Business wire (Jan. 17, 2006): ESI contracting courses earn equivalency authorization from Defense Acquisition University.

ARLINGTON, Va. -- ESI International, the leading provider of contract management, project management, and business analysis training, today announced that three of its contract management courses have earned equivalency authorization from the Defense Acquisition University (DAU).

The courses are designed for federal and commercial contracting personnel who want to master the core principles, regulations, and procedures that govern federal procurement.

ESI classroom courses are conducted by professional instructors who use a combination of dynamic lectures, case studies, and interactive exercises. The following ESI courses have been approved by DAU for equivalency:

* Federal Contracting Basics, which is equivalent to DAU's CON 110: Mission Performance Planning, is an intensive, five-day introduction to government contracting. The course teaches students how federal contracting really works, how to find solutions to common problems, how to understand the content of key contract documents, and how the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) operates.

* Source Selection: The Best Value Process, which is equivalent to DAU's CON 111: Mission Planning Execution, uses lectures and comprehensive case studies to provide a solid understanding of acquisition procedures and the principles and processes of business decision analysis and decision making. In addition to being of enormous value to government personnel, this course offers industry professionals a wealth of insights into the source selection process and the tools to use those insights to develop effective, winning proposals.

* Operating Practices in Contract Administration, which is equivalent to DAU's CON 112: Mission Performance Assessment, addresses all aspects of effective contract administration, from initial award to final closeout. Special emphasis is given to the successful administration of contracts: problem avoidance, day-to-day operating practices, performance-monitoring systems, early detection and correction of non-performance, payment, contract modifications, and working relationships.

These courses comprise three of ESI's five core government contracting courses. Students can earn a master's certificate in government contracting from ESI and its academic partner, The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., by completing the five core government contracting courses and two additional electives.

"Increasingly, civilian agencies are adopting DAU courses for their requirements," said John Elsey, president of ESI. "As such, ESI is excited to earn equivalency authorization for these important courses. In these days of performance-based management reviews, contracting personnel in both the public and private sector can develop skills and earn certifications that not only help them perform better, but also give them a competitive edge."

The courses are open for enrollment now and can be delivered in ESI classrooms or on-site at government and commercial locations. For more information on ESI's training programs, visit the company's Web site at <http://www.esi-intl.com>.