Government*Horizons Inc. Training Series™

GAO's Principles of Federal Appropriations Law Workshop
Understanding How to Spend -- and Keep -- Federal Dollars
(The GAO Red Book explained in practical terms)

February 13-15, 2008
Government*Horizons Training Center
4301 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1003 (10th Floor)
Arlington, VA 22203

Registration for this event has closed. You may still register at the door the day of the event by bringing this form with you.

This course has been approved by the Supreme Court of Ohio commission on Continuing Legal Education

for 11.50 total CLE hour(s), with 0.00 of ethics, 0.00 of professionalism and 0.00 of substance abuse instruction.

“Excellent course! Complete and wonderful learning experience from beginning to end.”

– Carrie Limo, Logistics Management Specialist, Logistics Transformation Agency

“Ideal course to take for a comprehensive overview of appropriations—I have
knowledge I can take back to the office.” -- Cheryl Mbaye, U.S. EPA

Registration: 8:00 AM (Day One only)
Program Starts: 8:30 AM
Wrap-up: 3:30 PM

Course materials, continental breakfast (coffee and pastries), refreshments included.

This workshop is recommended for 24 Continuous Learning Points (CLPs) toward DAWIA/FAC-C requirements. A Government*Horizons "Certificate of Completion" will be provided to all attendees upon conclusion of the workshop.

For information on fulfilling core, elective and continuous learning requirements, visit: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/procurement/policy_letters/05-01_041505.html

About This Workshop

In 1982, the GAO released its first edition of Principles of Federal Appropriations Law. It was a collection of the body of law governing the expenditure of federal funds. In 1991, the current four set volume was released.

Today, agency program managers, general counsel, contracts administrators and financial officers are all faced with significant challenges in meeting organization needs within current budgets. What are the rules? How are they applied in practice? What are the typical mistakes made that result in wasted or lost funds? How can an agency protect its budget? How can an agency manager maximize their allocation?

The rules governing federal appropriations are complex, extensive and fill four binders. This course, taught by leading experts in government contract law, will provide the student with an overview of the rules, how they are applied, and most importantly, how to maximize funds with budget limits AND within the rules.

Learn precisely how the Federal government’s budget and spending system works – and how to avoid impasses at each phase in the process, from initial planning through ultimate disbursement.

What You Will Learn:

• Initial planning phase
• Budgeting
• Congressional role
• Limitations on spending
• Antideficiency questions
• Contract funding
• Personal liability
• Statutory compliance

And more…

Under the Current administration and Congress, financial pressures are mounting – and will continue to mount for the foreseeable future. Those of you who handle Federal funds and have to find ways to do more with less need to know how to maneuver on the Federal financial highway.

The subtle rules on the availability of appropriations can absolutely block an otherwise well-reasoned management plan. The difficulty is that these rules are not well known, not well publicized, and not easy to understand. Fortunately, though, there exist clear precedents that you can follow to avoid reaching such impasses – and avoid incurring personal financial liability for failure to comply.

This course will take you through every facet of the budgeting 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 General Accounting Office.

We invite you to join us for three days of educational adventure.

A new government report recommends contract training to achieve better federal contracting results.  Click here to download the Managing the Government’s Technical Experts to Achieve Positive Contract Outcomes report by the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board dated December 2005.