FAC-COR Certification

FAC-COR Certification

The Federal Acquisition Certification for Contracting Officer’s Representatives (FAC-COR) is the only certification HHS recognizes as meeting the eligibility standards to be appointed as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for all contracts in HHS and its Operating Divisions. NIH strictly follows the FAI FAC-COR guidance and adheres to all policies and procedures set forth in the HHS Acquisition Workforce (HHSAW) Guide (3/1/2024). A COR is authorized, in writing, by the Contracting Officer to perform specific technical and/or administrative functions.

The FAC-COR Program is divided into three tiers based on complexity and dollar thresholds of the total contract value. Each tier is independent of the others and does not require perquisite certifications to obtain a higher level. Please Note: The thresholds set forth below are NIH-specific as determined by the Head of the Contracting Activity.

All certifications must be applied for in the Federal Acquisition Institutes Cornerstone OnDemand (FAI CSOD) system. You must be registered in the FAI CSOD system to be eligible for any acquisition certifications at NIH.

Initial FAC-COR Certification

Level I

Entry level/Apprentice (No Prior Experience Required)

Appropriate for supporting low risk contract vehicles such as firm fixed price and services/supply contracts and orders that do not exceed $350,000 (total contract value). All training requirements below must be completed within two years of application for a minimum of 8 total hours to be eligible for Level I. Complete the following steps to be approved.

Step 2

Complete the Required Training:

Recommend Training:

Step 3

Complete HHS Application Form PDF and submit signed copy with all FAC-COR level I requirements to NIH ACP ([email protected]). Applicant and Supervisor signature needed.

Level II

Mid-level/Journeyman (One Year of Experience Required)

Appropriate for individuals supporting contract vehicles of moderate to high complexity with threshold values ranging from $350,000 to $50,000,000 (total contract value). All training requirements below must be completed within two years of application for a minimum of 40 total hours to be eligible for Level II. Complete the following steps to be approved.

Step 2

Complete the required training:

Recommended Training:

Step 3

FAC-COR level II Functional Transcript – This form is required by HHS to demonstrate the requisite one year of experience. Instructions and guidance on how to fill out the form are found on the form in the link. See below for more guidance on experience responses

Step 4

Complete HHS Application Form PDF and submit signed copy with all FAC-COR level II requirements to NIH ACP ([email protected]). Applicant and Supervisor signature needed.

Level III

Senior/Expert (Two Years of Experience Required)

Appropriate for highly complex and mission critical contract vehicles requiring significant acquisition investment for contracts exceeding $50,000,000 (total contract value). All training requirements below must be completed within two years of application for a minimum of 60 total hours to be eligible for Level III. Complete the following steps to be approved. 

Step 2

Complete the Required Trainings:

  • 40 hour Advanced COR Training: FCR 400 in CSOD OR NIHTC9554
  • 20 hour Program/Project Management Training: FPM 120A in CSOD

Recommended: 

Step 3

FAC-COR level III Functional Transcript – This form is required by HHS to demonstrate the requisite two years of experience. Instructions and guidance on how to fill out the form are found on the form in the link. See below for more guidance on experience responses.

Step 4

Complete HHS Application Form PDF and submit signed copy with all FAC-COR level III requirements to NIH ACP ([email protected]). Applicant and Supervisor signature needed.

Experience Transcript Response Guidance

  1. Provide a specific example(s) of your experience for each COR competency within the last 4 years.

    1. What did you do?
    2. When did you do it?
    3. How did you do it?
    4. Why did you do it?
    5. Outcomes of your actions?
  2. Cite when the example of your experience happened. “In the past year”, “recently” will not be accepted. Include month and year or time performing the competency to demonstrate the needed experience (Ex. “In June 2024”, “Since August 2022”, “From January 2021 through September 2024”, etc.)
  3. Examples less than one year old from date of application will NOT demonstrate the required year of experience needed. If applying for level 3 without a level 2 or the level 2 is less than a year old, you will need to demonstrate experience at least two years old from date of application.
  4. Cite contract numbers where applicable. If your example cites a contract (it often should), the contract number will need to be included.

  5. Lacking enough experience or NO experience for a specific outcome?

    1. Level 2 applicants can provide their understanding of the COR roles and responsibilities for each competency and provide a scenario demonstrating this understanding.
    2. Level 3 will require active experience in each competency to qualify.
  6. No response can be left blank or “N/A”. While you may not have had the experience or do not require it with your current/future contract(s), being certified means you could be called upon to perform all COR competencies.

What Happens Next

Upon completion and submission of the application package, the NIH ACP office will review to ensure requirements are met within 30 days of receipt. If all requirements are met, the ACP office will provide instructions on how to submit all documents in the FAI CSOD application. 

The applicant will notify the NIH ACP office the CSOD application has been completed. The NIH ACP will notify HHS with approval recommendation. HHS will conduct the final review in CSOD and Approve. An automatic notification will be sent to the applicant of approval.

Important information following designation as a FAC-COR:

  • Once the applicant is certified, the applicant is eligible for official COR Appointment by a Contracting Officer.
  • Once a certified COR is "Appointed", the COR's performance plan must be updated within 30 days to include mandatory COR PMAP language as an official part of their duties: Mandatory COR PMAP Language.

 

Free Online Training Options

There are currently two free online vendors that provide numerous training options to complete the certification and re-certification requirements.

FAI

The Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI) offers free online and classroom/virtual training offerings. These can be found and registered for through the FAI CSOD System.

arrow Register

DAU

The Defense Acquisition University (DAU) offers several online courses related to acquisition, management, budget, etc. These courses can be registered for through DAU at http://www.dau.edu

arrow Register

Instructions and Resources

FAI CSOD

The links below provides the FAI CSOD User Guides for both Employee and Supervisor actions in FAI CSOD. These are step-by-step instructions to all the actions employees or supervisors will do in the FAI CSOD System.

arrowFAI CSOD Employee User Guide

arrowFAI CSOD Supervisor User Guide

Director of OALM: Diane J. Frasier

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