# Presentation: 813874

## FAI-DAU Acquisition Learning Seminar

***“******Acquisition View:  The Road to a Successful Internship Program”***

- www.fai.gov

## Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

Acquisition Fellows Program
Bridget Gauer

**Acquisition Fellows Program**
*Bridget Gauer*

- www.fai.gov

## Our Challenge
Shortage of Experienced Contract Specialists in Substantial Numbers to Meet the Workload   
TSA Acquisition Office Identified Entry Level Contract Specialists as Part of the Solution for Succession Planning in Human Capital Plan
Senior Contract Specialists Already Strained with Increased Workload and Current Junior Contract Specialist Mentoring

- Shortage of Experienced Contract Specialists in Substantial Numbers to Meet the Workload
- TSA Acquisition Office Identified Entry Level Contract Specialists as Part of the Solution for Succession Planning in Human Capital Plan
- Senior Contract Specialists Already Strained with Increased Workload and Current Junior Contract Specialist Mentoring

- www.fai.gov

## Participant Profile
Entry Level:  F-Band (GS7/9 Equivalent)
Same Skill Level
Learning as a Cohort
College Graduate or 24 Business Credits (OPM Standard for 1102 Series)
Skill in Verbal and Written Communication, Organization, Multi-Tasking, Problem Solving

- Entry Level:  F-Band (GS7/9 Equivalent)
- Same Skill Level
- Learning as a Cohort
- College Graduate or 24 Business Credits (OPM Standard for 1102 Series)
- Skill in Verbal and Written Communication, Organization, Multi-Tasking, Problem Solving

- www.fai.gov

## DHS Fellows Program
Three Year Acquisition Fellows Program  includes:
Non-Competitive Career Ladder to I Band (GS-13 equivalent)
Mandatory Contracting Training & Certification
Leadership Training (120 hours)
Developmental Activities
Rotations, Senior Management Interviews, Shadowing Assignments, Field Trips, Senior Project

- Three Year Acquisition Fellows Program  includes:
- Non-Competitive Career Ladder to I Band (GS-13 equivalent)
- Mandatory Contracting Training & Certification
- Leadership Training (120 hours)
- Developmental Activities
- Rotations, Senior Management Interviews, Shadowing Assignments, Field Trips, Senior Project

- www.fai.gov

## The Boot Camp
Program Elements 

8-month Acquisition Learning Program 
Blends Training and On-the-Job Learning
Centralizes Mentoring to Ease the Strain on Senior Contract Specialists
Simulated Acquisition Office Experience
Combination of Simulated and Real Work Activities
Small Group/Individual Execution of Work Requirements
Dedicated Mentors at 5 to 1 Ratio
Creates Risk Free Environment
Develops the Business Advisor Thinking
Teaches Both the How and Why

***Program Elements***** **
**8-month Acquisition Learning Program **
- Blends Training and On-the-Job Learning
- Centralizes Mentoring to Ease the Strain on Senior Contract Specialists
**Simulated Acquisition Office Experience**
- Combination of Simulated and Real Work Activities
- Small Group/Individual Execution of Work Requirements
**Dedicated Mentors at 5 to 1 Ratio**
- Creates Risk Free Environment
**Develops the Business Advisor Thinking**
- Teaches Both the How and Why

- www.fai.gov

## The Boot Camp
Structure of Program 
Some of the Onsite Training
Level I: CON 100, 110, 111, 112, 120
Acquisition Workshops (ex. IGCE, SOW, Intro to Acquisition)
Commercial Items
Performance Based Contracting 
Customer Service Training
Commercial Items
Strategic Business Advisor
GSA Schedules

*Structure of Program *
- Some of the Onsite Training
- Level I: CON 100, 110, 111, 112, 120
- Acquisition Workshops (ex. IGCE, SOW, Intro to Acquisition)
- Commercial Items
- Performance Based Contracting
- Customer Service Training
- Commercial Items
- Strategic Business Advisor
- GSA Schedules

- www.fai.gov

## The Boot Camp
Learning Program Curriculum

Three Areas of Concentration
Acquisition Planning
Contract Formation
Contract Administration
Delivered Through Classroom Instruction, Case Study, Workshops/Forums, Hands on Experiences, Discussions with Subject Matter Experts, and a Variety of Other Learning Methods

*Learning Program Curriculum*
- Three Areas of Concentration
- Acquisition Planning
- Contract Formation
- Contract Administration
- Delivered Through Classroom Instruction, Case Study, Workshops/Forums, Hands on Experiences, Discussions with Subject Matter Experts, and a Variety of Other Learning Methods

- www.fai.gov

## The Boot Camp
Learning Program Curriculum

Learning Subjects are Separated into Modules and Toolbox Topics:
Module 1:  Orientation and General Overview
Module 2:  Acquisition Planning and Competition
Module 3:  Contracting Methods and Contract Vehicles
Module 4:  Solicitation Process

*Learning Program Curriculum*
- Learning Subjects are Separated into Modules and Toolbox Topics:
- Module 1:  Orientation and General Overview
- Module 2:  Acquisition Planning and Competition
- Module 3:  Contracting Methods and Contract Vehicles
- Module 4:  Solicitation Process

- www.fai.gov

## The Boot Camp
Learning Program Curriculum

Module 5:  Contracting Toolbox
Toolbox A:  Micro-purchase, Simplified Acquisition, GSA Schedules
Toolbox B:  Negotiated Procurements
Toolbox C:  Commercial Items
Toolbox D:  Sealed Bidding
Toolbox E:  Interagency Agreements
Module 6:  Contract Administration
Module 7:  Quality Assurance
Module 8:  Payment and Accounting
Module 9:  Modifications and Special Terms
Module 10:  Other Issues

*Learning Program Curriculum*
**Module 5:  Contracting Toolbox**
- Toolbox A:  Micro-purchase, Simplified Acquisition, GSA Schedules
- Toolbox B:  Negotiated Procurements
- Toolbox C:  Commercial Items
- Toolbox D:  Sealed Bidding
- Toolbox E:  Interagency Agreements
**Module 6:  Contract Administration**
**Module 7:  Quality Assurance**
**Module 8:  Payment and Accounting**
**Module 9:  Modifications and Special Terms**
**Module 10:  Other Issues**

- www.fai.gov

## The Boot Camp
Structure of Program

Tailored to Mirror Actual Acquisition Experiences
Fast Pace
Multiple Projects
Multiple Priorities
Customer Interaction
Fellows Transition into Operational Division After 8-Month Boot Camp
Built in Times for Real Work in Operational Division, Prior to Official Transition

*Structure of Program*
- Tailored to Mirror Actual Acquisition Experiences
- Fast Pace
- Multiple Projects
- Multiple Priorities
- Customer Interaction
- Fellows Transition into Operational Division After 8-Month Boot Camp
- Built in Times for Real Work in Operational Division, Prior to Official Transition

- www.fai.gov

## Recruitment and Hiring
TSA Vacancy Announcement for Contract Specialist Trainees Posted on USAJOBS 
Information About the Program Provided to Universities and Organizations in the DC Area
Over 300 Applications Received

- TSA Vacancy Announcement for Contract Specialist Trainees Posted on USAJOBS
- Information About the Program Provided to Universities and Organizations in the DC Area
- Over 300 Applications Received

- www.fai.gov

## Expected Outcome
Build Future Workforce
Develop Critical Thinkers and Business Advisors
Prepare Contract Specialist with the Ability to Work on Simple, Non-Complex Requirements with Minimal Assistance

- Build Future Workforce
- Develop Critical Thinkers and Business Advisors
- Prepare Contract Specialist with the Ability to Work on Simple, Non-Complex Requirements with Minimal Assistance

- www.fai.gov

## Expected Outcome
Build Future Workforce
Develop Critical Thinkers and Business Advisors
Prepare Contract Specialist with the Ability to Work on Simple, Non-Complex Requirements with Minimal Assistance

- Build Future Workforce
- Develop Critical Thinkers and Business Advisors
- Prepare Contract Specialist with the Ability to Work on Simple, Non-Complex Requirements with Minimal Assistance

- www.fai.gov

## Expected Outcome
Build Future Workforce
Develop Critical Thinkers and Business Advisors
Prepare Contract Specialist with the Ability to Work on Simple, Non-Complex Requirements with Minimal Assistance

- Build Future Workforce
- Develop Critical Thinkers and Business Advisors
- Prepare Contract Specialist with the Ability to Work on Simple, Non-Complex Requirements with Minimal Assistance

- www.fai.gov

## Acquisition Fellows...

**Acquisition Fellows...**
**The Future of Acquisition**

- www.fai.gov

## Department of Interior (DOI)
National Business Center

Career Intern Programs:  
A Department of Interior University Perspective
Cori Sabet

**National Business Center**
**Career Intern Programs:  **
**A Department of Interior University Perspective**
*Cori Sabet*

- www.fai.gov

## Purpose
Succession planning
Workforce planning
Attract and retain a workforce that is talented, motivated, diverse, productive, and highly skilled in key positions
Help meet short and long-term organizational needs of federal agencies
Train interns to be future government business leaders

- Succession planning
- Workforce planning
- Attract and retain a workforce that is talented, motivated, diverse, productive, and highly skilled in key positions
- Help meet short and long-term organizational needs of federal agencies
- Train interns to be future government business leaders

- www.fai.gov

## Career Intern Programs at DOI University

GovernmentWide Acquisition Management Intern Program
	-1102 series Contract Specialists 
Financial Management Career Intern Program
	-510 series Accountants
	-501 series Financial Management Specialists
Office of the Secretary Management Intern Program
	-301 series Departmental Program Specialists

- GovernmentWide Acquisition Management Intern Program
**	**-1102 series Contract Specialists
- Financial Management Career Intern Program
**	**-510 series Accountants
- 	-501 series Financial Management Specialists
- Office of the Secretary Management Intern Program
**	**-301 series Departmental Program Specialists

- www.fai.gov

## Features
Two Years of Paid, Full-time, Professional Training and Work Experience
A Minimum of 240 Hours of Technical Training
A Minimum of 80 Hours of Training in Managerial Competencies
Rotational Assignments in Sponsoring Agencies/Offices
IDP Roadmap 
Formal Mentoring Program
Exposure to Leading Professionals in the Field

- Two Years of Paid, Full-time, Professional Training and Work Experience
- A Minimum of 240 Hours of Technical Training
- A Minimum of 80 Hours of Training in Managerial Competencies
- Rotational Assignments in Sponsoring Agencies/Offices
- IDP Roadmap
- Formal Mentoring Program
- Exposure to Leading Professionals in the Field

- www.fai.gov

## Marketing
Two-pronged marketing strategy-agency sponsors and applicants
Professionally developed brochures
Web site with current information  
Presentations at conferences and on college campuses
Client meetings for current and potential sponsors
Listserv
Word-of-mouth

- Two-pronged marketing strategy-agency sponsors and applicants
- Professionally developed brochures
- Web site with current information
- Presentations at conferences and on college campuses
- Client meetings for current and potential sponsors
- Listserv
- Word-of-mouth

- www.fai.gov

## Recruitment and Selection Process
Identify career fairs
	-Greatest potential
	-Diverse candidate pool
	-Public service fairs
Post vacancy announcement
Use FCIP excepted service hiring authority
	-on-the-spot acceptance of applications
Screening panels
	-Agency representatives
Interviews
Selections based on number of sponsors

- Identify career fairs
- 	-Greatest potential
- 	-Diverse candidate pool
- 	-Public service fairs
- Post vacancy announcement
- Use FCIP excepted service hiring authority
- 	-on-the-spot acceptance of applications
- Screening panels
- 	-Agency representatives
- Interviews
- Selections based on number of sponsors

- www.fai.gov

## Agency Partners
Board of Supervising Sponsors
Agency coordinators, mentors, on-site supervisors
DOI Program Manager

- Board of Supervising Sponsors
- Agency coordinators, mentors, on-site supervisors
- DOI Program Manager

- www.fai.gov

## Program Graduates 
To date, the program has graduated 64 Contract Specialists

Many of these individuals have risen to positions of high responsibility and authority in the federal government 
Program graduates hail from all over the country—from California to Washington, New York to Georgia

- To date, the program has graduated 64 Contract Specialists
- Many of these individuals have risen to positions of high responsibility and authority in the federal government
- Program graduates hail from all over the country—from California to Washington, New York to Georgia

- www.fai.gov

## Program Status
Vacancy announcements for all career intern programs are currently available on DOI University’s website, www.doi.gov/training and will be posted through April 16th

To date, over 200 applications have been received for these programs

- Vacancy announcements for all career intern programs are currently available on DOI University’s website, _[www.doi.gov](http://www.doi.gov/training)__[/training](http://www.doi.gov/training)_ and will be posted through April 16th
- To date, over 200 applications have been received for these programs

- www.fai.gov

## Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

**Career Ladder Employee (CLE) Program**
**Jean Lilly**

**Office of Procurement**

- www.fai.gov

**To maximize the performance from our career ladder employees through providing the best opportunities for career development and ensuring that succession planning is done to accommodate us when a large percentage of our senior staff retire in the next few years**

**Program Objective**

- www.fai.gov

**The Five Guiding Principles**
**     ****Development of a Procurement-Wide Rotation Schedule**
**     ****Providing the “right training” at the “right time**
**     ****The Career Ladder Employees (CLE’s) will be viewed as corporate assets until they graduate from the program**
**     ****Provide trained and skilled coaches for the employees**
**     ****Build a sustainable, quality workforce**

- www.fai.gov

**Program Status and Overview**
**Awaiting proposal from NTEU**
**Anticipate the start of rotations mid May**
**Rotations will last 6 months**
**The CLE will have the opportunity to rotate in 6 different office in Procurement**
**There are 2 major job series involved in the program (1101, 1102)**
**Coach training and “coaches collaboration group”**
**Capturing expertise from senior staff for succession planning**
**CLE Rotation Agreement**
**Will identify specific tasks to be performed during the rotation**
**Will identify the Coach **
**Will identify the Competencies**
** **

- www.fai.gov

##          Internal Revenue Service  (IRS)–         Agency-Wide Shared Services         Intern Program

               Pamela Thoren

-                Pamela Thoren

- www.fai.gov

## Program Objective –
Provide a vehicle for bringing high potential employees into AWSS professions as an integral part of an overall AWSS succession plan. 
Develop employees and ultimately leaders who have an understanding of government service, the tax mission of IRS and the obligations of support organizations to the agency’s primary mission. 
Foster an atmosphere of growth and opportunity for all employees, striving to become an “employer of choice”.

- Provide a vehicle for bringing high potential employees into AWSS professions as an integral part of an overall AWSS succession plan.
- Develop employees and ultimately leaders who have an understanding of government service, the tax mission of IRS and the obligations of support organizations to the agency’s primary mission.
- Foster an atmosphere of growth and opportunity for all employees, striving to become an “employer of choice”.

- www.fai.gov

## Intern Program Overview –
Hired approximately 11 interns using: Federal Career Intern Program (FCIP)
Interns rotate for a total of 19 months:
3 month rotation throughout various AWSS functions (2 field functions)
1 rotation outside of AWSS (tax division)
Interns assigned to a division coach/manager.
Interns complete specific assignments during each 3 month rotation

- Hired approximately 11 interns using: Federal Career Intern Program (FCIP)
- Interns rotate for a total of 19 months:
- 3 month rotation throughout various AWSS functions (2 field functions)
- 1 rotation outside of AWSS (tax division)
- Interns assigned to a division coach/manager.
- Interns complete specific assignments during each 3 month rotation

- www.fai.gov

## Continued...
Interns and division coach/manager complete progress evaluations to document best practices and apply program improvements. 
Interns follow a training plan and attend group meetings to provide feedback. 
Permanent placement within an AWSS division will be based on the director’s choice and Intern’s career goals.

- Interns and division coach/manager complete progress evaluations to document best practices and apply program improvements.
- Interns follow a training plan and attend group meetings to provide feedback.
- Permanent placement within an AWSS division will be based on the director’s choice and Intern’s career goals.

- www.fai.gov

## FAI-DAU Acquisition Learning Seminar

***Q & A Session***
***Thank you for attending our seminar!***

- www.fai.gov