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Office of Acquisition and Logistics (OAL)

Warrant Management Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What connection does a FAC-C certification have to do with my ability to maintain my VA warrant?

  2. What connection does FAC-C certification have to do with my ability to obtain a VA warrant?

  3. How do I determine what warrant dollar threshold to request?

  4. What happens if I do not complete my 80 Continuous Learning Point (CLPs) hours every two years?

  5. What changes are authorized on a Contracting Officer warrant?

  6. When I depart from VA for another position or job, may I take my warrant with me?

  7. When I arrive at VA from another federal job, am I assured I will be able to maintain the same Contracting Officer warrant authority held at my previous agency?

  8. When submitting Continuous Learning Points (CLPs), do I also need to submit a warrant application?

  9. I left the 1102 Contracting series some time ago. What must I do to get FAC-C certified based on receiving a Bachelor and Masters Degree in Contracting during the 1970 and 1980 timeframe?

  10. How much training is required to maintain my FAC-C Certification?

  11. What are examples of acceptable skills currency training and continuous learning points required to get a Contracting Officer warrant?

  12. If I have submitted my FAC-C application and my previous FAC-C Certificate expires before the new certificate is approved, will I lose my warrant?

  13. Based on my office's workload, I don't expect to need a warrant higher than a Level I. Once I receive my FAC-C certification for Level I, what must I do to maintain my current FAC-C certification?

  14. I've met the training requirement in one year versus a two year period. Is that allowed?

  15. Who makes the final decision on the FAC-C certification?

  16. Who makes the final decision for Warrant approvals?

  17. What warrant level is required to award the base contract for a Multiple Award Task Order Contract with a maximum total contract value of $150 million, but where the minimum guarantee for each contract is only $2,000?

1.  What connection does a FAC-C certification have to do with my ability to maintain my VA warrant?

You are required to maintain a current FAC-C certificate in order to continue serving as a Contracting Officer.

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2.  What connection does FAC-C certification have to do with my ability to obtain a VA warrant?

You must obtain a current FAC-C certificate prior to requesting a warrant.

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3.  How do I determine what warrant dollar threshold to request?

The dollar threshold of each application should be based on your office’s organizational need.  A Contract Specialist should demonstrate progressive acquisition experience as a FAC-C certified 1102 employee with responsibilities for projects commensurate to the dollar threshold of the warrant request.  The determination to issue a Contracting Officer warrant is not based on the aggregate value of an applicant’s assignments, but the value of the highest contract they may be administering.

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4.  What happens if I do not complete my 80 Continuous Learning Point (CLPs) hours every two years?

If you allow your CLP’s to lapse you can no longer legally sign any Department of Veterans Affairs contract action.  Any action signed during this lapsed period is illegal and will require ratification.

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5.  What changes are authorized on a Contracting Officer warrant?

Name changes due to marriage, and name changes processed through the legal system.

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6.  When I depart from VA for another position or job, may I take my warrant with me?

The Contracting Officer warrant issued within VA cannot be used to award and administer contracts at other federal agencies outside of VA. Upon departure from VA employment, the VA warrant must be rescinded/terminated.

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7.  When I arrive at VA from another federal job, am I assured I will be able to maintain the same Contracting Officer warrant authority held at my previous agency?

No.  Each application is reviewed and an approval will only be based on VA’s organizational need.  Your justification memo should not use your previous warrant authority as justification for a VA warrant.

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8.  When submitting Continuous Learning Points (CLPs), do I also need to submit a warrant application?

No.  A warrant application is not required to maintain your authority as a Contracting Officer if you are submitting CLPs to fulfill your 80 hours of training.  Your CLPs should be completed and uploaded into the system prior to the expiration of your current FAC-C certificate date.

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9.  I left the 1102 Contracting series some time ago. What must I do to get FAC-C certified based on receiving a Bachelor and Masters Degree in Contracting during the 1970 and 1980 timeframe?

FAC-C certification is based on a combination of Education, Training, Experience and Continuous Learning.  You should contact the Department’s Acquisition Career Manager for additional guidance.

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10.  How much training is required to maintain my FAC-C Certification?

You have two years to meet the minimum training requirements of 80 hours of classroom instruction.  There is no yearly minimum requirement.  A best practice is to acquire approximately half of your required CLPs each year.

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11.  What are examples of acceptable skills currency training and continuous learning points required to get a Contracting Officer warrant?

Continuous learning opportunities should be used to obtain acquisition skills and/or agency specific training.  Contact your ACM should you have specific questions about a course or developmental opportunity.

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12.  If I have submitted my FAC-C application and my previous FAC-C Certificate expires before the new certificate is approved, will I lose my warrant?

Yes, your warrant will be suspended and you will lose the ability to sign any legal contractual agreements.  At this time, you will be required to re-apply for a “Warrant” only application after receipt of the your new updated FAC-C certificate.

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13.  Based on my office's workload, I don't expect to need a warrant higher than a Level I. Once I receive my FAC-C certification for Level I, what must I do to maintain my current FAC-C certification?

You will need to participate in 80 hours of classroom training every two years.

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14.  I've met the training requirement in one year versus a two year period. Is that allowed?

Training can be taken at any time during the two year period.  However, completing your training early will not change the anniversary date by which the training needs to be completed.

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15.  Who makes the final decision on the FAC-C certification?

The final decision is made by the Department’s Acquisition Career Manager’s (ACM) office.

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16.  Who makes the final decision for Warrant approvals?

The Head of Contracting Activity (HCA) for each VA Bureau will approve or disapprove warrant requests as appropriate.

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17.  What warrant level is required to award the base contract for a Multiple Award Task Order Contract with a maximum total contract value of $150 million, but where the minimum guarantee for each contract is only $2,000?

To award a base contract for a Multiple Award Task Order Contract with a maximum total contract value of $150 million, but where the minimum guarantee for each contract is only $2,000; the contracting officer needs to have a warrant of $150 million (or more).

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