News 2019

2019 Defense Acquisition Workforce Awards

The Honorable Ellen Lord, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (USD(A&S)) hosted the Defense Acquisition Workforce Awards ceremony at the Pentagon Hall of Heroes on October 29, 2019. The ceremony recognized the winners of the 2019 Defense Acquisition Workforce Individual Achievement Award in 19 acquisition, sustainment, research, and engineering disciplines, the new Software Innovation Team Award, the Flexibility in Contracting Award, and the Defense Acquisition Workforce Development Innovation Awards. Winners were selected from among the 175,000 professionals of the defense acquisition workforce. The new Software Innovation Team Award went to the Air Force Kessel Run program. The team quickly fielded 18 capabilities to the warfighter--using agile software development, user-centered design, and lean startup methodologies. For a list of winners, visit https://www.dau.edu/News/Defense-Acquisition-Workforce-Members,-Teams-Recognized-for-Excellence.

USD(A&S) Establishes Two New Software Awards

The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (USD(A&S)) recently announced two new Acquisition Workforce Awards, Individual Achievement Award - Software and the 2019 Software Innovation Team Award. The awards recognize individuals and teams who epitomize innovation and use of best practices in software development and acquisition as evidenced by frequent and high quality delivery of software capabilities into the hands of warfighters. These new awards highlight that software is a crucial and growing part of weapons systems.

High performing and exceptional Defense acquisition professionals and teams are encouraged to apply for the Individual Achievement Award - Software and/or the 2019 Software Innovation Team Award. Nominations for these awards must be electronically submitted to achievement.award@hci.mil by August 30, 2019. Additional nomination instructions are available at http://www.hci.mil/what-we-do/Awards.html.

HCI Director Mr. José Gonzalez Receives 2018 Presidential Rank Award - Meritorious Rank

On Thursday, June 20, 2019, HCI Director Mr. José Gonzalez received a 2018 Presidential Rank Award - Meritorious Rank. The Presidential Rank Award confers upon the recipients an esteemed standing among peers of Senior Executives and Senior Professionals. As the Federal government's prestigious corps of managers, this group oversees some of our Nation's most important defense programs. Click here to learn more information about this prestigious award.

Defense Civilian Emerging Leader Program Cohort 9 Graduates

On Friday, June 14, 2019, HCI Director Mr. José Gonzalez gave a commencement address to the Defense Civilian Emerging Leader Program (DCELP) 2019 class graduates, Cohort 9. During his speech, he congratulated Cohort 9 on their unique achievement, and challenged these future leaders to “Dare to Engage” to help drive positive change and define their future!

The purpose of DCELP is to develop early- to mid-career level civilian personnel in a full range of competencies needed to lead self, lead teams and projects, and lead people in accordance with the DoD Civilian Leader Development Framework. The goal of this training is to serve as the foundation for further development as leadership responsibilities increase. For more information on DCELP, please visit https://www.dcpas.osd.mil/CTD/Training.

DoD Hosts Early Career Workshop to Serve as Change Initiative Platform for the Acquisition Workforce

The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, the Honorable Ellen M. Lord, hosted the inaugural Early Career Workshop, June 4-6, 2019. The goal of the workshop is to gain an operational perspective of what is working well, what can be improved, and engage this critical subset of our overall acquisition workforce. The workshop will serve as a change initiative platform for the early career workforce (5-10 years in service), launching a continuous engagement strategy that purposely involves them in shaping their role in the future of acquisition.

Visit the Early Career Workshop web page for additional information, including topics that were discussed at the workshop and the names of the participants.

DoD Public-Private Talent Exchange Participants Meet With Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment – Mid-Point Feedback

On March 28, 2019, the Honorable Ellen M. Lord, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, United States Department of Defense (DoD), met with the 5 DoD and 5 private sector participants of the inaugural DoD Public-Private Talent Exchange. This groundbreaking acquisition-focused pilot exchange program targets high-performing, mid-career civilians with demonstrated leadership potential. These trailblazers are midway through their six-month exchange assignments. Participants shared highlights of their experience thus far and ideas for improving the program for those who follow.

Lord emphasized the importance of using this great exchange experience to improve DoD-Industry partnering and communication.

Key highlights from participants included being quickly engaged as part of the team, gaining exposure to a new business culture, operations and challenges, and each other’s approach to decision making. Participants will take these valuable insights back to their home organization.

The next cohort of exchange participants will commence in January 2020. For more information on this program, visit www.hci.mil/exchangeprograms.html.

The Honorable Ellen M. Lord takes a photo with the DoD Public-Private Talent Exchange program participants after the March 28, 2019, mid-point feedback session.

AcqDemo Quarterly Executive Council Meeting

On March 21, 2019, AcqDemo held its quarterly Executive Council Meeting, which also served as an opportunity for the AcqDemo Program Office to recognize the council members for their commitment and dedication to the program. Celebrating 20 years of service, AcqDemo is a human resource management system that provides the right tools to motivate and retain a high-quality workforce, and it promotes a culture where the contributions of civilian employees are recognized and rewarded. Visit the AcqDemo website for more information about the program or to read about its 20-year milestone in the Defense Acquisition magazine.

March 2019 - Defense Civilian Emerging Leader Program (DCELP)

On March 19, 2019, staff from HCI are attending an orientation for this year’s DCELP class, which includes 80 acquisition professionals from across the DoD. In the below pictures, Ms. Diana Torres, contracting specialist from Army Contracting Command, is sharing how she supports the warfighter as well as what drives her to lead; and HCI Director Mr. José Gonzalez is addressing the DCELP class and providing an overview of the program.

The purpose of DCELP is to develop entry to mid-career level civilian personnel in a full range of competencies needed to lead self, lead teams and projects, and lead people in accordance with the DoD Civilian Leader Development Framework. DCELP fills a critical need by enabling the DoD to focus on leader development at the entry to mid-career level of the civilian workforce. The goal of this training is to serve as the foundation for further development as leadership responsibilities increase.

Celebrating 20 Years of AcqDemo

This year, the DoD Civilian Acquisition Workforce Personnel Demonstration Project (AcqDemo) is celebrating 20 years of enhancing workforce quality, management and professionalism. With two decades of success, AcqDemo has provided an inherently flexible pay and personnel management system enhancing the quality, management and professionalism of the DoD acquisition workforce. This milestone is commemorated in the 2019 March/April issue of Defense Acquisition.