Veterans Affairs Acquisition Academy (VAAA)

Acquisition Intern Program (AIP) Program Overview

On this page:
About the Program  |  Prerequisites  |  Application Guidance  |  Process and Documentation  |  Program Application Timelines  |  Program Application Package

About the Program

In an effort to enhance opportunities for employee professional development, AIS will open available seats for training year two of the Acquisition Intern Program (AIP).  This initiative is known as the AIS Bridge Program.  Select members of the 1102 VA workforce will join an existing cohort as it enters a training period that supports requirements for FAC-C Level II certification.  A shared commitment to complete the entire Bridge Program and work in the VA is vital to the program’s success.

return to top

Prerequisites

All FAC-C Level I training must be complete.  If a candidate holds a legacy FAC-C Level I certification, they will be required to complete the following prerequisites for courses in the AIS Bridge Program:

• CLC 057, Performance-Based Payments and Value of Cash Flow
• CLC 058, Introduction to Contract Pricing
• FAC 023, Basic Contracting for GSA Schedules
• FAC 031, Small Business Programs
• CON 170, Fundamentals of Cost and Price Analysis

All candidates, regardless if they hold a FAC-C certification level I are required to complete the following courses before the AIP Year Two Kick-Off:

• CLC 051, Managing Government Property in the Possession of Contractors
• CLC 056, Analyzing Contract Costs
• HBS 428, Negotiating

Further, candidates shall NOT have completed any of the following courses:

• CON 200, Business Decisions for Contracting
• CON 216, Legal Considerations in Contracting
• CON 270, Intermediate Cost and Price Analysis
• CON 280, Source Selection and Administration of Service Contracts
• CON 290, Contract Administration and Negotiation Techniques in a Supply Environment

return to top

Application Guidance

Acceptance into the Bridge Program must be based on a written request and determination that the candidate is in good standing, has completed all prerequisites, and whose participation in the program is supported by their management.  Support of the program includes recognition of Academy-based training time and on-the job training (OJT) mentoring of contract activities and reinforcement of the application of the classroom-based learning.  Supervisors and leadership are responsible for providing documentation that supports their employee’s nomination for program acceptance.  If application for the AIS Bridge Program is being made in order to retain a highly performing employee, clearly state this in the written application.  Each written determination for retention purposes must be based on a description of the extent to which the employee&rsq s departure would result in the VA losing a highly qualified individual.

To recommend an individual for acceptance in the program, the Director of Contracting (or equivalent) in the candidate’s organization must certify that:

1. The candidate is an employee of the organization and occupies an 1102 position; (recommend entry to journeyman level positions)
2. The candidate possesses high qualifications for the position; (candidates shall be high performing and may possess extensive experience)
3. The candidate has no adverse performance or conduct actions pending.

Candidates are responsible for providing the Candidate Request for AIS Bridge Program Participation and all supporting documents therein.  The candidate must agree to an 18 month Continued Service Agreement (CSA), and reimburse the VA if any conditions of the service agreement are not met.

return to top

Process and Documentation

The program application package includes a complete Candidate Request for AIS Bridge Program Participation Memorandum, AIS Bridge Program Participation Recommendation/Approval Memorandum, and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Acquisition Intern Continuing Service Agreement (CSA).  The following process outlines the requirements needed for a candidate to be considered for the program:

1. The candidate completes a Candidate Request for AIS Bridge Program Participation Memorandum, signs the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Acquisition Intern Continuing Service Agreement (CSA), and submits all associated documentation through their supervisor to the organization’s Director of Contracting or equivalent.
2. The candidate’s supervisory team reviews the request, and if approved, completes the AIS Bridge Program Participation Recommendation/Approval Memorandum.
3. The candidate’s supervisory team submits the complete program application package to AIS Program Manager via encrypted e-mail via encrypted e-mail.
4. A panel consisting of VAAA Program Managers, AIS Director of Operations, and AIS Vice Chancellor will process all Bridge Program applications.  The review process is robust and includes:
   1. The Program Managers verify package completion, rank candidates based on VA need and supervisor justification, and make recommendation(s) for acceptance in the program. Comments and findings will be forwarded to the AIS Director of Operations and AIS Vice Chancellor.
   2. The AIS Director of Operations will review and provide concurrence that funding is available.
   3. The AIS Vice Chancellor will review the requests and make the final selection determination.
5. A determination letter will be emailed to the candidate’s supervisory team as well as the candidate.  If the candidate is selected for the program, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Acquisition Intern Continuing Service Agreement (CSA) will be provided back to the organization for HR action and enforcement.

return to top

Program Application Timelines

Given the nature of our cohort model and the need to align the interns travel to the start of year two of the Acquisition Intern Program (AIP), the following timeline must be strictly adhered to:

1. 120 days prior to the start of the AIS Bridge program: The VAAA AIS will send candidate recruitment solicitation to VA stakeholders.
2. 60 days prior to the start of the AIS Bridge Program:  The candidate’s supervisory team submits the complete program application package with all supporting documents to the AIS Program Manager via encrypted e-mail.
3. 45 days prior to the start of the AIS Bridge Program:  A panel consisting of VAAA Program Managers, AIS Director of Operations, and AIS Vice Chancellor will process the Bridge Program applications.
4. 30 days prior to the start of the AIS Bridge Program:  A determination letter will be emailed to the candidate’s supervisory team as well as the candidate.
5. 14 days prior to the start of the AIS Bridge Program:  Successful candidates shall have made all of the necessary travel arrangements to attend the kick-off of the program.
6. 7 days prior to the start of the AIS Bridge Program:  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Acquisition Intern Continuing Service Agreement (CSA) will be provided back to the organization for HR action and enforcement.

return to top

Program Application Package

The following pages contain:

• Candidate Request for AIS Bridge Program Participation Memorandum
• AIS Bridge Program Participation Recommendation/Approval Memorandum
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Acquisition Intern CSA

return to top