Government Contracting Fundamentals
The Government Contracting Fundamentals course is a comprehensive overview and discussion of the federal government contracting process, including applicable procurement laws, regulations, and practical requirements.
Learn more about GMU CPE Government Contracting Fundamentals
This “fundamentals” course is designed to be of benefit to both government and contractor personnel, including contracting officers, contract and subcontract administrators, program and item managers, finance and accounting personnel, engineers, and attorneys (in-house, outside, government).
This course provides a strong overview of the fundamental government contracting process. Course participants will:
- Understand the major differences between government and commercial contracting.
- Understand the principle laws and regulations that affect the federal procurement environment.
- Become familiar with the major components of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS).
- Understand the government’s legal environment and the players on the government’s contracting team.
- Understand the different contract types, and their associated opportunities and risks.
- Understand competition alternatives, including full and open competition, set-asides, and sole-source procurements.
- Explore various procurement methods and discuss the processes affiliated with each, including competitive negotiations, sealed bidding, simplified acquisition, and federal supply schedules.
- Identify multiple types of compliance requirements, audits, and reviews, and the associated penalties for non-compliance.
- Recognize the components of a typical government contract and discuss the use and applicability of specific contract clauses, including inspections, changes, terminations, delays, and disputes
To Learn more or Sign Up for Fundamentals, please click here!
Fundamentals of Government Contracting with George Mason University Continuing and Professional Education Dates 2025
- February 10-13, 2025, 10:00am-3:30pm ET
- May 5-8, 2025, 10:00am-3:30pm ET
Government Contracting Essentials
The Public Contracting Institute teaches the Essentials of Doing Business with the Federal Government every other year in partnership with GMU CPE. Join Tim Sullivan as he walk you through the core compliance requirements of a government contract.
Upcoming Fundamentals Courses
Professor’s Forum 2025 – Market-Based Competition
Onlinehttps://publiccontractinginstitute.com/product/professors-forum-2025/ Professor Ralph Nash and Tim Sullivan are delighted to present the ninth year of “The Professor’s Forum,” a monthly virtual class designed to delve into some of the most […]
Professor’s Forum 2025: Market Based Competition
Onlinehttps://publiccontractinginstitute.com/product/professors-forum-2025/ Professor Ralph Nash and Tim Sullivan are delighted to present the ninth year of “The Professor’s Forum,” a monthly virtual class designed to delve into some of the most […]
0-60: Contract Interpretation
Onlinehttps://publiccontractinginstitute.com/product/0-60-govcon-in-a-capsule-series-2/ The Public Contracting Institute is bringing you up to speed fast! The 0-60 live virtual training series explores different topics on the most important areas of government contracting. Whether […]
FUN with the FAR℠ 2025: FAR 15.4
Onlinehttps://publiccontractinginstitute.com/product/fun-with-the-far-season-2025-3/ Covering each Part of the Federal Acquisition Regulation and created to make the FAR approachable and thought provoking for contracting professionals at all levels. This training is delivered in […]
Incurred Cost Submission Deep Dive
Onlinehttps://publiccontractinginstitute.com/product/incurred-cost-submission-deep-june/ This is a 2-day deep dive into ICS with Capital Edge! June 3-4, 2025 @ 12:00pm - 3:00pm ET This course is intended to provide an overview of Incurred […]
Hands-On Workshops: Small Business Contracting and Subcontracting
Onlinehttps://publiccontractinginstitute.com/product/hands-on-workshops-the-govcon-lifecycle-series-6/ The Public Contracting Institute would like to introduce Hands-On Workshops (HOWs). Each month a subject matter expert will break down a complex area of government contracting taking you through […]
Incurred Cost Submission Deep Dive
Onlinehttps://publiccontractinginstitute.com/product/incurred-cost-submission-deep-june/ This is a 2-day deep dive into ICS with Capital Edge! June 3-4, 2025 @ 12:00pm - 3:00pm ET This course is intended to provide an overview of Incurred […]
Nuts, Bolts, and Beyond: To Be A Government Contractor
OnlineAre you new to the world of government contracting or simply looking to refresh your knowledge? Whether you're seeking to expand your business through government contracts or looking to gain […]
FUN with the FAR℠ 2025: FAR 16
Onlinehttps://publiccontractinginstitute.com/product/fun-with-the-far-season-2025-3/ Covering each Part of the Federal Acquisition Regulation and created to make the FAR approachable and thought provoking for contracting professionals at all levels. This training is delivered in […]
DFUN with the DFARS – Part 219, 222, 223, & 226
Online12 Instructor-Led Virtual Training Sessions from January 2025 to December 2025; Second Thursday of the Month Covering each Part of the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement and created to make the DFARS […]
0-60: Pricing a Contract
Onlinehttps://publiccontractinginstitute.com/product/0-60-govcon-in-a-capsule-series-2/ The Public Contracting Institute is bringing you up to speed fast! The 0-60 live virtual training series explores different topics on the most important areas of government contracting. Whether […]
FUN with the FAR℠ 2025: FAR 17 & 18
Onlinehttps://publiccontractinginstitute.com/product/fun-with-the-far-season-2025-3/ Covering each Part of the Federal Acquisition Regulation and created to make the FAR approachable and thought provoking for contracting professionals at all levels. This training is delivered in […]
FUN with the FAR℠ 2025: 19 & 26
Onlinehttps://publiccontractinginstitute.com/product/fun-with-the-far-season-2025-3/ Covering each Part of the Federal Acquisition Regulation and created to make the FAR approachable and thought provoking for contracting professionals at all levels. This training is delivered in […]
DFUN with the DFARS – Part 225
Online12 Instructor-Led Virtual Training Sessions from January 2025 to December 2025; Second Thursday of the Month Covering each Part of the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement and created to make the DFARS […]
NAICS Codes and Navigating SAM.gov
OnlineSAM.gov – System of Award Management, is the official U.S Government System offered to the public to help identify contract opportunities and data, find entity information, conduct entity reporting, report […]
0-60: FAR Part 52 and Key Clauses
Onlinehttps://publiccontractinginstitute.com/product/0-60-govcon-in-a-capsule-series-2/ The Public Contracting Institute is bringing you up to speed fast! The 0-60 live virtual training series explores different topics on the most important areas of government contracting. Whether […]
FUN with the FAR℠ 2025: FAR 22 & 23
Onlinehttps://publiccontractinginstitute.com/product/fun-with-the-far-season-2025-3/ Covering each Part of the Federal Acquisition Regulation and created to make the FAR approachable and thought provoking for contracting professionals at all levels. This training is delivered in […]
GMU CPE – Government Contracting Fundamentals
Online(August 4-7, 2025) The Government Contracting Fundamentals course is a comprehensive overview and discussion of the federal government contracting process, including applicable procurement laws, regulations, and practical requirements. This "fundamentals" […]
Essentials of Doing Business with the Federal Government: The Government as a Customer
Onlinehttps://publiccontractinginstitute.com/product/essentials-of-doing-business-with-the-federal-government-2025-2/ The U.S. Government is a customer like no other. It has interests, and therefore needs, that differ from those of traditional commercial customers. Winning U.S. Government contracts is different. […]
GMU CPE – Government Contracting Fundamentals
Online(August 4-7, 2025) The Government Contracting Fundamentals course is a comprehensive overview and discussion of the federal government contracting process, including applicable procurement laws, regulations, and practical requirements. This "fundamentals" […]