The Federal Acquisition Certification for Program and Project Managers â FAC-P/PM â is the federal government’s official credentialing framework for program managers and project managers who oversee acquisition programs. Where FAC-COR certifies the contracting officer’s representative on a specific contract, FAC-P/PM is broader: it covers the lifecycle management of entire acquisition programs.
If you’re a federal program manager responsible for planning, budgeting, or overseeing contracts worth millions of dollars, FAC-P/PM is the certification your position likely requires.
Three Levels of FAC-P/PM
The certification has three levels, each with increasing experience and training requirements:
FAC-P/PM Level I
Entry-level certification for PMs new to federal acquisition. Requires 12 hours of training focused on project management fundamentals, acquisition planning basics, and program oversight principles. Designed for program support roles or staff transitioning into PM positions.
FAC-P/PM Level II
Mid-career certification for PMs managing moderately complex programs. Requires 24 hours of training plus demonstrated experience. Covers requirements development, contract types, cost and schedule management, and risk frameworks. Most program managers working on agency contracts are expected to hold Level II.
FAC-P/PM Level III â Senior
The Senior PM certification is for program executives overseeing high-dollar, complex, or mission-critical acquisition programs. Requires 40 hours of training, substantial experience, and demonstrated leadership in a previous PM role. Agencies often require Level III for program executive offices (PEOs) or for programs exceeding threshold dollar values.
Who Needs FAC-P/PM Certification?
FAC-P/PM applies to civilian federal employees in program management roles within the acquisition workforce. Specific applicability depends on agency policy and program complexity, but typical positions include:
- Program Managers overseeing contract-funded work
- Program Executive Officers responsible for portfolio-level acquisition
- Acquisition Program Managers at DoD civilian agencies
- Project Managers working on IT, infrastructure, or services contracts
- Senior technical staff who manage contractors or contract outcomes
Military departments and DoD components follow the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) framework, which has parallel but distinct requirements. FAC-P/PM governs civilian non-DoD agencies. If you’re unsure which framework applies to your role, check with your agency’s Senior Procurement Executive or Acquisition Career Manager.
FAC-P/PM vs. FAC-COR: What’s the Difference?
These two certifications are often confused because they both live inside the federal acquisition workforce development system â but they certify different roles.
- FAC-COR certifies Contracting Officer’s Representatives: the people who monitor specific contracts and serve as the technical POC between the agency and contractor.
- FAC-P/PM certifies Program Managers: the people responsible for the strategic and lifecycle management of entire acquisition programs â often overseeing multiple contracts simultaneously.
A large acquisition program typically has both: a PM who owns the program’s budget, schedule, and outcomes, and CORs assigned to individual contracts within that program. Both certifications must be current, and training requirements don’t overlap â you can’t satisfy FAC-COR hours with FAC-P/PM training or vice versa.
Training Requirements and Continuous Learning
Initial certification requires completing the required training hours at the appropriate level plus a minimum period of experience (varies by level). Once certified, FAC-P/PM holders must earn 80 continuous learning points (CLPs) every two years to maintain their certification.
Qualifying training sources include:
- Defense Acquisition University (DAU) courses â free for federal employees
- FAI (Federal Acquisition Institute) approved courses
- Agency-sponsored training from approved vendors
- Conferences, workshops, and webinars with verified FAC credit
The challenge agencies consistently face is building a training calendar that covers the right CLPs for a diverse PM workforce â especially across agencies with limited internal L&D capacity. That’s a gap GGS is built to close.
How GGS Supports FAC-P/PM Certification
Gotham Government Services delivers FAC-P/PM aligned training for federal agencies navigating initial certification, recertification, or workforce-wide upskilling initiatives. Our instructors hold active federal PM experience â they understand the difference between training that satisfies a checkbox and training that actually changes how program managers work.
We work with agencies to:
- Assess current PM workforce certification levels and identify gaps
- Design training plans that map to FAC-P/PM Level I, II, or III requirements
- Deliver instructor-led training that integrates with your agency’s acquisition environment
- Support continuous learning point (CLP) requirements with structured annual curricula
Our training is available on-site, virtually, or as blended programs. All GGS training is deliverable under our HCaTS SB and GSA MAS contract vehicles â no separate procurement required.
Next Steps
If your agency is building out FAC-P/PM compliance or needs training solutions for program managers at any level, contact GGS to discuss a training assessment for your PM workforce.
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What Is FAC-COR Certification? Levels, Requirements, and Common Mistakes â