Contract Administration: Understanding and Implementing Contractual Obligations

Overview:

Introduction:

The overall aim of this course is to provide participants with the knowledge, concepts, skills, and tools necessary to manage and administer contracts post-award. Participants in this interactive course will learn all the processes and activities required to implement contractual obligations. The course will also cover contract administration best practices.

Course Objectives:

At the end of this course the participants will be able to:

• Outline the major activities and steps of contract administration
• Identify administration tools that are used during the implementation as well as the role of the contract administrator
• Create a system to evaluate contractors and determine their strengths and weaknesses and demonstrate the importance of partnership in contract administration
• Explain the different types of variation orders, claims, and damages
• Prepare for negotiating contract variations and claims in order to reach a satisfactory settlement 

Targeted Audience:

• All those involved in any aspect of implementing, managing, or administering contracts in the post-award phase of the contracting process and who want to learn about the best practices in contract administration.

Course Outlines:

Unit 1: Principles of Contracts:

• Elements of a contract
• Contract framework
• Purposes of contract administration
• Difficulties encountered in contract administration
• Contract administration major steps
• Competencies of contract administrators

Unit 2: Contract Administration Tools:

• Key principles
• Knowing your contract
• Contract provisions affecting implementation
• Tools and techniques for contract administration
  • Dissection technique
  • Records management system
  • Change control system
  • Claims administration
  • Issues and risks logs
  • Risk management plans
  • Roles and responsibilities
  • Performance reporting
  • Developing schedule plans
  • Lessons learned
  • International contracting

Unit 3: Contractor Evaluation:

• Questionnaire and surveys
• Contractor's ratings
• Key performance indicators
• Targets and benchmarks
• Service level agreement (SLA)
• Managing subcontractors
• Partnership with contractors

Unit 4: Changes, Claims, and Disputes:

• Changes and variation orders
• Change process
• Breach of contract
• Money damages
• Equitable remedies
• Claims and disputes
• Alternative dispute resolution
  • Mediation
  • Arbitration
• Contract closeout

Unit 5: Negotiation:

• Negotiation preparation 
• Negotiation objectives
• Negotiation guidelines