Subpart 501.6 - Career Development, Contracting Authority, and Responsibilities

(a)  Definitions.

“Administrative Warrant Issuing Agent” means the Director of the GSA Acquisition Workforce Division (AWD) within the Office of Acquisition Policy.

“Contracting Officer Warrant Board (COWB)” means a group of senior-level acquisition professionals within a contracting activity who receive, evaluate, and process warrant requests for selection of contracting officers at the basic, simplified, intermediate, and senior levels.

“Contracting Officer Warrant Program (COWP)” means the standardized process which establishes the criteria for qualifying, appointing and terminating warrants of GSA contracting officers based on an organization’s needs for contracting authority.

(b) Contracting Officials.

(1) The Head of the Contracting Activity (HCA) is ultimately responsible for managing all aspects of their respective contracting activity. Additional roles are identified throughout the FAR and GSAM to support HCAs in their responsibilities, including the Contracting Director, Contracting Activity Advocate for Competition,and Acquisition Career Navigator (ACN), and Acquisition Subject Matter Experts (A-SMEs) in key acquisition areas such as small business, labor, sustainability, and cybersecurity. The HCA may also designate a Contracting Executive by making the appointment in writing and transmitting a copy to the Senior Procurement Executive. Additional resources for HCAs, Contracting Executives, Contracting Directors, Advocates for and A-SMEs can be found on the Acquisition Contacts and Offices page on the GSA Acquisition Portal at https://insite.gsagov/acquisitionportal..

(2) HCA. A summary of HCA responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

(i) Executive oversight.

(A) Establishing and maintaining internal controls to achieve the objectives of effective and efficient operations and compliance with applicable laws and regulations;

(B) Monitoring the performance of assigned acquisition activities and acquisition programs, collecting review results, and adjusting processes with the aim of continuous improvement;

(C) Establishing infrastructure, as necessary, to support acquisition management and oversight for their workforce members, including systems required to effectively manage contract and workforce data;

(D) Managing, overseeing and integrating all members of the acquisition workforce ( e.g., Leasing Specialists, Contract Specialists, Lease Contracting Officers, Contracting Officers, Contracting Officer’s Representative, Program Managers, Contracting Directors, Contracting Executives, Advocates for Competition, ACNs, A-SMEs, and other applicable positions) to ensure members are working effectively and efficiently as a productive team.

(ii) Operational matters.

(A) Procuring solutions, services, supplies, acquiring and divesting real property and personal property.

(1) For PBS only, also acquiring and divesting real property (including leases, site acquisition, design and construction), public utilities and real property disposal.

(2) For FAS only, also personal property disposal.

(3) Construction-related procurements.

(i) FAS contracting activities may award contracts that include ancillary commercial construction-related products and services as discussed in GSAM 512.203(c);

(ii) FAS contracting activities shall not award contracts for architect-engineering services as defined in 40 U.S.C. § 1102;

(iii) FAS and PBS shall maintain a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) published on the GSA Acquisition Portal at https://insite.gsa.gov/acquisitionportal setting forth agreed-upon terms, conditions and limitations to support the acquisition of ancillary commercial construction-related products and services, including the FAS governmentwide procurement vehicles and the FSS Program;

(iv) FAS, in consultation with PBS, shall maintain an Ordering Guide published on the MAS Buyer Resources page at www.gsa.gov, or successor location, that will give specific guidance to ordering activities procuring ancillary commercial construction-related products and services through the FSS Program.

(B) Reviewing and approving procurement actions, determinations and decisions.

(C) Reviewing and approving interagency acquisitions.

(iii) Policy matters.

(A) Internal acquisition procedures. Establishing internal acquisition and lease procurement procedures and guidance for assigned acquisition activities and acquisition programs in accordance with subpart 501.3;

(B) Acquisition review. Establishing internal acquisition and lease procurement procedures, and guidance concerning acquisition reviews in accordance with 504.7103;

(C) External acquisition policy. Collaborating with the Service-level policy organization (e.g., FAS’s Office of Policy and Compliance, PBS’s Office of Acquisition Management and OIA’s Acquisition Policy and Workforce Division) and the Office of Acquisition Policy for acquisition and lease procurement policies, procedures, and guidance with external impact, as necessary, see subparts 501.3, 501.4 and 501.5.

(iv) Workforce career management.

(A) Implementing a Contracting Officer Warrant Program in accordance with subpart 501.6, including establishing additional limits on contracting officer warrant authorities as needed;

(B) Ensuring the acquisition workforce obtains and maintains applicable certifications and/or specialized credentials to perform the work of their position, including timely completion of continuous learning and mandatory training requirements;

(C) Ensuring adequate organizational workforce training, staffing, and career development opportunities to promote recruitment, retention and succession planning.

(v) Redelegations.

HCA authority redelegations are limited pursuant to 502.101 and the following conditions:

(A) The SPE shall be consulted prior to a redelegation;

(B) Redelegations shall be in writing with a copy sent to the SPE at spe.request@gsa.gov; and

(C) Redelegations shall include, as applicable, the following information:

(1) HCA responsibilities being redelegated ( i.e., operational matters, policy matters, workforce career management);

(2) HCA responsibilities being retained; and

(3) Limitations on the authority or responsibilities being redelegated.

(3) Contracting Executive.

(i) Some GSA contracting activities are so complex that there may be a GSA executive responsible for contracting operations. In those cases, the HCA may appoint a contracting executive in addition to or in lieu of a contracting director.

(ii) Contracting Executives may be appointed or rescinded by the HCA and serve within the limits of their appointed authority.

(iii) Appointments must be in writing with a copy sent to the SPE at spe.request@gsa.gov.

(4) Contracting Director.

(i) A summary of contracting director responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

(A) Coordinating with the HCA or Contracting Executive as appropriate on contracting matters;

(B) Providing oversight of contracting officers within their acquisition program;

(C) Managing, reviewing, and evaluating their associated acquisition program;

(D) Developing, coordinating, and integrating overall plans for their acquisition program to support agency goals and objectives;

(E) Coordinating with assigned legal counsel for contracting matters as necessary; and

(F) Serving as an advisor on acquisition related matters to senior management and other offices.

(ii) Appointment. Contracting Directors may be appointed or rescinded by the HCA and serve within the limits of their appointed authority. Appointments must be in writing with a copy sent to the SPE at spe.request@gsa.gov.

(5) Contracting Activity Advocate for Competition. The duties and responsibilities for Advocates for Competition are identified in FAR 6.502. Contracting Activity Advocate for Competition may be appointed or rescinded by the HCA and serve within the limits of their appointed authority. Appointments must be in writing with a copy sent to the SPE at spe.request@gsa.gov.

(6) Acquisition Career Navigator (ACN).

(i) A summary of ACN responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following, and may vary by service:

(A) Support the HCA or Contracting Executive as appropriate by managing the workforce career management responsibilities set forth in paragraph (b)(2)(iv);

(B) Serve as the primary point of contact for inquiries from or to the acquisition workforce on matters related to acquisition career management within the contracting activity;

(C) Provide guidance for the acquisition workforce utilizing the official system of record for acquisition career management and ensure consistent data integrity within the system.

(ii) Appointment. Acquisition Career Navigators may be appointed or rescinded by the HCA and serve within the limits of their appointed authority. Appointments must be in writing with a copy sent to the SPE at spe.request@gsa.gov.

(7) Acquisition Subject Matter Expert (A-SME).

(i) A summary of A-SME responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following and may vary by Service:

(A) Support the HCA by serving as advisors on matters related to their respective area of expertise; and

(B) Serve as the primary point of contact for inquiries from or to the acquisition workforce on matters related to their respective expertise in key acquisition areas within the contracting activity.

(ii) Key acquisition areas include small business, labor, sustainability, and cybersecurity. HCAs may appoint A-SMEs in other areas as necessary.

(iii) Appointments of A-SMEs must be in writing with a copy sent to the SPE at spe.request@gsa.gov.

(c)   Responsibilities of Acquisition Career Management Positions.

(1)  Acquisition Career Manager (ACM). The ACM is responsible for ensuring that the agency’s acquisition workforce (AWF) meets the requirements established by the agency, OMB’s Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP), and other applicable authorities. The functions of the ACM role include, but are not limited to–

(i)  Managing the identification and development of the AWF;

(ii)  Providing recommendations on acquisition-related human capital strategic planning;

(iii)  Ensuring that agency policies and procedures for acquisition workforce management are consistent with those established by OFPP;

(iv)  Serving as the agency senior advisor for acquisition human capital matters; and

(v)  Representing the agency in government-wide acquisition workforce forums, including, but not limited to the Interagency Acquisition Career Management Committee, Federal Acquisition Council on Training, and other government-wide groups, as applicable.

(2)  Administrative Warrant Issuing Agent. The Administrative Warrant Issuing Agent will issue warrants centrally in the official government-wide career management system of record. The Administrative Warrant Issuing Agent is not an HCA and does not bear responsibility for any of the actions carried out by the contracting officer under the warrant. The HCA for a contracting activity shall retain authority and responsibility for acquisition career management, including but not limited to

(i)  Managing the identification and development of the AWF;

(ii)  Providing recommendations on acquisition-related human capital strategic planning;

(iii)  Fulfilling the obligations established in GSAM 501.603.

(d) The Career Management System of Record. The Clinger-Cohen Act (Public Law 104-106 §4307) mandated federal agencies to have a database containing education, experience, training and other data about their AWF. The government-wide career management system is the official system of record for the federal civilian agency AWF and is maintained by the Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI).

(1)  The AWF shall utilize the official government-wide career management system of record to conduct and maintain their career management activities for certifications, warrants, and acquisition training.

(2)  Employees are responsible for maintaining the records needed to demonstrate that they have satisfied certification, warrant and training requirements for quality assurance purposes.

(3)  Supervisors must ensure that AWF members are registered in the career management system of record and maintain data accuracy in the system for their direct reports.

(e) Required Continuous Learning.

(1) GSA-required training within the curricula of a certification or warrant may be assigned, upon issuance of a certification or warrant, as mandatory continuous learning with a specified deadline for completion.

(2) Failure to complete any required training within the specified time may result in the expiration or revocation of the certification or warrant.

(f) For additional information on any of the topics covered in GSAM subpart  501.6, refer to the Acquisition Career Management page on the GSA Acquisition Portal at https://insite.gsa.gov/acquisitionportal.

(a) The COR’s role is to develop proper requirements and ensure during contract administration the contractors meet the commitments of their contracts, including the timeliness and delivery of quality goods and services as required by the contract.

(b)  FAC-COR Certification. When required and regardless of series, employees, must complete the GSA certification and training requirements to obtain and maintain an active Federal Acquisition Certification for Contracting Officer's Representative (FAC-COR) at the appropriate level in the career management system of record. COs determine the certification level required for each delegation of contract administration as described in the COR appointment letter.

(1)  Timeframe. CORs must be certified at the appropriate level no later than 6 months from the date of their appointment.; an approved SPE waiver is not required to exercise this flexibility.

(2)  If an employee has been appointed to serve as a COR, but does not hold an active FAC-COR certification at the appropriate level within 6 months from the date of the appointment, a waiver request must be submitted and approved by the SPE (see paragraph (d)). The CO shall remove the employee from the appointment until the certification has been obtained. COs must confirm that an employee holds an active FAC-COR certification in the career management system of record. The CO must confirm throughout the period of performance that the COR certification remains active.

(3)  If a CO and/or the employee's supervisor is notified that an employee serving on a COR delegation is not certified at the appropriate FAC-COR level, the CO shall designate a replacement COR within 30 calendar days.

(c) COR Critical Elements. Every fiscal year, supervisors are required to include the mandatory standard (acquisition-related) critical element in all performance plans for GSA employees who hold a FAC-COR certification and are under an active delegation. Once the standard element is included, supervisors may add additional duties and performance metrics specific to the responsibilities of the employee.

(1) This requirement applies to all GSA FAC-COR holders, regardless of the dollar threshold and/or scope of the contract(s) that they are assigned to support as a COR.

(2)  Exclusions.

(i) This requirement does not apply to Contracting Officers who also serve as CORs.

(ii) This requirement does not apply to GS-1170s or Leasing Contracting Officers, of any job series.

(3) Additional information and guidance can be found on the Acquisition Career Management pages on the GSA Acquisition Portal at https://insite.gsa.gov/acquisitionportal.

(d) Waivers. The SPE may waive the requirements for FAC-COR certifications. Waivers will only be considered in compelling and well documented circumstances for a period not to exceed 6 months. This authority is non-delegable. FAC-COR waivers are not transferable to other agencies.

(e)  Contracting officer’s responsibilities.

(1) In appointing CORs under GSAM 542.2, the contracting officer must take into consideration the appropriate FAC-COR Level needed to protect the government's interest. The contracting officer must consider the risk associated with the acquisition, including contract type, in order to determine the appropriate level of FAC-COR coverage.

(2)  Contracting officers must provide appointment letters in writing to the contractor, outlining the COR's responsibilities under the contract and the limits of the COR's authority to the contractor. The contracting officer must also provide a copy to the COR and the COR supervisor, and maintain a copy in the official contract file, or a central file referenced in the contract file.

(3)  The contracting officer is authorized to revoke a COR appointment. Any revoked COR appointment must be documented in writing and maintained in the official contract file or a central location referenced in the contract file. The CO must notify the COR, the COR's supervisor, the contractor and the designated Acquisition Career Management Point of Contact (ACM POC) within 7 calendar days of the revocation.

(a)  Category managers are responsible for identifying inefficient purchasing behavior and crafting smarter buying strategies within specific areas of spend as described in Government-wide Category Management, Guidance Document issued by the Office of Management Budget, available at https://hallways.cap.gsa.gov/information/Gov-wide_CM_Guidance_V1.pdf.

(b) Transactional data. Category managers should use transactional data collected via clauses 552.216-75 and 552.238-80 Alternate I in conjunction with commercial market benchmarks to identify potential areas for improvement in contracting methods, pricing, and terms or conditions.

(a) General. The Federal Acquisition Certification for Program and Project Managers (FAC-P/PM) core certification program certifies program and project managers at three levels: Entry, Mid and Senior. This certification program is based upon a competency model of performance outcomes which measures the knowledge, skills and abilities gained by program and project managers through professional training, job experience and continuous learning. Program and Project Managers (P/PMs) are critical to project success, including developing accurate government requirements and managing life-cycle activities to ensure that intended outcomes are achieved. Information about FAC-P/PM is available at https://www.fai.gov/ and GSA’s Acquisition Portal at https://insite.gsa.gov/acquisitionportal.

(b) FAC-P/PM Certification. When required and regardless of series, employees must complete the GSA certification and training requirements to obtain and maintain an active Federal Acquisition Certification for Program and Project Managers (FAC-P/PM) at the appropriate level in the career management system of record. Depending on the project, the FAC-P/PM IT Core-Plus specialty certification may also be required:

(1) Timeframe. The employee's supervisor must confirm that an employee holds an active FAC-P/PM certification or specialization at the appropriate level when assigning the employee as a program manager, project lead or integrated project team (IPT) lead; if not, PMs must be certified at the appropriate level no later than 12 months from the date of their assignment to a program, project or IPT; a waiver from the SPE is not required to exercise this flexibility.

(2) If an employee has been assigned to serve as a program manager, project lead or IPT, but does not hold an active FAC-P/PM certification at the appropriate level within 12 months from the date of their assignment, a waiver request must be submitted and approved by the SPE (see paragraph (d)).

(3) Any program manager for a major acquisition, including major programs as defined by OMB Circular A-11, must be FAC-P/PM Level III certified.

(c) FAC-P/PM-IT Specialization.

(1) Applicability. The FAC-P/PM-IT Specialization is required for all GSA P/PMs and IPT leads who support the following covered projects and programs:

(i)IT projects or programs included in the GSA IT Dashboard https://itdashboard.gov/drupal/summary/023, meaning they have been designated as major IT investments by the GSA Chief Information Officer;

(ii)IT projects or programs identified by GSA’s IT Capital Planning and Investment Control (CPIC) team as a major investment and shared with the Acquisition Career Manager; or

(iii)IT projects or programs designated by HCA as major or mission critical.

(2) Certification requirements. Any GSA employee pursuing the FAC-P/PM-IT must first hold a mid or senior level FAC-P/PM Certification (Levels II or III).

(3) Timeframe. Any GSA employee required to have a FAC-P/PM-IT Specialization must obtain a the certification within 12 months of project assignment. If an employee has been assigned to serve as a PM for a major program, but does not hold an active FAC-P/PM-IT Specialization within 12 months from the date of their assignment, a waiver request must be submitted and approved by the SPE (see paragraph (d)).

(d) Waivers. The SPE may waive the requirements for FAC-P/PM and FAC-P/PM-IT certification. Waivers will only be considered in compelling and well documented circumstances for a period not to exceed 12 months. This authority is non-delegable. FAC-P/PM-IT waivers are not transferable to other agencies. Waiver requests shall be submitted by the ACM POC for the requesting organization to the OGP Acquisition Workforce Division for review and routing to the SPE.

(a)Federal Acquisition Certification (FAC) programs. GSA employees are required to obtain and maintain FACsas determined by the business and operational needs of their organization with emphasis upon the type of work they will perform. To obtain and maintain FACs, GSA employees shall comply with the requirements established by the OMB, OFPP, FAI, and GSA. Information about the FAC programs, including requirements for obtaining and maintaining certification, is available at http://www.fai.gov and on the Acquisition Career Management page on the GSA's Acquisition Portal at https://insite.gsa.gov/acquisitionportal.

(b) GSA specific certification programs. The Senior Procurement Executive (SPE) has established agency-specific certification programs for acquisition workforce (AWF) members who perform under acquisition and contracting authorities that are unique to GSA. GSA employees, regardless of job series, may be required to obtain and maintain GSA specific certifications as determined by the business and operational needs of their organization with emphasis upon the type of work they will perform. Information about the following GSA specific certification programs, including requirements for obtaining and maintaining certification, is available on the Acquisition Career Management page on the GSA's Acquisition Portal at https://insite.gsa.gov/acquisitionportal .

(1) GSA Fleet Acquisition Certification (Fleet-C) Program. As required by business and operational needs, GSA Fleet personnel, regardless of job series, are required to obtain and maintain the Fleet-C.

(i) Warrant requirement. In order to be eligible for a Fleet Acquisition warrant, GSA Fleet personnel must hold aFleet-C in “certified” status in the official governmentwide career management system of record.

(2) GSA Real Property Leasing Certification Program (LCP). As required by business and operational needs, GSA Leasing, Lease Administration, Outleasing, and Site Acquisition contracting officers, regardless of job series, are required to obtain and maintain the LCP certification.

(i) Warrant requirement. In order to be eligible for a Leasing, Lease Administration, Outleasing, or Site Acquisition warrant, GSA Leasing, Lease Administration, Outleasing, and Site Acquisition personnel must hold aLCP certification in “certified” status in the official governmentwide career management system of record.

(3) GSA Personal Property Disposal Certification (PPD-C) Program. As required by business and operational needs, GSA personal property disposal personnel, regardless of job series, are required to obtain and maintain the PPD-C.

(i) Warrant requirement. In order to be eligible for a Personal Property Disposal warrant, GSA personal property disposal personnel must hold aPPD-C in “certified” status in the official governmentwide career management system of record.

(4) GSA Fleet Sales Certification (FS-C) Program. As required by business and operational needs, GSA Fleet sales personnel, regardless of job series, are required to obtain and maintain the FS-C.

(i) Warrant requirement. In order to be eligible for a Fleet Sales warrant, Fleet sales personnel must hold a FS-C in “certified” status in the official governmentwide career management system of record.

GSA Real Property Disposal Certification (RPD-C) Program. As required by business and operational needs, GSA Real Property Disposal contracting officers, regardless of job series, are required to obtain and maintain the RPD-C.

(i) Warrant requirement. In order to be eligible for an Real Property Disposal warrant, real property disposal personnel must hold a RPD-C in “certified” status in the official governmentwide career management system of record.

(c)   Certification self-revocation. With supervisory approval, an employee may surrender a certification as long as the certification is not required based on the employee’s job series, position description, and/or delegated procurement authority or contracting administration delegations. For surrender eligibility criteria, please refer to the guidance on the Acquisition Career Management page on the Acquisition Portal at https://insite.gsa.gov/acquisitionportal .

(1)In instances where the certification being surrendered is the basis for an employee's warrant, the warrant must be terminated before the employee surrenders the certification.

(d) Waivers. The SPE may waive Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) (Professional) requirementsto support the hiring or promotion of an employee to grade GS-13 or higher. Waivers will only be considered in compelling and well documented circumstances. This authority is non-delegable. Waivers are not transferable to other agencies.

(e) Reciprocity of certification programs. Pursuant to GSA policies and guidance, the applicant shall present evidence of the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) or FAC certification for consideration to obtain a FAC or agency-specific certification through reciprocity. See the Acquisition Career Management page on the Acquisition Portal at https://insite.gsa.gov/acquisitionportal for guidance on reciprocity.

(1) Reciprocity with DOD certification programs. GSA may recognize DAWIA certifications (Public Law 101-510) issued by DOD.

(2) Reciprocity between FAC programs.

(i) FAC-C (Professional) to FAC-COR. Individuals certified as FAC-C (Professional) are considered to have met FAC-COR requirements for all levels per OMB Memo "Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting Modernization” dated January 19, 2023”.https://www.fai.gov/

(ii)FAC-P/PM to FAC-COR. Individuals certified as FAC-P/PM are considered to have met FAC-COR requirements per OMB Memo "Revisions to the FAC-COR" dated September 6, 2011 (see https://www.fai.gov/). Individuals certified as FAC-P/PM Level II or higher are considered to have met the FAC-COR requirements for that same level.