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Basic Certificate Program
The Basic Certificate Program is an eight-day (64 Hour) course designed to give state procurement professionals the basic knowledge and skills needed for positions with state procurement responsibilities.
The eight-day course is split into three modules and delivered over a period of several months to provide participants the opportunity to apply knowledge learned at their worksite, then return for the next module with pertinent questions and experiences to share.
As a prerequisite to receiving Continuing Education Units from the California State University Sacramento and a Certificate of Completion from the California Procurement and Contracting Academy for the 8-day Basic Certificate Program, all students are required to complete the Attorney General's On-Line Ethics course locate at http://ag.ca.gov/ethics/index.htm and bring their certificate of completion to the first day of class.
Program Contents
Module 1: 3 Sessions
Module 2: 3 Sessions
Module 3: 2 Sessions
Program Offerings
Participants enroll in the entire eight-day Basic Certificate Program (referred to as a 'track'). Tracks are delivered over a several month period, with new tracks starting nearly every month.
Course Descriptions
Orientation
This session focuses on basic concepts for the state procurement official. The participants will:
· Describe the Cal-PCA training program and acquisition tools
· Define acquisition terms used in the State's procurement process DGS purchasing manuals
· Describe how to use the acquisition guidelines, manuals, procedures and purchasing authority approvals
· Identify the state's oversight process and guidelines for procurement types as they relate to an individual department's authority
· Define the procurement official's responsibilities and authority
· Define the basics of the acquisition process
· Identify Project Team Members and their role in the purchasing and contracting arena
· Identify the 3 Phase of an acquisition
State Codes and Regulations
The purpose of this session is to identify the different types of acquisition classifications, and be able to identify the appropriate source material relative to that type of acquisition. This would include:
- Policy and procedures
- Regulations
- Codes
- Statutes
- State and US Constitution
Contract Law
This session explores the rationale behind contracting law. The session discusses the purpose of contracts, contract formation, and important contract terms and conditions. The session also focuses on funding requirements related to the acquisition process and the required contract forms. Upon completion of this session, participants will:
- Know the fundamentals of contract law and common contractual provisions.
- Understand common contract types.
- Understand the steps to create a scope of work/statement of work.
- Know the basics related to funding.
Contract Structure
This session examines the roles and acquisition responsibilities of the state's oversight entities and client departments. It discusses standard contract terms and conditions, and preference programs. The session concludes with examples of specific departmental standards and internal requirements. Upon completion, participants will:
- Understand acquisition authority within the state.
- Understand common state terms and conditions.
- Understand why and how to use the state's preference and participation programs.
- Understand how specific departmental requirements fit into the overall state requirements.
Ethical Decision Making
This session discusses the ethics and values in the context of public sector management in which managers must make difficult decisions and evaluate the decsisions and actions of others. Upon completion of this session participants will:
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Understand the importance of ethical leadership and organizational values in the context of public sector organizations.
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Learn some fundamental frameworks for making decisions and evaluating the ethical behaviors of others.
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Understand the potential conflicts arising from having to choose among several "right" but mutually exclusive alternatives.
Acquisition Ethics
This session is designed to:
- Prepare procurement and contracting officials for some of the pitfalls that may be encountered in day to day business settings.
- Provide a foundation that will improve the awareness of ethical behavior and to appropriately apply it to business settings as the need arises.
- Review standards and guidelines covered in the Constitution, Public Contract Code, Government Code, State Administrative Manual, State Contracting Manual, and Purchasing Authority Manual.
Acquisition Process: Acquisition Planning
This session focuses on the requirements of successful contracting: careful planning and an extensive understanding of the ramification of decisions made at the start of the acquisition process. Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to:
- Identify the key aspects of the acquisition need.
- Distinguish between acquisition types and classify appropriately.
- Understand key attributes of competitive and non-competitive acquisitions and when to use them.
Acquisition Process: Acquisition Phase
The focus of this session is informal acquisitions that use a competitive approach. Highlighted are the initial phases of the solicitation process: supplier outreach, solicitation creation, and process administration. Information provided will help participants to:
- Determine when a written solicitation is used.
- Understand which type of solicitation to choose.
- Prepare solicitation documents.
- Manage the solicitation process.
Acquisition Process: Post Award Administration
The first portion of the session follows the acquisition process through evaluation, selection, and contract award. The focus is informal competitive transactions. The second portion of the session provides an overview of activities performed during post award administration. Information provided will help participants:
- Determine an applicable evaluation methodology.
- Understand the protest process.
- Successfully administer the contract.
- Understand documentation and reporting requirements.
Leveraged Procurement Agreements (LPA's)
This session provides buyers with the basic information and skills necessary to successfully use the state's leveraged procurement agreements. Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to:
- Describe how LPA's fit into the overall array of the state's purchasing agreements.
- Select from among the state's LPA's those that could be used for a given type of purchase.
- Understand the rules and regulations for each LPA.
- Complete an order for each LPA.
- Get assistance from the designated websites and resource personnel.
- Manage the purchase order progress in accordance with the rules applicable to that agreement.
- Maintain necessary documentation regarding the purchase in their files.
- Provide the Department of General Services with required reports.
Case Study
The final session is a comprehensive hands-on review of knowledge gained during the entire course. Through a case study, participants will apply the knowledge, skills, and abilities acquired over the length of the course.
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