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NIH Acquisition Management Training Resource Center

I am a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR)

A Federal employee to whom a Contracting Officer has delegated authority in writing to act as his or her representative in monitoring specified aspects of contractor performance. These aspects may include ensuring that the contractor’s performance meets the standards set forth in the contract, ensuring the contractor meets the technical requirements under the contract by the delivery date(s) and/or within the period of performance, and ensuring that the contractor performs within the price or estimated cost stated in the contract.

Certification Requirements

HHS
NIH initial certification - Your initial FAC-COR application can be completed through this site.
NIH re-certification

Training Requirements

For initial certification: Level I: Entry/Apprentice

Appropriate for individuals serving on technical evaluation panels or supporting low risk contract vehicles such as firm fixed price and services/supply contracts and orders that do not exceed $150,000. Training requirements include completion of the following:

No Prior COR experience required

Complete free online course - COR with a Mission Focus, CLC 106 via Federal Acquisition Institute (www.fai.gov) Course may be found at this link: http://icatalog.dau.mil/onlinecatalog/courses.aspx?crs_id=240

OR

Complete free 8 hr COR sequence with ASI Government - contact our office at: FAC-COR@mail.nih.gov for instructions

AND Complete:

16 hr Appropriation Law training
2 hr Green Purchase training
2 hr CPARS training (recommended) - OR - a supplemental 2 hr acquisition elective class from FAI. Send questions to CPARS@mail.nih.gov

Complete Appendix F and Training Documentation Form

Level II: Mid-level/Journeyman

Appropriate for individuals supporting contract vehicles of moderate to high complexity with threshold values ranging from $150,000 to $25,000,000. Training includes completion of 60 CLPS per the following:

One year of COR experience, must complete narrative on application addressing COR competency proficiencies

Complete:

40 hr basic COR training
16 hr Appropriation Law training
2 hr Green Purchase training
2 hr CPARS training (recommended) - OR - a supplemental 2 hr acquisition elective class from FAI. Send questions to CPARS@mail.nih.gov

Complete Appendix F & G and Training Documentation Form

Level III: Senior/Expert

Appropriate for highly complex and mission critical contract vehicles requiring significant acquisition investment for contracts exceeding $25,000,000. Training includes completion of 96 CLPs per the following:

2 years of COR experience, must complete narrative on application addressing COR competency proficiencies

Complete:

40 hr basic COR training
16 hr Appropriation Law training
2 hr Green Purchase training
2 hr CPARS training (recommended) - OR - a supplemental 2 hr acquisition elective class from FAI. Send questions to CPARS@mail.nih.gov
16 hr Minimum Intro to Project/Program Management:

Complete through FAI: www.fai.gov or other source

8 hr Earned Value Management training:

Complete CLB 016 through FAI: www.fai.gov or other source

8 hr Risk Management training:

Complete CLM 017 through FAI www.fai.gov, via the NIH Training Center: or other source

8 hr IT, Construction or Advanced R&D training:

Complete through www.fai.gov, via the NIH Training Center or other source

Complete Appendix F & G and Training Documentation Form

Training Requirements

** Reminder: CLPs are required every 2 years to maintain FAC-COR certification. **
** Reminder: Please forward all training completion certificates to: FAC-COR@mail.nih.gov. **