Veterans Affairs Acquisition Academy (VAAA)
Federal Acquisition Certification Training for Program and Project Managers (FAC-P/PM)
To improve service to America’s Veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs needs to gain efficiencies, reduce redundancies, and foster innovation in all areas of care, benefits, and services. Program and project managers (PPMs) are vital to identify and implement the strategic objectives to improve Veteran’s services by writing appropriate requirements, establishing performance standards, and prudently acquiring goods and services. The VAAA Program Management (PM) School provides professional development courses for project and program managers that foster the skills to effectively lead Integrated Product Teams (IPTs), oversee budgeting and governance processes, satisfy agency missions, and achieve expected outcomes.
VAAA FAC-P/PM training meets the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) certification standards and the Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI) FAC-P/PM Competencies for federal civilian agencies.
For each certification level (Entry, Mid, and Senior), it is recommended that participants attend courses in the order listed. Choosing the right level »
The Veterans Affairs Acquisition Academy does not provide certification. Certification is not automatic after training. Students seeking any FAC-P/PM certification must initiate their request in Cornerstone on Demand (CSOD) to complete their certification request through the Acquisition Human Capital Management Service. This FAC-PPM Program Virtual Guide provides a quick reference for those individuals interested in, or pursuing certification.
The FAC-PPM Program Virtual Guide may be downloaded by VA staff at https://vaww.va.gov/oal/docs/aps/facppmCertificationVirtualGuide.pdf.
The FAC-P/PM Entry-Level training is appropriate for any Federal employee who deals with acquisitions (or procurements) of goods and services, and those seeking to learn an established project management methodology and implement best practices to gain process efficiencies. In addition, this training can assist first-line supervisors fulfill the Executive Core Qualification of Financial Management (i.e., overseeing procurement and contracting). This course series fulfills the training requirement for Entry-Level certification, and with one (1) year of experience overseeing projects, participants can apply for FAC-P/PM Entry-Level certification.
Courses
- Self-Paced online - FPM 120A - Project Management Basics; 20 hours and FPM 120B - Project Management and Project Lifecycle; (22 hours) (OR)
Virtual Instructor led - FPM 120 (FED) - Acquisition Fundamentals Project and Program Management; 40 hours
FPM 120 (FED) is the instructor-led prerequisite option; completion of both FPM 120A and FPM 120B OR FPM 120 (FED) is required to attend FPM 121. - FPM 121 - Acquisition Fundamentals Project and Program Management; 40 hours
The FAC-P/PM Mid-Level training is appropriate for Federal employees with a minimum two (2) years of experience managing complex projects and small programs (a collection of integrated projects). The training consists of four courses (12-days total). Mid-Level participants will expand their skills and knowledge using an established project management methodology, and begin integrating program management skills (managing a collection of related projects) into their activities.
Courses
- Application in Project and Program Management (FPM 231), 32 hours
- Applications in Contracting (FPM 232), 24 hours
- Applications in Business, Cost, and Financial Management (FPM 233), 24 hours
- Applied Leadership in Projects and Programs (FPM 234), 16 hours
The FAC-P/PM Senior-Level course is designed for program and project team leaders managing large, complex programs and multiple, simultaneous projects. The Senior-Level participant should have a mastery of the Mid-Level competencies, experience in the application of multiple PM frameworks, and a very good command of project and program management activities. The courses will enhance the participant’s implementation of best practices and integrate the leadership and collaboration skills to lead the program and acquisition team and interact with other stakeholders.
- Progressive Concepts in Program Management (FPM 331), 32 hours
- Progressive Contracting Strategies for Programs (FPM 332), 24 hours
- Progressive Business, Cost, and Financial Management (FPM 333), 24 hours
- Progressive Leadership in Program Management (FPM 334), 16 hours
The purpose of the FAC-P/PM Core-Plus specialization is to establish the additional training, experience, and continuous learning requirements for FAC-P/PM certified personnel who manage specific investments requiring specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities. FAC-P/PM IT core-plus specialization requires current Mid- or Senior-level FAC-P/PM certification plus mastery of the additional core-plus specialty training, experience, and continuous learning requirements. There are no levels for core-plus specialty certifications. Once mastery of the core and core-plus competencies has been demonstrated through training, education, other relevant certification programs, or documentation through fulfillment (experience), the FAC-P/PM core-plus specialty certification is awarded and maintained through continuous learning. The Opens in a new window FAC-P/PM-IT Core-Plus competency model and the Opens in a new window IT Program Manager Career Path Guide provide more information on the FAC-P/PM-IT core-plus specialty certification.
- Management Competencies: Managing IT Projects (FPM 511), 32 hours
- IT Management, Security, and Performance Assurance (FPM512), 32 hours, (Workforce members are highly encouraged to take FPM 511 prior)
- IT Infrastructure and Architectural Design (FPM 513), 32 hours, (Workforce members are highly encouraged to take FPM 511 prior)
