NCMA CFCM study plan
NCMA CFCM · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Federal contracting environment (Federal Acquisition Regulation-focused)
Map the FAR structure: locate Parts 1-53 and state what each subchapter governs
Distinguish the FAR from agency supplements (DFARS, VAAR, GSAR) and explain when a supplement controls
Define the roles of the contracting officer, contracting officer's representative (COR), and requiring activity
Memorize the thresholds and citations for simplified acquisition, micro-purchase, and commercial-item acquisition from FAR Part 2 and Part 13
Your checkpoint
A one-page FAR roadmap table listing all 53 parts with a 10-word description and the three key dollar thresholds with citations
Federal contracting environment (Federal Acquisition Regulation-focused)
Trace the acquisition life cycle from market research through closeout and name the FAR part governing each phase
Explain the difference between sealed bidding (FAR Part 14) and negotiated acquisition (FAR Part 15) and when each applies
Identify the contents and purpose of the acquisition plan and the independent government cost estimate
Apply the competition requirements in FAR Part 6 to a hypothetical sole-source scenario
Your checkpoint
A written 400-word walkthrough of a sample buy from requirement identification to award, citing the FAR part for each step
Federal contracting environment (Federal Acquisition Regulation-focused)
Classify contract types by fee arrangement (firm-fixed-price, cost-reimbursement, T&M, incentive) and match each to risk profile
Compute a simple incentive-fee adjustment using the formula in FAR 16.4
Explain when cost-reimbursement contracts are permissible and what cost-accounting and funding constraints apply
Distinguish definitized contracts from undefinitized contract actions and state the limits on obligations
Your checkpoint
A contract-type selection matrix scoring six sample requirements against risk, cost certainty, and FAR citation
Federal contracting environment (Federal Acquisition Regulation-focused)
Explain full and open competition and the seven exceptions under FAR 6.302
Describe the source selection process: evaluation factors, relative importance, and best-value tradeoff versus lowest price technically acceptable
Summarize the protest forums (agency, GAO, Court of Federal Claims) and their deadlines
Apply small business set-aside rules and the limitations on subcontracting to a sample acquisition
Your checkpoint
A practice set of 25 self-written competition and source-selection questions scored at 80 percent or better, with a log of missed concepts
Federal contracting environment (Federal Acquisition Regulation-focused)
Identify the required solicitation provisions and contract clauses for a commercial-item buy under FAR Part 12
Explain the purpose of the System for Award Management registration and responsibility determinations under FAR 9
Describe the bases for bid protests and the grounds for debarment and suspension
Outline the contract modification types (bilateral, unilateral) and the authority limits in FAR 43
Your checkpoint
A clause-and-provision checklist for a sample commercial-item solicitation with FAR citations verified against the current regulation
Federal contracting environment (Federal Acquisition Regulation-focused)
Explain inspection, acceptance, and warranty concepts under FAR Part 46
Describe the payment process, including the Prompt Payment Act, invoicing under FAR 32, and the difference between progress and performance-based payments
State the rules for changes, stop-work orders, and equitable adjustments
Summarize termination for convenience versus termination for default and the remedies available in each
Your checkpoint
A one-page decision flowchart for handling a change order, from notification through equitable adjustment, with FAR references
Federal contracting environment (Federal Acquisition Regulation-focused)
Apply the disputes process under FAR Part 33, including the contracting officer's final decision and appeal routes
Explain the ethics and integrity rules: procurement integrity, conflicts of interest, gratuities, and the Standards of Conduct
Describe the closeout and records-retention requirements and the final payment and release steps
Review the entire FAR structure to fill gaps identified in earlier weeks
Your checkpoint
A 30-question mixed-topic practice exam covering Parts 1-53, with a written correction note for every missed item
Federal contracting environment (Federal Acquisition Regulation-focused)
Consolidate all eight weeks into a single citation index of the 40 most-tested FAR provisions
Complete two timed full-length practice exams under exam conditions
Analyze missed questions by FAR part and re-read the underlying regulation sections for each
Draft a one-page exam-day strategy covering time allocation and question triage
Your checkpoint
A final score report from two timed practice exams showing at least 85 percent, plus a revised citation index
Milestones
Week 2: Can state the FAR part governing each phase of the acquisition life cycle without notes, scoring 90 percent on a self-made matching quiz
Week 4: Scores 80 percent or better on the 25-question competition and source-selection set and can explain all seven competition exceptions from memory
Week 6: Correctly completes the change-order flowchart and passes a 20-question post-award quiz at 80 percent
Week 8: Achieves 85 percent or better on two timed full-length practice exams and has a documented correction note for every missed question