As the Functional Area Leader for the Department of Defense (DoD) Contracting community, the Principal Director, DPCAP, is responsible for leading the development of the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) certification standards for the nearly 36,000 contracting professionals, as implemented in the DoD Instruction 5000.66, “Defense Acquisition Workforce, Education, Training, Experience, and Career Development Program.” Training and professional development for a highly skilled contracting workforce is essential for achieving the priorities of the National Defense Strategy and for delivering affordable products and services in support of the global defense mission.
Contracting Certification and Professional Currency
About
In 2022, DoD deployed a modernized talent management framework to implement the DAWIA certification program. This transformation in how DoD trains, develops, and manages the acquisition workforce was referred to as “Back-to-Basics.” The modernized approach streamlines certification training hours and focuses on training and experience beyond certification through self-directed lifelong learning opportunities.
For the Contracting Functional Area, there is a single level of certification referred to as the DoD Contracting Professional Certification that prepares the workforce for initial readiness to perform basic contracting tasks. All contracting professionals have a requirement to complete 80 hours of continuous learning every two years. The commitment to professional currency provides individuals with the flexibility to tailor training needs for a current or future job assignment or to upskill/develop skills in various contracting mission areas by taking training through the Defense Acquisition Credential Program, or through other available resources. The certification program and focus on lifelong learning, provides opportunities contracting professionals need to achieve career goals and to be successful in contributing confidently to the global defense mission.
Resources and Information
DoD Contracting Career Field Model
Contracting Functional/Interdisciplinary Developmental Recommendations
This resource provides recommended training courses and credentials for the various contracting job assignment categories and can assist the workforce in completing Individual Development Plans.
Defense Acquisition Credential Program
Training Plan Framework for Pricing Professionals may be viewed here
DoD Contracting Professional Certification
Contracting Functional Area Certification Standards
Certification Exam Information
CON 3990V User Experience Roadmap
CON 3990V User Experience Roadmap Flowchart
Reciprocity of Contracting Certifications
PD, DPC
October 19, 2023
Contracting Certification Reciprocity MOU FAQs
February 2024
PD, DPCAP, Contracting Functional Area Leader Guidance
Contracting Workforce Development and Continuous Learning
PD, DPC
October 24, 2023
Contracting Workforce Functional Integrated Team (CON FIT) Charter
PD, DPC
April 19, 2023
Contracting Officer Warranting Program
PD, DPC
August 2022
Transition Plan for the DoD Contracting Professional Certification Program
January 2022
Restructuring of the Certification Program for the Contracting Functional Area
PD, DPC
February 17, 2021
PD, DPC
September 3, 2020
USD(A&S) Defense Acquisition Workforce Policy
Defense Acquisition Workforce Professional Currency and Continuous Learning Credit Guide
(USD(A&S))
November 14, 2024
2024 Acquisition and Sustainment Workforce Framework
USD(A&S)
May 2024
(PD/ASD(A), PTDO of USD(A&S))
February 4, 2021
Back-to-Basics for the Defense Acquisition Workforce
USD(A&S)
September 2, 2020
Department of Defense Acquisition Workforce - Functional Area Reassessment
USD(A&S)
January 29, 2019
Contracting Competency Model
The DoD Contracting Competency Model is based on the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) Contract Management Standard™ (CMS™) (reference the third edition of the CMS™ ANSI/NCMA ASD 1-2019 (R2022)), and satisfies section 861 of the FY20 National Defense Authorization Act requirement to use standards developed by a third party accredited program.
The DoD Contracting Competency Model and Contracting Specialty Competencies may be viewed here:
The DoD Contracting Competency Model Narrative was developed by the Contracting Certification Taskforce and updated by the chartered DoD Contracting Workforce Functional Integration Team and is based on the NCMA CMS™ Publication (reference CMS™ ANSI/NCMA ASD 1-2019 (R2022)).