# CON1400: Contract Post-Award Canonical URL: ## Overview This course provides both government and industry perspectives on contract administration and performance management. Students will build a toolkit of essential skills for ensuring that contractors deliver products and services in accordance with contract requirements, and for taking appropriate action when performance issues or changes occur. Key topics include conducting post-award orientations, monitoring contractor performance and quality, handling contract modifications (both within scope changes and supplemental agreements), and managing government-furnished property and payments. The course also poses and answers critical questions that contracting personnel face after award: How do you administer a contract day-to-day? What steps do you take if the scope needs to change? How do you ensure the contractor’s work meets quality standards? What are the procedures if there’s a dispute or if a termination is necessary? Through case studies and discussions, participants will explore resolution of contractual issues such as disputes, claims, or terminations for default or convenience. They will also learn the procedures for contract closeout, including final audits, reconciliations, and contractor performance evaluations. ## What you'll learn - **Administer contracts** : Develop a contract administration plan and oversee contract performance, including conducting post-award orientations/kick-off meetings and maintaining effective contract communication with the contractor. - **Monitor performance** : Implement quality assurance measures to ensure goods or services meet contract standards, and utilize performance metrics, inspections, and surveillance plans to track contractor performance. - **Manage contract modifications** : Understand the processes for contract modifications and execute modifications (unilateral or bilateral) in compliance with FAR Part 43. Anticipate and handle changes in requirements, funding adjustments, and option exercises during contract performance. - **Resolve disputes and termination** s: Interpret contract clauses related to disputes, equitable adjustments, and remedies. Learn how to respond to contractor claims or requests for adjustment, utilize dispute resolution techniques and initiate termination actions in accordance with regulations. - **Close out contracts** : Carry out the steps for proper contract closeout, including verifying all deliverables are accepted, reconciling payments and government property, and completing past performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS). ## Prerequisites [CON1100: Contract Foundational Skills](/courses/contract-foundational-skills) is a prerequisite for this course (students should have baseline contracting knowledge before focusing on post-award). Participants must also complete [CON1200](/courses/contract-pre-award) and [CON1300](/courses/contract-award). ## Curriculum #### Contract Administration Fundamentals - Define roles and responsibilities in contract administration - Set up contract files and develop an administration plan - Establish milestones for performance monitoring #### Quality Assurance & Performance Monitoring - Implement Quality Assurance Surveillance Plans (QASPs) - Conduct inspections and acceptance of deliverables - Ensure contractor outputs meet contract standards and address deficiencies #### Subcontract Management and Small Business Participation - Oversee contractor’s subcontracting activities - Review subcontracting plans for small business participation - Understand prime contractor responsibilities in managing subcontractors #### Managing Contract Changes - Issue and negotiate contract modifications - Preserve the scope of the contract and execute options - Handle funding changes and evolving requirements during execution #### Dispute Resolution and Terminations - Interpret contract terms to resolve disagreements and claims - Apply Disputes clause procedures and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) - Execute terminations for convenience or default when necessary #### Contract Closeout Procedures - Follow the step-by-step closeout process at contract completion - Conduct final acceptance, property disposition, and final payments - Deobligate funds, report past performance in CPARS, and archive contract files ## Schedule - Aug 24, 2026 – Sep 1, 2026 — Live Online - Nov 30, 2026 – Dec 8, 2026 — Live Online ## 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 GSUSA, 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/DFM), 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. ## Pricing **Tuition:** $1995