Acquisition Workforce Development Strategic Plan for 2010-2014

November 7, 8:52 AMDC Government Business ExaminerDonna Quesinberry

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A Framework for Enhancing the Capacity and Capability of the Civilian Agency

On November 2, 2009, due to the Acquisition Workforce Development Strategic Plan for 2010-2014, agencies will be submitting plans for strengthening their acquisition workforce as part of the acquisition savings plans required under OMB’s guidance, Improving Government Acquisition, M-09-25. As part of the FY2011 budget process, OMB will consider the strength of these acquisition savings plans and the related acquisition workforce information and will evaluate the associated budgetary needs and sustainable funding mechanisms.

Strategic Human Capital Planning and Considerations:

Successful acquisition outcomes are a direct result of having people with the right skills supporting the acquisition function. During the critical planning phase, the government depends on skilled acquisition and program personnel to:

• conduct thorough market research so that competition is maximized, independent cost estimates are accurate, and small business opportunities are promoted;
• describe clear requirements so that vendors’ prices and technical approaches accurately reflect the work to be done – no more, no less; and
• establish discrete performance metrics so that contractors understand how they will be evaluated and paid, such as in performance-based acquisitions or incentive-type contracts.

Different skills are needed for the development of various acquisition approaches. For example, fixed-price contracts require more planning up front while the contract administration phase of such contracts is generally less complex. In contrast, cost-type contracts require a broad range of skills throughout the acquisition lifecycle including, but not limited to: finance, accounting, cost and price analysis, industrial engineering, and program management. Skilled and experienced pricing specialists are especially needed to project costs and help contracting officers determine if offered prices are fair and reasonable.

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Born on this day in history:

In 1964, Art Arfons, a drag racer from Ohio, built a land-speed racer in his backyard using a military surplus J79 jet aircraft engine with an afterburner. Arfons christened the vehicle Green Monster, and in September took the racer to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah to join in the race to set a new land- speed record. On October 5, the Green Monster jet powered to 434.022--a new land-speed record. However, Arfons' record would only stand for six days, for on October 13, Craig Breedlove set his second land-speed record when he reached 468.719 in his jet-powered Spirit of America. In 1965, Arfons returned to the Bonneville Salt Flats in a revamped Green Monster, and on this day shattered Breedlove's record from the previous year, when he raced to 576.553mph across the one-mile course.

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