BRIDGING THE ICAP
C
utting-edge technology is an essential enabler for organizations in today’s fast-paced and digitally driven world, and it offers DOD the ability to gain a competitive advantage, enhance operational effi-
ciency and unlock new growth possibilities. As the frontiers of innovation continue to expand in the tech world, the latest soft- ware and hardware trends and developments will be vital for national security. Terefore, it is a DOD priority that service members have timely access to commercially available technology.
To keep pace with commercial product cycles and adopt commercial procurement best practices, the Defense Acquisi- tion University (DAU) and Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) have teamed up to develop and implement the Immersive Commercial Acquisition Program (ICAP)—designed for acquisition profes- sionals motivated to become “the bridge” between DOD and the commercial tech world.
Trough the ICAP, DOD is encouraging broader use of agile acquisition methods by training a corps of professionals on DIU’s streamlined acquisition process. Tese professionals, in addi- tion to understanding the dynamics between Silicon Valley tech and government procurement, would acquire knowledge of how other-transaction authority can be leveraged to cut regulatory burdens, simplify and expedite the acquisition process.
“Acquisition professionals, especially those in contracting, work in an increasingly complex environment. Creating opportuni- ties like this where they can develop specialized skills and gain experience that they take back and share with others is one of the great strengths of this program,” said Jim Woolsey, presi- dent of Defense Acquisition University at the Defense Innovation Unit’s website.
Four contracting officers from across DOD—one from the Army, one from the Navy and two from the Air Force—were selected to participate in the program’s first cohort, which launched in October 2022 as a 12-month immersive program, with gradua- tion in October 2023.
“I have never had more of a passion for my profession than I do now,” said ICAP Fellow U.S. Army Maj. Michael Gerbasi, an agreements specialist in DIU acquisition, who previously served as deputy procurement chief for the Regional Contracting Center ‒ Kuwait, 408th Contracting Support Brigade. “Being a part of this program has allowed me to discover a whole community of practitioners in contracting, tech, venture capital and R&D [research and development]. Tese folks, both in government
112 Army AL&T Magazine Fall 2023
and in industry, care about our country. Tey care about our defense and they care that our technological advantage on the battlefield continues.”
Gerbasi was halfway through his deployment to Kuwait, provid- ing contracting support for exercises and base operations, when he applied and was selected for the ICAP program. He said although being a contingency contracting officer on the ground was a great experience, deep down he missed the challenges of systems contracting and the support to the Army program exec- utive offices’ pursuit of far-reaching modernization priorities.
“I had heard of other transactions but there was, at the time, no clear path for me to ever execute them.” Gerbasi said he never heard of DIU until he stumbled across the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Procurement (ODASA(P)) newsletter for Army contracting personnel and a list of open development opportunities. “For me, applying [for ICAP] meant embracing new learning opportunities. I applied on the last day
EXCEPTIONAL SPOKESPEOPLE
ICAP Fellows U.S. Army Maj. Michael Gerbasi and U.S. Air Force Contracting Officer April Davison attended the National Contract Management Association World Congress 23 in Nashville, Tennessee, July 23–26, 2023. (Photo by Devon Bistarkey, Defense Innovation Unit)
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