News That Impacts Your Career
DOD TO INCREASE THE USE OF FIXED-PRICE INCENTIVE (FIRM TARGET) CONTRACTS
DOD has issued a final rule amending the DFARS to increase the use of fixed-price incentive (firm target) contracts, with particular attention to share lines and ceiling prices. The proposed rule required contracting officers to give particular consideration to the use of fixed-price incentive contracts — especially for acquisitions moving from development to production — and pay particular attention to share line and ceiling prices for such contracts, with a 120 percent ceiling and a 50/50 share ratio as the default arrangement. The final rule, however, revises the description of the use of a fixed-price incentive contract with a 120 percent ceiling and a 50/50 share ratio from “the default arrangement” to “the point of departure for establishing the incentive arrangement.” The rule became effective September 16, 2011. (76 Fed. Reg. 57677, 9/16/11.)
ISM INTRODUCES CERTIFIED IN SUPPLY MANAGEMENT™ (CSM™) PROGRAM
The Institute for Supply Management™ (ISM) has introduced the Certified in Supply Management™ (CSM™). This new certification option allows a broad range of practitioners to demonstrate knowledge and expertise in supply management, regardless of whether they have a degree. Effective November 15, 2011, eligible candidates can register through ISM for the CSM™ Exam, and will have one year from the date they register to schedule their computer-based exam.
The new CSM™ joins ISM’s Certified Professional in Supply Management® (CPSM®) program to set a common standard of measurement for professionals to demonstrate mastery of supply management knowledge and skills. The CSM™ tests the same body of knowledge as the CPSM®. Eligibility for the CSM™ is dependent on a candidate’s work experience and educational background, as well as successfully passing the required exam(s).
For more information on the CSM™ program, CSM™ Exam specifications, and registration link, visit ISM online at www.ism.ws. Select Professional Credentials, then Certified in Supply Management™ (CSM™). Opportunities for on-site (CSM™) Exam testing and review are also available.
RISK RADAR® TOOL
Risk Radar® is a Microsoft Access® application that enables you and your project team to manage risks for a single project. Focus at the project level allows for detailed, summary and metric reports that provide the ability to track and view information for the project’s data. Risk Radar® provides the ability to establish standard values for categorizing each project’s risks. A listing of all project risks is available with functionality to prioritize risks manually and automatically. Designed by Project Managers for Project Managers, it complies with applicable IEEE, ISO, SEI CMMI, and Government Standards, and Best Practices.
Information is available at www.americansystems.com.
PROJECT RISK ANALYSIS AND MANAGEMENT GUIDE
Risk is present in all project work, whatever the nature of the project, or the environment in which it is undertaken. The Project Risk Analysis and Management Guide 2nd edition, written by the Association for Project Management’s Risk Management Specific Interest Group focuses on the risk issues that affect the project manager. It addresses how the risk management process at project level connects to corporate or program level risk management. This guide offers the latest practices, opportunities, governance, benefits and behavioral issues. The Guide is available through amazon.com.
NCMA CALLS FOR PRESENTATION TOPICS
The National Contract Management Association (NCMA) is calling for presentation proposals for NCMA’s World Congress 2012. People interested in presenting a breakout session must submit a brief abstract of their proposed presentation by February 27, 2012.
Breakout session tracks include: Acquisition Strategy, Planning, and Sourcing – Business and Proposal Development – Contract Negotiation and Negotiation Skills – Contract Performance and Administration – Contract Law and Compliance – Program and Project Management – Subcontracting – Cost Estimating and Pricing – Accounting and Financial Management – Human Capital and Career Management – Leadership Development – New Professionals – Knowledge Management – Commercial and International Contracts – Case Studies: Lessons Learned in the Real World – Agencies – Technology – CPCM Exam Track – Federal Contracting Bootcamp: CFCM Exam Track – Commercial Contracting Primer: CCCM Exam Track.
More information may be found on the NCMA website at www.ncmahq.org.
AGU Update
AGU’S HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
American Graduate University will be closed for the holidays from December 26, 2011 through January 2, 2012. Be sure to contact Student Services by December 23 if you need to request final examinations or extensions. Sherri, in Student Services, will be intermittently checking the email over the holidays for re-set requests.
The AGU staff and instructors wish you and yours a beautiful holiday season and a new year of peace and prosperity
.
PROGRESS and COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS FOR VA STUDENTS
While AGU has a self-paced program that allows students to set their own pace for completion of their course, as long as they complete the course within five months, there are special progress requirements for students who are using their Veterans Administration benefits. VA students must complete the entire course (including the final examination) by their scheduled 5 month end date. If they do not finish the course(s) by the end date we are required to terminate the certification for the course. In addition, VA students are required to keep pace with their lesson submissions in line with the yellow progress sheet that is sent upon registration. This sheet also outlines the actions that will be taken if the student does not make adequate progress.
Monthly, VA students are required to verify their attendance on the GI Bill website. If you are verifying your attendance then you are confirming that you are meeting the progress requirements for your course. That means that you have submitted the required number of lessons that month.
The Veterans Administration does not permit us to issue extensions. If a VA student does not complete their course(s) by the end date they are issued an incomplete, their certification is terminated and the VA is asked to monitor the incomplete for one year. As long as the student completes the incomplete within that year the course is re-certified and there are no repercussions.
AGU realizes that our students are very busy juggling all their responsibilities. We are very sympathetic, but our hands are tied in this matter. Students receiving benefits from the VA are expected to keep their end of the bargain and meet the progress requirements. If an emergency arises students should contact AGU (studentservices@patten.edu ) immediately so that the situation can be addressed and worked out.
TIPS FOR STUDENTS
Student tips on Enrollment Agreements, School Performance Fact Sheets, and utilizing Lesson Review Exercises.
Student Enrollment Agreement — Students are required to sign and return the Student Enrollment Agreement that is included with each set of course materials. This agreement represents a contract between the University and the student. The Agreement must be read, signed and returned by the student to the AGU Registrar’s office upon receipt of the course materials. Failure to return the Agreement will result in a student not being able to register for another course.
School Performance Fact Sheet — The State of California requires AGU to furnish new students with AGU’s School Performance Fact Sheet. This document comes in a new student’s acceptance package and, along with AGU’s Code of Conduct, must be signed and returned to the AGU Registrar’s Office.
Lesson Review Exercises — Reviewing and answering the review questions and answers that are included in each lesson module can be a great help to a student in preparation for taking the lesson subject examinations, or in completing an application lesson.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
AGU Names Joe Hendrix 2011 Graduate of the Year.
 Each year the Distance Education and Training Council recognizes distinguished graduates from universities under their accreditation through their Outstanding Graduate Program. American Graduate University is pleased to announce that this year’s Graduate of the Year is Joe Hendrix, a process improvement specialist for Analytical Services, Inc.
He supports the U.S. Army’s $21 billion, 500 employee AH-64 apache Attack Helicopter Program as the principal advisor to the Program Manager for process improvement, including the deployment of Lean Six Sigma throughout the organization. This former Army Infantry and Quartermaster Officer has 15+ years experience in line, staff, project management and consulting experience.
Joe was chosen for this prestigious award based on his grade point average and score on the comprehensive examination or project. Joe had a 4.0 GPA in the Master of Project Management program and received the highest score on the comprehensive examination or project during the year. This is the second degree Joe has earned at AGU. In 2007 Joe was awarded the Master of Acquisition Management degree.
AGU’s close association with the DOD community as well as its self-paced delivery system convinced Joe to choose AGU for his advanced education. He travels 80-100% of the time so brick and mortar education options were not realistic.
Originally from South Carolina, Joe has lived and worked in five different states and two foreign countries — Italy and Germany. He now calls North Carolina home. He is married with one daughter who is a second-year law student at Loyola of Chicago School of Law. Joe is an ardent animal lover and includes a dog and 4 cats in his family. In his brief free time he enjoys running, orienteering, biking, hiking, cross-country skiing, animal rescue and travel.
Joe will be featured in this year’s DETC Outstanding Graduate and Famous Alumni publication and will be awarded a special plaque at the DETC Annual Conference in Maui, Hawaii, on April 17, 2012. |
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
Home |
Contact Us | Privacy
Policies | Subscribe
|
