BACK-TO-BASICS UPDATE: WHAT TO EXPECT, AND WHEN
The Army Director, Acquisition Career Management (DACM) Office is delaying implementation of the new DAWIA certification framework, often referred to as “Back-to-Basics” by two weeks. New implementation date is Feb. 15, 2022. Army Acquisition Workforce members will see updated information in CAPPMIS on Feb. 22 at 9a.m. EST.
The Army Acquisition Workforce is made up of approximately 43,000 civilian and military personnel. Given the scope of the impact of Back-to-Basics on the workforce, specifically with regard to updating data, the Army DACM Office requires additional time to ensure all workforce professionals have a smooth and accurate transition.
While this is a brief delay, all of the changes the Army DACM Office has communicated to the workforce over the last month remain and will be implemented on Feb. 15. Army Acquisition Workforce members will now have until Feb. 14, 11:59p.m. EST to submit an application for certification under the FY21 standards.
As always, your best resource for Back-to-Basics information is our DACM Office Back-to-Basics webpage. The DAU Back-to-Basics webpage also has a wealth of information, including a Certification Eligibility Tool and links for training by Functional Area.
UPDATE EMAIL ADDRESS IN CAPPMIS
If you have transitioned your email to @army.mil, please ensure your email address is also updated in CAPPMIS. To do this, log-in to the Career Acquisition Management Portal (https://apps.asc.army.mil/camp/apps/camp/modules/portal/index.cfm). On the right-hand side under “Technical Support” there is a link to “Change Email Address”. This will ensure you receive communications from the Army DACM Office in a timely manner.
CAREER MANAGEMENT – TWO IMPORTANT REMINDERS
FY22 DAU COURSE SCHEDULE
DAU’s FY22 course schedule is now available and open for registration; check out the DAU online catalog at http://icatalog.dau.edu/. For recommended courses and resources specific to your job, visit the DAU Back-to-Basics webpage at: https://www.dau.edu/back-to-basics. The Army Internet Training Application System (AITAS) portal can be accessed at: atrrs.army.mil/aitas. To read more about the Back-to-Basics acquisition workforce initiative, visit our Back-to-Basics page at: https://asc.army.mil/web/dacm-office/back-to-basics/.
ACQUISITION EDUCATION, TRAINING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
VIRTUAL ACQUISITION LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE PROGRAM (ALCP)
The Leadership Foundry offers a deeply impactful leadership development seminar series called the Acquisition Leadership Challenge Program (ALCP) at four different levels of an organization. All seminars are a teambuilding and practical guide to assist overall Leadership and Diversity development in organizations. ALCP harnesses self-awareness as the tool for enhancing leadership, innovation and diversity development by demonstrating how individual preferences and behaviors affect the ways we interact with co-workers and are viewed by others. Program offerings help participants understand how accepting individual differences can produce a stronger group and a capable, collaborative and creative leadership corps. The 3rd Quarter application window opened on Feb. 1 and closes on Feb. 28. Eligible applicants are civilian/military Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW) professionals (to include Science and Technology Reinvention Laboratories (STRLs) term employees).
The DACM Office offers four different levels of virtual ALCP seminars as follows:
- Acquisition Leadership Challenge Program B (Beginnings)
Target Grades: civilian AAW members GS 7-11 or broadband equivalent
- Acquisition Leadership Challenge Program I
Target Grades: civilian AAW members GS-12/13 or broadband equivalent; military AAW Captains and Majors; Staff Sergeants and Sergeants First Class
- Acquisition Leadership Challenge Program II
Target Grades: civilian AAW members GS-14/15 or broadband equivalent; military AAW Lieutenant Colonels and Colonels; Master Sergeants and First Sergeants
- Acquisition Leadership Challenge Program III
Target Grades: civilian AAW members GS-14/15 or broadband equivalent and Senior Executive Service Acquisition Professionals; military AAW Lieutenant Colonels, Colonels and General Officers; Master Sergeants, First Sergeants, Sergeants Major and Command Sergeants Major
For more information and how to apply, visit https://asc.army.mil/web/career-development/programs/acquisition-leadership-challenge-program/.
CLOSING SOON – SETM GRADUATE PLACEMENT PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT
Intentional post utilization of our high potential acquisition civilian professionals is imperative to ensure growth and development toward senior leadership. Post utilization assignments are currently being sought for Academic Year 2022 Senior Enterprise Talent Management (SETM) graduates (GS-14/15 and equivalent) who have elected to participate in the graduate placement program (GPP). GPP is a bid placement program, administered by the Civilian Senior Leader Management Office, Deputy Under Secretary of the Army, to assign elected SETM graduates into strategic positions of greater responsibility. The GPP bid process is open now and closes Feb. 11. If you have a potential Army civilian post utilization opportunity at the GS-14/15 or equivalent level, please contact your Command’s SETM Human Resource representative to discuss the GPP bid process. The U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center point of contact is Maggie Sizer at maggie.c.sizer.civ@army.mil.
STILL TIME TO APPLY – ARMY ACQUISITION TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Applications are being accepted until Feb. 26. ATAP provides tuition assistance to eligible AAW civilians and military occupational specialty 51 Contracting (51C) noncommissioned officers (NCOs). This opportunity is perfect for taking acquisition- or business-related courses in a declared major toward either a bachelor’s or master’s degree at an accredited college or university of your choice during off-duty time. It is highly recommended that you print out a copy of the ATAP announcement (refer to the PDF titled “ATAP Announcement”) found on the ATAP web page, read it thoroughly, and have it available as you prepare your application. For more details and how to apply: https://asc.army.mil/web/career-development/programs/acquisition-tuition-assistance-program/.
WHAT’S NEW?
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT – UPDATE ON DAWIA CERTIFICATION EXAM TIMELINE
If your functional area is Program Management (PM) and your position requires DAWIA certification, please note that due to unforeseen development delays, the exam certification requirement for the Practitioner and Advanced levels of PM certification is deferred to Oct.1, 2022. As of Oct.1, AAW members applying for PM certification will be required to meet the exam requirement to be certified by component certification authorities.
PROPONENCY CORNER
FY23 DEVELOPMENTAL OPPORTUNITY FOR 51C NONCOMMISSIONED SOLDIER
Heads-up! Eligible NCOs, SSG through SFC will have an opportunity to apply and interview for a 36-month Temporary Duty Assignment (TDA) as a primary Contract Administrator at Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) in Sterling Heights, MI. This DCMA assignment is targeted to begin in the summer cycle of 2023. The 51C NCO will gain a multi-functional contract administration experience in Contracting, Property Management, and Quality Assurance on Major Weapon Systems Programs and Force Sustainment Equipment contracts. The selectee will regularly engage with multiple contractors and stakeholders in a joint environment, to include all military services and Defense Logistics Agency.
Duties and Responsibilities will encompass contract administration, contractor surveillance functions (to include quality assurance, product & service delivery requirements, and program support), and property management. The selectee will be expected to demonstrate capability and competency to a warrant board in order to serve as a warranted administrative contracting officer (ACO). The selectee should be comfortable with making recommendations to Commanders and other stakeholder leaders. A strong history of leading teams and serving as the “face” to the customer is highly desired. At the time of application, individuals must be certified in Contracting, specifics outlined below. Eligible candidates must have a minimum of six (6) years of acquisition experience (51C coded) and no more than 18 years of total active service at report date in the summer cycle of 2023.
Please send any questions regarding this opportunity to SFC William A. Phipps at william.a.phipps.mil@army.mil.
Certification Requirements:
Current DAWIA Framework
– Level II Certified – Contracting
*Please note that as of Feb. 15, 2022, the new DAWIA certification requirements will be:
– DOD Contracting Professional
*The DOD Back-to-Basics initiative will be fully implemented on Feb. 15, 2022. For more information about upcoming changes to DAWIA certification as a result of this initiative, please visit https://asc.army.mil/web/dacm-office/back-to-basics/.
ARMY ACQUISITION OFFICERS – FY23 ADVANCED CIVIL SCHOOLING APPLICATION TIMELINE
Attention Active Duty Army Acquisition Officers: Did you know that the Advanced Civil Schooling (ACS) program allows Army officers a chance to pursue advanced degrees in STEM, acquisition, or business-related disciplines at civilian universities on a full-time, fully funded basis?
The winter moving cycle is now open through Feb. 25, 2022, with a program start window of October 2022 through March 2023. Reach out to your career manager at HRC for best timing to apply. This is a great chance to enhance your acquisition experience and skills through top tier university programs. Visit the ACS webpage to learn more about the application process and eligibility at https://asc.army.mil/web/career-development/programs/advanced-civil-schooling/.
FACES OF THE FORCE: SPOTLIGHT ON SUCCESS CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
We’re looking for a few good workforce members to highlight in our Faces of the Force column, and we need YOUR help—submit your nominations today! Do you know someone in your organization that excels at their job? Or maybe you know someone that has great insight and accomplishments to share—they would be a perfect fit for Faces of the Force.
Faces of the Force is a short column that is featured in Army AL&T magazine and Army AL&T News (online) to showcase the professionalism and accomplishments of the workforce, as well as the range of career opportunities in Army acquisition. Our Spotlight on Success feature highlights those workforce members who recently completed a training or education program offered through the DACM Office.
We’re always looking for submissions and want to hear from you! To submit, fill out the nomination form and submit at https://asc.army.mil/web/publications/army-alt-submissions/. NOTE: Nominees must be current on all DAWIA certifications and requirements or within the allotted grace period.
