FCCoC presents the SAM.gov Business Program—a specialized certification course designed to empower entrepreneurs, consultants, and contracting professionals with the skills needed to navigate and maximize the federal government’s primary procurement portal. 

This program goes far beyond registration; participants gain hands-on instruction in opportunity identification, NAICS code alignment, entity management, market research, and strategic use of SAM.gov to track federal spending and forecast contract opportunities. 

Whether you're new to federal contracting or looking to sharpen your competitive edge, this program ensures you're equipped with the tools to access, analyze, and act on opportunities in the federal marketplace. 

 Mastery Level Curriculum Studies

• SAM.gov Business Professional-Mastery Level 2
• Federal Contracting Phases
• Rule of Two-Application
• The role of the Documentation Tab 
• Read what you see, not what you believe
• Competition Requirements
• Challenging the Notice & Requirement
• Project Walk-thru [3]
• Associated Case Law Studies
• Pre-Award/ Post Award -Protest Rights

Application Learning

• Challenge restrictive or noncompetitive procurement actions that limit small business participation. 
• Navigate and advise on pre-award and post-award protest rights related to small business determinations. 
• Assess case law, GAO decisions, and SBA OHA rulings that define and shape the application of small business contracting rules.

SAM.gov Project Walk Thru [3]

Supply

Services 

Construction 

FCCoC Federal Contracting – Subcontract Program Specialist™ Certification Program – Mastery Level

Program Overview

The Federal Contractors Chamber of Commerce (FCCoC) proudly presents the Federal Contracting – Subcontract Program (Mastery Level)—a comprehensive, advanced‐level training designed for acquisition professionals, small business advocates, compliance officers, program managers, and prime contractors seeking to master the policies, procedures, and legal frameworks governing federal subcontracting.

This program offers a deep exploration of FAR Part 19.7 (The Small Business Subcontracting Program) and FAR Part 44 (Subcontracting Policies and Procedures), along with key cross‐references to FAR Part 52 (Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses) and 13 CFR Part 125, which implements SBA’s subcontracting regulations.

Participants will learn to develop, implement, and monitor subcontracting programs that achieve regulatory compliance, drive small business participation, and enhance performance outcomes within the federal supply chain.

Through case‐based instruction, participants gain mastery in analyzing procurement regulations, evaluating contractor purchasing systems, identifying flow‐down obligations, and ensuring subcontract performance aligns with agency small business goals and statutory requirements.

Program Focus Areas

Graduates of the FCCoC Federal Contracting – Subcontract Program Specialist™ (Mastery Level) will be able to:

• Interpret and apply the authorities and requirements established under FAR 19.7, FAR 44, and related SBA and DFARS policies. 
• Develop and negotiate subcontracting plans, including Individual, Commercial, and Comprehensive Plans, consistent with small business program objectives. 
• Evaluate subcontracting performance through quantitative and qualitative metrics aligned with contract reporting requirements (e.g., Individual Subcontracting Reports (ISR) and Summary Subcontracting Reports (SSR)). 
• Assess contractor purchasing systems using FAR Subpart 44.3 standards and prepare for Contractor Purchasing System Reviews (CPSR). 
• Understand and implement flow‐down clauses required under FAR Part 52, ensuring subcontractor compliance with socio‐economic programs, labor standards, and cybersecurity clauses. 
• Apply the Rule of Two and competitive sourcing strategies to strengthen small business participation in subcontracting. 
• Integrate socioeconomic goals across all tiers of subcontracting, advancing opportunities for 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, SDVOSB, and SDB firms. 
• Perform advanced market research to identify capable small business suppliers and partners using SAM.gov, USASpending.gov, FPDS, and SBA Dynamic Search databases. 
• Advise primes and subs on regulatory obligations, risk mitigation, and contractual rights. 
• Identify and challenge noncompliance or barriers to fair subcontracting, leveraging protest rights, regulatory remedies, and ethical procurement standards. 
• Analyze GAO, SBA OHA, and Court of Federal Claims decisions that shape subcontracting law, responsibility determinations, and performance accountability. 
• Strengthen supply chain integrity and transparency through ethical procurement practices, compliance audits, and ongoing reporting discipline.

FCCoC’s Post-Award Workshop is the ultimate pathway for professionals seeking to specialize in the critical—and often overlooked—phase of federal contracting. Participants learn how to interpret key FAR clauses, enforce contract terms, resolve disputes, assess contractor performance, and ensure timely deliverables. 

This program is ideal for agency personnel, contract administrators, prime contractors, and support staff responsible for safeguarding government interests post-award. Graduates emerge with practical skills and real-world tools to reduce risk, improve communication, and maintain contract compliance. 

With FCCoC’s commitment to education and mentorship, this program empowers professionals to become trusted post-award experts in the federal contracting landscape. 

  Mastery Level Curriculum Studies

• Contract Award Interpretation, Expectations and Acceptance
•  Contract Types and Uses 
• Contract Administration
• Contract Change Orders-Task Orders-Purchase Orders
• Contract Modifications 
• Contract Invoicing
• Contract Terminations 
• Contract Closeouts
• Bid Protest Basics 
• Contract Admin Related Protest
• Associated Case Law Studies

Federal Contracting – Protest Workshop —a specialized legal and procedural certification course designed to equip acquisition professionals, contractors, and legal practitioners with mastery over the protest process within the federal acquisition system.

At this level, participants gain deep technical knowledge of FAR Part 33 (Protests, Disputes, and Appeals) and the statutory authorities underpinning the Bid Protest Regulations (4 C.F.R. Part 21), as administered by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (COFC), and agency-level protest offices.

This program provides the framework, methodology, and case law analysis necessary to evaluate protest grounds, prepare defensible filings, respond to challenges, and understand the strategic and procedural nuances that govern the federal protest process.

Program Focus Areas

Graduates of the FCCoC Protest Program Specialist™ (Mastery Level) will be able to:

• Interpret and apply the principles of FAR Part 33 – Protests, Disputes, and Appeals, and corresponding GAO and COFC rules. 
• Distinguish between pre-award and post-award protests, identifying appropriate forums, filing deadlines, and procedural remedies. 
• Evaluate the timeliness, jurisdiction, and standing requirements governing each protest forum (Agency, GAO, COFC). 
• Develop and submit legally sufficient protest filings, including key elements such as factual grounds, regulatory citations, and requested relief. 
• Prepare and respond to Agency Reports and legal memoranda defending or challenging contract awards. 
• Analyze the “Rule of Two,” competitive harm, and evaluation bias as common bases for protest and sustainment. 
• Understand automatic stays, corrective action processes, and cost reimbursement procedures under the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA). 
• Advise stakeholders on protest strategy, risk assessment, and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods. 
• Apply GAO and COFC precedents to real-world procurement disputes, evaluating how decisions shape acquisition practices. 
• Interpret and apply small business–related protest rules, including size and status challenges under 13 CFR Part 121 and SBA OHA decisions. 
• Navigate agency-level protest resolution procedures, including debriefing requests, extensions, and reconsideration processes. 
• Ensure compliance with procurement integrity, ethics, and confidentiality when engaging in protest actions.
   

Mastery Level Curriculum Studies

• FAR Part 33 – Protests, Disputes, and Appeals 
• 4 C.F.R. Part 21 – GAO Bid Protest Regulations 
• 28 U.S.C. § 1491(b)(1) – COFC Bid Protest Jurisdiction 
• Agency-Level Protest Procedures (FAR 33.103) 
• The Rule of Two, Competition Requirements, and Market Research Implications 
• Timeliness, Standing, and Jurisdictional Analysis 
• Drafting Effective Protest Filings and Requests for Relief 
• Responding to Agency Reports and Legal Memoranda 
• Pre-Award vs. Post-Award Protest Scenarios 
• Automatic Stay and Corrective Action Procedures 
• Size Protests and SBA OHA Appeals (13 CFR Parts 121 & 134) 
• Contracting Officer Responsibilities and Protest Defense Strategies 
• GAO and Court of Federal Claims Case Law Studies 
• Protest Cost Recovery, ADR, and Settlement Practices 
• Ethics, Confidentiality, and Procurement Integrity 
• Project Walkthroughs (3 Applied Protest Case Studies)
  

Contract Negotiations  is designed to teach federal contractors how to prepare for, participate in, and successfully negotiate with the U.S. Government. Rather than focusing solely on negotiation techniques, the course helps contractors understand how Contracting Officers think, prepare, and make negotiation decisions under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).

Successful negotiations begin long before the meeting. Contractors learn how to build a negotiation strategy, justify pricing, manage risk, support Requests for Equitable Adjustments (REAs), negotiate contract modifications, and protect their contractual rights while maintaining a professional relationship with the Government.

What You'll Learn

• Understanding the Government's negotiation process under FAR Part 15
• How Contracting Officers establish negotiation objectives
• Cost and price analysis from the Government's perspective
• Developing defensible pricing strategies
• Preparing for pre-award and post-award negotiations
• Negotiating contract modifications and equitable adjustments
• Responding to Government questions during negotiations
• Supporting labor rates, indirect costs, and profit
• Negotiating changes in scope, schedule, and performance
• Avoiding common negotiation mistakes that weaken your position
• Properly documenting negotiation agreements
• Understanding the legal impact of negotiated contract changes
• Applying relevant GAO, Board of Contract Appeals, and Court of Federal Claims decisions to strengthen your negotiating position

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, contractors will be able to:

• Understand how Government negotiators evaluate proposals and pricing.
• Develop negotiation strategies supported by facts, regulations, and contract requirements.
• Justify proposed costs and pricing with confidence.
• Negotiate contract modifications, REAs, and other contract changes more effectively.
• Recognize negotiation tactics commonly used by Government negotiators.
• Protect their contractual rights while maintaining productive business relationships.
• Improve negotiation outcomes through preparation, documentation, and knowledge of procurement law.

Why It Matters

Every federal contract involves negotiation—before award, during performance, and often after performance begins. Whether discussing price, schedule, technical requirements, contract modifications, claims, or Requests for Equitable Adjustment (REAs), contractors who understand how the Government negotiates consistently achieve better outcomes than those who rely on instinct or persuasion alone.

This course teaches you to negotiate from a position of knowledge—not emotion. By understanding the FAR, contract terms, pricing principles, negotiation strategy, and applicable case law, you'll be better equipped to protect your interests, resolve disputes, and negotiate agreements that are both legally sound and beneficial to your business.

The best negotiators don't simply ask for more—they know how to justify it.

Government Contracts Cost & Pricing 

Winning federal contracts requires far more than submitting the lowest price. Successful contractors understand how to develop competitive pricing, justify every cost element, protect profit, and negotiate effectively throughout the life of the contract.

Government Contracts Cost & Pricing  is designed specifically for federal contractors who want to learn how to build compliant, competitive, and profitable pricing strategies. You'll learn how to prepare pricing that withstands Government scrutiny, supports successful negotiations, and positions your company for long-term success.

Whether you're bidding on your first contract or managing a multimillion-dollar federal portfolio, this course provides the knowledge needed to confidently develop pricing, respond to Government questions, negotiate modifications, and protect your company's financial interests.

What You'll Learn

Building Winning ricing Strategies

Learn how to:

• Price to win—not simply price to be the lowest.
• Develop competitive pricing strategies.
• Balance competitiveness with profitability.
• Estimate project costs accurately.
• Identify pricing risks before submitting a proposal.
• Price for long-term business growth.

Understanding Federal Pricing Requirements

Master the contractor requirements contained in:

• FAR Part 15 – Contracting by Negotiation
• FAR Part 31 – Contract Cost Principles
• Cost Accounting Standards (CAS)
• Certified Cost or Pricing Data requirements
• Commercial Products and Commercial Services
• Agency pricing requirements

More importantly, you'll learn how these regulations affect your business and your pricing decisions.

Preparing Better Proposals

Develop pricing for:

• Fixed-Price Contracts
• Cost-Reimbursement Contracts
• Time-and-Materials Contracts
• Labor-Hour Contracts
• IDIQ Contracts
• Task Orders
• Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)
• GSA Schedule Contracts

You'll learn how to structure pricing that is complete, accurate, and easy for evaluators to understand.

Building a Defensible Pricing Model

Learn how to calculate and support:

• Labor Rates
• Fringe Benefits
• Overhead
• General &
• Equipment Administrative (G&A)
• Materials
• Subcontractor Costs
• Travel
• Escalation
• Contingencies
• Profit and Fee

Understand what documentation should support each pricing element before submitting your proposal.

Pricing for Profit

Discover how to:

• Protect profit margins.
• Avoid underbidding.
• Evaluate project risks.
• Account for inflation and escalation.
• Estimate indirect costs accurately.
• Price change orders.
• Price option years.
• Recover allowable costs.

Preparing for Government Questions

Instead of being surprised during negotiations, learn how to prepare answers supporting:

• Labor assumptions.
• Material costs.
• Subcontract pricing.
• Historical pricing.
• Commercial pricing.
• Cost estimates.
• Profit calculations.
• Schedule impacts.

When the Government asks, you'll already have the documentation.

Negotiating Price

Develop practical negotiation skills for:

• Initial contract awards.
• Contract modifications.
• Requests for Equitable Adjustment (REAs).
• Scope changes.
• Delay impacts.
• Additional work.
• Settlement negotiations.
• Contract claims.

Learn how to negotiate from facts, documentation, and the FAR—not emotion.

Documentation That Protects Your Business

Learn how to prepare documentation supporting:

• Price adjustments.
• Cost increases.
• Requests for Equitable Adjustment.
• Certified Claims.
• Delay Costs.
• Impact Costs.
• Termination Settlement Proposals.
• Contract Modifications.

Strong documentation often determines whether you're paid—or denied.

Avoiding Costly Pricing Mistakes

Avoid common errors such as:

• Unrealistic pricing.
• Underestimating labor.
• Unsupported indirect costs.
• Improper profit calculations.
• Mathematical errors.
• Weak documentation.
• Pricing inconsistencies.
• Unallowable costs.
• Failure to account for contract risk.

Learning from Case Law

Study GAO, Boards of Contract Appeals, and Court of Federal Claims decisions involving:

• Price Reasonableness
• Cost Realism
• Defective Pricing
• Requests for Equitable Adjustment (REAs)
• Contract Claims
• Cost Allowability
• Contract Modifications
• Termination Settlements

Learn how successful contractors have prevailed—and why others have lost—so you can avoid repeating costly mistakes.

Learning Objectives

Upon completing this course, you will be able to:

• Build competitive and profitable pricing strategies.
• Develop pricing proposals supported by documentation.
• Justify labor rates, indirect costs, and profit.
• Prepare for pricing negotiations with confidence.
• Respond effectively to Government pricing questions.
• Price contract modifications and equitable adjustments.
• Support Requests for Equitable Adjustment (REAs) and contract claims.
• Apply FAR cost principles to protect your company.
• Use procurement case law to strengthen pricing decisions.
• Increase your competitiveness while improving profitability.