CON1200: Contract Pre-Award (Self-Paced)

This course includes

Project-based training from experts
Answers from real instructors
Retake for free within 1 year
Verified digital certificate of completion
Learn at an accredited institution
Credits: 48 CPEs

This course is self-paced. For live online or in-person instruction, take Contract Pre-Award.

In this course, participants learn how to shape and define government requirements in collaboration with program offices, conduct thorough market research, and develop effective acquisition strategies. The curriculum covers key pre-award processes such as acquisition planning, crafting performance-based work statements or statements of work, and developing solicitations (e.g., Requests for Proposals) that attract best-value offers while adhering to federal regulations.

Uniquely, the course provides both the government and industry perspectives on pre-award activities. Participants not only study the federal procedures for soliciting and selecting contractors, but also gain insight into how industry approaches opportunities through business development and capture management. This dual perspective includes understanding how contractors formulate proposals in response to solicitations. By the end of the course, contracting professionals will have a strong foundation in pre-award competencies.

Target Audience

This course is intended for federal contracting professionals who have a basic contracting foundation and are moving into roles involving acquisition planning and solicitation development. Ideal attendees are contract specialists, purchasing agents, or procurement officials (typically in the GS-1102 series or equivalent) who will be responsible for pre-award activities such as defining requirements, conducting market research, and preparing solicitations.

This course is designed for both DoD and Non-DoD students aiming to fulfill their Continued Learning Requirements. For DoD personnel, it meets the requirement of 80 hours of Continuous Learning (CL) every two years, as outlined in DoDI 5000.66. For Non-DoD students, the requirement is 80 credits from May 1, 2022, to April 30, 2024, and 100 credits starting May 1, 2024.

This course has a prerequisite

Participants should have completed introductory contracting training (Contract Foundational Skills CON1100) or possess fundamental contracting knowledge.

Tuition

Full Tuition

$1,995
Due before the class starts

This course includes

Project-based training from experts
Answers from real instructors
Retake for free within 1 year
Verified digital certificate of completion
Learn at an accredited institution
Credits: 48 CPEs

Learning Experience Highlights

Training from government‑experienced instructors

Receive instruction from subject‑matter experts who bring proven government experience.

Specialized for government & DoD

Courses that are regularly updated based on feedback and industry developments, ensuring versions are mapped to federal competencies.

The instructor was wonderful and so knowledgeable. The course materials were extremely relevant to what my job is. I feel like I can be better because of this class.
— 2025 student

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Hands-on quizzes and mini projects to test and reinforce concepts.

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CON1200: Contract Pre-Award (Self-Paced) Curriculum

What You'll Learn at a Glance

Define contract requirements: Work with stakeholders to turn mission needs into well-defined requirements documents and criteria, laying the groundwork for successful procurements.
Conduct market research and acquisition planning: Analyze market capabilities and risks, and formulate acquisition plans that consider competition, socioeconomic goals, and risk mitigation strategies for the procurement.
Develop acquisition strategies: Construct comprehensive strategies including choosing the appropriate contract type, crafting evaluation factors, and planning solicitation timelines to achieve best value outcomes.
Prepare solicitation documents: Draft clear and complete solicitations (RFPs/RFQs), including performance work statements, terms and conditions, and evaluation criteria, while ensuring compliance with the FAR and Small Business Act requirements.
Understand the contractor’s perspective: Recognize how industry pursues federal business opportunities through capture management and proposal development, enhancing your ability to anticipate and evaluate contractor proposals.

Course Syllabus

Download Syllabus PDF

Shaping Customer Requirements

Techniques for defining and describing agency needs
Shaping internal customer requirements into procurement-ready SOWs or PWSs

Market Research & Industry Analysis

Understanding markets and suppliers
Conducting market research to inform procurement strategy
Analyzing industry trends to ensure robust competition

Acquisition Planning

Developing acquisition plans that address risk analysis and procurement milestones
Selecting strategies such as contract type and competition approach
Applying FAR Part 7 and related guidance

Acquisition Strategy Development

Formulating key components of an acquisition strategy
Making make-or-buy decisions and considering small business participation
Planning source selection, including evaluation factors and methodologies

Solicitation Development

Preparing solicitations and related documents
Drafting sections of the Uniform Contract Format
Selecting appropriate terms, conditions, provisions, and clauses

Publicizing and Amending Solicitations

Meeting requirements for publicizing contract opportunities (FAR Part 5)
Managing pre-award communications and Q&A
Issuing amendments if requirements or conditions change

Contractor Perspective Module (Industry Viewpoint)

Understanding contractor business development and capture strategies
Recognizing how contractors decide to bid and form teams (JV/subcontracting)
Learning how proposals are developed in response to federal solicitations

Group Training

Since 1921, Graduate School USA has partnered with over 125 federal agencies and trained more than one million federal employees. Led by instructors with deep, real-world knowledge of federal regulations, policies, and practices, our private group programs are practical, mission-driven, and tailored to your agency’s objectives. We offer expertise across key federal domains—including human resources, financial management, acquisition and contracting, leadership, and more—to deliver training where and how your team needs it.

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Installments
	10% non-refundable deposit
$1,995.00	Total You Pay