ACQ 101 Fundamentals of Systems Acquisition Management.docx...

041969
041969
0401ACQ 101 FUNDAMENTALS OF SYSTEMS
ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT
SECTION 325
This course provides a broad overview of the DoD systems acquisition process, including the basics of system acquisition
management and the life cycle of a Defense system from inception to disposal. The course covers all phases of acquisition:
Material Solution Analysis (MSA); Technology Maturation and Risk Reduction (TMRR); Engineering and Manufacturing
Development (EMD); Production and Deployment (PD); and Operations and Support (O&S). The course also provides an
overview of the requirements generation process, the resource allocation process, and a myriad of laws, policy, regulations
and other guiding documents that govern the DoD's acquisition process. This course provides an overview of all functional
areas and their responsibilities as well as their interrelationships. Designed for individuals who have little or no experience in
DoD acquisition management; ACQ 101 has proven very useful to personnel in headquarters, program management, and
functional or support offices. Upon course completion, students should have a basic understanding and general knowledge of
the Defense Acquisition Management System. Defense acquisition is a very diverse and challenging process due to the
different functional disciplines and their responsibilities. It is a complex and interrelated, yet is also flexible in an ever
changing environment.
19 Modules
MODULE ONE – Systems Acquisition Management Overview
Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA)
In 1990, Congress passed the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA).
This act requires the Secretary of Defense, acting through the Under Secretary of Defense
for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics USD(AT&L), to establish education and training
standards, requirements, and courses for the civilian and military acquisition workforce.
The act's intent is to ensure that the Department of Defense (DoD) has qualified personnel
to manage the acquisition of defense systems. Skilled personnel are needed to meet the
challenges associated with defense systems that have become increasingly complex and
costly.
DAWIA requirements:
DAWIA establishes requirements for both Defense Acquisition positions and Defense
Acquisition Workforce members.
For Defense Acquisition positions the act requires that DoD:
 Designate specific jobs as "acquisition" positions
 Provide a structured approach for filling these designated positions with qualified
acquisition personnel
 Establish standards for:
o Education
o Training
o Experience
Page 1 of 54

Career Field Levels:
DoD has divided each career field into the following three career levels for the purposes of
establishing standards and qualifications:
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Acquisition Career Level I—
Basic or Entry Level
The purposes of this career
level are to:
 Establish fundamental
qualifications and
expertise within a job
series or career field
 Provide exposure to
acquisition functions
and the roles of various
specialties within
acquisition