USD(AT&L) recently cosigned a memorandum identifying Defense Acquisition shortage category positions, and delegating the authority to the Military Departments and Defense Agencies to appoint highly qualified individuals to these positions. Further details can be found within the memorandum.

Attend the DPAP sponsored Procurement EB Conference, April 6-8 2009, Denver.

The Aug 27, 2008 Memorandum: Increase Contracting Opportunities with the AbilityOne Program was posted to the SS space in order to promote and increase the acquisition of AbilityOne goods and services.

On 14 November GSA published a new FAC.

On 12 November GSA published a new FAC.

Nov 8th Commission Closure Update - News Draft

The Director of Defense Procurement announces the next round of the career-broadening Acquisition Exchange Program (AEP) for government employees. The opening date for this round of current opportunities is October 1, 2008 with a closing date of December 1 2008.

Interested individuals are encouraged to submit their completed application form (with supervisor approval) along with their current resume to jocelyn.conway.ctr@osd.mil. Commencement and length of assignment are negotiable.

To view the project description and details, along with the application form please visit the Defense Procurement webpage:

http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/ops/acquisition_exchange_program.html

You may also contact the AEP Program Manager, Mrs. Jocelyn Conway
(Jocelyn.conway.ctr@osd.mil), for further information.

Quarterly Operational Contract Support Meeting Held

Background

Defense Procurement, Acquisition Policy, and Strategic Sourcing (DPAP)/Program Acquisition and Contingency Contracting (PACC) hosted a quarterly contingency contracting status update of the Operational Contract Support (OCS) Community of Interest (COI) on 15–16 October 2008 at the Defense Acquisition University (DAU), Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

The purpose of these meetings is to bring together select members of the government COI who are involved in OCS-related policy, doctrine, and systems development in the DoD components. The meetings serve as an open forum for working-level government leaders to discuss current and future actions to improve operational contract support of the warfighter.

The audience of approximately 50 government personnel included representatives from the Air Force, Army, DAU, Defense Contract Management Agency, Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), Defense Logistics Agency, Joint Chiefs of Staff Logistics Directorate (JCS J4), Marine Corps, Navy, Office of the Secretary of Defense, and others.

Hosts

Both DPAP/PACC and ADUSD(PS) reside within the office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition , Technology, and Logistics). They support OCS-related policy development across the combatant commands (as well as intergovernmental agency), during combat operations, post-conflict operations, and contingency operations. ADUSD(PS) is responsible for program management and DPAP/PACC has cognizance over contingency contracting policy. Together, they represent key components of the acquisition community and partner to bring business support to military operations. Hosting these quarterly meetings are one way in which DPAP/PACC and ADUSD(PS) seek to achieve their mandates.

Objectives

The 15–16 October meeting objectives were to enhance contract support to the warfighter by:

• Discussing and socializing changes to existing policy and doctrine
• Coordinating and synchronizing ongoing and future actions
• Proposing way-ahead strategies
• Developing new ideas and approaches.

Topics

Participants discussed the development of an effective joint contracting policy that will serve as one rule set for all Services, to be utilized during contingency operations.

Also discussed were proficiency levels to help ensure that Contingency Contracting Officers (CCOs) bring the needed skill sets to the battlefield. This discussion included the possibility of a CCO exchange/on-the-job training as part of the implementation of standardized proficiency levels and training for CCOs.

Participants also conferred about resources such as the development and implementation of a standardized, automated joint after-action report, as well as documentation of lessons learned. Standardization of the Combatant Command (COCOM) Contracting Website was discussed as another tool to aid contract support to the warfighter. A draft template for the website has been developed, along with a draft DFARS PGI update. A staffing package is currently in coordination.

Another topic involved the Synchronized Predeployment and Operational Tracker (SPOT). SPOT has been designated as the DoD central repository of information on contractors accompanying the force. Another such initiative, Theater Business Clearance (TBC), was discussed as a recent accomplishment. Through TBC, the Joint Contracting Command in Iraq and Afghanistan gains visibility and accountability for deployed contract support into the Joint OperationalArea.

Additional initiatives briefed and discussed included the following:

• Department of Defense Instruction (DODI) 3020 Series development
• Joint Contingency Acquisition Support Office (JCASO)
• Joint Contingency Contracting Handbook
• Contingency Contracting Business Tools under Development
• Commission on Army Acquisition and Program Management in Expeditionary Operations
• Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq/Afghanistan
• DAU contingency contracting courses
• DFAS Expeditionary Support Organization
• Non-acquisition workforce training initiatives
• Theater-wide contract administration
• DFARS rule-making process and status of open cases.

Idea Exchange

In addition to the COI quarterly meetings, the COI is engaged regularly through multiple forums. These other meetings focus on specific topics. For example:

• Emergency Procurement Committee
• Defense Acquisition Regulations System (DARS) Council Working Groups
• JCASO Working Group
• Operational Contract Support (OCS) Gap Analysis Working Group
• OCS Planners Conference
• Policy Development Working Groups (e.g., DoD Instruction 1100.22, DoD Instruction 3020.31, DoD Instruction 3020.pp)
• Quadrennial Logistics Forum Working Group on Coalition Contracting
• Foreign Military Sales Working Group
• OCS Integration Working Group
• SPOT Configuration Control Board

For more information on initiatives, visit the Contingency Contracting pages of this website.

Mr. Gordon England, Deputy Secretary of Defense, and Mr. Shay Assad, Director, Defense Procurement, host the 2nd annual DoD AbilityOne Program Recognition Ceremony at the Pentagon. Awards were presented to AbilityOne Program and DoD employees. Wounded Warrior, SPC Nathan Short, shared his experience of transitioning from soldier to being employed in the AbilityOne Program.

FINAL RULE: DFARS 252.211-7003

Mr. Gordon England, Deputy Secretary of Defense, Mr. Shay Assad, Director of Defense Procurement, along with representatives from the DoD Inspector General and Army, testified before the United States Senate Committee on Appropriations on July 23, 2008. The oversight hearing was on the Department of Defense's contracts supporting activities in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Mr. Brian George, Deputy Director, Cost, Price and Finance, represented the Department of Defense at the Chief Acquisitions Officers Council (CAOC) Executive Committee meeting on July 17. The CAOC was established pursuant to Section 16 of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 USC 403). It consists of a diverse group of acquisition professionals in the Executive Branch established to provide a senior level forum for monitoring and improving the federal acquisition system.

Nathan Short, a young veteran wounded in Iraq, spoke at the Tidewater Association of Service Contractors about his experience transitioning from soldier to working in the AbilityOne Program. He has recovered and now wants to help other severely-disabled vets find employment. The article was published in The Virginian-Pilot and highlights that more severely-disabled veterans are seeking job opportunities through the AbilityOne Program.

Mr. Shay Assad, Director, Defense Procurement (DPAP), was the key-note speaker at the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) sponsored joint ACO & PCO conference on July 16, 2008. In addition, Mr. Brian George, Deputy Director, Cost, Price and Finance, was the opening speaker for the conference, on current contract cost and pricing issues facing government contract specialists.

On 22 April GSA published a new FAC.

Mr. Shay Assad, Director, Defense Procurement, was the keynote speaker at the awards banquet during the NISH National Training and Achievement Conference in Los Angeles. He sent a strong message of support for the AbilityOne Program.

Mr. Assad and other government AbilityOne Program champions for 2007, and employees-of-the-year from the AbilityOne Program workforce were recognized by Mrs. Laura Bush on February 11, 2008, at the White House. President Bush issued a memo on February 11th to the heads of executive departments and agencies encouraging the purchase of goods and services through the AbilityOne program, a federal initiative that works with public and private organizations to provide employment opportunities for Americans who are blind or have other disabilities.

DoD submitted its FY 2007 Report on Competition to OFPP. It includes preliminary FY 2007 competition achievements totaling 62% of DoD obligations.

Mr. Shay D. Assad, Director, Defense Procurement recently received the highest honor bestowed on non-OIG employees, The Department of Defense Inspector General Joseph H. Sherick Award. The 19th Annual Honorary Awards ceremony took place March 18th at the Crystal Gateway Marriot in Crystal City. This award is normally made to one individual on an annual basis. However, Inspector General Claude Kicklighter decided that it was appropriate to give two awards to two individuals, Ms Tina Jonas USD(C) and Shay Assad. The award is granted annually to individuals who distinguish themselves by exceptional service or contributions of the broadest scope to the OIG.

On 28 February GSA published a new FAC.

On February 5, WTOP "ASK THE CAO" interviewed Mr. Shay Assad the Director of DPAP and Ms. Scottie Knott the Senior Procurement Executive for DLA. The interview is available as an mp3 download.

Live WebCast: DoD Interagency Acquisition, Feb 4. Mr. Michael Canales from the Office of Defense Procurement is presenting a WebCast overview and discussion on Interagency Acquisition. The presentation will focus on the Department's January 2008 update in policy and provide clarification of existing policy. Questions from WebCast participants will be answered live over the internet or as soon as possible after the event. Register for this interactive WebCast at http://www.dau.mil. Technical questions should be addressed to 703-805-3459.

** Announcement "Special Call"AEP Cycle** The Director of Defense Procurement announces the AEP "Special Call" cycle. We are
currently accepting applications. Please see below links for Project Description and Application form.

On 26 December GSA published a new FAC.

On 4 December members of DPAP traveled to Springfield, PA to attend and train at the 7th Congressional District Business Procurement Summit hosted by Congressmen Sestak. Susan Pollack and Rob Jarrett fielded questions and advised over 70 small business owners through out the day.

Theater Business Clearance (TBC) for contracts requiring performance in Iraq or Afghanistan

We will be deploying the Contracting Competency Assessment workforce-wide beginning January 2008. Stay tuned for deployment schedule and new webpage link.

Procurement Conference May 12-15, 2008

Joint Contracting Command-Iraq/Afghanistan earns SHINE Award

DPAP reorganization announced 24 April 2007