Because Alliant and Alliant SB work similarly, GSA has combined the training, so a CO does not have to go through the same training twice.

“From this point forward (May 1, 2009) we are only doing joint training, so customers get trained on both Alliant and Alliant SB,” explained GSA’s Jim Ghiloni, in a recent interview with 1105 Government Information Group Custom Media.

“We have webinars scheduled and individual site visits scheduled,” Ghiloni said. “It is a joint training so when you get trained on one you get trained on both, and we are going to go back to all those people we have given training on Alliant SB and grandfathering them in to give them delegations to use Alliant.”

Right now the GSA Alliant team is working hard to identify customers and agencies that have IT requirements appropriate for Alliant. Representatives from the Enterprise GWAC Office are traveling the nation to tell agency IT buyers and COs – as well as GSA’s own Assisted Acquisition Services (AAS) – about the contract as well as responding to customers inquiries.

“Training is offered at no cost through onsite training conferences and events, conference calls, a web or video conference or a self-paced, online course at the GSA Center for Acquisition Excellence,” added Ghiloni.

Getting Training

Ghiloni said this session covers operational-level topics such as scope, ordering process, price and cost, roles and responsibilities, and how to best utilize the Alliant website.

“All members of an acquisition team are welcome to attend, including program managers, contracting officer technical representatives, contract specialists and contracting officers,” said Ghiloni.

The contracting officer with authority over Alliant is referred to as the “GWAC CO” and the contracting officer authorized to issue and administer orders will be referred to as the “Ordering Contracting Officer (OCO)”.  It is the responsibility of the OCO to follow statute, regulations, and agency-specific policies regarding the issuance of an order and to incorporate those requirements at the order level.

Alliant is not available for use by state and local governments.  Only authorized users, referred to as OCOs, may place orders under Alliant.

OCO Responsibilities

The OCO has full responsibility for the order including:

*Award and administer order through closeout.

* Ensure orders remain within scope, period of performance, and maximum ceiling value established in the order and Alliant.

*Comply with all FAR requirements for a bundled contract when the order meets the definition of “bundled contract”.

* Comply with all conditions and limitations imposed on the use of funds in accordance with the Principles of Appropriation Law.

*Provide consent to subcontract as applicable.

*Add agency specific clauses and provisions to the order.

*Address any special requirements in the order such as security clearances, labor provisions, Earned Value Management, data rights and options.

*Adapt clauses according to the requirements in the order for standard inspection, delivery/performance and risk of loss.

* Report contractor performance.

*Price all Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs) in the order as required.

* Determine the price of the order is fair and reasonable.

*Respond to order protests, disputes, claims and FOIA requests.

* Provide copies of all orders and modifications to the GWAC CO.

Federal customers interested in participating in webinar training are asked to send their requests to alliant@gsa.gov. Webinar details such as login and pass code will be provided via return email.

The Alliant team is available to provide DPA training via conference call for federal customers. To start the process, please send an email to alliant@gsa.gov and reference “Request for Delegation” in the subject line or fax to (858) 530-3182.

If the need for training is urgent, or if you have special training needs, please contact the Alliant team at alliant@gsa.gov or contact Mimi Bruce, Client Support Director at (877) 534-2208 or (925) 735-1641; or Todd Richards, Business Development (817) 574-4331.

Source: GSA