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Onsite Training Program: Acquisition Utilization Specialist (AUS) Development & Training Program Delivered by The VISN Group Experts

Program Purpose

The VISN Group’s onsite training program equips VA Acquisition Utilization Specialists (AUS) with the practical skills, regulatory knowledge, and applied tools needed to execute their responsibilities effectively at VA Medical Centers and VISNs. This training brings our procurement experts directly to your facility, allowing AUS personnel to receive tailored, mission-specific instruction in their real-world environment.

Program Objectives

By the end of the onsite training, AUS participants will be able to:

1. Apply FAR and VAAR principles directly to their daily work. 
2. Conduct effective market research and link it to acquisition strategy. 
3. Draft clear, compliant SOWs, PWSs, and SOOs. 
4. Partner effectively with contracting officers, CORs, and program offices. 
5. Track and manage procurement milestones to ensure timely contract awards. 
6. Monitor contractor performance and assist with post-award administration. 
7. Leverage small business and veteran-owned business programs to meet VA priorities.
    

Program Format

Delivery Model: Onsite at VA Medical Centers / VISNs
Duration: Standard 3-day core program (customizable to 2–5 days)
Group Size: Up to 20 AUS participants per session
Trainers: The VISN Group Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) in federal procurement, FAR/VAAR compliance, and VA acquisition processes

Training Agenda (3-Day Core Model)

Day 1 – Foundations & Regulatory Framework

• Welcome & Mission Alignment: AUS Role in VA Acquisition 
• Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) & VA Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) Primer 
• Procurement Integrity & Ethics for AUS 
• Group Exercise: Mapping AUS Responsibilities to VA Acquisition Lifecycle
   

Day 2 – Scope Writing & Acquisition Planning

• SOW, PWS, and SOO: Differences and Applications 
• Hands-On Lab: Writing Requirements that Drive Outcomes 
• Market Research & Acquisition Strategy Development 
• Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE) Workshop 
• Case Study: Turning Program Office Needs into an Acquisition-Ready Package
   

Day 3 – Execution, Administration & Collaboration

• Source Selection Support & Evaluation Team Participation 
• Post-Award Responsibilities: Contractor Performance & QASP Monitoring 
• AUS Tools & Templates: Checklists, Reporting Dashboards, and Best Practices 
• Role-Playing Exercise: AUS–Program Office–Contracting Officer Collaboration 
• Capstone: Drafting a Full Procurement Package for Peer/Trainer Review
   

Training Methods

• Interactive Lectures – regulatory overviews & case-based instruction 
• Workshops/Labs – writing, reviewing, and improving acquisition documents 
• Scenario-Based Role Play – simulating program office engagements & evaluations 
• VA-Specific Case Studies – real-world lessons applied to daily work 
• Feedback Sessions – one-on-one coaching with VISN Group experts
   

Deliverables & Materials Provided

• AUS Training Workbook (with templates, checklists, and regulatory references) 
• Scope Writing Handbook (SOW/PWS/SOO guides) 
• IGCE & QASP Development Tools 
• Certificate of Completion (recognized by The VISN Group) 
• Post-training 30-day virtual office hours for follow-up support
   

Program Benefits

• Immediate application of learning to active VA acquisitions 
• Strengthened AUS confidence and efficiency in scope writing and acquisition support 
• Reduced procurement cycle delays through better prepared requirement packages 
• Standardized practices across AUS teams at each Medical Center / VISN 
• Long-term return on investment through sustainable acquisition excellence
   

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Customization Options

The VISN Group recognizes that each VA facility and VISN may have different training needs. Our onsite program is flexible and can be tailored to specific objectives, timeframes, and mission priorities.

1-Day Focus Sessions (Targeted Deep Dives)

• Scope Writing Intensive: Hands-on drafting of SOWs, PWSs, and SOOs with peer review. 
• Market Research & Acquisition Strategy: Turning program requirements into actionable market data. 
• Post-Award Administration: Contractor performance monitoring, QASP development, and compliance.
  

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3-Day Core Program (Balanced Foundation & Practice)

• Day 1: Foundations & Compliance
  Role of AUS in VA acquisition 
  • FAR/VAAR overview & procurement integrity 
  • Mapping AUS responsibilities to the acquisition lifecycle
     
• Day 2: Scope Writing & Planning
  SOW, PWS, SOO development 
  • Market research methods & IGCE building 
  • Group lab: Drafting requirement packages
     
• Day 3: Execution & Collaboration
  Source selection participation 
  • Post-award monitoring & contractor performance 
  • Capstone exercise: End-to-end procurement package with peer feedback
    

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5-Day Advanced Program (Comprehensive Skill Mastery)

• Day 1: Regulatory Deep Dive
  FAR Parts 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 19, 37, 42 
  • Advanced procurement integrity & ethics scenarios
     
• Day 2: Advanced Scope Writing 
  • Complex PWS/SOO drafting 
  • Incorporating performance metrics & risk management
     
• Day 3: Cost & Strategy Alignment 
  • IGCE development & cost realism 
  • Acquisition strategy case studies (competitive vs. sole-source, set-asides, IDIQs)
     
• Day 4: Evaluation & Source Selection 
  • Mock technical evaluation board (TEB) exercise 
  • Scoring, documentation, and lessons learned
     
• Day 5: Post-Award & Negotiation Support 
  • Contract modifications & closeout 
  • Negotiation techniques for AUS support roles 
  • Team exercise: Full acquisition cycle simulation