Class Overview

General Class Information
All fields must be completed and posted in UVaCollab and World Viewable in SIS no later than two weeks prior to registration.
Subject Area
Catalog Number / 13Sp PC 4010-701 / Class Title / PC 4010 Procurement and Contracting
Credit Type / Credit
Undergraduate
Graduate
Noncredit / Delivery Method / P (In-Person)
CI (Classroom/Internet)
WB (Web-Based)
  1. Class Description (Use the SIS 400 characters from catalog description)

An introduction to government procurement and contracting processes. We explore fundamental principles and techniques in detail. Although the emphasis is on government procurements, students will also gain an understanding of procurement methods and subcontracting in the private sector. Course materials: 1) Federal Acquisition and Contract Management textbook by Emmett E. Hearn Associates, ISBN 978-0-9615450-8-6 (7th Edition, Copyright 2011); and 2) the Federal Acquisition Regulations (online).

  1. Learning Outcomes

This survey course encompasses the entire contracting process from receipt of a purchase request through contract closeout--and challenges that arises throughout the process. Students use the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to understand the rules needed to make sound business decisions. Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

1.Understand the contract business environment and act as business advisors

2.Understand the essentials of acquisition planning including analysis of contracting requirements and planning for competition and source selection

3.Know the fundamentals of contract formation including the drafting of solicitations, evaluation of quotes and offers, and awarding of contracts

4. Understand the fundamentals of contract administration including planning for successful contract administration, monitoring contract quality, administering payments, as well as modifications, terminations and closing out the contracts.

  1. Assessment Components

1. Reading assignments each week

2. Weekly questions answered in the Discussions Tab

3. Midterm

4. Final

  1. Required Text (include ISBN, specific edition)

(1) Emmett E. Hearn (2011) Federal Acquisition and Contract Management (Seventh edition). ISBN-978-0-9615450-8-6. Hearn Associates publishers.

(2) Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) - online:

  1. Required Additional Resources and Technical Components

There are additional resources in the RESOURCES tab in COLLAB, such as the sites for GAO publications, as well as the FAR site for easy access to the FAR reading assignments.

  1. Other Class Expectations (for Classroom/Internet and Web-Based classes, specify any live (synchronous) meetings dates, times, delivery mode)

LESSONS: This course has 15 lessons. Students access a new lesson in COLLAB each week.

Each week, students will click first on the “Announcements" module in COLLAB to review the important concepts to be discussed that week. Students participate by responding to the weekly discussion questions in the “Discussions” module. Each week has the following sections.

Lesson Overview – a brief description of lessons covered. In “Announcements”.

• Required Reading – read the assigned reading for the week.

• Assignment - Respond every week to the assignment questions for maximum participations score. You may also respond to comments made by other students.

• Each assignment consists of a question or scenario. Student responses should be based upon the assigned reading for the lesson and should reflect a student’s own analysis and judgment. This is NOT just an "opinion" response. Answers should be related to the material assigned for the lesson.

• Students will respond directly in COLLAB in the “Discussions” module.

• Exam grades will be posted in the student’s COLLAB gradebook within three days after the due date. Class participation grades are posted at midterm and the end of the course.

• Class Discussion – held in the “Discussion” module. Questions are posted every week. A response is due from every student each week.

• Students post their responses to the weekly questions in the Discussions tab in COLLAB.

• In most of the online Class Discussions, there are generally many possible right answers. Questions seek to spark discussions and interactions among the students. Since there is no face-to-face meeting, this interaction becomes very important to effective online learning.

• Students earn credit for quality contributions. Quality responses express clear thinking and are relevant to the discussion—not merely stating "I agree."

• Students do NOT have to be online at the same time for class discussions. Students can post their replies at any time that is most convenient for them, as long as the replies are posted by the due date. Due dates for responses are posted each week and are in the syllabus.

Materials to be covered include:

1. Contracts Fundamentals & Electronic Contracting

2. The Acquisition Process

3. Contracting Methods

4. Contract Types

5. Developing Competitive Proposals

6. Source Selection Process

7. Cost and Profit Principles

8. Review

9. MIDTERM

10. Contract Documentation

11. Fundamentals of Negotiation

12. Contract Performance

13. Contract Terminations & Contractual Challenges

14. Review

15. FINAL

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