<a href="http://www.ncmahq.org/" target="_blank"><img src="/Client/images/static/partners/ncma.gif" align="left" width="100" height="50" border="0" alt="National Contract Management Association site" title="National Contract Management Association site" vspace="3"></a> <strong>Endorsed by the National Contract Management Association.</strong><br clear="all" /><br />
This program is offered in cooperation with the San Diego Chapter of the National Contract Management Association. Our Advisory Board, made up of industry experts, has updated topics of interest to both federal and commercial practitioners. More than one course may be taken at a time.
San Diego has long enjoyed a strong presence of large federal contractors. Our region has also experienced a rapid growth of telecommunication and biotech firms serving a wide array of commercial markets. The work brought to the area has created abundant opportunities for smaller subcontractors as well. Regardless of the specific industries that these companies serve, they all generate revenue through contracts awarded by their clients. Contracts are the vehicles through which all of the essential work is performed. A keen understanding of the contracting process and the ability to effectively work within it is paramount to the success of all these organizations.
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The SDSU College of Extended Studies <strong> Professional Certificates in Contract Management </strong> are designed to provide students with a broad understanding of the key concepts associated with the pursuit and management of contracts. Several electives offered through the program enable students to explore a number of these key concepts at a deeper level.
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Our instructors have a vast amount of real-world experience and will help students:
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Develop an understanding of contract types, effective contracting methodologies, and contract law.
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Gain knowledge related to ethical and regulatory aspects of contracting, intellectual property, teaming, and international contracting considerations.
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Learn how to develop proposals that will be responsive to your customer's requirements, negotiate contracts that will contribute to your company's success, and effectively manage contracts through completion.
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Increase understanding related to subcontracting such as acquisition planning, solicitation development, sourcing, and cost/price analysis.
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To earn the certificate, students must take six core and four elective courses. The affiliated "Advanced" certificate is earned by taking four additional electives. The course offerings and curriculum are reviewed and updated on a regular basis to ensure that the information shared through the courses remains current and relevant.
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<strong>Core Courses:</strong> <em> Introduction to Contract Management: Principles of the Acquisition Process* ; Effective Contracting Methodologies; Effective Negotiation Skills and Techniques - Level I; Essential Contract Management Techniques; Effective Proposal Writing and Communication; </em>and, <em> Legal Aspects of Contracts</em>.
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<strong>Elective Courses:</strong> <em> International Contracting; Teaming, Partnering and Subcontracting; Sourcing and Cost/Price Analysis; Intellectual Property and Licensing; Ethical and Regulatory Aspects of Contracting; Financial Management of Government Contracts; Effective Negotiation Skills and Techniques - Level II; Acquisition Planning and Solicitation Development;</em> and, <em> Fundamentals of the FAR</em>.
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*This course is recommended to be taken first in the program. All other courses can be taken out of sequence.
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<strong>Location for Classes</strong><br />
SDSU Extended Studies/Gateway Centers, Hardy Avenue entrance. Classes can also be offered at your company site.<br /><br />
Textbook/course material information is available at <a href="http://www.sdsubookstore.com/es" target="_blank">www.sdsubookstore.com/es</a>; just use your five digit schedule number when selecting a course.<br /><br />
<strong><a name="contact"></a>For additional information please email <a href="mailto:cm-ces@sdsu.edu">cm-ces@sdsu.edu</a> or call (619) 594-5489.</strong>
Course Descriptions
CM 0001 Introduction to Contract Management: Principles of the Acquisition Process
The entire spectrum of the contracting process (market research to contract closeout) at federal, state, commercial, and international levels will be covered. Topics include: past performance, socioeconomic programs, oral proposals, the political process, plus emerging topics. The student will learn the concepts, terminology, and essential rules of contract management. The course will furnish the student with a solid foundation for more advanced studies in contracting.
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CM 0002 Contract Types and Effective Contracting Methodologies
Designed to provide a working knowledge of contract types, grants, and effective contracting methodologies. Students will receive an overview of the contract types most frequently used in federal contracting, including factors in the selection of contract types, applicable contract clauses, as well as the basic principles and limitations governing their use. Course topic will also cover how contracts differ from grants.
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CM 0003 Effective Negotiation Skills and Techniques – Level I
Designed to enhance knowledge of negotiations and provide negotiating experience to individuals involved in contract administration, pricing, purchasing, project management, marketing, and engineering. Classes will include a combination of lectures (covering buyer, seller, government, and commercial perspectives) and mock negotiations, seeking to reach agreement on a variety of issues.
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CM 0004 Essential Contract Management Techniques
Students will follow the day-to-day management of government and commercial contracts in this course. This will include the review and execution of new contractual authorizations; coping with daily administration matters; obtaining timely and full payments; dealing with contract changes, modifications and terminations; and issuance of subcontracts.
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CM 0005 Effective Proposal Writing and Communication
This course will focus on writing effective proposals (cost and business volumes) and other communication topics encountered in the contracting environment. Topics will include effective solicitation review, proposal writing strategies and techniques, proposal review scenarios, and appropriate communication methods for various proposal and contractual situations. A number of case studies and hands-on exercises involving verbal and written communication scenarios will be utilized to emphasize key concepts.
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CM 0006 Legal Aspects of Contracts
This course focuses on those legal and regulatory aspects of the government acquisition process important to the creation and administration of contract formation, interpretation, and performance.
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CM 0011 International Contracting
The International Contracting class will present a practical look at the complexities of international business contracting and an analysis of the laws and risks inherent in transactions that cross national boundaries. Students will be able to recognize the essential contracting elements and discuss appropriate steps/actions in successfully completing international business transactions. Topics include: what is international contracting, key issues and considerations, challenges involving cultural differences, legal requirements, federal government international contracting, export considerations and processes, and international ethics and crimes.
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CM 0013 Intellectual Property and Licensing
San Diego is the "hotbed" of high technology with heavy concentrations of biotech, telecommunication, and defense firms. Many contract managers and procurement professionals encounter intellectual property issues on a daily basis. This course will introduce students to the four areas of intellectual property; patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, and how they interact with the contracting/procurement profession. One class session will specifically address the licensing of intellectual property and technology. Students in this course will be able to directly apply course information to their job or business.
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CM 0014 Ethical and Regulatory Aspects of Contracting
This course will discuss practical aspects and critical requirements of compliance and ethics within any organization. Emphasis will be on compliance and ethical issues relating to contracting and the statutory and other regulatory requirements of such programs. The course will cover topics such as: creating and maintaining an ethical workplace, Sarbanes-Oxley requirements, Stark and anti-kickback guidelines, federal sentencing guidelines, and federal and state compliance guidance.
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CM 0019 Fundamentals of the FAR
The objective of this course is to prepare the student to use the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to solve Federal contract management issues. The course will cover the origin of the FAR System, the organization and arrangement of the FAR, agency implementation and supplementation of the FAR, deviations from the FAR, and the incorporation of clauses and provisions. Students will learn techniques for researching, interpreting, and applying the FAR to real-world contracting scenarios. The emphasis of the course will be on the development of practical skills.
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