# Federal Appropriations Law for Acquisition Professionals Course Canonical URL: ## Overview Acquisition professionals play a critical role in helping achieve an agency's mission through planning, awarding, and administering contracts. Beyond the FAR, clarity and understanding of appropriations law are particularly important to acquisition professionals who sign their names to obligate funds. It’s also germane to Program and Project Managers who plan and budget for acquisitions that span multiple fiscal years. Using cases drawn from GAO's Principles of Federal Appropriations Law (the "Red Book"), the instructor will provide essential information regarding the general principles (and key exceptions) that need to be considered when making obligation decisions during the acquisition life cycle. While the basics for federal appropriations law are the same for all government personnel, this course provides acquisition professionals with a base of focused knowledge they need to understand and apply those principles most directly aligned with federal acquisition. ## What you'll learn - Assess the propriety of administrative decisions. - Comply with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Apply Comptroller General Decisions. - Assist in the obligation and payment of funds. - Properly make scope and severability decisions impacting fiscal year usage. - Avoid Antideficiency Act violations. ## Prerequisites Students should have prior experience in federal financial acquisition, including familiarity with statutes like the Antideficiency Act and the Purpose Statute. ## Curriculum #### Module 1: Introduction - Understand the constitutional role of Congress in the appropriation process. - Explore the sources that condition the use of appropriated funds including statutes, regulations, and GAO decisions. - Examine the role and binding authority of the Comptroller General and GAO decisions. - Review rules for statutory interpretation and resolving conflicts between laws. #### Module 2: Legal Framework - Learn fiscal terms and classifications of appropriations (e.g., one-year, multi-year, no-year). - Understand the life cycle of appropriations from apportionment to cancellation. - Discuss transfers, reprogramming, deferrals, and rescissions under appropriations law. - Explore authorization vs. appropriation acts and permanent law considerations. #### Module 3: Availability of Appropriations—Purpose - Apply the Purpose Statute and the Necessary Expense Doctrine to determine valid uses of funds. - Review specific categories of expenses: food, clothing, training, travel, attorney fees, and gifts. - Recognize prohibited uses like lobbying, compensation violations, and insurance purchases. - Understand GAO guidance on “logical relationship” and agency discretion. #### Module 4: Under Construction - This module is intentionally left blank to align with GAO’s ongoing Red Book revisions. #### Module 5: Availability of Appropriations—Time - Determine the correct fiscal year for obligations based on the Bona Fide Needs Rule. - Understand treatment of severable vs. non-severable services and lead time exceptions. - Learn about replacement contracts, contract modifications, and advance payments. - Discuss IDIQ, multi-year contracts, and rules for expired and canceled funds. #### Module 6: Availability of Appropriations—Amount - Understand earmarks (ceilings, floors, fences) and their implications. - Apply the Antideficiency Act to prevent over-obligation or unauthorized services. - Identify augmentation and recognize exceptions like refunds and reimbursements. - Examine the consequences and penalties of ADA violations. #### Module 7: Obligation of Appropriations - Learn criteria for recording obligations under 31 USC 1501(a). - Discuss nine valid obligation types: contracts, loans, grants, travel, and more. - Understand ratification of unauthorized commitments and their fiscal implications. - Review the impact of deobligations, estimates, and employment-related costs. #### Module 8: Continuing Resolutions - Explore the nature, purpose, and typical provisions of Continuing Resolutions (CRs). - Understand the rate for operations and how CRs impact obligation authority. - Learn the rules for starting new projects or continuing previous fiscal year operations. - Study how CRs interact with other legislation and agency guidance. ## Schedule - Jul 22, 2026 – Jul 23, 2026 — Live Online - Nov 9, 2026 – Nov 10, 2026 — Live Online ## Instructors ### Anna Garcia-Durr — Instructor Ms. Garcia-Durr is a highly respected acquisition expert and retired U.S. Army officer with over 35 years of combined military and federal civilian service in logistics, contingency operations, and acquisition leadership. A former Contingency Contracting Officer, Anna brings operational insight from combat zones, austere environments, and disaster response operations directly into the training environment. She held senior leadership roles across the Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives—managing multi-billion dollar portfolios and overseeing mission-critical procurement in domestic and international settings. She is also a seasoned instructor and mentor, having trained hundreds of acquisition professionals, CORs, and program teams to exceed performance and compliance goals. She equips today’s acquisition professionals with the insight, precision, and mission-driven mindset needed to confidently lead and execute procurements in any acquisition environment. Anna holds a Juris Master in Corporate Compliance and Contracts and graduate certificates in Contract Management and Program/Project Management. Her certifications include Certified Federal Contract Manager (CFCM), DAWIA Level III (Contracting), and FAC-C / FAC-COR Level III. ### Jeff Hysen — Instructor Jeff Hysen has been with GSUSA since 2020, teaches numerous classes, and has received several awards for his work. Before joining Graduate School USA, Jeff was an Assistant Regional Counsel with the General Services Administration for 31 years. At GSUSA, Jeff served as the lead counsel on Ethics issues for the National Capital Region and worked on numerous projects across various fields. In addition to his work with GSUSA, Jeff is a podcast host and stand-up comedian. ### Melanie Dooley — Instructor Melanie Dooley is a seasoned expert in federal acquisition and contracting with more than three decades of experience spanning government, industry, and education. She has built a distinguished career as both a practitioner and educator, serving as a Vice President of Acquisition Policy for SAIC, a managing editor for the _Federal Contracts Report_ at Bloomberg BNA, and an instructor and curriculum developer for Graduate School USA. Her background includes deep knowledge of legislative and regulatory processes, the federal budget and appropriations cycle, and the intricacies of acquisition policy. She has also cultivated an exceptional ability to translate complex policy and contracting issues into practical guidance, having trained members of the defense and civilian acquisition workforce at all levels. In addition to her leadership roles, Melanie brings corporate strategy experience, extensive editorial expertise from her years in the trade press, and a strong record of shaping acquisition policy within a major defense contractor. She is a Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM) and a Fellow of the National Contract Management Association, where she has held leadership roles including VP of Programs and Fellows Chair. With an MBA from Georgetown University and a reputation for clarity, rigor, and real-world insight, Melanie has become a trusted resource to federal professionals, corporate leaders, and students alike. ### Alan McCain — Curriculum Program Manager Alan McCain is a retired combat veteran who served as both an Air Force enlisted member and a Navy officer. He brings over 30 years of experience spanning federal and commercial budgeting, auditing, programming, operations, global logistics support, supply chain and inventory management, as well as major IT acquisition. He possesses extensive, hands-on budget and audit experience across Federal, State, and Local government operations, including work within the Executive Office of the President and the Departments of State, Defense, Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and Education, as well as the Office of the Mayor of Washington, D.C., among others. Alan’s consulting background includes strategic planning and business development with the District of Columbia government, multiple federal agencies, Lockheed Martin, KPMG, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. He is a Certified Government/Defense Financial Manager (CGFM/DFM), holds a Teaching Certification from Harvard University’s Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, and earned an Executive MBA in International Business from The George Washington University. ## Pricing **Tuition:** $1050