Acquisition Education, Training, and Experience Catalog
Several educational and leadership opportunities are available in the near term through the U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center (USAASC). The updated Acquisition Education, Training, and Experience Catalog provides in-depth information on all training and developmental opportunities. For information on opportunities available to acquisition civilian and military workforce members, view the catalog at https://asc.army.mil/career/pubs/aete/default.cfm. Eligible individuals may apply for programs by using the Army Acquisition Professional Development System tab within the Career Acquisition Management Portal/Career Acquisition Personnel and Position Management Information System (CAMP/CAPPMIS) at https://apps.asc.army.mil/camp.
Excellence in Government Fellows Program
Project managers and acquisition professionals can receive hands-on leadership development through Excellence in Government Fellows (EIGF), a leadership program conducted by the Partnership for Public Service in Washington, DC. The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization works to revitalize the federal government by inspiring a new generation to serve and by transforming the way government works. The EIGF program announcement is open through Aug. 25. For more information, visit https://asc.army.mil/career/programs/eigf/default.cfm.
Acquisition Tuition Assistance Program
The Acquisition Tuition Assistance Program (ATAP) offers an opportunity for civilian Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology Workforce members to complete an undergraduate or graduate degree or fulfill the certification of U.S. Army Acquisition Corps membership business-hour requirements. The ATAP announcement is open through Aug. 31. For more information, visit https://asc.army.mil/career/programs/atap/default.cfm.
Defense Acquisition University Highlights
Registration is open for FY12 Defense Acquisition University (DAU) courses. Students should continue to apply through the Army Training Requirements and Resources Internet Training Application System (AITAS) at https://www.atrrs.army.mil/channels/aitas.
The timeframe for DAU course cancellations has changed from five business days to 30 calendar days from the date the student receives a reservation. Cancellations for a confirmed reservation must be received at least 30 calendar days before the class starts or by the reservation cutoff date, whichever is earlier. Cancellations submitted after that deadline must have general officer or Senior Executive Service member approval per Department of the Army DAU Training Policy and Procedures signed April 18, 2011. U.S. Army Materiel Command (AMC) students must cancel at least 45 calendar days from the start of the class. Please view AMC memo and DA DAU training policy & procedures at https://asc.army.mil/career/programs/dau/docs.cfm.
On March 25, the Director for Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy released a memorandum on “Upcoming Changes to the Contracting Curriculum in Fiscal Year 2012.” The changes affect the certification requirements for acquisition workforce members in contracting-coded positions. The Deputy Director for Acquisition Career Management provided supplemental guidance for the FY12 contracting changes. Please view the changes and recommendations at https://asc.army.mil/career/programs/dau/changes.cfm.
To address the shortfall in Level II contracting classes, six commercial vendors and four universities offer CON 215, 217, and 218 equivalent classes. For more information on equivalencies, please visit the DAU website http://icatalog.dau.mil/appg.aspx. If you are unable to obtain CON 215, 217, and/or 218 during FY11 and would like to use Section 852 funds to pay for an equivalent provider, USAASC now offers these courses. If approved for training by the command, the Section 852/ Defense Acquisition Workforce Development Fund program manager for that command will request funding from the USAASC Section 852 manager by submitting a Program Request Form for FY11, found at https://www.usaasc.info/section852_cms. The point of contact is Chandra Evans Mitchell at chandra.l.evansmitchell.civ@mail.mil.
To address the shortfall in Level II business, cost, and financial management (BCFM) courses, the Army is placing only first-priority students into available BCFM classes. There is Level II course availability on the FY12 schedule. DAU is well aware of the backlog and is working to expand classroom size from 24 to 30-36 for current and additional course offerings. The demand is due to a temporary surge of BCFM certification requirements. For experienced BCFM personnel, fulfillment of the course is recommended. For more information, go to http://icatalog.dau.mil/DAUFulfillmentPgm.aspx.
DAU has successfully procured a commercial-off-the-shelf New Student Information System (SIS) to replace the current distinct DAU registration systems for the four services. The system, named PORTICO, is web-based and will interface with DAU and DOD systems, AITAS, and CAMP/CAPPMIS. Army workforce members will be able to authenticate via a DOD common access card. PORTICO will standardize functionality and capability for all services. It will allow more transparency and up-to-date status information for students applying for DAU courses. The system is in the Business Requirements Review phase, with full operating capability targeted for July 2012. For more information, go to http://www.dau.mil/sis/default.aspx.
