June 2019 Hot Topics

DACM Hot Topics

HOT TOPICS

 

Army DACM Office Updates:

RECOGNIZING EXCELLENCE

Now’s your chance to recognize Army acquisition excellence with the 2019 Defense Acquisition Workforce Awards. Considered DOD’s most prestigious acquisition awards, the group includes:

  • David Packard Excellence in Acquisition Award.
  • Defense Acquisition Workforce Individual Achievement Award.
  • Defense Acquisition Workforce Development Innovation Award.
  • Flexibility in Contracting Award.

All Army submissions must be made through the Army Director, Acquisition Career Management (DACM) Office no later than June 14. For complete details, visit the awards page at https://asc.army.mil/web/acquisition-awards/.

SELECTIONS MADE FOR THE 2019-2020 DAU-SSCF COHORT

Congratulations to the 26 recently selected participants in the 2019-2020 cohort of the Defense Acquisition University Senior Service College Fellowship (DAU-SSCF), a 10-month training and education program designed to prepare senior-level civilians for key acquisition and leadership roles, including product and project manager and program executive officer. Currently, there are four participating DAU-SSCF locations:

  • Huntsville, Alabama.
  • Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.
  • Warren, Michigan.
  • Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey.

All graduates receive equivalency for the Program Managers Course PMT 401, and have the option to obtain a master’s degree. More details about the program can be found at https://asc.army.mil/web/career-development/programs/defense-acquisition-university-senior-service-college/

The 2019-2020 DAU-SSCF selectees are:

  • Michael Acriche, Program Executive Office (PEO) for Command, Control and Communications – Tactical (C3T)
  • Craig Bergquist, PEO Missiles and Space
  • Joseph Brescia, U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) Armaments Center
  • Phillip Burton, U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command
  • Eugene Conner, Joint PEO Armaments and Ammunition (JPEO A&A)
  • Walter Flood III, U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command
  • Jeffrey Frye, CCDC
  • Misty Glover, PEO Missiles and Space
  • John Holdcraft Jr., PEO Aviation
  • Erik Kallio, CCDC Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC)
  • Paul Lupo, U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM)
  • Jose Diego Maldonado, Property and Fiscal Office Activity, New Jersey Army National Guard
  • Reinaldo Martinez, JPEO A&A
  • Wade McCollin, PEO Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors (IEW&S)
  • Jason Middleton, CCDC GVSC
  • Elizabeth Miller, PEO Ground Combat Systems
  • Scott Newman, CCDC C5ISR Center
  • Gary Owen, PEO IEW&S
  • Don Palathinkal, CCDC Armaments Center
  • Robert Perry, U.S. Army Contracting Command – Aberdeen Proving Ground
  • Brent Smith, PEO C3T
  • Jeannie Sommer, AMCOM
  • Kadee Waterbury, DAU
  • George Wiggs, AMCOM
  • Kenny Wong, U.S. Army Contracting Command – Warren
  • Matthew Zimmerman, JPEO A&A

NAVAL POSTGRAUDATE SCHOOL WELCOMES NEW COHORTS OF ARMY ACQUISITION PROFESSIONALS

Twenty-five acquisition professionals were recently selected for the 2020-2021 Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) Master’s Degree Programs – 17 in the Systems and Program Management degree program and 8 in the Systems Engineer degree program. NPS provides an opportunity for students (GS-11 – GS-15 or broadband equivalent) to earn a master’s degree on a part-time basis within two years through distance learning. The Army DACM Office sponsors the program and funds the costs of books and tuition. The 2020-2021 inductees are:

NPS Masters of Systems Engineering cohort:

  • WINSTON REECE ARNOLD, ATEC
  • THOMAS M HUGHES, AFC
  • RICHARD C MCCANN, AFC
  • RYANE MARIA PAPPA, AFC
  • JEFFREY PATEL, AFC
  • COLE RICE, AFC
  • SAVANNA L SHILT, CECOM
  • SHEREE T YORK AMCOM

NPS Masters of Systems and Program Management cohort:

  • LISA M BELLAMY, PEO C3T
  • MICHAEL A BENNETT, PEO Soldier
  • MATTHEW C EBNER, ACC
  • TIFFANIE R HERNANDEZ, ACC
  • JUSTIN ADAM KALOUSDIAN, ACC
  • KEVIN JOSEPH LENNAN, PEO EIS
  • CARELYN E MARTINEZ, AFC
  • DAVID G MARTINEZ, USARPAC
  • MARILYN A MITCHELL, PEO EIS
  • RAVEN ANNYCE NALL, ACC
  • NICOLE MARIE OLBRICHT, AFC
  • MICHELE L RICHARDSON, AFC
  • MICHCELL L SHOULTZ, CECOM
  • PRIYA DESAI STILLER, USACE
  • KYLE ANTHONY SZWARC, ACC
  • SANDRA M TEAL, ACC
  • BENJAMIN D WIMBERLY, AFC

ARE YOU NEW TO THE ARMY ACQUISITION WORKFORCE (AAW)?

Check out our newly published AAW Quick Reference Guide at https://asc.army.mil/web/career-development/civilian/career-planning-steps/ !

The Quick Reference Guide provides helpful tips to AAW professionals on basic acquisition career hallmarks, such as:

  • Getting certified for your current position.
  • Creating an individual development plan.
  • Applying for Acquisition Corps membership.
  • Requesting Continuous Learning Points.
  • Understanding the civilian Senior Rater Potential Evaluation.
  • Determining if your position is a Critical Acquisition Position.
  • Identifying POCs and other resources for assistance.

ACQUISITION TRAINING, EDUCATION AND LEADER DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES:
Interested in a key leadership position as a project manager or acquisition director?

Now’s the time to apply for the FY21 Amy Acquisition Centralized Selection List. Applications are being accepted through June 10, and eligible applicants should be civilian Acquisition Corps members eligible for promotion or re-promotion to GS-15 (or broadband equivalent converted grade); or DOD employees who are Acquisition Corps members interested in a lateral move to GS-15 or a change to lower grade from an equivalent broadband converted grade or Senior Executive Service. Applicants also must be Level III certified in program management and/or contracting at the time of application. The application process can be completed online in CAPPMIS at https://apps.asc.army.mil/camp/. Look for the green tab labeled “AAPDS.” Go to the Army DACM Office website at https://asc.army.mil/web/centralized-selection-list/ for specific program details.

How about a critical leadership position as a project director?

Apply for the civilian-only FY21 Army Acquisition Corps Project Director Centralized Selection Board. Applications are being accepted through June 24. To be eligible, applicants should be Army Acquisition Corps members, GS-15 or broadband equivalent, and Level III certified in program management at the time of application. The application process is completed online in CAPPMIS at https://apps.asc.army.mil/camp/. Look for the green tab labeled “AAPDS.” Go to the Army DACM Office website at https://asc.army.mil/web/career-development/prod for specific program details.

ORGANIZE YOUR PROGRAM WITH THE LATEST DEFENSE ACQUISITION LIFE CYCLE WALL CHART

Now available in both an interactive and a pdf format, the latest defense acquisition life cycle wall chart can be accessed with an easy-to-use tool from DAU’s tool catalog at https://www.dau.mil/tools/t/Department-of-Defense-Acquisition-Life-Cycle-Chart. The chart illustrates decision points, milestones, and phases that are standard elements of the Defense Acquisition System. The interactive chart and a short instructional video can be found at https://www.dau.mil/tools/t/ILC .

DAU HAS GONE MOBILE

Accessing acquisition resources has never been more convenient, thanks to DAU’s new mobile app. You can find it in the Apple App Store or on Google Play, or at https://www.dau.mil/online-resources/p/Mobile-App. Here’s just some of what it offers:

  • Acquisition news feeds and events.
  • Functional gateways.
  • Acquisition resources.
  • Campus maps and driving and walking directions to buildings and classrooms.
  • Augmented reality module that provides live campus walking directions.
  • Online training catalog.
  • Your DAU schedule, transcripts and certificates of completion.

LOOKING TO TAKE DAU TRAINING?

Now is a good time to sign up for DAU online or instructor-led courses for FY20. During this time of year, there are plenty of offerings and quotas available in the upcoming courses. Classes and schedules can be viewed through DAU’s online catalog at http://icatalog.dau.mil/. Keep in mind that Army acquisition professionals should apply via the Army DACM’s training portal at https://www.atrrs.army.mil/channels/aitas/.

THE ARMY GHOST PROGRAM IS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS

The application widow is open for the FY20 U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Ghost Program. This is a unique, broadening opportunity for junior Army acquisition professionals to directly support the mission of delivering Special Operations Forces (SOF) capabilities to downrange warfighters. During this 90-day TDY rotation at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, “ghosts” are immersed in a fast-paced, highly rewarding joint environment and will lead a 90-day sprint to meet the demanding needs of our SOF operators. The lessons they’ll learn will increase their knowledge of rapid acquisitions and prepare them to assume future responsibilities as program managers or contracting officers in any organization. USSOCOM is primarily looking for high-performing acquisition captains and majors (O-3 or O-4) with two to four years of acquisition experience. The program is continuously accepting nominations and has flexible start dates throughout each quarter. The program is funded by the Defense Acquisition Workforce Development Fund and is offered at no cost the applicant’s command. To apply, or if you have any questions, send an email to ghost-recruiting@socom.mil.

FACES of the FORCE: HIGHLIGHTING ARMY ACQUISITION PROFESSIONALS

This month, we are spotlighting the work of the Army Acquisition Workforce—your chance to highlight the interesting work you or your teammates are doing in support of the warfighter. Don’t be shy; tell us what you’re working on. Fill out a Faces of the Force nomination form and we’ll help get the word out. Details are at https://asc.army.mil/web/publications/army-alt-submissions/.

STAY CONNECTED:

The Army AL&T magazine is a tool for YOU. This journal is designed to provide the AAW community with in-depth, analytically focused articles on a range of topics, including AL&T processes, procedures, techniques and management philosophies. Subscribe today: https://asc.army.mil/web/publications/army-alt-magazine/.