From the Acquisition Support Center Director

I want to wish the Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology (AL&T) Workforce the very best for the New Year. In 2011, we will be facing a crucial challenge of “doing more without more.” In a memorandum dated Sept. 14, 2010, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics Dr. Ashton B. Carter outlined further guidance for “Obtaining Greater Efficiency and Productivity in Defense Spending.” The memo highlights 23 principal actions in five major acquisition areas for accomplishing this goal. I urge each of you to study this memo and closely follow his direction. Carter has emphasized that the acquisition community must fundamentally change how we do business, or we won’t have the resources to supply our troops with what they need. Please see the memo at http://www.acq.osd.mil/docs/USD_ATL_Guidance_Memo_September_14_2010_FINAL.PDF?transcriptid=4648.

I am confident that the AL&T Workforce can meet this challenge with great success by doubling down on our commitment to provide our Soldiers the best weapons, technology, and logistics as quickly and cost-effectively as possible, and by maintaining a well-trained, efficient, and educated workforce to support any new challenges or contingencies that our troops may encounter in an uncertain world.

Acquisition Education, Training, and Experience Update
Two important components of our Acquisition Education, Training, and Experience (AETE) offerings are Defense Acquisition University (DAU) training and the numerous educational and leadership development opportunities offered by the U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center (USAASC). This forum is a great way for me to let our workforce know of important opportunities with both.

Please be aware that in the beginning of every FY, many of the DAU course prerequisites and certification course requirements change. Course prerequisites are different from Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act certification requirements. A prerequisite course is a DAU-offered course that must be successfully completed before attending another DAU course. For information on the latest prerequisites, see the DAU Interactive Catalog at http://icatalog.dau.mil and click on “Training Courses.”

Please note that USAASC no longer responds to DAU training questions sent to the USAASC reservations e-mail box. All DAU-related questions need to be submitted using the new Army Training Requirements and Resources System Internet Training Application System help desk at https://www.atrrs.army.mil/channels/aitas/main.asp.

We have many announcements of educational and leadership opportunities available in the near term. The recently updated AETE catalog provides in-depth information on all of our training and developmental opportunities. Please view the catalog at http://asc.army.mil/career/pubs/aete for training opportunities available to acquisition civilian and military workforce members.

The DAU-Senior Service College Fellowship (DAU-SSCF) announcement is now open until March 15, 2011. The 10-month DAU-SSCF is offered for GS-14/15 or broad/pay band equivalent Army acquisition workforce members at Huntsville, AL; Warren, MI; and Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. SSCF offers leadership and acquisition training to prepare senior-level civilians for senior leadership roles, such as product and project managers, program executive officers, and other key acquisition leadership positions. While enrolled in the program, fellows complete the DAU Program Manager Course 401 and various leadership and acquisition courses focused on life-cycle management, acquisition integration, and national defense and security issues. Fellows also work with government and industry mentors and complete a research paper on an important acquisition issue or process. For more information on DAU-SSCF, please visit http://asc.army.mil/career/programs/dau. Applicants may apply under the Army Acquisition Professional Development System tab of the Career Acquisition Management Portal/Career Acquisition Personnel and Position Management Information System at https://rda.altess.army.mil/camp.

Strategic Planning and Analysis Division
The USAASC Strategic Planning and Analysis Division (SP&A) supports USAASC’s mission of enabling superior acquisition personnel development systems through a strong foundation of strategic planning and process improvement. SP&A provides program management offices and direct reporting program managers with information, data, and career management tools and guidance, oversight, and execution of Force Protection and security management. With various support functions, SP&A continuously adapts to USAASC’s requirements and keeps its mission in line with the Army Campaign Plan and the Assistant Secretary of the Army for AL&T Strategic Plan. SP&A also conducts data management activities to report ever-changing reflections and demographics of the AL&T Workforce. As the lead for defining USAASC’s strategic plan, the SP&A division must continue developing and maintaining a robust and relevant plan that takes USAASC into the future in supporting key customers. For more information, visit the SP&A section on the USAASC website at http://asc.army.mil/organization/spa.

2010 U.S. Army Acquisition Corps Annual Awards
I would like to congratulate the 2010 U.S. Army Acquisition Corps (AAC) Annual Award winners. The AAC awards recognize the uniformed and civilian professionals who work tirelessly behind the scenes to acquire and procure the weapons, information, and equipment that combatant commanders and their Soldiers need to execute decisive, full-spectrum operations in support of overseas contingency operations. I would like to also thank and congratulate the USAASC support staff that helped make the awards ceremony and dinner a memorable and festive occasion. For a list of AAC award winners, please visit http://asc.army.mil/docs/press/20_Oct10_2010_AAC_Annual_Awards_Ceremony_Press.pdf.

Craig A. Spisak
Director, U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center