Legislative Authority

The responsibilities and statutory authorities of the Federal Acquisition Institute are stated in the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act in Title 41 of the United States Code (41 U.S.C.). According to the Act, FAI is located within the General Services Administration and receives policy direction from the Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP), which is part of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

The Federal Acquisition Institute Improvement Act of 2011 (41 U.S.C. 1201(a)) defines 12 FAI Statutory Requirements, which are presented below.
FAI is charged with promoting the development of a professional federal acquisition workforce (41 U.S.C. 1122(a)).
FAI is also charged with supporting the heads of executive agencies in their efforts to manage and develop a professional acquisition workforce (41 U.S.C. 1703).
FAI is charged with the administration of the Acquisition Workforce Training Fund (41 U.S.C. 1703(1)(2)-(8)).
FAI also works closely with the Chief Acquisition Officers Council (CAOC), which provides a senior-level forum for monitoring and improving the federal acquisition system (41 U.S.C. 1311-1312).
The Office of Management and Budget's Office of Federal Procurement Policy and the General Services Administration signed a Service Level Agreement on 30 March 2013 outlining the management and performance of the Federal Acquisition Institute.

FAI's 12 Statutory Responsibilities

Foster and promote the development of a professional acquisition workforce Government-wide

Promote and coordinate Government-wide research and studies to improve the procurement process and the laws, policies, methods, regulations, procedures, and forms relating to acquisition by the executive agencies

Collect data and analyze acquisition workforce data from the Office of Personnel Management, the heads of executive agencies, and, through periodic surveys, from individual employees

Periodically analyze acquisition career fields to identify critical competencies, duties, tasks, and related academic prerequisites, skills and knowledge

Coordinate and assist agencies in identifying and recruiting highly qualified candidates for acquisition fields

Develop instructional materials for acquisition personnel in coordination with private and public acquisition colleges and training facilities

Evaluate the effectiveness of training and career development programs for acquisition personnel

Promote the establishment and utilization of academic programs by colleges and universities in acquisition fields

Facilitate, to the extent requested by agencies, interagency intern and training programs

Collaborate with other civilian agency acquisition training programs to leverage training supporting all members of the civilian agency acquisition workforce

Assist civilian agencies with their acquisition and capital planning efforts

Perform other career management or research functions as directed by the Administrator

Legislative Authority

FAI's 12 Statutory Responsibilities

1) Develop a highly professional workforce

2) Improve the process through research

3) Collect and analyze data

4) Examine related career fields

5) Identify and recruit qualified candidates

6) Expand instructional materials

7) Evaluate training and career programs

8) Promote academic programs

9) Facilitate intern and training programs

10) Collaborate with civilian training programs

11) Assist civilian agencies planning efforts

12) Manage career and research functions

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