13.1: Skills and Capabilities
Strengthen IT acquisition skills and capabilities Other Information:
Within six months, OFPP, with input from agencies, will develop guidance on requirements for IT acquisition specialists. In
addition, OFPP will develop guidance on curriculum standards to cross-train program managers and IT acquisition professionals.
In particular, the guidance will focus on increasing cross-functional knowledge of the IT marketplace, IT program management,
and IT acquisition. OFPP will build upon its current Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) to develop a
path for IT expertise. OFPP will leverage existing curriculum that may exist within agencies that already host specialized
IT acquisition professionals. Skills development will include: * Classroom training: OFPP will leverage and strengthen, where
necessary, existing classes at the Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI) and the Defense Acquisition University (DAU), and engage
these and other training providers to develop additional offerings as necessary. * On-the-job experience: As is true with
acquisition in general, the skills needed to successfully handle large IT acquisitions call for a blend of classroom training
and on-the-job experience. For example, contracting professionals with hands-on IT experience are better equipped to help
IT and program staff translate business and technical requirements into a statement of work that can help ensure a smooth
procurement. * Mentorship: Building a strong culture of mentorship enables IT acquisition professionals to more quickly learn
“the art of the possible” to deliver effective IT acquisition solutions. OFPP can encourage this by building on FAI’s ongoing
efforts to foster mentorship and networking opportunities, within and between agencies. As an immediate action to implement
these recommendations, OFPP will consider these initiatives as part of its review of the Federal Acquisition Certifications
for Program/Project Managers (P/PMs), Contracting Officer Technical Representatives (COTR), and contracting professionals
in the next six months.
Indicator(s):
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