The Curriculum
FAR University’s curriculum is designed to provide federal contractors with practical, immediately applicable training delivered through one-on-one instruction, partnerships with AGC chapters (MN, ND, Mississippi River Valley), and other professional venues. These courses have proven invaluable to contractors by offering clear guidance, real-world examples, and even a touch of entertainment to an otherwise dry subject. Each class is built around actual scenarios, proven processes, and step-by-step instruction that simplify federal contracting from start to finish. Organized from the most critical topics to the least urgent, the curriculum enables contractors to quickly find the information they need to complete their current task, while still encouraging full course completion as time allows. These classes are proven nuggets of knowledge taught to hundreds over the past 15 years, and we are proud to bring this expertise to an online learning format.
Mastering the RMS Database
The curriculum begins with this foundational course, which highlights the most critical RMS modules and organizes them into a “must know, good to know, and nice to know” progression. This structure is intentionally designed for the fast-paced environment of project startup, when time is limited and information overload is common. It allows contractors to focus immediately on what matters most: securing their first progress payment quickly and accurately. As time permits, students can return to complete the remaining modules and earn their certificate.
Throughout the course, participants learn to recognize common pitfalls and landmines that frequently arise during contract execution. Significant emphasis is placed on the Daily Report, as required by the FAR it is often one of the most powerful tools a contractor overlooks. Used correctly, it becomes an opportunity to begin building the foundation of a future modification, equitable adjustment or claim long before negotiations begin.
These insights naturally lead into the follow-on courses: Federal Contract Administration, Negotiating Modifications, and Claims and Equitable Adjustments. Together, these courses form a comprehensive learning path for anyone working in the federal contracting sector. For those already trained or experienced in the RMS database, the tips in this introductory course are still valuable, but most of the advanced concepts will be addressed in later courses. We generally recommend that experienced users move directly into the next courses in the series; however, in past training sessions, even the most advanced RMS users have picked up a few tips that proved invaluable.
Federal Contract Administration
Mastering federal work starts with mastering the contract, and this course gives contractors the practical, inside knowledge needed to succeed on any USACE, NAVFAC, VA, DHS, DOE, or other civilian-agency project. You’ll learn the government’s playbook—labor standards, quality requirements, modifications, payments, delays, terminations, claims, disputes, and essential FAR clauses—delivered in a clear, contractor-focused format.
Real examples, proven strategies, and step-by-step guidance show you how to avoid costly mistakes, protect your rights, and confidently navigate every phase of a federal contract from award through closeout. Whether you’re new to federal work or looking to sharpen your team’s expertise, this course provides the roadmap to deliver compliant projects and earn strong evaluations from your Contracting Officer.
Negotiating Modifications
This course provides contractors with a clear, practical understanding of how to negotiate effectively with the Federal Government. It breaks down the internal procedures used by USACE, NAVFAC, and the Veterans Administration, including how these agencies develop Independent Government Estimates (IGE), evaluate profit and overhead, and apply modification rules at various price thresholds.
You’ll learn proven negotiation techniques alongside the FAR requirements, cost principles, schedule analysis, and impact evaluation methods that drive federal decision-making. By understanding equipment, labor, and indirect cost structures—as well as how impacts are measured—you’ll gain the tools needed to prepare, price, and negotiate contract modifications confidently and secure fair equitable adjustments.
Claims and Equitable Adjustments
Requests for Equitable Adjustment (REAs) and formal claims are the contractor’s legal pathway to challenge government actions and recover costs—procedures governed by FAR Subpart 33.2 that can mean the difference between significant compensation and substantial loss. This course walks you through the entire process, showing how to document issues, build entitlement, and present a compelling case the Government must address. You’ll learn how to navigate FAR requirements, prepare REAs, file and defend claims, and pursue or respond to bid protests.
Through real case studies, documentation strategies, and step-by-step instruction, this course equips contractors to protect their rights, recover costs, and resolve federal contract disputes with confidence. The goal is to ensure QC Managers, Project Managers, and Owners have the knowledge and tools to build strong, well-supported cases—without relying on costly legal service.
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Mastering the RMS Database
Coming Soon!
This course provides contractors with a fast, practical guide to navigating the USACE RMS database, covering finances, submittals, schedules, and QC tasks. It streamlines complex steps to speed up early project actions and support quick payment after award. The course reduces confusion and offers guidance to help contractors protect themselves when government personnel attempt to act beyond their authority.
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Federal Contract Administration
Coming Jan 2026!
This course provides contractors a comprehensive, practical understanding of federal contract administration, covering labor standards, quality management, modifications, payments, delays, terminations, disputes, and key FAR clauses. It equips contractors to protect their rights, avoid costly mistakes, and confidently manage every stage of a federal construction contract from award through closeout
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Negotiating Modifications
Coming Dec 2025!
This course teaches contractors how to prepare, price, and negotiate federal contract modifications using FAR rules, cost principles, schedule analysis, impact evaluation, and negotiation strategies. It explains equipment, labor, indirect costs, profit, and impacts, giving contractors the tools to secure fair equitable adjustments and defend their position with confidence.
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Claims and Equitable Adjustments
Coming Feb 2026!
The root of the word “contractor” is contract, and this course equips contractors with the essential knowledge needed to navigate FAR requirements, prepare Requests for Equitable Adjustment, file and defend claims, and pursue or respond to bid protests. Using real case studies, documentation strategies, and clear process instruction, contractors learn to protect their rights, recover costs, and resolve federal contract disputes effectively.
Meet You Instructor
Justin Lambert brings more than forty years of experience in the construction industry. His career began at twelve as a jobsite gopher and grew into residential framing and finishing work, ultimately culminating in becoming a foreman at a very young age. Once he understood the “how,” he set out to learn the “why,” completing a BS in Civil Engineering at the United States Military Academy at West Point and commissioning into the U.S. Army.
As a USACE green suiter, he served in both warfighting and facilities management roles, carrying with him the early leadership maturity and work ethic that came from becoming a foreman so young. That foundation shaped his approach to problem-solving, coordination, and mission-focused execution throughout his military career.
After leaving the service, he entered the world of high finance as a hedge fund trader. The adaptability and discipline he developed as a young tradesman—combined with the communication and leadership skills honed in the Army—allowed him to master complex financial models and business strategies quickly. Those lessons later became invaluable as he returned to the construction and federal contracting sectors.
He later served as a USACE federal civilian in roles including Project Engineer, Contracting Officer’s Representative, and Chief of Quality Assurance in which he taught the CQM course. Drawing heavily on the leadership foundation he developed as a young foreman, he earned DAWIA Level I certification in Facilities Engineering and DAWIA Level II in Contracting—the stepping stones toward advancement as a federal Contracting Officer.
While teaching aspiring superintendents in the AGC Superintendents Training Program (AGC STP), Mr. Lambert once remarked, “Construction gets into your blood. You can try other jobs, but eventually you realize you need to dig a hole, knock something down, or build something. It’s an itch you can’t seem to scratch anywhere else.” That mindset reflects the same drive that carried him from laborer to foreman long before most teenagers held their first real job, and later propelled him professionally—from engineer to multiple C-level leadership roles.
Realizing he was not suited for the government sector long-term, he transitioned to the private side—“switching teams,” as he puts it—and now serves as a consultant with TLL Enterprises. There, he applies his broad experience to help clients navigate and resolve the complex technical, contractual, scheduling, and operational challenges they face in order to procure and execute contracts governed by the FAR.