Cost and Price Analysis Course

Practitioner
A practitioner level course introducing the principles of price build, cost accounting and analysis included within contractors' proposals.
Students in Service uniform seated in a classroom working on laptops

Course Information

Level: Practitioner
Location: Online (Virtual)
School/Centre: Business Skills Centre
Course Code: CPAC
Duration: 3 days 0900-1630
When: On demand

About this course

The course focuses on the price build prepared by a contractor and explains direct and indirect costs, fixed and variable costs, allocation and apportionment of the overhead and methods of overhead recovery.

The estimation of labour and material, and factors impacting their cost, are also included.

Practical exercises are employed throughout the course to consolidate learning.

The course provides an introduction to the Questionnaire on the Method of Allocation of Costs (QMAC) document prepared by contractors to disclose their cost accounting practices and which is to be subsequently agreed by the MOD.

The Single Source Procurement Framework and consideration of proposals from a contractor's point of view are additionally addressed.

Whilst drawing on an MOD context, the course has wider applicability for non-MOD employees and suppliers. It is part of a suite of MOD courses designed to assist Commercial Officers' progress from awareness to expert level but has wider applicability to non-MOD and wider government employees.

What you will learn

You will learn how to:

  • Assess a contractor's proposal
  • Know which questions to ask to check validity and evidence in support of the proposed costs
  • Gain the knowledge and confidence to challenge contractors where necessary

How this course will help your career

This course provides fundamental understanding for commercial officers involved in the analysis of contractor proposals, whether the associated procurement represents value for money, and the knowledge and confidence to challenge contractors where necessary.

Entry requirements

Who can attend this course

  • Military
  • MOD civil servants

Before you attend

  • Delegates wishing to book on this course must ensure that prior to booking their personal information in MyHR is up to date including a full work postal address and mail point.
  • The course is currently delivered virtually through MS Teams.

All staff are reminded that attendance on courses should be discussed with their line manager. The course should be marked in their diary and no appointments are to be made during this time. If urgent work requirements arise that mean you are unable to attend then you should advise your line manager and the Defence Academy as soon as possible. Partial attendance is NOT allowed unless it has been approved in advance by the Commercial Training and Education Team. Any No-Shows (where prior notice of non-attendance has not been received) will be investigated and line managers notified when appropriate.

You can also contact the Commercial Training and Education Team (email above) for any reasonable adjustment requests before attending the course.

Additional information

How the course will be taught

  • Online (Virtual)

How you will be assessed

There is no assessment for this course.