OPPORTUNITIES
APPLY EARLY – FISCAL YEAR 2026 DAU COURSES ARE OPEN FOR REGISTRATION
The Defense Acquisition University DAU course offerings for FY26 are open for registration! Now is a great time to update your individual development plan (IDP) in CAPPMIS and discuss your training with your supervisor to work toward your acquisition functional area (AFA) certification.
Planning your training early helps coordinate the best time for you to attend training as well as identify which prerequisite courses need to be completed prior to registering for a course. To assist with planning, Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW) members can register for virtual instructor led training (VILT) or instructor-led training (ILT) classroom courses using the Army’s registration system known as AITAS.
Even if you have not completed a prerequisite VILT or ILT course, as long as you are registered for and have a planned completion date of the prerequisite course, you can still register for the subsequent course. For example, you can register for CON 1200V (Contract Pre-award) now even if you are already registered and will complete CON 1100/V before your planned start date of CON 1200V. Keep in mind that if the prerequisite is an online training (OLT) course managed via DAU’s Virtual Campus, Cornerstone on Demand, that OLT prerequisite must be completed before registration for the follow-on course.
You can find additional information on certification requirements and course prerequisites here!
NOTE: DAU is in the process of transitioning their name to Warfighter Acquisition University. Until the change is finalized, we are referring to them as DAU here.
Photo credit Microsoft 365 Stock Images.
CERTIFICATION COMPLIANCE REMINDER
All certification requirements remain in effect, and grace periods are actively expiring. Here’s what you need to know:
- Foundational/Professional Level Requirements: Grace periods have already begun and are continuing to expire.
- Advanced Level Requirements: Grace periods will start expiring in February 2026—just two months away!
- Practitioner Level Requirements: Grace periods will begin expiring in February 2027.
Act now! Register for your required courses through 4QFY26 today—do not wait! While there are sufficient slots available for all Army Acquisition Workforce personnel to meet their quota-based course requirements (in-person or virtual instructor-led training), procrastination could result in limited availability when you need them most. Certification is a condition of employment, and your career is in your hands! Remember to:
- Check your Individual Development Plan (IDP) in CAPPMIS and verify your grace period expiration date.
- Review the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) iCatalog or Certification Management System (CMS) Module in CAPPMIS:
- Confirm the current certification requirements for your position.
- Plan ahead: Register for your courses now to avoid delays and ensure compliance.
Questions? If you have any questions or require clarification, submit a WMI Help Ticket to https://apps.asc.army.mil/camp/index.cfm?fuseaction=splash.aup.
Photo: Learning Journey. During the Army Acquisition Transition Course and the Intermediate Qualification Course, Sgt. 1st Class Art Dominguez, Contracting (FA51C) Proponent Noncommissioned Officer with the Army DACM Office, discusses available broadening and education benefits such as DAWIA certification courses through WAU at The Army Acquisition School (TAAS) in Huntsville, Alabama on Sept. 16-17.
NOW OPEN: DEFENSE ACQUISITION UNIVERSITY SENIOR SERVICE COLLEGE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
The DAU-Senior Service College Fellowship (DAU-SSCF) application window is now open through Feb. 20, 2026.
The DAU-SSCF program is a 10-month educational senior leadership development opportunity sponsored by the Army DACM Office. The DAU-SSCF is the only civilian fellowship approved by the Army as a Military Education Level-1 (MEL-1) Senior Service College equivalent. Effective fiscal year 2023, MEL-1 is required before assumption of command for GS-15 centralized selection list (CSL) civilian project managers. This prestigious program will develop your leadership skills as you prepare for positions with higher levels of responsibility within the Army and the Department of War.
DAU-SSCF prepares you for senior leadership roles such as product director, project manager, program executive officer/capability portfolio executive, chief of staff, division chief, senior scientific technical manager, senior contracting official, and other acquisition key leadership positions.
Key program components include:
• DAU Program Manager’s Course, PMT 4010.
• Studies in resource requirements and acquisition integration.
• Studies in executive leadership.
• Research in acquisition issues and processes.
• Mentoring with government and industry senior leaders.
• Senior leadership speaker’s program.
• Installation and site visits.
• Capstone experience at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
Applications must be submitted through the Army Acquisition Professional Development System (AAPDS) housed within CAPPMIS. For detailed information on DAU-SSCF, full eligibility requirements, and application instructions, please visit the Army DACM DAU-SSCF webpage at https://asc.army.mil/web/career-development/programs/defense-acquisition-university-senior-service-college/
Learn more about the impact DAU-SSCF has on Army Acquisition professionals:
FY26 STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM – ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
Applications for the fiscal year 2026 Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) are being accepted through Dec. 19. Applications may be submitted within the Army Acquisition Professional Development System (AAPDS) tab of the Career Acquisition Personnel and Position Management Information System (CAPPMIS).
The SLRP is designed to repay up to $10,000 of federally insured student loans as a retention incentive for civilian Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW) employees with critical acquisition functional area skills. A three-year service agreement to remain within the AAW is required, if selected. For additional details about the program, eligibility, and how to apply, go to the SLRP webpage at https://asc.army.mil/web/career-development/programs/student-loan-repayment-program/.
“SLRP provides relief to my student loan financial debt. It lowers my debt-to-income ratio resulting in lower interest payments and my student loans being paid off faster.
Christa Radford, contract specialist with PEO Missiles and Space
Don’t limit yourself because of unknown outcomes. Never be afraid to ask questions. Treat every day like a new day and always remember to have fun and take pride in your work.”
Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) | Learn More
AWARDS
Congratulations to the winners of the 2025 Army Acquisition Hall of Fame!
The winners are:
Lt. Gen. William Campbell
Mr. Harry Hallock
Mr. Gary Martin
Mr. Barry Pike
Ms. Tracey Pinson
The program’s intent is to preserve the legacy of the Acquisition Community and inspire a sense of heritage, honor, and pride throughout the workforce. The Army Acquisition Hall of Fame recognizes former Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW) who served a minimum of 20 years in federal service and have been retired or separated from service at least one year. Nominees are selected based on their significant and enduring contributions to the Army acquisition community’s mission, both past and present. The Army Acquisition Hall of Fame recognizes and honors former members of the AAW who have made significant and enduring contributions in support of the Army Acquisition Community. Read more about these winners in the article “2025 Class of the Army Acquisition Hall of Fame announced”. For more information on the Army Acquisition Hall of Fame, go to https://asc.army.mil/web/hall-of-fame/.
CONTRACTING
OTHER TRANSACTION AUTHORITY CREDENTIAL
Questions about Other Transaction Authority (OTA)? Defense Acquisition University (DAU) offers a credential (CCON 023) that provides training to understand when an OTA is appropriate, how to best utilize the flexibilities afforded by Congress, how to structure an OTA based on the actual requirement, and how to mitigate risk.
The credential has training across both online training (OLT) and virtual instructor-led training (VILT) covering topics such as mandatory requirements, soliciting, negotiating, awarding, and administering OTAs. The credential also incorporates an interactive scenario integrating various stakeholder demands allowing teams to engage in practical simulations working through requirements from inception to award. In addition to certification courses, Mission Assistance (MA) is available!
DAU is mission-funded and can provide both virtual and in-person support via subject matter experts to address acquisition challenges. MA provides acquisition consulting, tailored training, and workshops for your teams to achieve desired acquisition outcomes further enhancing your OTA proficiency!
Enhance your proficiency in Other Transaction Authority (OTA)
REMINDERS
CONTINUOUS LEARNING REQUIREMENTS
Yes, continuous learning is about lifelong learning but as a member of the AAW, it is also about meeting your acquisition position’s requirement of attaining at least 80 Continuous Learning Points (CLPs) during every two-year cycle. The Army DACM Office encourages you to follow this FY25-FY26 CLP Glide Path that identifies recommended minimum point milestones by the end of each fiscal quarter. Continuous learning is a vital way to ensure you remain current in your primary functional area, cross-functional proficiencies, and leadership and management skills.
Recommended continuous learning training can be found in your respective functional area continuous learning memorandum:
• Program Management and OSD Memo
• Contracting
• Engineering and Technical Management and OSD Memo
• Business-Financial Management
• Business-Cost Estimating
• Test and Evaluation
• Life Cycle Logistics
Other creditable learning activities can include:
- Functional or professional training from accredited colleges and universities
- Informal learning on acquisition topics through workshops, videos, webinar events, reading, lunch –n- learns, symposiums, conferences
- Professional activities such as writing for publication, teaching, and professional exams
- Experiential learning such as on-the-job experiential assignments, rotational assignments, industry exchange, mentoring, coaching, leading integrated product teams or special projects related to your acquisition professional development
Recommended continuous learning point glidepath; the Army DACM recommends achieving 40 CLPs in the first year of the CLP cycle and earning the remaining 40 CLPs during the cycle’s second year.
Learn more about the importance of Continuous Learning:
SENIOR RATER POTENTIAL EVALUATION – DUE DATE IS JAN. 31
On November 18, 2025, the fiscal year (FY) 2025 Senior Rater Potential Evaluation (SRPE) was released and made available to Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW) members, raters, and senior raters within the SRPE Module located in CAPPMIS. Senior raters must complete the FY25 SRPE in CAPPMIS by January 31, 2026; no extensions will be provided. The SRPE is a tool to help civilian workforce employees identify their leadership strengths and weaknesses regarding a set of competencies required by professionals in leadership positions. If you have any questions, please contact the SPRE Program Manager via a Help Request, located in CAPPMIS. To learn more about the SRPE, visit https://asc.army.mil/web/senior-rater-potential-evaluation/.
NEW HIRES – TAKE THE AAW ONBOARDING COURSE
If you were recently hired into the Army Acquisition Workforce, you’ll want to sign up for the “Welcome to the Army Acquisition Workforce” course. This course should be completed within the first few months of joining the acquisition workforce as it offers a dynamic overview of:
The Army Acquisition Workforce.
- Training and certification standards.
- Tools and resources.
- Career models.
- Development and leadership opportunities.
- Staying connected.
To access and begin taking the course, navigate to the Army Training Information System (ATIS) Learning home page at https://learn.atis.army.mil/moodle. (Chrome or Edge browsers are recommended.)
- Login to EAMS-A-Single Sign-On (CAC login).
- Click the CATALOG tab.
- Locate the Welcome to the Army Acquisition Workforce course in the list of Published courses, or enter the course name in the Search field, and click the search icon.
- Select the Register & Launch button, which will take you directly where you can launch the Learning Assignment(s) required for the course.
There is a downloadable resources guide included with the course. You are highly encouraged to download and save a copy of this resources guide for your records. Once you have closed the course topic, your completion will show up on your ATIS LEARNING MY CERTIFICATES page.
SUBSCRIBE TO “BEHIND THE FRONTLINES” NEWS!
The new Behind The Frontlines (BTF) online news outlet focuses on all things Army acquisition. BTF delivers timely news on a rolling basis featuring content on Army acquisition processes, procedures, capabilities, services and equipment all tailored to support you, our Army Acquisition Workforce. Subscribe today!
