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2023 Annual Conference
Frequently Asked Questions



  1. What is the cost of the conference registration fee?
    1. The conference registration fee is $450. The retiree registration fee is $250.00. All registrants will be able to purchase tickets for optional events for their guests.

  2. What are the dates of the conference?
    1. The conference dates are Monday, August 7 – August 10, 2023. On Monday, August 7th, staff from the Administrative Office (AO) will offer the Contracting Officer Level 3 (COCP3) training to 50 people. In addition, first time attendees are encouraged to attend a First Time Attendees Orientation the afternoon of August 7th. Monday evening, there is a President’s Reception to welcome all attendees. The opening ceremony will be held Tuesday morning, August 8th and the conference will conclude with a closing dinner event will be at the world famous Billy Bob’s on the evening of Thursday, August 10th.

  3. Should I register for the Contracting Officer Level 3 (COCP3) training course?
    1. The Contracting Officer Certification Program (COCP) Level 3 Procurement Workshop (basic training course) is 16 hours.  The first 8 hours will be held on Monday, August 7, 2023.  The remaining 8 hours will be held on over two sessions during the conference and will allow participants to attend the plenary sessions.  Attendees will be required to pay the $450 registration fee for the conference.  Only 50 attendees may participate in this class.  Individuals who sign up for this course must travel to Fort Worth on Sunday, August 6, 2023, as the class will begin early on Monday, August 7, 2023.

      Appointment as a contracting officer and the subsequent delegation of procurement authority is contingent upon completion of certain mandatory training.  To be eligible for appointment as a Level 3 CO, individuals must complete both online courses Small Purchase Procedures, Standard Competitive Contracting Procedures and the Judiciary Procurement Workshop classroom training, as well as the online Appropriations Law for the U.S. Courts course. In addition, individuals appointed as Level 3 COs must complete 16 hours of continuing education training every two years. The two-year period begins on the date of appointment or upon completion of the Judiciary Procurement Workshop, required to be completed within one year of appointment, whichever is later.

  4. Where will the conference be held?
    1. The conference will be held in Ft. Worth, Texas.

  5. When can members register for the conference?
    1. Conference registration will open to court unit executives, lifetime members, and members who paid their 2023 membership dues by December 31, 2022, on Wednesday, May 24 at 2 PM EST. General registration will open on Wednesday, May 31 at 2 pm EST. E-mails announcing each registration opening date will be sent.

  6. What meals are provided in the registration fee?
    1. Breakfast will be provided on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Dinner on the night of the closing banquet is also included in the registration fee.

    Please note: for attendees who are receiving per diem, the cost of the breakfast is $ 14.00 a day and the cost of the dinner on Thursday evening is $ 29.00.

  7. Can I book my hotel room now?
    1. No. You will be required to first register for the conference. Once registered, an email confirmation will be sent to you which will include the hotel booking link.  If you encounter issues booking your room using the hotel booking link, please contact the hotel directly for assistance. Please note that only conference registrants and retiree registrants will be permitted to make hotel reservations under the FCCA room block. If you are not registered for the conference and make a hotel reservation under the FCCA room block, your room will be cancelled. Please do not share the links with non-confirmed attendees.

  8. Will you have overflow hotels?
    1. No. The FCCA has contracted a room block at the conference hotel only. We strongly encourage all attendees to book their rooms at the conference hotel upon receipt of the confirmation email.

  9. What will the lodging rate be at the conference hotel?
    1. The FCCA has negotiated a conference per-diem rate at the conference hotel of $167 per night, plus taxes.

  10. Can attendees book hotel rooms before and after the conference?
    1. Yes, a limited number of rooms are reserved at the conference rate for attendees who would like to arrive prior to the official start of the conference or stay after the conference concludes. If you need assistance modifying your reservation, please contact the hotel directly.

  11. What is the name of the hotel where the conference will be located?
    1. The hotel will be announced in your conference registration confirmation email.  The room block is not open to book rooms until registration opens.

  12. What is the closest airport?
    1. The closest airport is Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport (DFW). The airport is approximately 17 miles from the hotel.

  13. What is the best way to get to the hotel from the airport?
    1. TEXRail is the most the most economical means of transportation to Ft. Worth from DFW.  Uber and Lyft are also available to and from DFW. If you are planning to use ride share services, it is best to download the apps before arriving. There are also shuttle services that can be booked in advance, or you can always catch a taxi.

  14. My court wants to issue a purchase order for the registration fee. Is that allowed?
    1. Yes, the FCCA will accept a purchase order for the registration fee. Questions about purchase orders can be directed to treasurer@fcca.ws. Purchase orders are due by June 12, 2023 and should be made payable to:


    15. Federal Court Clerks Association
    Attn.: Julie Owens, FCCA Treasurer
    Theodore Levin United States Courthouse
    231 West Lafayette Boulevard, Room 730
    Detroit, MI 48226

    JIFMS Information: UEI: VQTYWKRVDRB6 CAGE: 7Q6U0

  1. Will the conference have a cap on the number of individuals able to register?
    1. Yes, initial registration will be capped at 375 attendees. We will keep a waitlist if needed.

  2. What if I register for the conference and cannot attend?
    1. When organizing our conference, we have entered into signed contracts with the hotel and other vendors. Under these contracts, we have made monetary commitments to them. Conference registrations cancelled before June 23, 2023, will receive a full refund. If the registration is canceled on or after June 23, 2023, and before July 6, 2023, we will refund 50% of the registration fee. Registrations cancelled on or after July 6, 2023, will not be refunded. To cancel a registration, send an e-mail to questions@fcca.ws and include FCCA Conference Cancellation Request in the subject line. If you cancel your registration, you cannot substitute another court employee in your place. Registration is on a first come, first served basis and if the conference is sold out, a waiting list will be instituted. Any open spot will be offered to the members on that list in the order in which their registration was received.

  3. What can I expect at Billy Bob's?
    1. Our closing dinner event will be at the world famous Billy Bob’s country music venue at the Fort Worth Stockyards.  The Billy Bob’s experience will be free for registered participants.  Tickets will be available to purchase for guests.  Bus transportation will be provided to and from the hotel to Billy Bob's.  The dinner theme this year is Denim and Diamonds, so bring out those jeans, boots, belt buckles, and 10 gallon hats!   Any and all western wear would be appropriate.  Enjoy generous portions of Beef and Chicken Fajitas with all the fixings for dinner and freshly made Churros for dessert.  Billy Bob’s will provide an hour of free line dance instructions exclusively for the FCCA, followed by a live band on the main stage for all to enjoy.  You will not want to miss this rare opportunity to enjoy Billy Bob’s with your FCCA friends.

  4. What is the dress code for the conference?
    1. The FCCA follows a business casual dress policy. This policy calls for everyone exercising good judgment. The following lists are not intended to be all inclusive. They are intended to set general parameters for proper business casual dress at the FCCA Annual Conference and to help you make appropriate dress decisions. Keep in mind that business casual does not mean weekend or sport casual. In addition, you should avoid worn, frayed, wrinkled, stained, or tight fitting clothing.