News That Impacts Your Career
NATIONWIDE MENTORING PROGRAM ASSISTS VETERANS IN ADVANCING THEIR CAREERS
American Corporate Partners (ACP) (www.acp-usa.org) is a nationwide mentoring program which is matching employees from some of the largest corporations and universities in the country with Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans for the purpose of mentoring, networking and career counseling. ACP is dedicated to helping Veterans transition from the armed services to private enterprise. Participation is free. Some of America’s finest corporations are supporting ACP’s efforts, including General Electric, IBM, News Corporation, PepsiCo and Proctor & Gamble.
ACP is designed to help Veterans form valuable relationships, develop key skills, network and create a career plan. The program has experienced great success and is currently in its second phase.
While not a “jobs program,” ACP aims to strengthen the relationship between employees of America’s leading corporations and universities and those who have served our country, often at great sacrifice.
This program is open to Veterans who have served on Active Duty since 2001. Veterans will be matched one-by-one with a mentor, who is a business leader from a major corporation, according to the Veteran’s preferences.
ACP is a competitive program and those who are interested in applying are encouraged to do so at their earliest convenience. To learn more about the program or to apply on-line please visit www.acp-usa.org or contact John Suh at jsuh@acp-usa.org.
PROCUREMENT SURVEY FINDS ROOM FOR SAVINGS, PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS
Federal procurement managers estimate they can save up to $158 billion annually by implementing more efficient acquisition processes and stronger program management training, according to a recent survey. Meritalk, an online community of government information technology specialists, canvassed 200 civilian, defense and private sector contracting professionals in January and found ample opportunities for cost savings. For example, 28 percent of federal programs are not delivered on time or on budget, respondents said. The governmentwide goal, as set by a 2004 Office of Management and Budget memorandum, is 10 percent.
Managers suggested they could cut 30 percent from their annual procurement budgets through operation and system-level improvements. Specifically, the survey found more agencies should be using mandated project management methods such as earned value management, and capital planning and investment control.
Only 17 percent of respondents consistently used earned value management, a technique to objectively measure project progress. Even fewer officials – 14 percent – used capital planning and investment control, a structured and integrated approach to managing IT investments.
“The White House is looking for 5 percent savings from agencies,” said Steve O’Keeffe, founder of MeriTalk. “Everyone is looking to save money, but we need to start by enforcing the rules and mandates that we already have.”
Agencies that consistently use the two techniques gave themselves high grades for the maturity of their acquisition processes. But, only 12 of all managers gave their agency procurement systems an “A,” with the majority settling for a “B” or “C,” the survey showed. The most frequent challenges officials outlined were process deficiencies, poor program management and inadequate staffing.
Another problem is training. Nearly 60 percent of officials confessed to a lack of program management and earned value management training, while 85 percent said they were not schooled in capital planning and investment control.
The survey also indicated some mixed feelings among acquisition executives on two of the Obama administration’s top contracting priorities.
Only 36 percent of respondents said increasing the number of firm fixed-price contracts would improve program efficiency. Thirty-eight percent disagreed with the approach, in which officials set a price for the work at the outset to avoid ballooning costs, and 26 percent were undecided.
Half the contracting officials said they wanted to increase top-down transparency. But, most are not taking the plunge. Only 18 percent indicated that they were leveraging technology innovations, such as Web 2.0. And just 21 percent of officials said their agency encouraged citizen participation and actively responded to public inquiries.
EXPLORE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES (CMS)
A career with CMS offers the opportunity to get involved in important national health care issues and be a part of a dynamic, fast paced and highly visible organization. At CMS, they currently have opportunities for Contract Specialists, GS-1102-9 thru 14, to work in the Office of Acquisitions and Grants Management (OAGM).
As a Contract Specialist you will be responsible for assisting in the solicitation, negotiation, award, administration, close-out and termination of contracts that support programs within the Agency. Additionally, you will negotiate assigned contracts of various complexities while facilitating the development and review of incoming Request for Contracts (RFCs) to determine procurement needs. You will also develop pre-negotiation positions and undertake negotiation with the prospective contractors while reviewing and assisting the Government Accountability Office (GAO).
The Application Process
Go to www.cms.hhs.gov/CareersatCMS or www.usajobs.gov for more information. The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an organization, or any other non-merit factors.
USEFUL WEBSITES FOR PROJECT MANAGERS AND PROJECT TEAMS
Here’s a convenient list of websites that provide a lot of useful information for personnel involved in project, program and portfolio management. This list does not include all the websites devoted to project and program management. Future editions of the Master’s Report will carry additional listings.
PMI® GLOBAL CONGRESS 2010 – NORTH AMERICA TO BE HELD OCTOBER 9-12
The Project Management Institute’s Global Congress 2010 – North America will be held on October 9-12 in Washington, D.C. at the Gaylord National Hotel & Conference Center. The four-day knowledge and networking event can be customized to fit attendees’ schedules and budgets.
This year’s keynote speaker will be former President Bill Clinton. More information may be found at http://congresses.pmi.org/northamerica2010/. AGU will have an exhibit. Come see us at Booth 504.
AGU Update
AGU COURSE RECEIVES EQUIVALENCY TO CON 100
AGU’s Course 600, Government Contracting Business Arrangements, has been approved as equivalent to Defense Acquisition University’s CON 100, Shaping Smart Business Arrangements.
The overall objective of this course is to give personnel new to the contracting career field a broad understanding of the environment. Students will develop professional skills for making business decisions and for advising acquisition team members in successfully meeting customers’ needs. Before beginning their study of technical knowledge and contracting procedures, students will learn about the various Department of Defense (DoD) mission areas and the types of business arrangements and procurement alternatives commonly used to support each area. Information systems, knowledge management, as well as recent DoD acquisition initiatives will also be introduced in the course. Additionally, exercises will prepare the student for contracting support. Also addressed are the overarching business relationships of government and industry, and the role of politics and customer relationships.
Course 600 is a distance learning, non-credit course. It is offered to help personnel become acquainted with the contracting field and to help personnel achieve their Level I certification in Federal Agencies. Students new to the contracting field should take this course before enrolling in AGU Course 601, Federal Government Contracting, which is equivalent to DAU CON 110, 111, and 112.
The tuition for AGU Course 600 is $300.00. The course will be available for registration on September 15, 2010.
AGU AGAIN NAMED "MILITARY FRIENDLY SCHOOL"
G.I. Jobs has again named American Graduate University to its 2011 list of Military Friendly Schools. The list honors the top 15 percent of colleges, universities, and trade schools which are doing the most to help military veterans as students.
The tens of billions of dollars in tuition money now available with the passage of the Post-9/11 GI Bill last year has intensified an already strong desire by colleges to court veterans into their classrooms.
“This list is especially important now because the Post-9/11 GI Bill has given veterans virtually unlimited financial means to go to school,” said Rich McCormack, G.I. Jobs publisher. “Veterans can now enroll in any school, provided they’re academically qualified. So schools are clamoring for them like never before. Veterans need a trusted friend to help them decide where to get educated. The Military Friendly Schools list is that trusted friend.”
Derek Blumke, president of Student Veterans of America and a member of the list’s Academic Advisory Board, agrees. “The Military Friendly Schools list is the gold standard in letting veterans know which schools will offer them the greatest opportunity, flexibility and overall experience. It’s especially important now with so many schools competing for military students. The list was compiled through exhaustive research starting last April during which G.I. Jobs polled more than 7,000 schools nationwide. Methodology, criteria and weighting for the list were developed with the assistance of an Academic Advisory Board (AAB) consisting of educators from Carnegie Mellon University, Duquesne University, Colorado State University, Dallas County Community College, Old Dominion University, Cleveland State University, Lincoln Technical Institute and Embry Riddle; as well as Keith Wilson, VA’s director of education services; Michele Spires, American Council on Education’s assistant director of military programs; Janet Swandol, associate director for CLEP and Derek Blumke, president of Student Veterans of America. A full list of board members can be found at http://militaryfriendlyschools.com/Article/advisory-board/
A full story and detailed list of Military Friendly Schools will be highlighted in the annual Guide to Military Friendly Schools and on a poster, both of which will be distributed to hundreds of thousands of active and former military personnel in late September. The newly redesigned website, found at www.militaryfriendlyschools.com, features interactive tools and search functionality to assist military veterans in choosing schools.
Criteria for making the Military Friendly Schools list included efforts to recruit and retain military and veteran students, results in recruiting military and veteran students and academic accreditations.
AGU PRESIDENT PRESENTS 2010 DETC GRADUATE OF THE YEAR AWARD
 Douglas Larm, a graduate of the Master of Project Management degree program was presented American Graduate University’s 2010 Outstanding Graduate Award by President Paul McDonald at the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) Annual Conference on April 13, 2010. Outstanding graduates of the DETC member schools were presented their Outstanding Graduate plaques at a special luncheon in their honor at the L’Auberge Del Mar Hotel in Del Mar, California. Doug’s wife, Lynn, and his son, Ryan, were in attendance at the ceremony.
Prior to the luncheon Doug participated on a panel of ten graduates from other DETC schools in which he described his experiences with American Graduate University.
Each year one AGU graduate is chosen for the award based on their grade point average and score on the comprehensive examination or project. Doug not only had a 4.0 GPA but he also received the highest score on the comprehensive examination.
Doug is an Intelligence Analyst for the Seattle Police Department. He also is Owner/President of Operational Applications, Incorporated and he serves as an adjunct professor for Seattle University instructing data and intelligence analysis for the University’s Master Criminal Justice program
TIPS FOR THE AGU STUDENT
A few helpful tips for students to achieve their best…
Tip #1
If you are having a problem with any course materials it is always best to seek help from your instructor before submitting your lesson exam on the online exam site. While the instructor will not answer the exam question for you, he or she will provide guidance that will help you to answer the question. The instructor’s contact information was in the welcome message you received when you registered for the course.
Tip #2
Answering the lesson review questions in each lesson will provide significant help in taking the subject examination at the end of the lesson.
FOCUS ON THE FACULTY
 One of the most intriguing and publicized functions of contracting is the source selection process. Course 651, Source Selection and Contract Award, is a core course in the Master of Acquisition Management degree program. Christi O’Leary, an AGU faculty member since 2004, is the instructor of this course. She is also the instructor for Course 600, Government Contracting Business Arrangements. This course is aimed at students who are new to the acquisition field or who are hoping to become eligible for an acquisition position.
Christi has worked within the government for 25 years in various jobs ranging from logistical to military support; and for the past 10 years in specialized contracting, working in Operational Systems Program Offices (simplified and construction), and currently enjoys the Air Force Research Laboratory. Christi mostly enjoys her conversations with her students exchanging knowledge and experience from various agencies in the field of contracting.
Christi received her undergraduate degree in Human Resource Management from Troy State University and a Master of Acquisition Management degree from AGU. Christi also completed Squadron Officer's School in her Professional Military Education program.
When there is time, Christi enjoys cruising in the local waterways with dreams of circumnavigating The Great Loop at retirement with her husband Kevin of 28 years. Believe it or not, if students correspond with Christi on weekends, it is most likely right from the salon or galley of her vessel! She enjoys being actively involved in her two girl’s adult lives and their future wedding plans. |
Advance Your Career With AGU
AGU COURSE 603 EQUIVALENT TO DAU’S CON 216
AGU’s Course 603 “Government Contract Law” has received
equivalency to
the Defense Acquisition University course CON 216 “Legal Considerations
in Contracting”. AGU students completing Course 603 can now
receive
credit from DAU for their course CON 216.
AGU COURSE 601 EQUIVALENT TO THREE DAU COURSES
American Graduate University has achieved equivalency for
its Course 601, “Federal Government Contracting,” for several Defense Acquisition University courses. The DAU courses are CON 110, “Mission Support Planning,” CON 111, “Mission Planning Execution,” and CON 112, “Mission Performance Assessment.”
AGU students completing the 30 module distance education course will receive
credit for the three DAU courses. AGU Course 601 includes coverage on:
- Contract Procedures
- Laws and Regulations Governing Procurement
- Government Contract Law
- Methods of Procurement
- Types of Contracts
- Developing the Requirement
- Developing the Solicitation
- Statements of Objectives/ Statements of Work
- Source Selection Procedures
- Government Marketing/Business Development
- Proposal Preparation
- Pricing
- Estimating
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- Profit and Fee
- Cost or Pricing Data
- Price and Cost Analysis
- Cost Principles and Cost Accounting
Standards
- Negotiation Techniques
- Contract Terms and Conditions
- Contract Financing
- Contract Management and Administration
- Contract Changes
and Modifications
- Remedies, Disputes and Claims
- Terminations for Default
- Terminations for Convenience
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In addition, AGU faculty and staff will be working on developing several new distance courses to apply for equivalency to other DAU courses.
AGU
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