U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center

U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center
Unit name	U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center
Caption	Headquarters at Fort Belvoir
Dates	Est. 1990s
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Type	Acquisition Support
Garrison	Fort Belvoir

U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center

The U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center provides acquisition personnel management, career development, and policy implementation for the United States Army acquisition workforce. It supports acquisition programs across Fort Belvoir, Redstone Arsenal, Picatinny Arsenal, and other locations working with organizations such as the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology), Program Executive Office Ground Combat Systems, and Army Futures Command. The center coordinates with federal partners including the Department of Defense, Office of the Secretary of Defense, and defense laboratories like the U.S. Army Research Laboratory.

History

The center was established in response to reform initiatives following commissions and legislation such as the Packard Commission, the Goldwater–Nichols Act, and the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act of 1994, which influenced acquisition practices across services including the United States Navy and the United States Air Force. Its emergence paralleled modernization efforts driven by conflicts such as the Gulf War and organizational reviews after the Global War on Terrorism began. Over time the center adapted to changes from the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act and coordinated with agencies like the Defense Acquisition University and the Government Accountability Office on workforce standards and audit recommendations.

Mission and Responsibilities

The center's mission aligns with statutory requirements under the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act and directives from the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Responsibilities include managing career fields for acquisition, overseeing civilian and military acquisition workforce certification in coordination with the Defense Acquisition University, supporting compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation and DoD issuances, and providing functional support to Program Executive Offices such as PEO Aviation and PEO Missiles and Space. It also administers workforce data reporting to entities like the Office of Management and Budget and the Congressional Budget Office when acquisition metrics are required for oversight.

Organization and Leadership

The center reports into the principal acquisition leadership of the Army, interfacing with the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology) and senior officials from Army Materiel Command and the Office of the Chief of Staff of the Army. Its organizational elements include workforce management divisions, career field managers, outreach offices, and policy divisions that coordinate with the Department of the Army staff. Leadership has interacted with notable defense and acquisition figures across administrations, and collaborates with service peers in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.

Programs and Services

Programs administered include acquisition workforce credentialing, civilian hiring and classification support, acquisition position descriptions, and appointment authorities for members assigned to Program Executive Offices like PEO STRI and PEO Soldier. Services also encompass deployment of acquisition workforce tools such as integrated talent management systems used by the Defense Information Systems Agency and interoperability with human resources systems like those at the Office of Personnel Management. The center supports modernization programs tied to major modernization priorities from Army Futures Command including network modernization, ground combat vehicles, and munitions, working alongside contractors from the Defense Industrial Base and systems integrators involved in programs such as the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle.

Training and Workforce Development

Training programs are coordinated with the Defense Acquisition University, professional development events featuring speakers from institutions like the Brookings Institution and the RAND Corporation, and certification pathways that reference standards promulgated by the Office of Management and Budget and the Government Accountability Office. The center facilitates continuous learning opportunities, leadership development cohorts, and acquisition intern programs that draw graduates from universities such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology, United States Military Academy, and Georgetown University. It also supports transition programs for veterans entering civilian acquisition roles and partners with professional associations including the National Contract Management Association.

Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement

Stakeholder engagement includes collaboration with federal partners like the Defense Acquisition University, the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, and oversight bodies such as the Congressional Research Service and the Government Accountability Office. The center engages industry through outreach events involving major defense companies such as Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Technologies, and General Dynamics as well as small businesses registered in the System for Award Management. International cooperation occurs through interoperability and acquisition exchange with allies participating in forums like the NATO acquisition community and trilateral activities with partners including the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada.

Category:United States Army organizations Category:Defense acquisition