U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center
The U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center (USAASC) is part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology (ASA(ALT)). USAASC helps the 36,000-plus men and women of the Army Acquisition Workforce grow and develop in their careers. USAASC is headquartered at Fort Belvoir, Va.
By developing and sustaining a well-trained, professional acquisition workforce, the USAASC aims to acquire the best possible equipment and systems for Soldiers while managing taxpayer dollars efficiently.
Overview
USAASC was established in its current form on October 1, 2002. USAASC was designated as a direct reporting unit (DRU) of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology (ASA(ALT)) on October 16, 2006.
Its core functions include:
- Providing career development support for the Army Acquisition Workforce and the Army Acquisition Corps, military and civilian acquisition leaders.
- Providing customer service and support to the Army program executive offices in the areas of human resources, resource management (manpower and budget), program structure, and acquisition information management.
- Advising the ASA(ALT) and others on acquisition issues.
Strategy
Mission: To shape and develop the army acquisition community’s capabilities through superior support & the development of world class professionals.
Vision: Innovating Army acquisition excellence:
- Enabler of excellence in the acquisition community
- Making acquisition better
- The expert in acquisition support
- Ensuring capability to the soldier.
USAASC Leadership
Mr. Craig Spisak has served as the director of the USAASC since June 2005. Mr. Spisak also serves as the Deputy Director for Acquisition Career Management.
Director, Acquisition Career Management (DACM)
The DACM Office is the organization within the USAASC responsible for providing professional development opportunities for the Army Acquisition Workforce and establishing the procedures that train, educate, and develop members of the workforce. They are the one-stop shop for everything related to acquisition career development.
The Army DACM Office works directly with the Defense Acquisition University (DAU), the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Acquisition), and the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics) to enable workforce initiatives and to serve as advocates for the Army Acquisition Workforce.
The Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act, aimed to professionalize the defense acquisition workforce. The Army DACM Office supports DAWIA-required training, education and experience for the workforce through three main lines of effort.
Human Capital Initiatives at the DOD level:
- Participating in “Defense Acquisition Workforce” meetings organized by the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology & Logistics
- Legislative and policy proposals
- Defense Acquisition Workforce Development Fund (DAWDF) requirements
Proponency and Leader Development at the Army level:
- Advocating for the workforce from accession to attrition
- Managing professional military education
- Managing the centralized process whereby key positions are filled
- Supporting development opportunities for military and civilian leaders
Workforce support at the individual level:
- Managing and scheduling required trainings for the workforce
- Handling membership and certification in the Army Acquisition Corps
- Offering tuition assistance for advanced schooling
- Staffing a “help desk” and FAQ
DACM Leadership
Lt. Gen. Michael E. Williamson became the Principal Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology and DACM on April 4, 2014.
- View Williamson’s Welcome Video to the Army Acquisition Workforce.
- Read his commentary on Talent Management.
Mr. Craig A. Spisak, Director, U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center, serves as the Deputy DACM. His staff, the Army DACM Office, enables the mission of the DACM.
Publications
Army AL&T News blog Army AL&T magazine DACM Newsletter Hot Topics from the Army DACM office U.S. Army Weapons Systems
See also
- Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology (ASA(ALT))
- Defense Acquisition University (DAU)
- Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics)
- Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act
References
http://www.army.mil/info/organization/
http://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/pdf/go0209.pdf
http://usaasc.armyalt.com/?iid=88703#folio=152
http://www.dvidshub.net/unit/USA-ASC#.U5JRFSjLdv0
http://defensesystems.com/articles/2012/02/09/army-growing-contractor-specialty-workforce.aspx