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This learning path provides public procurement professionals a comprehensive understanding of the contract life cycle, which consists of three phases: Pre-Award, Award, and Post-Award. Through four engaging sessions, participants will explore each phase in detail while gaining hands-on experience through real-world examples.
Speakers: Mike Whalen, NIGP-CPP, CPPB, Michelle Currier, Chief Learning Officer at NCMA
Session 1: Contract Life Cycle Overview and Guiding Principles
Contracting begins when a need is identified and ends with contract closeout. This session will provide an overview of the three phases of the contract life cycle – Pre-Award, Award, and Post-Award. Participants will explore the guiding principles that apply to all phases of the contract life cycle and provide the framework for successful contract management.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify each phase of the contract life cycle.
- Describe the guiding principles and their importance in successful contract management.
Session 2: The Pre-Award Phase – Developing a Solicitation
The pre-award phase lays the groundwork for an effective procurement. This session will guide participants through the key steps involved in solicitation planning, performing market research, developing statements of work, and contracting methods and contract types. Using real-world case studies, participants will gain hands-on experience in building a strong foundation for procurement contracts.
Learning Objectives:
- Outline the steps in the typical market research cycle.
- Explain the elements in a typical statement of work.
- Apply the appropriate contracting method and contract type based on goals and risks.
- Identify the components of a solicitation package.
Session 3: The Award Phase – Evaluating, Negotiating, and Selecting
The award phase of the contract life cycle involves the tasks and actions performed after receipt of offers to produce an awarded contract. This session will explore price and cost analysis, negotiations, selecting a source, and debriefing offerors. Participants will engage in interactive exercises to analyze proposals and determine the most advantageous contract award decisions.
Learning Objectives:
- Utilize cost analysis and price analysis to support fair and reasonable price determinations.
- Apply tradeoff and Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) selection methods in proposal evaluations.
- Analyze documentation of source selection decisions.
- Develop a negotiation plan.
- Explain the purpose and information provided during debriefings.
Session 4: The Post-Award Phase – Managing Contract Performance
The post-award phase involves contract administration and contract closeout. This session will focus on contract oversight, handling performance issues and contract disputes, managing changes, and contract closeout. Participants will take part in hands-on exercises to acquire experience with performing the job tasks and competencies required to ensure satisfactory performance and bring a contract to a successful conclusion.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify the key areas of contract administration.
- Explain the contract changes process.
- Describe the process for managing performance issues.
- Address contract disputes and claims.
- Outline the steps in the contract closeout process.
