Five new continuous learning modules posted to DAU web site.

The DAU Continuous Learning Center <http://clc.dau.mil> is pleased to announce the availability of five new continuous-learning modules:

Ethics Training for AT & L 2004--Ethics in the Era of Partnering

This two-hour module reinforces the most important legal-ethics standards governing interaction between government acquisition personnel and DoD's contractors. Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld and Michael Wynne, acting under secretary of defense, appear in the overview and summary of the module respectively, to stress the importance of this training in assisting DoD to maintain the confidence and support of the American people.

Areas addressed include conflicts of interest; gratuities from contractors; the Procurement Integrity Act; job-hunting for a position with private industry while still employed with the federal government; restrictions on "post-government" employment of a former federal employee or officer; and ethical problems that can arise when both government and contractor personnel work in common spaces on common goals as a single "team." This module is scenario-based and interactive. The student will be put in the shoes of the government employee facing the ethical dilemma and will be required to deduce an ethically correct way to resolve the problem.

Market Research

Market research is more important than ever in the Department of Defense acquisition process. Government agencies are moving towards greater outsourcing of products, services, and technologies, and the DoD is no exception. As this trend accelerates, DoD procurement personnel need to employ commercial practices that are commonplace in the private sector. Effective market research reduces acquisition costs and cycle times, and promotes expanded access to advanced technologies. This module is an overview of market research for contracting officers, contract specialists, program managers, system engineers, logistics personnel, and functional leaders.

Analysis of Alternatives

The Air Force Office of Aerospace Studies created an "Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) Continuous Learning Module (CLM)" to present the process used by the Air Force to conduct an AoA in support of requirements development and systems acquisition. Although this module has an Air Force flavor, the information is beneficial to all DoD acquisition personnel. AoAs are prepared to help justify the need for starting, stopping, or continuing an acquisition program. The AoA module consists of an introduction, nine lessons, and a summary.

Sealed Bidding

The "Sealed Bidding CLM" is designed to provide the federal procurement professional with a better understanding of contracting for supplies and services using the sealed bidding process. This CLM covers pre-solicitation concerns; procedures for soliciting bids; methods for receipt and correct handling of bids; procedures to correct common mistakes in bids; and selection of the correct contractor for award. It enables the procurement professional to expand upon the material on the sealed bidding process presented in CON 110 and review sealed bidding concepts for application on the job.

Buy American Act 

The purpose of the Buy American Act (BAA) is to provide preferential treatment for domestic sources of non-manufactured articles, manufactured goods, and construction material. The BAA continuous learning module is intended to demystify FAR Part 25 and DFARS 225 by providing explanatory materials and practical examples to clarify the main issues. This will enable contract specialists or contracting officers to successfully navigate their way through all but the most unusual issues.

To access the modules, log in to the DAU Continuous Learning Center <http://clc.dau.mil>, select the "Learning Center," and then select the "Course Information & Access" link. To launch a module, select the name from the list. You may also browse DAU continuous learning modules by going directly to the module listing.