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.


 

Important Note: CLC 222 will no longer be accepted by HHS for FAC-COR level 2 or 3 certification training requirements starting 02/28/2025.

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 $250,000 (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 $250,000 to $25,000,000 (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.

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 $25,000,000 (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
  • 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.

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.

What Happens Next

Upon completion and submission of the application package, the NIH ACP office will review to ensure requirements are met. 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

“NIH…Turning Discovery into Health” is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.