Federal Appropriations Law

The GAO Red Book as a Working Tool
40 CLPs – 5 Days

Course Dates	Training Course Location
- Jun 11-15, 2012	Embassy Suites Crystal City, 1300 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA, 22202
- Sep 10-14, 2012	Embassy Suites Crystal City, 1300 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA, 22202
- Feb 4-8, 2013	Embassy Suites Crystal City, 1300 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA, 22202
- Apr 22-26, 2013	Embassy Suites – 4315 Swenson St. – Las Vegas, NV 89119
- May 20-24, 2013	Embassy Suites Crystal City, 1300 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA, 22202

This course is available for On-Site Training. We will bring this course to your agency or company.
Contact Don Dickson, On-Site Training Manager at (301) 455-5633 or Don.Dickson@GovernmentTrainingInc.com

Student comments about this instructor from September 2010 course Presentation

• Excellent, excellent, excellent.
• Really enjoyed the class and the approach.
• Enjoyed the approach used by the instructor – applying real life experience with course topic.
• Very knowledgeable on the subject. Handouts were great take-aways.
• Good examples – very knowledgeable instructor. Good exercises.
• Had good examples. His experience in legal, contracting, and financial experience was essential to understanding this course.
• Excellent course and instructor – I want info on other courses by this instructor.
• The course was refreshing, thought provoking. Great teaching technique.
• I don’t know how he made such a boring topic so interesting. Everyone was having a good time.
• Lots of great examples
• Easy to read and follow materials.

Accreditation

This class counts toward the DAWIA, FAC-COR and FAC-P/PM Certifications.
This training workshop is recommended for 40 Continuous Learning Points (CLPs) toward DAWIA, FAC-C and FAC-P/PM requirements. This workshop meets OMBs Blueprint for COR Training. For information on fulfilling core, elective and continuous learning requirements, Click here to view OMB Policy Letter.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the Appropriations and spending process, from initial planning through ultimate disbursement
• Avoid incurring personal financial liability
• Comply with statutory requirements and limitations on spending
• Explain the budgeting process
• Explain the congressional role in the Federal Appropriations process
• Avoid anti-deficiency problems

About this course

Under the current administration and Congress, financial pressures are mounting – and will continue to do so in the future. For those who handle federal funds, finding ways to do more with less is essential.

The subtle rules on the availability of appropriations can block an otherwise well-reasoned management plan. These rules are difficult to understand and are not well known or publicized. Fortunately, there are clear precedents that you can follow to avoid reaching an impasse — and to avoid incurring personal financial liability for failure to comply.

This course takes you through every facet of the Appropriations and spending processes. You’ll get a thorough analysis of all funding activities, as seen through the eyes of the contracting, certifying and disbursing officers. And, you’ll participate in sessions that explore controlling decisions by the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

You’ll take with you a free copy of Volumes I and II of GAO’s Principles of Federal Appropriations Law, also known as “The Red Book” and a CD of Volumes I-IV, along with extensive case studies and other references.

Sign up for this unique course today and become well-grounded in Federal Appropriations Law.

Major topics help participants:

Interpret appropriations

• Appropriation act versus authorization act
• Life cycle of appropriations
• Effect of budget estimates
• Reprogramming and transfer

Determine appropriation availability as to purpose

• General principles
• Necessary expense rule
• Specific purpose limitations

Establish appropriation availability as to time

• Bona fide needs rule
• Advance payments prohibition
• Disposition of appropriation balances

Identify appropriation availability as to amount

• Earmarking language
• Antideficiency Act
• Augmentation of appropriations

Obligate appropriations

• Criteria for recording
• Contingent liabilities
• De-obligation

Understand continuing resolutions

• Rate for operations
• Projects or activities
• Relationship to other legislation

Review liability and relief of accountable officers

• Improper payments
• Physical loss

Example Attendees Include

• Program Managers
• Budget and Finance Officers
• General Counsel
• Contract Administrators
• Acquisition Executives
• Federal contractors
• Federal product and services suppliers, systems integrators
• Acquisition Analysts
• Chief Information Officer
• Business Policy & Strategies Offices
• CFO
• Budget and Program Analysts
• Office of the IG
• Office of the Comptroller

Course Syllabus

Federal Appropriations Law

1. Legal Framework

1. Constitutional basis
2. Historical review
3. Basic definitions

2. Life Cycle of an Appropriation

1. Budget formulation
2. Congressional process
3. Enactment or funding gap
4. Apportionment and allotment
5. Close of fiscal year
6. Audit and review

3. Interpreting Appropriation Language

1. Interrelationship of authorization and appropriation
2. Effect of budget estimates
3. Reprogramming and transfer
4. Permanent legislation in an appropriation
5. Application of legislative history

4. Availability of Appropriations as to Purpose

1. Necessary expense rule
2. Specific purpose limitations
-entertainment and recreation
-gifts
-insurance
-personal expenses and furnishings
-state and local taxes

5. Availability of Appropriations as to Time

1. Bona Fide need rule
2. Replacement contracts rule
3. Contract modifications
4. Year-end disposition of appropriation balances
5. Elimination of “M” accounts

6. Availability of Appropriations as to Amount

1. Earmarking language
2. Antideficiency Act
3. Augmentation of appropriations

7. Obligation of Appropriations

1. Recording Statute
2. Contingent liabilities
3. Deobligation

8. Continuing Resolutions

9. Liability and Relief of Accountable Officers

1. Statutory framework
2. Physical loss vs. improper payment
3. Statute of Limitations

Course Highlights

• GAO Red Book, Revised March 2009
• Proper use guidelines for use of funds by category
• Terms dictionary – excellent desk reference
• List of spending traps to avoid
• Practical exercises – learn by doing
• All courses taught in our professionally equipped training center with ergonomic seating.

Why select Government Training for your in-house (at your agency or company) training requirement

• Our instructors have taught throughout DoD and government. This has given us extensive exposure to best practices, traps to avoid, lessons-learned.
• As an expert, our instructor has also been certified to teach all of the segments discussed in your message: Intro to the FAR, Appropriations Law and other rules/guides that are applicable to your needs.
• We present expert information, the experience of our instructor and we will provide your staff with a 5-Step Management Process. This process gives the students a roadmap that identifies where and how to start when using the FAR, the necessary steps and checklists to support the process. This insures success once the students return to regular duty station and apply the course instruction to their daily assignments.
• Our instructor will make contact with your project leader for this training prior to course presentation. Our goal will be to learn any special needs, interests, topics, issues etc that should and will be reflected in the training. In this way, you get a course that will target your specific needs.
• We are proud of our earned past performance. We have not cherry picked some good clients. Upon request, we will provide your office contacts at every client we have supported in 2010. Please feel free to contact any or all of them to determine our ability to deliver as promised. Our instructor also has extensive training and personal recommendations. Our full list of Past Performance for 2010 is available upon request.

We have also completed many handbooks directed at the above business sectors. These include:

Please click on book image for details:

The COR Handbook	Performance-Based Contracting	Managing Cost Reimbursable Contracts	Guide to Independent Government Cost Estimating	Small Business Contracting

GTI’s DUNS number is 832316512, and the Tax ID is 27-0799412.

About your Instructor

Ralph Capio heads the Government Business Management Sector for Government Training Inc.

Previously, he was of Counsel to Armstrong Teasdale LLP, one of the Midwest's oldest and largest law firms, located in St. Louis. His practice focuses on commercial and government contracting and international business, and he lectures extensively on contemporary business subjects. He was a member of the adjunct faculty at Saint Louis University where he taught The Legal Environment of Business and International Negotiations; he taught Commercial Contracting (UCC) Law; International Law; and International Organizations for Webster University; Principles of Management and International Business for McKendree College; and has presented courses on commercial and international business law and practices for the University of Maryland, Boston University, and the University of Tampa. In addition, he has written numerous articles on contracting topics for national publications.

Prior to his present position, he held a number of senior positions in the Air Force. His Service included Legal Advisor to the U.S. Transportation Command and Chief Counsel to the U.S. Training Mission to Saudi Arabia--an organization responsible for more than $75 billion annually in foreign military sales and Government contracts--where he provided guidance on fiscal and contract law, international law, and criminal law. His work at the Dept. of Defense included service as a Judge Advocate and as a line officer, with assignments in the U.S., Europe, the Far East and the Middle East.

The recipient of numerous awards and decorations, including the Air Force's Outstanding Senior Attorney of the Year, he is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Bar Assn., the Int'l Bar Assn., the American Society for Public Admin., the Nat'l. Contract Management Assn., and the American Arbitration Association. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University; a Juris Doctor degree from the Union University Albany School of Law; a Master of Public Admin. degree from the State University of NY; a Master of Laws degree from The George Washington University Law School; and a Master of International Business degree from St. Louis University.

Student Fee

This is a 40 hours/40 CLPs course

NOTE: Click here to obtain information on special pricing for this course. This course qualifies for our Special 2 for 1 pricing. Take this course and any other offered by Government Training and only pay for this course…. Or …. Two people may attend this course for the price of one.

- Government: $1,999.00
- Contractor: $2,099.00

How to register

Registrations are payable by Visa, American Express, MasterCard, Discover or Check.



FAX or Mail the completed form to:

Dave Dickson
Government Training Inc.
20842 Derrydale Square
Sterling, VA, 20165
FAX: 941-870-9651

Course Schedule

• Registration begins at 8:00 am
• Class begins at 8:30am
• Class ends at 4:30pm
• There are several 10-15 minute breaks throughout the day.
• Lunch generally begins at 12:00pm and lasts approximately 1 hour

GTI Cancellation Policy

You may designate a substitute in writing any time before the course.

Cancellation requests must be sent in writing (email or fax) and will be subject to a $100.00 processing fee. No cancellations or transfers are accepted within 2 (two) weeks prior to the course start date or later.

PLEASE NOTE: No shows will be liable for the entire registration fee. In the rare occasion that a course is cancelled or postponed, please note our reimbursement is limited to paid tuition only.

We're sure you'll be satisfied with the content of our courses. If you're not, please tell us why in a brief letter and we will credit your investment towards another Government Training, Inc. course….You risk nothing!

Should you have additional questions, please contact customer service at 703-622-1187 or customer.service@governmenttraininginc.com

IMPORTANT: Open Enrollment Training Terms and Conditions

Airline Tickets: It is recommended that you do not make non-refundable airline reservations – There are sometime circumstances out of our control (weather, natural disaster, other emergency situations) that would cause us to postpone our scheduled course.

It is the responsibility of the registrant to check our website for any last minute changes that may have occurred concerning our training BEFORE departing for the class. Last minute changes are posted as soon as possible. – For more information or contact customer.service@GovernmentTrainingInc.com