The CFCM and CPCM Study Group
Syllabus
The NCMA Rio Grande Chapter shall offer study groups that help prepare chapter members and other
interested parties to sit for the Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM) or the Certified Professional
Contract Manager (CPCM). These study sessions shall be organized so as to provide certification
candidates with the minimum essential knowledge required by the National Contract Management
Association (NCMA) National Headquarters and the professional judgment of the Chapter Certification
Chairperson.
The course of Study for the CFCM credential shall include:
Contract Management Body of Knowledge (12 Hours) – CFCM/CPCM
The Contract Management Body of Knowledge (CMBOK) represents the core knowledge required of
contract professionals and is a central element in the certification process. The Study Group will review
the CMBOK in a series of eight 90-minute sessions. Study sessions will be chaired by a knowledgeable
mentor who will guide and direct the discussion and insert relevant real-world examples of how the
principles apply to day-to-day contract management activities.
The text for this study session will be the NCMA Contract Management Body of Knowledge (CMBOK),
Third Edition - 145 PP., 2011(NCMA), 978-0-9828385-1-8 PRICE: $45 (member)/$55 (nonmember)
available on the NCMA website.
http://www.ncmahq.org/NewsPublications/Content.cfm?ItemNumber=3939&navItemNumber=9968
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) (40 Hours) CFCM/CPCM
The Federal Acquisition Regulation is the guiding directive for Federal Government Contracts (except
those issued by the USPS) and a thorough knowledge of its general provisions is essential for the
certification.
This course will be accomplished by a series of90-minute conducted across a 26 week period. During
these sessions students will prepare and present briefings on key portions of the FAR with emphasis on
the most commonly used sections/provisions including ethics, contract types, negotiation, cost
principles, protests, and other appropriate subjects.
The text for this study session will be the Federal Acquisition Regulation (either the online edition or a
printed copy such as that available from CCH or others will be the primary text. This may be
supplemented where needed by other materials. The online edition is available at either of the
following: https://www.acquisition.gov/far/ or farsite.hill.af.mil/
Certified Federal Contracts Manager Test Prep (13 Hours) CFCM
This study session may be conducted in a single 4-hour boot-camp environment and a series of six 90minute meetings or in a series of eight or nine 90-minute sessions. The intent is to review material that
will likely be covered on the CFCM exam and ideally will be timed to precede the actual exam by only a
matter of a few days to a couple of weeks.
The study materials for this course will primarily be focused on the NCMA CFCM Study Guide 2nd Edition
131 PP., 2012 (NCMA), 978-0-9403-90-0 PRICE: $75 (member)/$90 (nonmember) supplemented by
selected sections of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
Certified Professional Contracts Manager Test Prep (24 Hours) CPCM
This study session may be conducted in a series of 90-minute meetings with a half-day review session at
the end of the class. The intent is to review material that will likely be covered on the CPCM exam and
ideally will be timed to precede the actual exam by only a matter of a few days to a couple of weeks.
The study materials for this course will primarily be focused on the NCMA CPCM Study Guide – Second
Edition 218 PP., 2011 (NCMA), 978-0-9828385-2-5PRICE: $75 (member)/$90 (nonmember).
This text will be supplemented selected presentations by the study group members and/or guest
speakers covering various general businesses and contracting topics such as:
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The Contract Life Cycle
Acquisition Planning
Bid and Proposal Best Practices
General Accounting Review
Supply Chain Management
Performance Based Contracting
Basic Economics Review
Basic Statistics Review
Contract Administration Seminar – Everyday Problems
Supplemental Studies (Optional) CFCM/CPCM
Depending on the candidate’s depth and breadth of experience some or all of the following resources
will be valuable in preparing for the exam. These are suggested optional courses and are (unless
otherwise indicated) free of charge – although registration is required.
Defense Acquisition University Continuous Learning Modules
These courses are offered through the Defense Acquisition University (https://learn.dau.mil ). Credits
offered for these courses may be submitted to NCMA for evaluation in partial fulfillment of the
candidate’s CPE Requirement.
Course
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Title
Defense Subcontract Management
Sealed Bidding
Market Research
Simplified Acquisition Procedures
Contract Terminations
Contract Source Selection
Indirect Costs
Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned Small Business Program
Contracting for the Rest of Us
Services Acquisition
Commercial Item Determination
Commercial Item Determination Executive Overview
Basic Math Tutorial
Small Business Program for Contracting Officers
Performance-Based Payments Overview
Buy American Act
Past Performance Information
Essentials of Interagency Acquisitions/Fair Opportunity
Reverse Auctioning
Contract Format and Structure for DoD e-Business Environment
Other Transaction Authority for Prototype Projects: Comprehensive
Coverage
Other Transaction Authority for Prototype Projects Overview
A-76 Competitive Sourcing Overview
Contingency Contracting Simulation: Barda Bridge
Predictive Analysis and Scheduling
Predictive Analysis and Systems Engineering
Predictive Analysis and Quality Assurance
Defense Priorities and Allocations System
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Partnering
Green Procurement
Contract Negotiation Techniques
Contracting with Canada
Managing Government Property in the Possession of Contractors
Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System (eSRS)
Competition Requirements
Analyzing Contract Costs
Performance Based Payments and Value of Cash Flow
Introduction to Contract Pricing
Time and Materials Contracts
Online Representations & Certifications Application (OCRA)
Intra-Governmental Transactions
Administration of Other Transactions
Facilities Capital Cost of Money
Analyzing Profit or Fee
CLP
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Contracting Officer's Representative with a Mission Focus
OPSEC Contract Requirements
Strategic Sourcing Overview
Spend Analysis Strategies
Contractors Accompanying the Force
Procedures, Guidance, and Information
Contingency Contracting Officer Refresher
Utilities Privatization Contract Administration
Berry Amendment
Commercial Item Pricing
Organizational Conflicts of Interest
Contract Payment Instructions
Contracting Officer's Representatives in a Contingency Environment
Contracting Officers Representative (COR) Online Training
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iTunes University Podcasts
Podcasts are available on a number of topics via the Apple iTunes store (http://www.apple.com/iTunes).
The following is a short list of those candidates may find helpful.
Glen Galbraith’s Business Law
Episode
4.
10.
7.
14.
Title
Contracts
Contracts
Judicial and Alternative Dispute Resolution
Intellectual Property
Length
34:20
46:52
48:18
43:52
Life of a Law Student
Podcasts > Education > Higher Education > Neil Wehneman
This series provides a complete semester of contract Law lectures from the University of Cincinnati.
Jay Garrett Legal Environment of Business
2.
3
4
15
1
Title
Intellectual Property
Contracts – Breach and Remedy
Contracts – Nature and Classification
Ethics and Business Decisions
E-Contracts
Length
1:03:36
53:33
23:17
58:37
43:59