Federal Contract Law: Mastery (5-Day)

Overview

Master the legal framework that drives federal acquisitions in this five-day Comprehensive course. Participants will dive deep into statutes, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and case law that shape contracting, with extended coverage of ethics, fiscal law, data rights, protests, contract formation, terminations, and contract administration. You’ll work directly with the FAR and related authorities, applying them to detailed case studies and hands-on exercises that connect legal requirements to day-to-day acquisition practice.

This intensive program goes beyond awareness. By the end of the course, you’ll have the skills to recognize legal issues early, apply sound judgment throughout planning and execution, and ensure compliance across the full contracting lifecycle.

Who Should Attend
Phoenix Canyon’s 5-day Federal Contract Law training is designed for federal contracting professionals, program and project managers, CORs, legal advisors, auditors, financial managers, and compliance personnel who want in-depth, practical instruction on the statutory and regulatory frameworks that govern federal acquisitions.

Important Notes

• Format Options: Phoenix Canyon offers Federal Contract Law training in multiple formats — 1-day (Essentials), 3-day (Core), and 5-day (Comprehensive). This page describes the 5-day version.

• GS-1102 Requirement: Federal contract specialists in the GS-1102 occupational series may be required to complete CON 216: Legal Considerations in Contracting to meet certification requirements. This Federal Contract Law course is intended as supplemental or advanced training and does not replace mandatory DAU courses.

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, contract formation, and data rights.

  • Apply the FAR and related statutes to acquisition planning, contract administration, and performance 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

  • Sources of law: statutes, regulations, case law

  • The hierarchy of authority (U.S. Code, FAR, DFARS, agency supplements)

  • Ethics and standards of conduct in acquisition

• Module 2 —Fiscal Law and Appropriations

  • Constitutional and statutory foundations

  • Purpose, time, and amount rules

  • Antideficiency Act and common violations

  • Case studies in fiscal accountability

• Module 3: Contract Formation – Principles and Requirements

  • Offer, acceptance, and consideration in the federal context

  • Competition and exceptions

• Module 4: Contract Formation – Application and Pitfalls

  • Acquisition planning through a legal lens

  • Legal risks in solicitations and source selection

  • Interactive case exercise on formation mistakes

• Module 5: Data Rights, Protests, and Disputes

  • Intellectual property and data rights in federal contracts

  • Bid protests: GAO, COFC, and agency-level procedures

  • Claims, disputes, and dispute resolution mechanisms under the Contract Disputes Act (CDA)

• Module 6: Contract Administration and Legal Risk Management

  • Modifications and changes

  • Performance issues and remedies

  • Contract terminations: convenience, default, and settlements

  • Suspension, debarment, and fraud considerations

  • Managing legal risk throughout contract performance

• Capstone Event / Practical Application

  • Work through a realistic acquisition scenario that integrates key topics from class

  • 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: Intermediate to Advanced

• Credits: 40 CLP | 40 CPE

• Duration: ⏱ 5 days

• Tuition: $1,695

• Delivery: Virtual

• Catalog ID: #1100

Who Should Attend:

• Federal Contracting Professionals

• Contracting Officer’s Representatives (CORs)

• Legal Counsel

• Program and Project Managers

• Acquisition Professionals

• Financial Managers

• Auditors

• Those in federal compliance roles

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