CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
CONTRACTING-SPECIFIC ‒ ARMY ACQUISITION EXECUTIVE (AAE) AWARDS
The submission deadline for contracting-specific AAE Awards has been extended to Oct. 14.
The 2022 Army Acquisition Executive (AAE) Excellence in Leadership Awards now include six new awards that recognize exemplary efforts toward contracting excellence and the professionalism of civilian and military organizations and individuals:
- Contracting Unit/Team of the Year
- Contracting Professional of the Year
- Barbara C. Heald Deployed Civilian of the Year
- Construction Services Professional of the Year
- Grants, Cooperative Agreements and Other Transaction Authority Professional of the Year
- Innovation in Contracting Strategies Individual or Organization
Previously part of the Secretary of the Army Excellence in Contracting Awards Program, the inclusion of these awards will consolidate the two awards programs into a single event to honor the total Army acquisition community. These awards recognize the past performance of an individual or team that has clearly demonstrated exceptional mission accomplishment, selfless service to the United States, extraordinary and uncompromising professionalism, and true commitment to the personal and professional growth of others. Nominations for these six contracting awards are due Oct. 14.
For more information, go to https://asc.army.mil/web/aae-awards.
ACQUISITION EDUCATION, TRAINING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
OPENING SOON – DAU SENIOR SERVICE COLLEGE FELLOWSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT
The DACM Office will be accepting applications for the Defense Acquisition University Senior Service College Fellowship (DAU-SSCF) program from Nov. 1 through Jan. 20. The DAU-SSCF program is a 10-month educational senior leadership development opportunity sponsored by the DACM Office. DAU-SSCF is conducted under the auspices of DAU through the Huntsville, Alabama; Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey; and virtual seminars. The virtual seminar is an excellent SSC or SSCF option for any interested and eligible acquisition workforce member located outside of Huntsville and Picatinny. The purpose of DAU-SSCF is to provide leadership and acquisition training to prepare senior-level civilians for leadership roles such as product and project manager, program executive officer, and other key acquisition leadership positions including contracting. On March 28, 2013, the Army approved the DAU-SSCF program as Military Education Level-1 (MEL-1) Senior Service College equivalent. DAU-SSCF is the only civilian fellowship approved by the Army. To learn more, go to https://asc.army.mil/web/career-development/programs/defense-acquisition-university-senior-service-college.
PAID INTERNSHIPS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS
Do you know a college sophomore or junior? We have a valuable internship opportunity they won’t want to miss! The DACM Office partners with the DAU Office of Human Capital Initiatives (HCI) to offer the DOD College Acquisition Internship Program (DCAIP), which is accepting applications through Oct. 12. DCAIP is a paid 12-week internship that exposes students to DOD acquisition workforce career opportunities. The program targets full-time second- and third-year students currently enrolled in an undergraduate program at an accredited college or university. Selected students will work full time over 12 weeks between May and August 2023. There may be opportunities to return during the summer of 2024, determined by DOD component need and student eligibility. After college graduation, the student may be eligible for conversion to a permanent position within the acquisition workforce.
Students with any degree discipline may apply—those with a STEM or a “digitally focused” degree (i.e., software, AI, computer science, IT, etc.) are encouraged. Applicants should apply early as the window for applications closes Oct. 12 or sooner if the maximum number of applications for a particular location is reached. To apply, go to www.dcaipintern.com.
STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM (SLRP) – ARMY CIVILIANS
The FY23 Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) application window is open now through Nov. 17. The SLRP is designed to repay federally insured student loans as a retention incentive for civilian acquisition employees with critical acquisition functional area skills. For additional program details and the application process, go to https://asc.army.mil/web/career-development/programs/student-loan-repayment-program/
OPENING SOON – LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE AND ACQUISITION DEVELOPMENT (LEAD)
Pull out your career map and hike your way to the future with the LEAD program!
Opening for applications on Oct. 17, LEAD is a premier 24-month acquisition leadership development program offering expanded training through a series of education, leader development and broadening assignments that build skills required for positions of greater responsibility.
The focus of the LEAD program is to develop high-performing and high-leadership potential acquisition personnel toward a future goal of obtaining an acquisition key leadership position. LEAD graduates will also be provided unique digital technology experiential and training opportunities.
- Mentors: LEAD participants, along with their parent command and with assistance from the LEAD program manager, are responsible for finding mentors to assist in career development and provide guidance throughout the assignment period. A senior (GS-15 or SES) mentor is required. A roster of eligible mentors will be provided before orientation.
- Developmental assignments: LEAD participants shall conduct their developmental assignments in the geographic location where they are permanently stationed. One extended TDY (not to exceed 179 days), will be required and centrally funded by the U. S. Army Acquisition Support Center (USAASC).
- TDA: LEAD participants will be assigned to a centrally funded position on the USAASC Table of Distribution and Allowances. LEAD program graduates will secure post-utilization assignments or invoke organizational retreat rights to original parent organization.
- Graduation: Graduation from the LEAD program requires successful completion of all mandatory program training requirements and developmental assignments, submission of an article for publication consideration to Army AL&T magazine and application for consideration by the Army’s lieutenant colonel or GS-14 acquisition key billet product manager or acquisition director.
LEAD is open to high-performing GS-12 or GS-13 and broadband equivalent Army Acquisition Workforce members. The application window for LEAD closes Dec. 2. For details on eligibility, application process and more, go to https://asc.army.mil/web/career-development/programs/lead.
UPDATED DEFENSE ACQUISITION GUIDEBOOK
The Defense Acquisition Guidebook is being retired and replaced by a modern set of guidebooks in various essential areas of the defense acquisition process. To access specific guidebooks and additional materials, go to https://aaf.dau.edu/guidebooks.
- Cost Estimating
- Cybersecurity
- Engineering
- Human Systems Integration
- Intellectual Property
- Intelligence
- International Acquisition
- IT & Business Systems
- Program Management
- Program Protection
- Sustainment
- Test & Evaluation
CAREER MANAGEMENT
DAU CREDENTIALS ‒ TAILORING YOUR SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
DAU credentials provide the knowledge and associated skills to perform job-centric, niche and emerging functions in the Department of Defense acquisition environment. They are intended to enhance specific skills and improve performance in your workplace. Whether you manage capability requirements, acquire services and systems, or sustain capabilities, earning credentials can build your competence, confidence and value to your organization and the DOD. As of the date of this publication, there are currently 43 DAU credentials to select from. A credential builds your skills for a new job or adds skills as your career evolves. Credentials provide acquisition-related skills. They complement acquisition courses and supplement functional area certification requirements. Completion of credential courses can also, with supervisor approval, earn you valuable continuous learning points.
REMINDER: THE TWO-YEAR CONTINUOUS LEARNING POINT CLOCK HAS RESET
The two-year clock has restarted! It’s that time again when the two-year continuous learning cycle begins anew. All Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW) members must obtain 80 continuous learning points (CLPs) every two years. The chart below is a glide path identifying a recommended minimum CLP goal to achieve by the end of each quarter within the two-year continuous learning cycle. We strongly encourage AAW professionals and supervisor to follow this glide path. AAW professionals can make steady, measured progress toward meeting the 80 CLP minimum requirement by the end of the cycle which is broken down by a recommended 40 CLPs per fiscal year. Accumulating 10 CLPs per fiscal quarter is an easier, more manageable way of meeting this requirement. There is no carry-over point credit from previous cycles. You can keep track of your points through your Individual Development Plan (IDP).
The IDP is the AAW’s primary planning tool, allowing AAW professionals to discuss, plan and manage their continuing education, training and special experience. The IDP is also used by AAW professionals to plan continuous learning courses or activities, request CLP credit and track their CLP balance. The current CLP cycle is Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, 2024.
You accumulate CLPs for each course marked as “Complete” on your IDP within this Continuous Learning Time Cycle. To add planned courses or to mark planned courses as complete, go to https://apps.asc.army.mil/camp/apps/cappmis/modules/idp/index.cfm?fuseaction=cEmployee.plan.
ETHICS TRAINING
AAW professionals are required to complete ethics training every calendar year. Options to meet the requirement include:
- Attend any installation or organizational judge advocate general-sponsored ethics training (ETH 007).
- Overview of Acquisition Ethics (CLM 003) – DAU Continuous Learning Module.
- Ethics at Work (HBS 415) – DAU Continuous Learning Module.
- Watch the 16-minute DAU online ethics video (ETH 007). It works best in the Microsoft Edge browser.
- Army Office of General Counsel annual ethics online training at https://www.fdm.army.mil./documents/OnlineArmyEthicsTraining2020.pdf.
Once your annual ethics training is complete, you must list the course as completed on your IDP within the Civilian Acquisition Personnel and Position Management System (CAPPMIS) and obtain supervisor concurrence. The Army DACM Office is responsible for tracking and reporting compliance to the undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics. Your command representatives—acquisition career management advocates and organizational acquisition points of contact—are responsible for ensuring command and program executive office compliance.
WHAT’S NEW – POLICY
- DAWIA CERTIFICATION FOR THE ARMY ACQUISITION WORKFORCE
Effective Aug. 26, the Army DACM signed a memo “Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Certification Policy for the Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW)”. The memo establishes policy for the certification of AAW professionals, in support of DAWIA and the undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment’s Back-to-Basics framework. The memo also provides guidance to ensure the Army DACM Office’s certification request, decision and appeal processes are applied consistently across the Army acquisition community and are performed in accordance with applicable DOD issuances and other requirements.
- ARMY NATIONAL GUARD AND U.S. ARMY RESERVE ACQUISITION EXPERIENCE
As part of the DAWIA certification process, the Army DACM Office has implemented a form documenting and validating acquisition experience when non-active Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers apply for certification. As part of the application packet, Soldiers certify the number of days they performed duties in an acquisition-coded position on the form titled “Army National Guard (ARNG) M-Day / U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) Acquisition Experience Certification Form”.
- CONTRACTING OFFICER WARRANTING PROGRAM
In alignment with the Back-to-Basics framework, John Tenaglia, the principal director for defense pricing and contracting in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (OUSD(A&S)), signed an updated the memo titled, “The Contracting Officer Warranting Program Model, Considerations for Developing an Individualized Organizational Approach.” The updated guidance supersedes the Contracting Officer Warranting Program policy issued by the director, defense procurement and acquisition policy, on Feb. 10, 2012.
All AAW policies are housed in the Policy Library.
QUICK TIPS
WHAT IS AN ACRB AND WHY DO I HAVE IT?
As a member of the Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW), you have access to your Acquisition Career Record Brief (ACRB). The ACRB is a one-page document showing your unique acquisition-related information. This data includes acquisition information such as which functional area your position is assigned to and what level of DAWIA certification you are required to achieve. You’ll also see a history of your training, experience, education, awards and earned DAWIA certifications. As needed, you are encouraged to periodically update your ACRB as you manage your acquisition career. The ACRB is also a critical part of application packages as you prepare to apply for DAWIA certifications and/or leadership development opportunities, Army selection boards, and other Army DACM-sponsored education and training opportunities.
To access your ACRB,
- Go to https://apps.asc.army.mil/camp/.
- Log in with your CAC.
- Click on the CAPPMIS link in the upper lefthand corner.
- Navigate to the ACRB tab.
Once you’re on the ACRB page, you can edit certain parts of your ACRB, print it out, save it, and access a detailed guide called “ACRB Instructions.” For questions or assistance with data on your ACRB or contact an acquisition career manager, go to https://apps.asc.army.mil/camp/index.cfm?fuseaction=support.helpRequest.
UPDATING YOUR ARMY.MIL EMAIL ADDRESS WITH CAMP/CAPPMIS
If you have transitioned to and are receiving emails to your army.mil email address, please ensure your email address is current on your Acquisition Career Record Brief (ACRB) within CAPPMIS (Career Acquisition Personnel and Position Management Information System).
To access and edit your email address through the CAMP/CAPPMIS portal go to https://apps.asc.army.mil/camp. Once you log in to the system, click on the “Change Email Address” link on the righthand side, fill out the form, and press “Submit Request.”
For more answers to acquisition career-related questions, visit our FAQ page at https://asc.army.mil/web/all-faqs.
