The Contracting workforce is vital to accomplishing the DoD’s mission by negotiating the best deal for the warfighter while demonstrating prudent stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Contracting professionals instill fairness and integrity in the acquisition process and serve as an overall business advisor to DoD acquisition teams.
Certification Framework
Training Crosswalk
Position Category Description
Click image to download document.
Continuous Learning
- Continuous Learning Points (CLPs) requirement: 80 hours every two years with a goal of 40 hours every year
- DAU recommended training by assignment type: click links below and look at courses listed under the heading “Functional/Interdisciplinary Developmental Recommendations”
- Army Functional Area Leader guidance: Contracting CLP Guidance, October 2022
Resources
- Contracting Officer Warranting Program Policy: Aug 29, 2022
- USD AS Memo – CON Functional Area Restructuring, Feb. 17, 2021
- DOD Contracting Certification Requirements, Feb. 17, 2021
- Human Capital Initiatives (HCI) Back-to-Basics Contracting Webpage
- Contracting Functional Area Update, May 27, 2021
- Contracting Training Crosswalk, November 4, 2021
- CON Overview Video (Video posted on MilSuite and requires CAC log-in)
- Army Contracting Credentials (Video posted on MilSuite and requires CAC log-in): This Back-to-Basics overview video for the Contracting functional area explains what changes Army Acquisition Workforce members can expect to begin on Feb. 1, 2022.
- ODASA(P) Back-to-Basics Page (CAC Required)
FAQs
What do I need to know about the CON 3990V DOD Contracting Certification Exam (as of 15 September 2022)?
The latest CON 3990V DOD Contracting Certification Exam FAQs from OSD can be found here.
When will the new DAU CON courses be offered?
New courses will be offered on or around Feb. 1. There will be a soft launch of some of the new CON classes prior to that, targeting new Contracting employees.
Why is CON being structured differently than the other career fields?
The contracting community wants to ensure the structure is streamlined to focus on the base knowledge every person entering contracting would need to know. This will be supplemented with various credentials specific to the individual and what types of contracting efforts they will be engaged with.
Do I need to be certified in contracting to be credentialed?
No, you do not have to be certified in contracting to be credentialed. Credentials may be taken independent of certification so long as you meet any necessary class pre-requisites for the credential courses.
What is the passing score?
Individuals must obtain a score of 70% or higher to pass the Contracting Certification Exam, CON 3990V.
How many times can an individual take the exam?
DoD allows for the exam to be taken no more than three times in a 12 month period, with a minimum of 30 days between attempts. Agencies may set local policy for the number of times the exam can be taken within the grace period allowed for achieving certification (to include extensions obtained through waivers).
If individual does not pass the exam, do they have to retake any training?
For individuals who do not pass the exam, Agencies will determine any required remedial actions to include retaking training, mandatory time between subsequent attempts, and Agency “counseling,” etc.. After the first attempt failure of the exam, DoD recommends individuals to review their exam performance feedback and to take the CON3900V, Contracting Certification Exam Prep Course.
If the third attempt to take the exam in a 12 month period results in a failure, individuals must review their exam performance feedback and take the CON3900V, Contracting Certification Exam Prep Course. Remedial steps the individual took must be validated and endorsed by their Agency before they are approved to attempt the exam again.
What happens if they exhaust all their options? Is there a potential an employee could be removed from the AWF or federal government if they fail the exam and have exceeded their certification grace period?
Yes. Achievement of the Contracting Professional Certification is a Condition of Employment for Contracting coded Acquisition Workforce positions. Individuals unable to meet their Conditions of Employment may be subject to adverse employment actions in accordance with Agency procedures including, but not limited to:
• performance improvement plan
• withholding of funds for further career development
• removal or reassignment
