ARMY DACM OFFICE UPDATES
UPDATE ON THE AAW RECRUITMENT AND SUSTAINMENT CENTER OF EXCELLENCE
The transition to the Army Acquisition Workforce Recruitment and Sustainment Center of Excellence (AAW R&S CoE) is underway! The goal of the organization is to implement revolutionary change in the recruitment, hiring and sustainment of civilian AAW professionals. The transition of human resources activities to the center of excellence will occur in three phases in 2020. Phase 1 occurs from February to March 2020, affecting 33 commands. Phase 2 occurs from April to May 2020, affecting two commands. Finally, Phase 3 occurs from June to July 2020, affecting 11 commands. For more on the AAW R&S CoE, go to https://asc.army.mil/web/dacm-office/aawrs/.
ACQUISITION TRAINING, EDUCATION AND LEADER DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
FY20 PRODUCT DIRECTOR SELECTEES
Congratulations to the 15 selectees of the FY20 Product Director centralized selection board, which was held Oct. 29 – Nov. 1, 2019 at Fort Knox, Kentucky. This civilian-focused Army DACM Office program screened 60 Army acquisition professionals who competed for only 15 product director positions within the program executive offices (PEOs). The following individuals were selected and will begin their product director positions this summer:
- Craig Bergquist, Precision Strike Missiles, PEO Missiles and Space (M&S), Redstone, Alabama.
- Stephen Bielamowicz, Demolition and Counter Measures, Joint PEO Armaments and Ammunition (JPEO A&A), Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey.
- Kyle Bruner, Self-Propelled Howitzer Current Fleet, PEO Ground Combat Systems (GCS), Warren, Michigan.
- Jerry Harper, Joint Tactical Ground Station, PEO M&S.
- Patrick Layden, Aviation Ground Support Equipment, PEO Aviation, Redstone, Alabama.
- Diane McCarthy, Light Tactical Vehicle, PEO Combat Support and Combat Service Support, Warren, Michigan.
- Wade McCollin, Future Training Solutions, PEO Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (STRI), Orlando, Florida.
- David Millette, Combat Armaments and Protection Systems, JPEO A&A, Picatinny Arsenal.
- Michael Powell, Constructive Simulations Support, PEO STRI.
- Steven Rienstra, Stryker Production and Variant Management, PEO GCS.
- Gabriel Saliba, Logistics Modernization Program, PEO Enterprise Information Systems (EIS), Picatinny Arsenal.
- Christopher Upton, Acquisition, Logistics and Technology Enterprise Systems and Services, PEO EIS, Radford, Virginia.
- Michael Van Buskirk, Crew Served Weapons, PEO Soldier, Picatinny Arsenal.
- Timothy Vinson, Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wireless-Guided Missile; PEO M&S.
- Chad Young, General Fund Enterprise Business System – Development and Modernization, PEO EIS, Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
- *Heather Putman, PEO EIS – Deferred Principal (Senior Service College Fellow).
For more information, including a list of alternate selectees, go to https://asc.army.mil/web/news-army-acquisition-corps-fy20-product-director-centralized-selection-board-results/.
DEFENSE ACQUISITION UNIVERSITY SENIOR SERVICE COLLEGE FELLOWSHIP
The application cycle closes on March 25, 2020 for the Defense Acquisition University Senior Service College Fellowship, a nationally recognized Army-sponsored program designed to develop strong, effective senior leaders for the DOD acquisition community. This premier 10-month fellowship includes areas of study in executive leadership, research, program management, and national security. “As acquisition professionals, the knowledge we have gained as leaders will facilitate our ability to go forth and serve in positions of greater responsibility,” said Wade McCollin, program fellow and part of PEO Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors. “Additionally, we will carry forward a broader perspective, at the senior leadership level, on how we can make sure organizations are best postured to support the Army enterprise and strategic priorities over the next 10 to 15 years.” Classes will begin in July and end in May 2021. For more program details, go to https://asc.army.mil/web/career-development/programs/defense-acquisition-university-senior-service-college/.
DEFENSE CIVILIAN EMERGING LEADER PROGRAM (DCELP)
The Army DACM Office will accept applications for the 2021 DCELP from Feb. 3 through April 7, 2020. DCELP is the DOD leader development program for acquisition personnel at GS-07 through GS-12 (or equivalent payband). The program aims to help early and mid-career civilians develop a full range of competencies for leading themselves, teams and projects. It focuses on leadership assessment, team development, effective writing, and conflict resolution. Find out more about this exciting program at https://asc.army.mil/web/career-development/programs/dcelp/.
NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL: NEW OFFERING FOR NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS
The Army DACM Office is pleased to announce that noncommissioned officers (NCOs) in the ranks of staff sergeant through master sergeant are now eligible to participate in the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) 815 Curriculum through the Advanced Civil Schooling program.
The NPS 815 Curriculum is an interdisciplinary program geared toward earning an MBA with a focus on acquisition and contract management. The curriculum satisfies mandatory Defense Acquisition University (DAU) contracting courses required by the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA). By participating in the NPS 815 Curriculum program, high-performing NCOs can enhance both their careers and the Army acquisition profession.
The application period begins in July 2020 and ends in December 2020, and the DACM Office will send an email notice to the field once the application period opens. This 18-month program is expected to begin in June 2021 at NPS in Monterey, California. The DACM Office funds all course fees and textbooks. To learn more about eligibility and program information, go to the Advanced Civil Schooling webpage at https://asc.army.mil/web/career-development/programs/nco-advanced-civil-schooling/.
NPS SYSTEMS AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT (MSSPM) NON-RESIDENT MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAM
The NPS-MSSPM Non-Resident Master’s Degree Program application window is open from Feb. 11 through April 16, 2020. The program gives participants the opportunity to obtain a master of science degree in systems and program management and a certificate in systems engineering in under two years, all the while earning DAWIA training equivalencies in various acquisition career fields outlined in the current announcement. This tailored program provides an excellent blend of business classes focused on program management with an emphasis on systems engineering management. The interdisciplinary program combines systems engineering with program management knowledge and skills, and is intended to broaden the technical capabilities of the acquisition workforce so they are able to successfully manage and lead programs and projects in support of the Defense Acquisition System.
Students in this program learn the systems engineering process from establishing system requirements through test and evaluation. They also learn how to manage, schedule and budget programs and work with DOD suppliers through contracts to meet program obligations. Students take two distance learning courses per quarter for eight consecutive quarters. This program is designed for civilian acquisition professionals in GS-11 through GS-15 (or payband equivalent) positions. The Army DACM Office sponsors this program and will fund the cost of books and tuition. More details can be found at https://asc.army.mil/web/career-development/programs/naval-postgraduate-school-master-of-science-in-systems-and-program-management/.
NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL (NPS) SYSTEMS ENGINEERING NON-RESIDENT MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAM (MSSE) WITH A SYSTEM OF SYSTEMS FOCUS
The NPS-MSSE Non-Resident Master’s Degree Program application window is open from February 11 – April 16, 2020. The NPS-MSSE gives participants the opportunity to obtain an MS in a highly technical systems engineering within two years, on a part-time basis. Students take two distance learning courses per quarter for eight consecutive quarters. This program is designed for civilian acquisition professionals in GS-11 through GS-15 (or payband equivalent) positions. The Army DACM Office sponsors this program, and will fund the cost of books and tuition. More details can be found at https://asc.army.mil/web/career-development/programs/naval-postgrad-ms-sys-eng/.
SENIOR ENTERPRISE TALENT MANAGEMENT (SETM) AND ENTERPRISE TALENT MANAGEMENT (ETM)
The SETM and ETM programs are now open! The SETM and ETM are Army talent management programs designed to produce senior civilian leaders with an enterprise perspective and the potential to serve in positions of increasing levels of responsibility. These dynamic programs are developed under the Civilian Workforce Transformation initiative and are administered by the Civilian Senior Leader Management Office within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. A variety of leadership opportunities are available for eligible candidates at GS-12 through GS-15 (or payband equivalent) candidates. This year’s SETM and ETM application cycle is March 1 – May 15. For more details, go to https://asc.army.mil/web/career-development/programs/senior-service-college-program/.
POLICY
Attention Army acquisition officers and contracting NCOs: The Army DACM recently signed a memorandum titled “Removal of 24 Months of Experience Requirement for the Army Intermediate Contracting Course.” Effective Feb. 10, 2020, all Functional Area (FA) 51 officers and 51C NCOs are no longer required to have 24 months of operational contracting experience, nor are they required to obtain a waiver for this experience in order to attend the Army Intermediate Contracting Course (AICC). Before attending AICC, however, FA 51 officers and 51C NCOs are required to have their DAWIA Level I certification in contracting. The complete memo, which also addresses the training requirements for newly assessed FA 51 officers who have been accepted into the Advanced Civil Schooling Program, can be found at https://asc.army.mil/web/24-month-aicc-policy/.
NEW MEMORANDUM ON THE DEFENSE ACQUISITION UNIVERSITY SENIOR SERVICE COLLEGE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM:
Effective Feb. 25, 2020, the Army Director, Acquisition Career Management signed a memorandum titled “Department of the Army Defense Acquisition University Senior Service College Fellowship Program (DAU-SSCF) Policy and Procedures”. The memo outlines policy on application, selection and assignment procedures, eligibility criteria, funding, and other participant obligations. The memo can be viewed at https://asc.army.mil/web/sscf-policy/.
DAU NEWS
NEW DAU TRAINING COURSE: FAC 070 GSA ALLIANT 2 GWAC
A new continuous learning module is now available from Defense Acquisition University. The one-hour online course—FAC 070 GSA Alliant 2 GWAC—focuses on the next-generation Government-Wide Acquisition Contract vehicle known as Alliant 2. This federal acquisition contracting course offers comprehensive information technology solutions through customizable hardware, software, and services solutions purchased as a total package. This new course builds on the success of Alliant and creates contract vehicles that provide a total solution to agency requirements while maximizing opportunities for small businesses. In this course, participants will learn about the Alliant 2 offered through the General Services Administration. For more details, go to https://icatalog.dau.edu/onlinecatalog/courses.aspx?crs_id=12334.
FOUR COURSES RETIRING IN FY21
Effective Oct. 1, 2020, the following DAU courses will no longer be available:
- ACQ 450: Leading in the Acquisition Environment.
- ACQ 451: Integrated Acquisition for Decision Makers.
- ACQ 452: Forging Stakeholder Relationships.
- ACQ 453: Leader as Coach.
To browse the DAU online catalog, go to https://icatalog.dau.edu/onlinecatalog/tabnav.aspx.
SOCOM GHOST PROGRAM
The application window is continuously open for the FY20 U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) Ghost Program. This is a unique, broadening opportunity for junior Army acquisition professionals to directly support the mission of delivering special operations capabilities to downrange warfighters. SOCOM is primarily looking for high-performing FA 51 acquisition captains and majors (O-3 or O-4) with two to four years of acquisition experience. To apply, or if you have any questions, send an email to ghost-recruiting@socom.mil.
HIGHLIGHTING THE ACQUISITION WORKFORCE
If you or someone you know is doing great things in the acquisition workforce, let us help you get the word out! There are two different options of highlighting our outstanding acquisition professionals. Through Spotlight on Success, the Army DACM Office focuses on leadership development opportunities and recent graduates who are using their training to launch themselves to success. Faces of the Force profiles, posted in Army AL&T News, feature noteworthy accomplishments and important work being done across the Army Acquisition Workforce. To nominate a candidate for a potential profile, complete the form at https://asc.army.mil/web/publications/army-alt-submissions/ and submit it to our editors.
Subscribe to Army AL&T News – the premier online news source for the Army Acquisition Workforce. 
Subscribe
