by Eleni Martin
February 5, 1999

What Students Are Saying About the FAI Online University "This program is excellent, we may use it as a means of re-certification for our COTR (contracting officer's technical representative)," -- Treasury Acquisition Institute Official "FAI has the necessary organization, structure, rigor, detail, and focus to be of great value. Furthermore, the convenience of web-based training should help us drive down costs associated with TDY and course fees," -- NASA Procurement Official "The course was very user-friendly" - Anonymous "Excellent training tool" - Office of Procurement, Department of Transportation

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. General Services Administration's Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI) Online University has developed an internet-based course for contracting officer representatives (CORs) entitled the COR Mentor. The course is available at no charge and can be used by both public and private-sector acquisition professionals.

The FAI Online University offers 18 certificates for different COR duties, such as participating in post-award orientations, monitoring contractor performance and administering the property clause.

"The COR Mentor is the first self-paced, self-directed contracting officer representative program offered online," says Ida Ustad, Deputy Associate Administrator, GSA, Office of Acquisition Policy. "It helps CORs gain the skills they need to assist contracting officers."

Using web technology, FAI Online University offers self-paced training modules, online reference materials, and other performance support tools. These tools are available at the desktop to assist professionals with acquisition responsibilities. Other federal agencies can partner with FAI to add agency-specific objectives to the COR course and track employee accomplishments through online reports.

Additional courses and features are planned for fiscal year 1999.

For More Information

For more information, contact Gayle Messick on (202) 501-2980 or by e-mail at gayle.messick@gsa.gov.

About the Author

Eleni Martin, a member of the Federal Communicators Network, is a public affairs specialist in the Office of Communications at the General Services Administration. You may reach her at (202) 501-1231 or eleni.martin@gsa.gov