ACQ 3700: Acquisition Law

Overview

Every decision in federal contracting is built on law — are you prepared to get it right? ACQ 3700: Acquisition Law (5-Day) gives federal professionals the knowledge and confidence to navigate the statutes, FAR rules, case law, and regulatory frameworks that drive every acquisition.

You’ll master the foundations of federal acquisition law — from ethics and fiscal rules to data rights, protests, terminations, and contract management. Through real-world case studies, GAO and tribunal decisions, and applied exercises, you’ll learn to spot legal issues early, avoid costly missteps, and strengthen strategies for acquisition planning, award, and administration.

This DAU-transferable certification course is designed for federal contracting professionals who need more than surface knowledge. You won’t just understand the rules — you’ll know how to apply them, defend them, and use them to make better decisions in today’s complex acquisition environment.

This DAU-transferable ACQ 3700 training is ideal for federal contracting professionals seeking in-depth knowledge of acquisition law, fiscal law, protests, and regulatory compliance.

Learning Outcomes

• Here is what you will learn:

  • Recognize the key sources of federal acquisition law, including statutes, the FAR, and case law.

  • Identify and avoid common legal pitfalls in ethics, fiscal law, data rights, and contract law.

  • Apply the FAR and related statutes to acquisition planning and contract management decisions.

  • Analyze protest grounds, terminations, and dispute outcomes to strengthen acquisition strategies.

  • Collaborate effectively with legal counsel to mitigate risk and resolve disputes.

Syllabus

• Module 1 — Foundations of Federal Acquisition Law

  • The role of statutes, regulations, case law, and contract law in federal procurement

  • The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and DFARS/other agency regulations as legal frameworks

  • How acquisition law intersects with policy and ethics

• Module 2 — Ethics and Standards of Conduct

  • Key provisions of the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Executive Branch employees

  • Conflicts of interest and procurement integrity rules

  • Case studies in ethical pitfalls

• Module 3 — Fiscal Law and Appropriations

  • Principles of appropriations law (purpose, time, and amount)

  • The Anti-Deficiency Act and its implications for contracting professionals

  • Real-world examples of fiscal law violations

• Module 4 — Data Rights and Intellectual Property

  • Contractor vs. government rights in data

  • Handling proprietary data and technical data rights

  • Case examples from federal disputes

• Module 5 — Protests and Disputes

  • Bid protest process and timelines

  • Disputes under the Contract Disputes Act (CDA)

  • Strategies for minimizing protest risk in acquisition planning

• Module 6 — Contract Management and Terminations

  • Contract and statutory interpretation principles

  • Terminations for convenience vs. terminations for default or cause— process, authority, and consequences

  • Case study analysis: lessons from real-world contract disputes

• Capstone Event / Practical Application

  • Work through a realistic acquisition scenario that integrates key topics from class, such as FAR, fiscal law, protests, and disputes

  • Identify potential legal risks, propose corrective actions, and present your recommendations in a collaborative setting

  • Build confidence applying complex acquisition law concepts to practical, on-the-job challenges

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: Advanced

• Credits: 51 CLP | 36 CPE

• Duration: ⏱ 5 days

• Tuition: $1,695

• Delivery: Virtual

• Catalog ID: #1370

Who Should Attend:

This course is designed for federal acquisition professionals who must apply law to real contracting decisions every day. It’s an essential fit for:

• Contracting Officers and Specialists who need a deep command of ethics, protests, fiscal rules, and case law to execute sound awards and avoid costly mistakes.

• CORs and Program Managers who oversee performance and funding decisions, and must recognize legal red flags before they become violations.

• Legal Advisors and Compliance Professionals who support acquisition teams and need to interpret statutes, FAR provisions, and tribunal decisions in plain, usable terms.

• Acquisition Leaders and Policy Makers seeking to strengthen organizational compliance, mitigate risk, and build confidence in contract management strategies.

Whether you’re pursuing DAWIA certification or simply want to elevate your expertise, ACQ 3700 equips you with the legal foundation to protect your agency, strengthen your contracts, and lead with confidence.

Student Reviews

“Your examples, delivery and real-world connections made the topic not only easy to follow but I genuinely enjoyable to learn. I’m not sure how exactly you did it! But please send other classes you teach."

— Salvador M. excerpt from student email