CON-360 / COR Level I Curriculum — 9 Modules

The GGS CON-360 / COR Level I curriculum is organized around nine instructor-led modules. Each module addresses a core competency area in the COR Level I framework and maps to the corresponding DAU CON-360 learning objectives.

Module 1 — The Federal Acquisition Landscape and the COR Role

Introduction to CON-360: how federal procurement works, where the COR Level I professional fits in the acquisition team, and how COR authority flows from the Contracting Officer (CO). Topics include the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), the CON-360 acquisition framework, the COR appointment letter, and the COR’s fiduciary and ethical obligations.

• COR Level I authorities and limitations
• FAR Part 1 and acquisition ethics overview
• COR versus Contracting Officer: clear boundaries
• Introduction to CON-360 learning objectives

Module 2 — Ethics, Standards of Conduct, and Conflicts of Interest

Federal ethics requirements as they apply to the COR Level I practitioner. This CON-360 module covers the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch (5 C.F.R. Part 2635), conflicts of interest, gratuities policy, and post-employment restrictions relevant to COR responsibilities.

• Conflicts of interest in contractor relationships
• Gratuities and prohibited financial interests
• Ethics reporting and the role of the COR in acquisition integrity

Module 3 — Requirements Development and Market Research

How COR Level I professionals support the development of accurate, defensible requirements. This CON-360 module walks through market research under FAR Part 10, statement of work (SOW) writing, performance work statement (PWS) structure, and the COR’s role in ensuring requirements do not restrict competition.

• Market research methodology (FAR 10.002)
• SOW versus PWS versus SOO — choosing the right format
• COR Level I’s role in requirements reviews

Module 4 — Contract Types, Pricing, and Incentive Structures

An overview of the major contract types a COR Level I professional will encounter — firm-fixed-price, time-and-materials, cost-reimbursement, and indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ). This CON-360 module covers pricing strategies, incentive structures, and what each contract type means for COR oversight obligations.

• FAR Part 16 contract types
• COR oversight differences: FFP vs. T&M vs. cost-reimbursement
• Incentive fee structures and the COR’s role in performance assessment

Module 5 — Pre-Award Activities: Solicitation Support and Source Selection

COR Level I support to the pre-award phase. This CON-360 module covers the COR’s role in source selection, technical evaluation panel participation, independent government cost estimate (IGCE) support, and communication restrictions during the competitive phase.

• COR involvement in source selection — authorities and boundaries
• Technical evaluation criteria and scoring
• Procurement integrity requirements (41 U.S.C. Chapter 21)

Module 6 — Contract Administration: Monitoring, Oversight, and Acceptance

The core of COR Level I day-to-day work. This CON-360 module covers how to monitor contractor performance against the contract’s performance work statement, conduct site visits, maintain a COR file, document performance observations, and determine technical acceptance. Emphasis is placed on building an audit-ready COR file throughout contract performance.

• COR Level I surveillance planning
• COR file documentation standards
• Technical acceptance procedures and certificates of performance
• COR site visit protocols

Module 7 — Invoice Review, Payment Authorization, and Property Management

COR Level I responsibilities in the payment process. This CON-360 module covers how to review invoices against deliverables, identify billing discrepancies, and authorize or reject payment. Also covers COR responsibilities for government-furnished property (GFP) provided to contractors.

• Invoice review under the Prompt Payment Act
• Documenting invoice approvals and rejections in the COR file
• Government-furnished property: COR accountability and tracking

Module 8 — Contractor Performance Assessment and CPARS

How COR Level I professionals document and report contractor performance in the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS). This CON-360 module covers CPARS roles, rating definitions, narrative requirements, the contractor rebuttal process, and how CPARS data affects future source selections.

• CPARS roles: Assessing Official Representative (AOR) vs. Assessing Official (AO)
• Performance rating definitions and documentation standards
• Contractor rebuttals and the review cycle
• COR Level I input to past performance reporting

Module 9 — Contract Modifications, Disputes, and Closeout

Managing change and closing out contracts. This CON-360 module covers the COR Level I role in identifying and documenting potential changes, supporting the contracting officer in modification actions, and completing the contract closeout package. Also introduces the disputes and claims process and how the COR file supports agency interests in the event of a dispute.

• Change orders: identifying scope changes in the field
• COR Level I documentation to support modifications
• Contract closeout checklist and COR sign-off obligations
• Disputes, claims, and how a complete COR file protects the government

Related: CON-1400 contract post-award training — GGS also delivers CON-1400 for post-award contract administration professionals.