Veterans Affairs Acquisition Academy (VAAA)
SALT Frequently Asked Questions
- Application Completion - How do I request an application?
- Application Completion - When and where do I submit my completed application?
- Application Completion - Will I have to provide Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in my applications package? If so, how will it be secured?
- Application Completion - Will I need to obtain letters of recommendation?
- Application Completion - Will I need to provide “wet-ink” signatures for all of my application forms?
- Eligibility - Can an exception be made for the requirement to have two years of experience with my agency?
- Eligibility - Will there be waivers for those who have not had two consecutive years of 1102 experience with the VA?
- Eligibility - Must I have been a supervisor for two consecutive years at the VA in order to qualify for the program?
- Eligibility - Can I still apply if I am not a GS-13 through 15 at the time applications are due, but will be a GS-13 through 15 by the program start date?
- Eligibility - Will there be waivers for those who are not GS-13s?
- Participant Selection - When will I find out if I have been selected?
- Program Administration - Will I be required to sign a Continued Service Agreement (CSA)?
- Program Administration - How many cohorts are being offered?
- Program Administration - Where and when will I be required to work on the program assignments with my cohort?
- Program Administration - What happens if I am selected for the program, but then cannot attend all parts of the program due to unforeseen circumstances?
- Program Administration - What is the schedule?
- Program Administration - virtual instructor-led class session?
- Program Administration - What is the requirement for the SALT Capstone project?
- Program Administration - What if I am unable to complete the SALT Capstone Project?
- Program Administration - How much travel is involved?
- Program Administration - What is required of me to receive a passing grade and graduate from the SALT program?
- Program Administration - Will I get promoted if I complete this program?
1. Application Completion - How do I request an application?
Download the SALT Application.
2. Application Completion - When and where do I submit my completed application?
Completed applications must be submitted via email (VAAASALT@va.gov) no later than 4:00 p.m. ET on Friday, June 30, 2023.
3. Application Completion - Will I have to provide Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in my applications package? If so, how will it be secured?
Please exclude all Personally Identifiable Information (PII), such as personal address or social security number. Work related contact information is sufficient for program execution. If accepted to the SALT Program, we may need your mailing address in order to mail course materials.
4. Application Completion - Will I need to obtain letters of recommendation?
The applicant’s immediate supervisor will need to complete the Supervisor Recommendation portion of the application package. Additional recommendations are not required, and if submitted, will not be used as part of the evaluation process.
5. Application Completion -Will I need to provide “wet-ink” signatures for all of my application forms?
The application forms are designed to accept digital signatures for all portions requiring a signature; however, if you are unable to complete the document electronically, “wet-ink” signatures will be accepted in place of a digital signature. Please note, if submitting “wet-ink” signatures, applicants are responsible for scanning and submitting their completed application package by the submission deadline; late applications will not be accepted.
6. Eligibility - Can an exception be made for the requirement to have two years of experience with the VA?
Participants will be developing leadership skills and addressing concerns currently facing the acquisition community. Therefore, at a minimum, applicants must possess 1102 or P/PM experience with your current agency from June 2021 to June 2023. There will be no exceptions to this requirement.
7. Eligibility - Will there be waivers for those who have not had two consecutive years of 1102 experience with the VA?
No, those who have not had two consecutive years of experience with their current agency will not be eligible for the program.
8. Eligibility - Must I have been a supervisor for two consecutive years at the VA in order to qualify for the program?
No, SALT eligibility requirements simply stipulate that you must currently be a supervisor at a GS13–15, or a non-supervisory GS14 or 15.
9. Eligibility - Can I still apply if I am not a GS-13 through 15 at the time applications are due, but will be a GS-13 through 15 by the program start date?
Applicants are required to be classified as a GS-13 through 15 at the time of application.
10. Eligibility - Will there be waivers for those who are not GS-13s?
No, all candidates must meet eligibility requirements of serving as a GS-13 through 15.
11. Participant Selection - When will I find out if I have been selected?
Selection notifications will be sent in mid-August 2023.
12. Program Administration - Will I be required to sign a Continued Service Agreement (CSA)?
Students will not be required to sign a Continued Service Agreement.
13. Program Administration - How many cohorts are being offered?
One hybrid cohort will be offered comprised of 1102s and P/PMs. The make-up of the cohorts is subject to change based on the applicant pool. The cohort will begin in October 2023 and end in May 2024.
14. Program Administration - Where and when will I be required to work on the program assignments with my cohort?
SALT will be a hybrid of in-person and online virtual instructor-led courses from October 2023 to May 2024. Time will be provided for course work, capstone work, and independent assignments during these sessions. Up to 50 additional hours will be necessary to complete independent assignments and other Capstone project work. The benefits of the program are directly related to the commitment participants make to their teams.
15. Program Administration - What happens if I am selected for the program, but then cannot attend all parts of the program due to unforeseen circumstances?
Participants are expected to make a commitment to the program and their fellow cohort members by completing all elements of the program. In the event unforeseen circumstances arise and disrupt participation, those circumstances will be weighed against program objectives and will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Please note: featured on-site sessions are mandatory and will be scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. Travel plans should account for this schedule. Prospective candidates who are not available during these session dates should not apply as attendance at all on-site sessions is mandatory.
16. Program Administration - What is the schedule?
Please download the SALT schedule to review the dates.
The hybrid SALT Program will consist of 11 days of in-person training and regularly scheduled virtual classes and engagement sessions. In-person sessions at VAAA in Frederick, Md., will be held October 23-26, 2023, March 5-7, 2024 and May 13-16, 2024, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET daily. Virtual instructor-led sessions will be held twice-monthly on Tuesdays from 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET, starting November 14, 2023 – April 30, 2024. There will also be up to 50 hours of individual course work/Capstone deliverable work to complete outside of class time. Please note that times and dates listed may be subject to change.
17. Program Administration - What is a virtual instructor-led class session?
A virtual class session is required class time that will be used for participating in engaging SALT activities. These activities may include Capstone team work sessions and meetings, Capstone team meetings with the SALT Team, completing assignments, special guest speakers, collaboration sessions, video sessions, games, and other learning activities. Six hours will be reserved for a virtual class session.
18. Program Administration - What is the requirement for the SALT Capstone project?
The Capstone project for SALT will be a team project. Each team will focus on a different current issue facing the acquisition community, as identified by senior acquisition leaders. Teams will have eight months to research and analyze the topic areas, develop alternative solutions, engage with project sponsors, if appropriate, and formulate recommendations. Each team will prepare a written paper and briefing package to be presented to their project sponsor and other senior leaders in May 2024. The benefits of the program are directly related to the commitment they make to their team.
19. Program Administration - What if I am unable to complete the SALT Capstone Project?
Satisfactory completion of the Capstone project for SALT is one of the requirements for graduation. Satisfactory completion means the senior leader assigned as the project sponsor and the SALT program manager collectively conclude that each member of the team collaborated, cooperated, and contributed to the research, analysis, discussions, proposed solution(s), and team milestone achievement for the Capstone challenge. Furthermore, the paper and presentation are professional, well organized, and succinct, as provided to the SALT staff and senior leaders.
20. Program Administration - How much travel is involved?
SALT is a hybrid program for FY24 and will require at least 11 days in Frederick, MD at the VA Acquisition Academy. The cost for training and travel will be covered by the VAAA Contracting Professional School (CPS). Depending on where the participant resides, travel on the day prior to the session or on the day after completion of the session may be required to meet start (8:00 a.m.) and stop (5:00 p.m.) times. Early arrival and departure will be approved by the SALT program lead on a case-by-case situation. Participants are solely responsible for managing their travel orders and should ensure they are created 60 days before the scheduled travel date.
21. Program Administration - What is required of me to receive a passing grade and graduate from the SALT program?
Participants will be expected to attend, participate, and complete all sessions scheduled by the program; complete individual assignments; and actively participate in and contribute to the Capstone project scope and major milestones established by the team, receiving a “satisfactory” completion rating from the Capstone sponsor and SALT program manager.
22. Program Administration - Will I get promoted if I complete this program?
Completion of SALT does not guarantee promotion but will contribute to professional and personal growth. Additionally, this elite training program will provide you with the tools, techniques, and perspectives to prepare you more fully for entry into the ranks of Senior VA leadership.
