow time to schedule your travel times accordingly. Access the full course attendance and cancellation policy.
VAAA works diligently to meet the training needs of the acquisition workforce through diverse course offerings and high-quality learning experiences. We understand unforeseen circumstances arise and may result in an unintended absence, but we ask that all students be mindful of limited course seats and training costs and submit their enrollment cancellation notice as soon as possible in FAITAS so that we may accommodate other interested students.
Cancellation requests are submitted by students in FAITAS and approved by the Office of the Registrar. Cancellation requests processed in FAITAS more than 25 calendar days prior to the course start date (including face-to-face and distance learning offerings) will have no penalty imposed, regardless of the reason.
Cancellation requests processed in FAITAS between 24 and 0 calendar days prior to the course start date (including face-to-face and distance learning offerings) may result in suspension of enrollment privileges and the student may be prevented from reapplying to all VAAA courses for a period of 6 months. Students may appeal suspension on the grounds of personal extenuating circumstances or mission-critical work-related emergencies. Access the full policy, along with student appeal form.
Lodging: Students requiring special needs (e.g., sign language interpreters; medical assistance; unique accommodation requirements; etc.) must contact the hotel immediately to ensure proper accommodations are available.
Classroom: If special contractual services are required to accommodate special needs (e.g. sign language interpreters or transcription service), students must contact the VAAA registrar at vaaaregistrar@va.gov or (240) 215-0724, at least 21 days prior to the course.
Students must provide UPS shipping labels, with their office’s account information, to ship course materials home. VAAA will provide the boxes and ensure UPS pickup.
If appropriate, computers will be provided at the training site, but you will not be able to remove IT equipment from the VAAA. Some courses require outside work. You may bring your own laptop or you can utilize the hotel or VAAA business center. There is no access to VA IT assets after 5:30pm.
In order to receive course credit, students should adhere to the following:
- Attend all training sessions.
- Complete all applicable pre-course assignments.
- Remain until course conclusion on the last day of class.
- Early Departure will not be granted, except for dire emergencies.
- Dress code is business casual.
All students must enter through the front entrance and bring their federal ID. The facility includes a break room with refrigerator and vending machines, and a café with breakfast and lunch items, wireless access, and free parking.
VAAA falls under the jurisdiction of Fort Detrick regarding weather conditions and operating status. Decisions on delayed openings or closings are usually made by 4:00am. Please call Ft. Detrick’s recorded weather line at (301) 619-7611 or (800) 256-7621, or visit the Ft. Detrick website.
Access other student policies (smoking and academic integrity).
