FAC-C

Definition

FAC-C (Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting) is the certification for federal contracting officers and specialists. Three levels based on education, experience, and training. Required by OFPP.

Where this matters in federal contracting

FAC-C is a federal-contracting certification or socio-economic status. Contractors qualifying under FAC-C can pursue opportunities specifically reserved for that category — but only after registration and verification through the relevant authority (SBA, VA, GSA, or the agency itself). The competitive advantage from a FAC-C certification is real, but conditional: it depends on the registration being current, the eligibility being maintained, and the work fitting within the certification's scope. Many small contractors leave FAC-C opportunities on the table because they assume the bar is too high or the administrative overhead too painful; in practice the largest barrier is usually the awareness gap, not the qualification gap. The related terms above name the adjacent certifications FAC-C most commonly stacks with.

More certification terms