Functional Areas for the Defense Acquisition Workforce

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Functional Areas

The Army Acquisition Workforce structure is streamlined to six Functional Areas representing the “basics” of acquisition, focusing on those who develop, acquire, and sustain operational capability, and merit our highest investment priority.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

Acquisition professionals in the Program Management functional area are concerned with all functions of a program management office, including responsibility for cost, schedule, and performance, to accomplish program objectives for the development, production, deployment, and sustainment of systems to meet the user’s operational needs.

LIFE CYCLE LOGISTICS

The Life Cycle Logistics functional area spans the system life cycle, encompassing acquisition and sustainment activities, and includes professionals responsible for planning, developing, implementing, and overseeing effective and affordable product-support strategies for weapons, materiel, or information systems.

CONTRACTING

The Contracting workforce is vital to accomplishing the DoD’s mission by negotiating the best deal for the warfighter while demonstrating prudent stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Contracting professionals instill fairness and integrity in the acquisition process and serve as an overall business advisor to DoD acquisition teams.

ENGINEERING & TECHNICAL MANAGEMENT

The ETM workforce has a vital role in developing, fielding, and sustaining defense systems and ensuring DoD products are delivered on time, perform as expected, and are cost-effective. The role requires developing and implementing solutions with an integrated technical approach across the total life-cycle to satisfy stakeholder needs and expedite transition of technology to the user, practicing early production planning and systematically examining producibility.

BUSINESS FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT & COST ESTIMATING

The DoD Business functional area is comprised of two tracks: Business Financial Management (BUS-FM) and Business Cost Estimating (BUS-CE). As advisors to acquisition decision makers, professionals within this functional area are responsible for financial planning, formulation and budgeting, budget analysis and execution, and cost estimating for a variety of programs within the DoD.

TEST & EVALUATION

T&E is a critical part of the DoD acquisition process. T&E professionals develop, optimize, execute and evaluate the testing of system performance, interoperability, reliability, maintainability and cybersecurity. They offer unbiased information to support and inform design improvements, production and fielding decisions.

AAFL/AAFA

Army Acquisition Functional Leader (AAFL) Responsibilities

  • Provides strategic vision, direction and advice in shaping, developing, and retaining of the Functional Area
  • Addresses mission critical skill set gaps and other Human Capital challenges through strategic initiatives
  • Engages with OSD senior leaders as required
  • Offers training and credentialing guidance
  • Designates AAFA and Acquisition Functional Representatives (AFRs)
  • Advocates or serves as a proponent for Functional Area acquisition awards (AAE, USD(A&S), Hall of Fame)
  • Validates career model for respective Functional Area

Army Acquisition Functional Advisor (AAFA) Responsibilities

  • Reports to, or in very close working relationship with, the AAFL
  • Provides subject matter expertise, with technical knowledge and insight, on FA specific training requirements and competencies
  • Attends OSD Functional Integration Team (FIT) or Working Group meetings along with DACM Office representatives
  • Understands impacts of OSD decisions to the Functional Area Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW) on education, training, experience, and career development

Click here to view the AAFL/AAFA Policy (AAFL positions are designated by the Director, Army Acquisition Corps (DAAC); AAFA positions are designated by the AAFL).

Functional Area

AAFL

AAFA

BUS-CE

Stephen Loftus, DASA (Cost and Economics)

Allison Hawkins, Operations Research Analyst, DASA (Cost and Economics)

BUS-FM

Kirsten Taylor, DASA (Plans, Programs, and Resources)

Jennifer Proffitt, Director, OMA Team, DASA (Plans, Programs, and Resources)

CON

Megan Dake, DASA (Procurement)

Colleen Sweeney, Procurement Analyst, DASA (Procurement)

ETM

Jennifer Swanson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (DASA)(Data, Engineering, and Software)

Rocio (Rosie) Bauer, Deputy, DASA (Data, Engineering, and Software)

LCL

Timothy Goddette, DASA (Sustainment)

Glenn Carthron, Director, Acquisition Logistics Policy, DASA (Sustainment)

PM

Ronald Richardson, Director, USAASC and Director, Acquisition Career Management

COL Shane Sullivan, Deputy Director, USAASC

T&E

James Cooke, Director, Test and Evaluation (Office of the Undersecretary of the Army)

Melanie Loncarich, Chief, Policy and Education Division (Office of the Undersecretary of the Army)

DACM Office Coordinators

Scott Greene: Chief, Strategy and Communications Division

Aaron Hutson: Chief, Strategy and Policy Branch

Credentials

Credentials

Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Functional Area and Certification FAQs

Contact

Questions regarding Functional Areas and Certification may be sent via the Workforce Management Inquiry portal in the CAMP system at
https://apps.asc.army.mil/camp/apps/camp/modules/portal/index.cfm

For general policy questions, email usarmy.belvoir.usaasc.mbx.dacm-policies@army.mil