What is DAWIA?

DAWIA stands for the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act. DAWIA, passed in 1990, was enacted to improve the overall effectiveness and professionalism of military and civilian personnel charged with management and administration of Defense acquisition programs. DAWIA emphasized improving the education, training and experience levels of acquisition professionals.

What is the Acquisition Corps (AC)?

The Defense Acquisition Corps (DAC) is a subset of the Department of the Navy (DON) acquisition workforce. The Acquisition Corps consists of a select group of highly skilled military and civilian acquisition professionals. DON Critical Acquisition Positions (CAPs) must be filled with members of the Acquisition Corps.

What is the difference between Acquisition Corps and DAWIA certifications?

Being a member of the Acquisition Corps (AC) means that you have completed acquisition training and possess extensive acquisition experience and are eligible to fill Critical Acquisition Positions.  An Acquisition Corps member has an AQD of APM assigned.  DAWIA certifications indicate that you have completed specific career field training and experience and have been awarded a certification (Level I, II, or III).

Do I really need to become a member of the Acquisition Corps?

YES! Apply for Acquisition Corps membership once you have been promoted to LCDR and have attained Level II certification in any career field.  Many acquisition coded billets, especially our CDR and CAPT billets are coded as "critical" acquisition billets.  An officer must be a member of the Acquisition Corps to be assigned to one of these billets.  You cannot be assigned to a critical acquisition position if you are not a member of the Acquisition Corps.

How do I become a member of the Acquisition Corps?

A Selection Board convenes twice a year to select officers into the AC—normally in Sep and Feb. You must be at least a LCDR (you must be wearing it prior to the Board convening), should be at least level 2 certified in your career field, should have a minimum level of business education and acquisition training, and at least four years of acquisition experience (one year can be credited for education). A NAVADMIN is released announcing the board which details the specifics of the application process.

What are DAWIA certifications?

DoD implemented DAWIA by establishing a certification process. All personnel working in acquisition positions must be certified. Certification is the process through which the DoN determines that an individual meets the minimum mandatory education, training, and work experience requirements established for an acquisition career field and position. Each acquisition career field and position category is divided into three career levels for the purposes of establishing education, training and experience standards.

What are the three levels of DAWIA certification?

Level I (Basic Level): This level is for individuals in the civilian grades of GS-05 through GS-08 (except for civilians in the purchasing career field) and military grades of O-1 through O-3. Basic level training standards are designed to establish fundamental qualifications and expertise in the individual's job series, functional area or career field. Development at the basic level lays the foundation for career progression and is designed to prepare qualified, motivated personnel for positions of increasing responsibility.

Level II (Intermediate Level): This level is for individuals in the civilian grades of GS-09 through GS-12 (except for civilians in the purchasing career field) and military grade of O-4. At the beginning of the intermediate level, specialization is emphasized, then an individual should later begin to broaden his or her background toward a more general expertise in the overall processes of their career field. Development of the experience in the individual's primary career field should optimally be followed by a lateral movement to a related specialty.

Level III (Senior Level): This level is for individuals in the civilian grades of GS-13 (except for civilians in the purchasing career field) and above and military grades of O-5 and above. By the time an individual reaches Level III, he or she should have completed all the mandatory training and education requirements up to that level and should have advanced through a career pattern that has given them an in-depth knowledge in their career field and breadth of knowledge across the entire acquisition process.

What are the requirements for DAWIA certifications and how do attain them?

DAU Catalog has all the details on Career Fields Certification Standards.  An online copy of the catalog is available at http://www.dau.mil/catalog/default.aspx.  Detail the requirements for each certification level of each career field are available in Appendix B. Once you have completed the requirements for a certification you need to apply for certification.  The certification process is now entirely on line.  Log onto the Register-Now for Career Field Certification webpage and fill out the appropriate web application.

How do I know what certifications are in my service record?

Your level of certification for each career field is entered in your service record as an Additional Qual Designator (AQD). AQD’s appear on your OSR/PSR cover sheet and on your ODC. 

I noticed that I have a level "zero" certification. What does that mean?
When an officer is detailed into a non-critical acquisition billet, the Acquisition Professional Advisor (Pers-447) at the Navy Personnel Command screens the billet AQD against the officer’s actual AQD’s. If the officer does not have any level of certification in the required area, Pers-447 enters an AQD for the officer with a zero as the third digit. This allows him to track the officer’s certification progress – within 24 months the officer must attain certification commensurate with the billet AQD. So, if you have an AQD ending in a zero, it means that you are/were in a billet and have not attained (or did not attain) the proper acquisition certification. Bottom line is that an AQD in your record that ends with a zero is not a good thing. Does it matter? Do Selection Boards know this? Do Selection Boards care? Does anyone from the Acquisition Professional community go back to see if required certifications were attained? The answer to all of these questions is, "Maybe, maybe not...." However, it’s probably wise for all of us to try not to have any of these zeros in our records.

Where do I start?

First you should take ACQ-101 and LOG-101. These are available on line. You can register for these courses on the DAU Register Now website. ACQ-201 is also partially available on the web. Once you have completed these basic courses, you should work to complete the remaining requirements for career field certification to the level commensurate with your paygrade. You should also aim to become a member of the AC as soon as you are a LCDR.

How can I update or make changes to my eDACM profile?

Can I get DAWIA training enroute between duty stations?

First, ensure your detailer knows what DAWIA training you want enroute. If the detailer indicates that the training is possible considering other time constraints, go to the DAU "Register Now" web site and register for the class you desire—in the remarks indicate that this will be enroute between PCS duty stations and include PERS-447 your supervisor. Once your quota is confirmed, the detailer will include the intermediate stop on your orders.

Where can I go to learn more about DAWIA and AC?

The Acquisition Career Management web site has the most up to date, accurate and comprehensive information available reagrding AC and DAWIA.

I currently am not in an acquisition coded billet. Can I request certification?

For active component officers, certification is still possible despite not being currently assigned to an acquisition coded billet.  Assuming all required DAU coursework is complete, forward a .pdf version of your DAU transcript and fitrep(s) stating over 50% of acquisition duties and responsibilities performed as it applies to the career field you are requesting certification in, to PERS-447 (pers-447(underscore)mail@navy.mill)(pers-447_mail).  Your request will be reviewed and feedback provided on disposition.

I'm a Navy Reserve officer.  Can I apply for career field certification?

Certification for Selected Reserve officers is allowed, assuming your Reserve unit billet/assignment is designated as acquisition coded (AT&L).  Current policy is that Reserve officer MUST occupy a coded billet to be eligible for certification.  Only those Reserve officers on active duty (mobilized, recall, ADSW, etc.), are eligible to apply for certification.  Call 901-874-3837 for additional details.