# FAC-C/DAWIA Contracting Officer’s Certification Program Canonical URL: ## Overview This comprehensive program encompasses all of the core training requirements for federal Contracting Officer certification under both the civilian FAC-C (Professional) program and the Department of Defense DAWIA Contracting certification. It is a structured learning pathway that guides participants through the entire acquisition lifecycle, from foundational concepts and pre-award planning to contract award, administration, and closeout, aligning with the competencies outlined in the DAU/FAI Contracting Training Model. Over a series of courses and practical exercises, participants build the knowledge and skills needed to manage government contracts. The program’s curriculum is FAC-C/DAWIA-aligned, meaning it covers the required contracting competencies and reflects current federal acquisition policies and best practices. Participants will progress through the four key courses that correspond to the major phases of contracting, often followed by a comprehensive certification exam. By completing this program, individuals demonstrate that they have attained a thorough understanding of federal contracting laws (including the FAR), principles of acquisition planning and source selection, negotiation techniques, contract administration procedures, and the professional standards of conduct expected of contracting officials. ## What you'll learn - **Comprehensive Contracting Knowledge** : Build a strong foundation in acquisition planning, solicitation, award, and contract administration to become a fully qualified contracting professional. - **Regulatory Proficiency** : Develop expertise in the FAR/DFARS and related policies, ensuring compliance at every stage of the contracting process. - **Strategic Acquisition Skills** : Make sound business decisions across the contract lifecycle, from requirements definition and strategy to negotiation and performance management. - **Industry Perspective and Communication** : Understand contractor practices to improve communication, negotiation, and collaboration with stakeholders across government and industry. - **Certification and Career Readiness** : Prepare for the FAC-C/DAWIA certification exam through practical exercises, leaving ready to step into a Contracting Officer role with confidence. ## Curriculum 1. **CON1100: Contract Foundational Skills** 2. **CON1200: Contract Pre-Award** 3. **CON1300: Contract Award** 4. **CON1400: Contract Post-Award** 5. **CON 3900V FAC-C/DAWIA Contracting Certification Preparation Course** 6. **AI for Federal Acquisition & Contracting Course** ## Instructors ### Jeff Hysen — Instructor Jeff Hysen has been with GSUSA since 2020, teaches numerous classes, and has received several awards for his work. Before joining Graduate School USA, Jeff was an Assistant Regional Counsel with the General Services Administration for 31 years. At GSA, Jeff served as the lead counsel on Ethics issues for the National Capital Region and worked on numerous projects across various fields. In addition to his work with GSUSA, Jeff is a podcast host and stand-up comedian. ### Melanie Dooley — Instructor Melanie Dooley is a seasoned expert in federal acquisition and contracting with more than three decades of experience spanning government, industry, and education. She has built a distinguished career as both a practitioner and educator, serving as a Vice President of Acquisition Policy for SAIC, a managing editor for the _Federal Contracts Report_ at Bloomberg BNA, and an instructor and curriculum developer for Graduate School USA. Her background includes deep knowledge of legislative and regulatory processes, the federal budget and appropriations cycle, and the intricacies of acquisition policy. She has also cultivated an exceptional ability to translate complex policy and contracting issues into practical guidance, having trained members of the defense and civilian acquisition workforce at all levels. In addition to her leadership roles, Melanie brings corporate strategy experience, extensive editorial expertise from her years in the trade press, and a strong record of shaping acquisition policy within a major defense contractor. She is a Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM) and a Fellow of the National Contract Management Association, where she has held leadership roles including VP of Programs and Fellows Chair. With an MBA from Georgetown University and a reputation for clarity, rigor, and real-world insight, Melanie has become a trusted resource to federal professionals, corporate leaders, and students alike. ### Alan McCain — Curriculum Program Manager Alan McCain is a retired combat veteran who served as both an Air Force enlisted member and a Navy officer. He brings over 30 years of experience spanning federal and commercial budgeting, auditing, programming, operations, global logistics support, supply chain and inventory management, as well as major IT acquisition. He possesses extensive, hands-on budget and audit experience across Federal, State, and Local government operations, including work within the Executive Office of the President and the Departments of State, Defense, Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and Education, as well as the Office of the Mayor of Washington, D.C., among others. Alan’s consulting background includes strategic planning and business development with the District of Columbia government, multiple federal agencies, Lockheed Martin, KPMG, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. He is a Certified Government/Defense Financial Manager (CGFM/CDFM), holds a Teaching Certification from Harvard University’s Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, and earned an Executive MBA in International Business from The George Washington University. ### Shamika Minisee — Instructor Shamika M. Minisee is a federal acquisition professional, instructor, and leadership facilitator with more than 20 years of experience across government and industry. A former U.S. Army warranted Contracting Officer, she has supported complex federal acquisition programs and negotiated with some of the nation’s largest defense contractors. She brings that experience directly into the classroom. She has developed and delivered acquisition and professional development training for federal professionals across multiple agencies. Shamika holds a Master of Science in Management with a concentration in Acquisition and Contract Management from Florida Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Alabama A&M University. Beyond acquisition, she is a six-time national and international bestselling author, speaker, entrepreneur, and leadership coach who is passionate about helping professionals grow, lead confidently, and turn knowledge into impact. ### Bruce Gay — Instructor Bruce is an engaging trainer and program manager who brings 25+ years of practical experience to deliver effective and experiential training to students. Able to engage adult learners with a range of backgrounds and professional experiences. Successful at building effective stakeholder relationships and coordinating multi-disciplinary teams for solution delivery. Bruce has over 25 years of project and program management experience across multiple industries. He has a master's degree from The George Washington University and a B.A. from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Bruce currently runs his own freelance training and consulting business, helping project managers and team leaders improve their business skills, become better leaders, and achieve professional greatness. Bruce is a well-received speaker in the areas of design thinking, project management, cross-team collaboration, and AI tools for projects, and has presented at regional and international conferences. ### Steve Pesklo — Instructor Steve is an energetic trainer who focuses on applying technical concepts to everyday work practices. He is the founder and president of SoftLake Solutions, a company that specializes in providing data and AI applications to identify fraud for Internal Audit, Criminal Investigations, Forensic Accounting, Privacy, and Compliance. Steve brings a large amount of experience across multiple industries and government agencies. He is an expert in implementing large data analysis projects across the world, including Inland Revenue in the UK and Argentina, New Zealand, Africa and across Europe. Previously, he was the manager of Data Architecture and Data Services for a large mortgage company. He is a frequent speaker on data analytics and project management topics and speaks fluent German. He has been teaching at the Graduate School for over 10 years. Steve has an M.B.A. from the University of St. Thomas and a B.S. in Computer Science from California Lutheran University and the Universität Salzburg in Austria. He is certified as a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Project Management Professional (PMP), and a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM). ### Clarissa J. Corbin — Instructor Clarissa J. Corbin is an accomplished corporate trainer, project manager, and business consultant with over 25 years of experience designing and delivering impactful learning experiences. As President and CEO of Projections Training Solutions, she partners with federal agencies, private corporations, and international organizations to provide results-driven training in leadership, project management, business analysis, and emerging technologies. Clarissa has trained more than 10,000 professionals worldwide, serving clients such as the DoD, NASA, FEMA, Microsoft, Citibank, PNC Bank, Del Monte, and Symantec. Her expertise has taken her across the globe, leading initiatives in Singapore, China, Japan, South Korea, Africa, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, and St. Thomas, USVI. Known for her ability to engage diverse audiences and create interactive, high-impact sessions, Clarissa equips participants with practical solutions they can apply immediately. At Graduate School USA (GSUSA), Clarissa is regarded as one of the most versatile and trusted instructors. She teaches across multiple programs. She played a pivotal role in redesigning the flagship “Managing for Results” course, while also contributing to the development and review of numerous others. Her contributions have earned her two GSUSA Customer Excellence Awards and a two-year appointment to the GSUSA Instructor Advisory Council, underscoring her commitment to innovation, quality, and learner success. ### Natalya H. Bah — Instructor Natalya Bah has been a part-time instructor at the Graduate School USA for over fifteen years. Natalya teaches across multiple curricula, including Leadership and Management, Project Management, and Human Resources. She has created a curriculum for the school, including Change Management Workshops and project management courses. She has served as an action learning coach, instructor, and facilitator for government leadership programs in the Center for Leadership and Management. Natalya also provides self-assessments and dynamic team-building sessions on behalf of the Graduate School USA. Outside of Graduate School USA, Ms. Bah is a self-employed business owner providing executive coaching, training, and consulting services to the public and private sectors. She created the Define and Achieve Your Goals Process™ and is a certified Birkman Method© Consultant. She received her Master of Science degree in Project Management from George Washington University’s School of Business, where she served as a teaching assistant and received the Project Management Award. She is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). ## Pricing **Tuition:** $7995