OPPORTUNITIES
CFT 4200 “ADVANCED ACQUISITION STRATEGIES – CROSS FUNCTIONAL TEAMING FOR ACQUISITION SUCCESS”
Designed for senior-level acquisition GS-14, GS-15, O-5, O-6, NH-04 (and equivalent) professionals, CFT 4200 focuses on cross-functional strategies and accelerating acquisition outcomes. Gain the skills to drive mission-focused, cross-functional collaboration across requirements, acquisition and programming. Learn to break down silos, embed expertise early and accelerate delivery through integrated pathways.
Benefits:
• Enhance organization’s long-term teaming success
• Maintain stability in the face of routine disruptions
• Optimize team performance on complex program
• Apply innovative methods that benefit ongoing work
• Break down functional silos and make best possible decisions
• Earn 40 continuous learning points
Key Dates:
• Online Open House event on Jan. 26 at 12:00 p.m., Eastern Time.
• Applications accepted through Jan. 30
• Participants notified no later than Feb. 13
• Virtual kick-off: Mar. 6
• Course dates: Mar. 9 – 13
CFT 4200 will be held in residence at Ft. Belvoir, Va.
Applicants must be certified in the highest level of their acquisition functional area. Questions should be sent by email to ARC26@dau.edu. For details and how to apply, https://www.dau.edu/page/cft-4200-advanced-acquisition-strategies-cross-functional-teaming-acquisition-success.
TAKE A “LEAD” ROLE IN YOUR CAREER WITH THE LEAD PROGRAM
Take a lead role in your career with the Leadership Excellence and Acquisition Development (LEAD) program. LEAD is accepting applications now through Feb. 12. High-performing GS-12/13 or payband equivalent civilian acquisition workforce member looking for a leadership development opportunity are encouraged to apply. LEAD is a 12-month program designed to develop future Army acquisition program managers. The program offers participants expanded training through a series of education, leader development and broadening assignments. Developmental assignments begin in August.
NEW COURSES – DEFENSE ACQUISITION UNIVERSITY DEPLOYS SECOND DIGITAL LITERACY TRAINING TRACK
Section 835 of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY23 directed the Defense Acquisition University (DAU), to supplement existing training related to software acquisitions and cybersecurity software/hardware acquisitions to increase digital literacy related to such acquisitions. The second of three training tracks in support of these requirements recently deployed. The Digital Literacy Applied Technology Training curriculum is a 4-course series.
The 2nd training track’s digital literacy courses are:
• ETM 3210 Applied Information Technology Systems
• ETM 3220 Applied Cybersecurity
• ETM 3230 Applied Machine Learning and Data Analytics
• ETM 3240 Applications of Emerging Technology
ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS TO THE DAU-SENIOR SERVICE COLLEGE FELLOWSHIP
Attention civilian GS-14/15 or broadband equivalent Department of the Army employees with “Permanent-Career Appointment” status! The Defense Acquisition University Senior Service College Fellowship (DAU-SSCF) program is still accepting applications. The application window closes on Feb. 20.
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.
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/.
Explore DAU-SSCF
COMING SOON – ENTERPRISE CIVILIAN TALENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Administered by the Civilian Human Resources Agency (CHRA) Army Civilian Career Management Activity (ACCMA), the Enterprise Civilian Talent Development Programs (ECTDP) are a series of Army civilian talent management modules created to produce senior civilian leaders with an enterprise perspective who could serve in increasing levels of responsibility. These entry, mid, and senior-level programs consist of multiple modules and leadership development courses. Applicants may apply for one or more modules and/or courses for which they are qualified. Eligible applicants are Army civilians GS-07 through GS-15 (and equivalent paybands) employees and eligibility varies by module.
ECTDP offerings:
• White House Leadership Development Program (WHLDP)
• Defense Senior Leader Development Program (DSLDP)
• Senior Service College (SSC)
• Harvard Senior Executive Fellows (SEF)
• Senior Manager’s Course in National Security Leadership (SMC)
• Defense Civilian Emerging Leader Program (DCELP)
• Command and General Staff Officer Course (CGSOC)
• Executive Leader Development Program (ELDP)
Bear in mind that applications submitted in the application portal will generate an email to the first-line supervisor and first General/Flag Officer or SES in the chain of command for endorsements. Applicant and Rater/Endorser must submit complete applications April 30, 2025.
The application window will be open Mar. 1 through Apr. 30.
Explore ECTDP
ACQUISITION OFFICERS
UPDATE ON INTERMEDIATE LEVEL EDUCATION FOR ACQUISITION OFFICERS
Plan out your professional development and education!
If you’re an Acquisition officer interested in a professional development opportunity, there are several avenues for Intermediate Level Education (ILE) completion:
• Self-paced distance learning.
• Full-time Naval Postgraduate School programs via Advanced Civil Schooling.
• Full-time in-person resident program at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas.
As of June 2025, the Satellite ILE program is no longer available. Distance learning is now the primary path for Acquisition officers to complete their Intermediate Level Education. Completing the distance learning version will not prejudice officers for future promotion and Centralized Selection List boards. You are encouraged to actively engage with your Talent Manager and direct supervisor. For more information about Army Acquisition Officer career planning, visit https://asc.army.mil/web/career-development/military-officer/career-planning/.
Learn More about Army Acquisition Officer Career Planning
NEW CREDENTIAL
ETM PROFESSIONALS – NEW CREDENTIAL
A new defense acquisition credential is available to Engineering and Technical Management (ETM) professionals: CENG 026 Quality Surveillance
The CENG 026 Quality Surveillance credential provides knowledge and skills to apply quality surveillance principles in real-world acquisition environments. Through scenario-based learning and practical application, students will learn how to:
• Interpret and apply DOD, FAR, and DFARS policy to quality surveillance activities.
• Identify, assess, and manage quality risks across the acquisition lifecycle.
• Analyze contractor performance data to inform risk-based surveillance decisions.
• Collaborate with multi-functional teams to ensure contract compliance and mission success.
• Translate policy into effective practices that safeguard quality outcomes for the warfighter.
This credential is designed for acquisition professionals seeking to strengthen their ability to evaluate quality requirements, conduct surveillance activities, and make informed decisions that directly support program outcomes and readiness.
Explore CENG 026 Quality Surveillance
POLICY LIBRARY
EXTENSIONS TO CERTIFICATION GRACE PERIOD AND FIVE PRORATED CONTINUOUS LEARNING POINTS
As a result of the 43-day lapse of federal appropriations, a recently signed Army Director, Acquisition Career Management (DACM) Memorandum for Record (MFR) extends the certification grace period by 90 days for Army acquisition professionals whose certification was due during the first quarter of fiscal year 2026. Additionally, the memo prorates five Continuous Learning Points (CLPs) to all members of the Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW).
The Army DACM Office updated the Career Acquisition Personnel and Position Management Information System (CAPPMIS) records of those whose certification due dates occurred during the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, specifically, Oct. 1 – Dec. 31, 2025. This MFR supports guidance from a Human Capital Initiatives (HCI) memorandum signed by Ms. Elizabeth Bryant, Director, HCI on Oct. 28.
Army acquisition professionals are expected to meet their Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) statutory requirements, which include but are not limited to achieving certification, updating their individual development plan, attaining 80 CLPs every two years, completing a Senior Rater Potential Evaluation and completing the annual acquisition ethics training requirement. These standards are outlined in the fiscal year 2025 AAW Standards memo here.
REMINDERS
SRPE REMINDER – SENIOR RATER DUE DATE IS JAN. 31
The fiscal year (FY) 2025 Senior Rater Potential Evaluation (SRPE) is 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 Jan. 31; 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.
Learn More about the SRPE
NEW HIRES
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.
