Overview
Test and Evaluation (T&E) is a critical part of the DoD acquisition process. T&E professionals develop, optimize, execute and evaluate the testing of system performance, interoperability, reliability, maintainability and cybersecurity. They offer unbiased information to support and inform design improvements, production and fielding decisions.
The Test and Evaluation (T&E) functional area is supported by:
Mr. James Cooke (Army Acquisition Functional Leader)
Mr. Cooke serves as the Director of Army Test and Evaluation (T&E), where he provides oversight of all T&E capabilities for Major Army Acquisition Category I and II programs and for all Department of Defense Chemical and Biological Defense Program T&E activities. He integrates strategic change for the Army T&E enterprise, and is the primary agent for the Secretary of the Army to coordinate T&E positions on issues and reports with the other military departments, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, and Congress. Click here for full bio.
Dr. Melanie Loncarich (Army Acquisition Functional Advisor)
Dr. Melanie L. Loncarich is currently serving as the Deputy Director and the Division Chief for Policy and Education at the Deputy Under Secretary of the Army – Test and Evaluation Office. She supports the Army Test and Evaluation Executive and is responsible for policy and education across the Army Test and Evaluation Enterprise. She is the Test and Evaluation Acquisition Functional Adviser and chairs the Secretary of the Army chartered Test and Evaluation Manager Committee. Dr. Loncarich manages the Department of the Army Test and Evaluation Master Plan approval process and represents Army Test and Evaluation on Office of the Secretary of Defense efforts. Click here for full bio.
Workforce Demographics
(Data current as of April 2024)
Top 5 Civilian Occupational Groups
Certification
View the Certification in DAU’s iCatalog
DAWIA Grace Period
Foundational – One year relevant acquisition experience with evidence of demonstrated proficiency (awareness) in ETM competencies
Practitioner – Four (4) years relevant acquisition experience with evidence of demonstrated proficiency (intermediate) in ETM competencies.
Competencies
View the Competencies for each Functional Area by clicking this link Certification & Core Plus Development Guides (dau.edu) and selecting the Functional Area name (such as Contracting or LCL). It will take you to the DOD Competency Model for this Functional Area.
Continuous Learning
- Recommended Continuous Learning Opportunities for the Test and Evaluation Functional Area – OUSD(R&E) Memorandum: Contains recommended Continuous Learning opportunities for the Test and Evaluation (T&E) functional area to assist the workforce in identifying meaningful development activities beyond mandatory certification. (Jan. 26, 2023)
- Recommended Credentials and Continuous Learning Points for the Test and Evaluation Functional Area – Deputy Under Secretary of the Army for Test and Evaluation (DUSA(T&E)) Memorandum: Provides Continuous Learning Point (CLP) guidance from the Test and Evaluation (T&E) Army Acquisition Functional Leader (AAFL) to Army Acquisition Workforce professionals within this Functional Area. In this memorandum, the AAFL provides guidance on technical areas, Defense Acquisition University (DAU) and other provider courses, and credentials to take during the current CLP cycle, in order to maintain currency through self-development and continuous education. (Oct. 25, 2023)
Credentials
Defense Acquisition Credentials provide the knowledge and associated skills needed to perform job-centric, niche, and/or emerging functions in the defense acquisition environment. They are intended to enhance specific skills and improve performance in the workplace. Whether you manage capability requirements, acquire services/systems, or sustain capabilities, earning credentials can build your competence, confidence, and value to your organization and the DOD.
Career Model
The Army DACM Office has developed Career Models for each acquisition functional area, which are intended as notional guides for professional growth and a well-rounded acquisition experience. Acquisition workforce employees, along with their supervisors, should use these models as tools for developing a plan to advance throughout one’s acquisition career.
Resources
- Monthly Hot Acquisition Workforce Topics (HAWT) Wash
- T&E INFORMATION SHEET: https://www.cto.mil/sea/info-sheets/
- DAU T&E FUNCTIONAL AREA PAGE: https://www.dau.edu/functional-areas/test-and-evaluation
- DAU Test and Evaluation Blog
