INSTRUCTIONS FOR HOW TO APPLY FOR CONSIDERATION OF FUNDING BETWEEN
2 FEBRUARY 2026 – 10 MARCH 2026
Read Army DACM eligibility requirements, required documents, and complete the Army DACM MSA-CM application for consideration of funding.
Army DACM eligibility requirements:
- Must be coded as “1 – Permanent – Tenure Group 1” in the DCPDS.
- Be a GS-12 through GS-15 or broadband/pay equivalent.
- Be within certification grace period required for current acquisition functional area OR
- Meet certification level required for current acquisition position in current acquisition functional area.
- A STRL applicant must have 2 years left on term to fulfill 2-year period of obligated service on CSA after graduation.
A blue “apply” link will only be available to those AAW civilians who are eligible to apply to the program. Please contact the DACM Office Program Manager at uhura.n.smith.civ@army.mil for assistance. Army Acquisition Workforce members who meet Army DACM eligibility requirements may still apply to the program even if they already have a master’s degree.
The application process is located online in the Army Acquisition Professional Development System (AAPDS). Complete an Army DACM/USAASC MSA-CM sponsored application by logging into CAPPMIS at:
- Log into the Career Acquisition Management Portal (CAMP) at https://apps.asc.army.mil/camp/.
- Click “CAPPMIS”.
- Click “AAPDS”.
- Click “APPLY”.
- Find NPS-MSA-CM (835-264) Education Opportunity in the list and click the associated “Apply” link in the rightmost column.
Follow instructions within each section and click the “Submit Application” button when you have completed your application. If you would like to save your work and return to your application later, click the “Save” button.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR APPLICATION
Your application will not be reviewed for consideration of funding if the required documents below are not completed in accordance with instructions on the website and Call for Applications in the Resource Section.
Required Documents
- Command Endorsement
- Supervisor Endorsement
- Statement of Interest
- Resume
- Continued Service Agreement
- NPS Conditional Letter of Acceptance
Documents must be named in the subject line according to the document being uploaded in the application along with the applicant’s name. For example, the applicant’s name is Uhura Smith and the applicant is uploading the required Command Endorsement. The subject line should read Command Endorsement – Uhura Smith.
Online application guidance and instructions are below:
NPS-MSA-CM (835-264) Applicant Data
- Select “Masters” for the degree.
- Select “Naval Post Graduate School” for the school.
- Select “Master of Science in Acquisition Contract Management” for the major.
- A valid work number and email address are required in your application.
Verifications: Check the small boxes next to “Applicant’s Email Address”, “Supervisor Information”, and ACRB in the application to certify your email address, supervisor’s information and ACRB are correct. If these boxes are not checked, you will receive an error message when you attempt to submit your application.
Acquisition Career Record Brief (ACRB): Within CAPPMIS, the latest version of the ACRB will automatically be uploaded into AAPDS online application. Ensure your ACRB is updated and correct prior to submitting your application. Applicants may update and correct specific fields of their ACRB using the edit functions within CAPPMIS. For the areas on the ACRB that cannot be changed by the applicant, please request assistance using our Army DACM Office online help request at https://apps.asc.army.mil/camp/index.cfm?fuseaction=support.help.
Applicants should pay particular attention to the training, education, and assignment history sections of the ACRB, ensuring that the information is accurate. The training section should reflect the completion of top-level relevant training and formal leadership training, such as CES and ALCP.
Senior Rater Potential Evaluation (SRPE). The SRPE is a critical piece of the application. In accordance with DACM
SRPE Policy at https://apps.asc.army.mil/camp/apps/cappmis/modules/srpe/assets/documents/SRPE_Policy_JUL2020.pdf and the SRPE Guidance at https://apps.asc.army.mil/camp/apps/cappmis/modules/srpe/assets/documents/SRPE_Guidance_JUL2020.pdf, both dated 1 July 2020, the applicant’s SRPE must be completed by both the Rater and Senior Rater (SR). The SR must be a supervisor and senior in grade/organizational position to the rated employee.
✓ The SRPE must have an ending date (the “thru” date) within one year of the closing date of the announcement. The SRPE must be completed and generated using CAPPMIS. Of note, the SR should not use bullet comments; rather, narrative comments to support the overall rating are highly suggested. Senior Raters should view a SRPE as the equivalent to a “complete the record OER” and should provide supporting comments accordingly.
✓ For additional information on the completion of the SRPE, Senior Raters should refer to the USAASC SRPE web page https://asc.army.mil/web/senior-rater-potential-evaluation/.
✓ Instructions/tutorials are available in CAPPMIS to assist the rater and Senior Rater in completing the SRPE. The SRPE form must be completed in CAPPMIS by your supervisor and senior rater and will automatically upload into your online application. The SRPE must be completed/finalized in CAPPMIS no later than the closing date posted in this announcement. Applicants should print and retain a signed copy of the SRPE for their records.
✓ Failure to have a completed/finalized SRPE in CAPPMIS prior to the announcement closing date will result in the applicant being declared ineligible. The application will be denied and will not go forward to the Board for evaluation.
Command Endorsement (PDF file): Your command must endorse your participation in the NPS MSA-CM program by preparing a memorandum in accordance with Army Regulation 25-50. Organizations who have multiple applicants applying to the current program announcement are required to rank order applicants in each Command Endorsement Memorandum. Each Command Endorsement Memorandum is limited to one page and must adhere to all guidelines below:
✓ Be completed by and from the applicant’s first General Officer or Senior Executive Service Civilian in the chain of command. If the person signing the command endorsement is not a GO or SES but is “acting” in that capacity, “acting” must be shown in the signature block and;
✓ Be on organizational letterhead and;
✓ Be addressed to the following (but DO NOT MAIL): Director, Acquisition Career Management Office, Bldg. 201, Suite 101, 9900 Belvoir Road, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060 and;
✓ Be unique to the specific applicant and;
✓ List top 3 qualities of the applicant and;
✓ Directly comment on the applicant’s leadership ability and potential and;
✓ Identify how the education/training gained will be utilized to benefit the command upon completion of the program and;
✓ Include at least one potential thesis/capstone project research topic for the applicant to address while in school that has benefit to your organization and;
✓ Be signed and dated by the required completing official and;
✓ Applicant uploads completed Command Endorsement into CAPPMIS/AAPDS
Supervisor Endorsement (PDF file): The Supervisor Endorsement Memorandum is limited to one page and must adhere to the guidelines below:
✓ Be from either your 1st or 2nd level supervisor. The supervisor’s name must match the supervisor’s name in CAPPMIS and;
✓ Be on organizational letterhead and;
✓ Be addressed to the following (but DO NOT MAIL): Army Director, Acquisition Career Management Office, Bldg. 201, Suite 101, 9900 Belvoir Road, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060 and;
✓ Be unique to the specific applicant and;
✓ Directly comment on the applicant’s current performance and;
✓ List strengths of the applicant and;
✓ Include the following statement: “I approve [insert applicant’s name] to participate in the NPS MSA-CM program during duty time every Tuesday and Thursday from 1000 to 1300, (Pacific Time) whenever class is in session for the duration of the 24-month program, starting the week of “7 July 2026 – 30 June 2028.” and;
✓ Be signed by the required completing official and;
✓ Applicant uploads completed Supervisor Endorsement into CAPPMIS/AAPDS
Resume (PDF File): Resumes may not exceed 4 pages and must be submitted in a .pdf format. This is the applicant’s opportunity to highlight educational achievements, work experiences, skills, and accomplishments, which are key indicators to the preparation for and success as an acquisition professional. Applicants should also highlight their qualities and strengths instead of listing responsibilities. Ensure experience descriptions and dates match those in the ACRB. View/download resume guidance HERE.
Statement of Interest (PDF File): The applicant must create a personal “Statement of Interest” describing why you want to participate in the MSA-CM program. Please complete the statement of interest in accordance with Army Regulation 25-50. The Statement of Interest is limited to one page and must adhere to all guidelines below:
✓ Be on organizational letterhead and;
✓ Be addressed to the following (but DO NOT MAIL):
Deputy Director of Acquisition Career Management Office, Bldg. 201, Suite
101, 9900 Belvoir Road, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060 and;
✓ Directly address applicant’s career goals and leadership path and;
✓ Address reasons for desired selection in the program and;
✓ Explain the benefits Army acquisition will gain upon applicants’ completion of the program and;
✓ Be signed and dated by the applicant and;
✓ Applicant must upload completed Statement of Interest into CAPPMIS/AAPDS
NPS Conditional Letter of Acceptance: Applicants must upload into AAPDS a copy of the NPS Conditional Letter of Acceptance obtained by NPS admissions. NPS online admissions application must be completed no later than 4 March 2026. You must meet all NPS academic requirements and Army DACM eligibility requirements to participate in the program if you should be selected for participation by the Army DACM Office. After you submit your NPS online application, NPS Admissions will email you a “Conditional Letter of Acceptance” to acknowledge you have applied for the MSA-CM.
For additional information on NPS “Conditional Letter of Acceptance”, you may contact NPS Admissions at admissions@nps.edu or Dr. Christina Hart, Distance Learning Program Director, for the Department of Acquisition, Finance, and Manpower (DAFM), (831)-656-6269 or cchart@nps.edu.
Continued Service Agreement (CSA): The Army Director, Acquisition Career Management Office requires that Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW) civilians complete a CSA as part of their application process. Supervisors will ensure the AAW civilian is informed in advance of this requirement. The period of obligated service will be 24 months from the completion date of the program.
Complete the CSA as follows:
✓ Enter 30 June 2028 to 30 June 2030 as the period of obligated service
✓ Applicant and Supervisor will sign, date, and print the CSA
✓ Upload the completed CSA into CAPPMIS/AAPDS
Individual Development Plan (IDP): You must add all 16 courses below to the “Education Plan” section of your IDP and obtain supervisor’s approval. Please note that dates are not provided because dates are subject to change. For purposes of completing your IDP, indicate the beginning of the month as the start date and the ending of the month as the finish date.
To add the courses to your IDP:
- Log into CAPPMIS at https://apps.asc.army.mil/camp/.
- Click on the IDP tab;
- Click the planning tab.
- Navigate to the “Education Plan” section of your IDP in CAPPMIS.
Once you have confirmed you are in the “Education Plan” section of your IDP, click “Add Course” and complete the following fields:
- Course ID: Retrieve Course ID from NPS-MSA-CM curriculum
- Course Title: Retrieve Course Title from NPS-MSA-CM curriculum
- Projected Start: use dates from NPS Academic Calendar
- Projected End: use dates from NPS Academic Calendar
- Status: Select “Planned” from the drop-down menu
- Provider: Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA
- Objective: Required Course to complete the NPS-MSA-CM program
- Point of Contact: Leave Blank
- Continuous Learning Points: Leave Blank
- Course Hours: Leave Blank
- Course Type: Leave Blank
- Estimated Book Cost: Leave Blank
- Estimated Tuition Cost: Leave Blank
- Planned Funding Source: Select “AETE-NPS” from the drop-down menu
- Click the “Save and Finish” button after entering each class
- Complete the required fields for each class until all 16 courses are added onto your IDP
- Check boxes for supervisor’s approval
CAPPMIS will automatically generate all courses from the IDP into the online application only after the applicant correctly completed the above steps.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION – DAWIA/DAU:
- DAWIA Training for the Contracting Professional
NPS graduate-level education courses in Contracting is now aligned to Defense Acquisition University (DAU) training courses and requirements, making it easier for NPS students to complete required acquisition professional certifications. Separate from the fulfillment process, students must still have the requisite years of Contracting experience and pass the certification exam for DAWIA certification. Visit https://nps.edu/web/ddm/dawia-training for more information.
- Unofficial Copy of NPS Transcript: Participants are required to provide an unofficial copy of their NPS transcript to the Army DACM Office NPS-MSA-CM Program Manager via email showing grades for completed courses no later than 30 days after each course completion date. The program manager will award CLPs and officially post grades in AAPDS/Student Manager Module after the student provides an unofficial copy of their NPS transcript to the program manager via email at uhura.n.smith.civ@army.mil.
