ACQ 265: Mission-Focused Services Acquisition

Overview

Service acquisitions are complex and high-risk — Phoenix Canyon makes them clear and actionable. ACQ 265: Mission Focused Services Acquisition (4-Day) equips federal professionals with the skills to plan, award, and manage service contracts that deliver real mission results.

Students learn and apply both the DoD’s Seven-Step Services Acquisition Process and GSA’s Steps for Performance-Based Acquisition (sPBA), gaining a dual framework recognized across agencies. They practice building Performance Work Statements (PWS), Statements of Work (SOW), and Statements of Objectives (SOO) — and knowing when to use each. They also create Quality Assurance Surveillance Plans (QASP) to monitor and enforce contractor performance.

Through team-based workshops, case studies, and compliance-focused exercises, participants leave not only with knowledge but also with practical deliverables, advanced insights, and the confidence to reduce risk, strengthen oversight, and drive mission-focused results.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of this course, participants:

  • Apply the DoD Seven-Step Services Acquisition Process and GSA’s sPBA framework to plan and execute service acquisitions.

  • Distinguish between SOO, SOW, and PWS, and select the right approach for mission needs.

  • Draft effective Performance Work Statements (PWS) that drive measurable outcomes.

  • Develop Quality Assurance Surveillance Plans (QASP) to enforce accountability.

  • Conduct market research and incorporate contractor perspectives into acquisition planning.

  • Select contract types, incentives, and source selection methods appropriate for services.

  • Identify risks and pitfalls in service contracts — and apply remedies.

  • Strengthen relationships with contractors while holding them accountable for results.

Syllabus

• Day 1 – Foundations of Services Acquisition

  • The risks and stakes of service contracts

  • DoD’s Seven-Step Services Acquisition Process

  • GSA’s Steps for Performance-Based Acquisition (sPBA)

  • Planning, stakeholders, and market research

• Day 2 – Defining Requirements

  • SOO vs. SOW vs. PWS: differences and use cases

  • Writing effective Performance Work Statements (PWS)

  • Performance standards, tasks, and measurable outcomes

• Day 3 – Strategy & Contractor Selection

  • Designing evaluation criteria and performance metrics

  • Contract types, incentives, and their role in service acquisition

  • Source selection: process, roles, and best practices

  • Workshop: drafting requirements and evaluation criteria

• Day 4 – Oversight & Performance Management

  • Building a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP)

  • Assessing contractor performance and applying remedies

  • Lessons learned from contract failures

  • Capstone team exercise: end-to-end planning, from requirement through oversight

Award-Winning Faculty

At Phoenix Canyon, you’ll learn from award-winning instructors with decades of government and military experience. Our team includes U.S. Armed Forces veterans, professionals trained in top law and MBA programs, and former Contract Specialists, CORs, and program leaders who have served across both DoD and civilian agencies. That’s why Phoenix Canyon’s instructors are so highly regarded — we bring the skills, education, and experience that turn complex subjects and policy into training that’s clear, dynamic, and immediately usable on the job.

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Available Dates
Dates for this course will be announced soon.

Don’t see a date that works for your team? We offer custom group sessions delivered virtually or onsite.

Course Snapshot

• Level: Intermediate

• Credits: 32 CLP | 28 CPE

• Duration: ⏱ 4 days

• Tuition: $1,495

• Delivery: Virtual

• Catalog ID: #3265

Who Should Attend:

This course is designed for DoD acquisition professionals pursuing DAWIA certification or seeking CLPs in service acquisition. It is particularly valuable for personnel who plan, award, or oversee service contracts where performance outcomes directly impact mission success.

Participants who benefit most include:

• Contract specialists and contracting officers responsible for structuring and awarding service contracts.

• Contracting Officer’s Representatives (CORs) and quality assurance reviewers who monitor and enforce contractor performance.

• Program and project managers who help define requirements, performance standards, and mission outcomes.

• Financial and acquisition analysts who support requirements development, source selection, or performance oversight.

While tailored to the DoD workforce, this training also benefits civilian agency professionals seeking to strengthen service acquisition skills or earn CLPs toward professional development.

Student Reviews

"The instructor was phenomenal! She created a captivating, open, and easy environment to learn. It was truly a joy to be in her class. She is amazing at breaking information down into bite-size pieces." — Student Survey