A Federal employee to whom a Contracting Officer has delegated authority in writing to act as his or her representative in monitoring specified aspects of contractor performance. These aspects may include ensuring that the contractor’s performance meets the standards set forth in the contract, ensuring the contractor meets the technical requirements under the contract by the delivery date(s) and/or within the period of performance, and ensuring that the contractor performs within the price or estimated cost stated in the contract.
Certification Requirements
- NIH Certification
- Send questions to ACP@od.nih.gov
Re-Certification Requirements
- NIH Re-Certification
- Send questions to ACP@od.nih.gov
The New Continuous Learning Period Video provides an overview of the new common CL period for the acquisition workforce.
Common CL Period FAQs video answers questions in response to a series of inquiries from the workforce
Training Requirements
For initial certification: Level I: Entry/Apprentice
Appropriate for individuals serving on technical evaluation panels or supporting low-risk contract vehicles such as firm fixed price and services/supply contracts and orders that do not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.
Review certification requirements on OALM's website:
- Complete Basic COR Essentials I OR equivalent training – contact ACP@od.nih.gov for more guidance
AND Complete:
- Federal Appropriations Law
- Apply through FAI CSOD: www.fai.gov
Level II: Mid-level/Journeyman
Appropriate for individuals supporting contract vehicles of moderate to high complexity. Information on thresholds found on OALM’s website:
Training includes completion of the following:
One (1) year of prior COR experience is required. Must complete narrative on application addressing COR competency proficiencies.
AND Complete:
- Basic COR Essentials II OR equivalent training – contact ACP@od.nih.gov for more guidance
- Federal Appropriations Law
- 2 hr CPARS training, NIH CPARS SharePoint site, NIH CPARS Tutorial Send questions to CPARS@mail.nih.gov
- For additional requirements, contact the ACP: ACP@od.nih.gov
- Apply through FAI CSOD: www.fai.gov
Level III: Senior/Expert
Appropriate for highly complex and mission critical contract vehicles requiring significant acquisition investment. Information on thresholds found on OALM’s website:
Training includes completion of the following:
Two (2) years of prior COR experience required. Must complete narrative on application addressing COR competency proficiencies.
AND Complete:
- Basic COR Essentials II OR equivalent training
- Federal Appropriations Law
- 2 hr CPARS training, NIH CPARS SharePoint site, NIH CPARS Tutorial Send questions to CPARS@mail.nih.gov
- Project Management OR equivalent training
- For additional requirements, contact the ACP: ACP@od.nih.gov
- Apply through FAI CSOD: www.fai.gov
Resources
- Federal Acquisition Institute & Cornerstone on Demand
- Questions to FAI: Contact@fai.gov
- HHS
- Defense Acquisition University
- DAU Help Desk: 703.805.3459 or dauhelp@dau.edu
- NIH Training Center (NIHTC)
- Office of Acquisition and Logistics Management (OALM)
- CPARS and NIH SharePoint site
- CPARS Guides and Manuals
- CPARS Training
- CPARS Tutorial
- Human Subject Research – Requirements for Education FAQ
Submit a Question to the Acquisition Career Program, OALM/ACP: ACP@od.nih.gov