As the Functional Leader for the DoD Contracting community, the Principal Director, DPC, is responsible for leading the development of the workforce certification standards for the 33,000 contracting professionals in acquisition-coded positions, in compliance with the DoDI 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 National Defense Strategy’s first line of effort - To Build a More Lethal Force - capable of delivering products and services at the speed of relevance for the defense mission.
Back-to-Basics Acquisition Workforce Transformation
About
The Department of Defense (DoD) is modernizing its implementation of the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act three-tiered certification program to a 21st Century talent management framework. The first step in this modernization, referred to as “Back-to-Basics,” became operational on February 1, 2022. This update streamlines the acquisition career fields into core functional areas and substantially reduces required training hours. For the Contracting Functional Area, there is now a single level of certification referred to as the DoD Contracting Professional Certification, which focuses on the core competencies for the contracting profession.
The continuous learning requirement of 80 hours of training every two years remains in place for the defense acquisition workforce. The back-to-basics framework places increased importance on training and experience beyond certification by focusing resources on elective learning opportunities. This approach provides individuals with the flexibility to tailor training needs for a current or future job assignment and develop skills in various mission areas by taking training through the Defense Acquisition Credential Program, or through other available resources. The new credentials serve as an important professional development opportunity to help meet current training needs, continuous learning requirements, and individual career goals.
Resources and Information
DAU Back-to-Basics website (includes Contracting Functional Area webpage)
Defense Acquisition Credential Program
Back-to-Basics Fact Sheet for the Contracting Functional Area
DAU FY21-22 Training Crosswalk for the Contracting Functional Area
DoD Contracting Professional Certification
Certification Exam Information
CON 3990V User Experience Roadmap Outline
CON 3990V User Experience Roadmap Flowchart
PD, DPC, Contracting Functional Area Leader Guidance
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) Policy Memorandums
(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, published in June 2020, is based on the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) Contract Management Standard™ (reference ANSI/NCMA ASD 1-2019), 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 is posted on the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) Website
The DoD Contracting Competency Model Narrative was developed by the Contracting Certification Taskforce and is based on the NCMA Publication (reference ANSI/NCMA ASD 1-2019).