ALCOAST 114/20 - MAR 2020 2020 CONTRACTING CAREER OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM (CCOP)

R 310811 MAR 20
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-91//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N01500//
ALCOAST 114/20
COMDTNOTE 1500
SUBJ: 2020 CONTRACTING CAREER OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM (CCOP)
A. Office of Federal Procurement Policy Memorandum, "Revisions to the Federal
Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C)", dated May 07, 2014
B. Performance, Training and Education Manual, COMDTINST M1500.10 (series)
C. Coast Guard Weight and Body Fat Standards Program Manual, COMDTINST M1020.8 (series)
1. This ALCOAST announces the continuation of and solicitation for the Contracting
Career Opportunity Program (CCOP). This three-year program is intended to provide
members who will be eligible for retirement in 2024, at the end of this program,
the opportunity to satisfy the requirements for FAC-C level II certification as
outlined in REF (A).
2. The CCOP is intended to provide a career growth opportunity that addresses the
Coast Guard's current and forecasted shortfalls in qualified contracting professionals.
Additionally, this program provides a potential career opportunity (post-military)
for qualified Coast Guard members who have already decided to retire during the
Summer of 2024. While there is no guarantee of a job offer upon program completion,
the combination of hands-on experience in formal contracting at Coast Guard
Headquarters (CGHQ), along with FAC-C level II certification should provide program
graduates with the appropriate skills to compete for civilian positions in formal
contracting.
3. Optimally, participants will be expected to submit their request for retirement
upon successful completion of their second year (June 2023). Upon completion of the
program, those who retire may compete for Coast Guard civilian contracting positions.
4. CCOP participants who complete the program, but elect not to retire, may be
required to serve one month of obligated service for each month of program
participation, IAW REF (B), and should expect assignment to an active duty
contracting billet.
5. The CCOP is an active duty program that will complement existing contracting
workforce initiatives currently available to the civilian workforce. As a contracting
professional, applicants will be expected to demonstrate a high degree of proficiency
and aptitude in the following areas: oral communication, written communications,
mathematics, analytical, and critical thinking skills. Title 10 reservists, active
duty operational support (ADOS) reservists, and retired recall members are not
eligible for this program.
6. Participants will be assigned to COMDT (CG-91) in Washington, DC, where they will
work under the mentorship of contracting officers to complete program requirements
that combine resident training, online training, formal on-the-job-training and real
work experience. Participants will be expected to complete the entire three-year
program and will not be assigned TAD during the program, except to meet training
requirements.
7. Eligibility requirements:
    a. Military members with a rank of W-4 or below. A purchasing/contracting background
is not required.
    b. Applicants must be retirement eligible by 2024, with 16 to 26 years time in
service (TIS) and, if selected, must have a minimum of 36 months remaining on active
duty when they start the 3-year program. High Year Tenure Professional Growth Points
will apply to this program.
    c. Applicants must be tour complete in 2021 or 2022.
    d. Applicants must possess a baccalaureate degree or have at least 24 semester
hours in accounting, business finance, contracts, economics, industrial management,
law, organization and management, or purchasing and quantitative methods.
    e. Applicants may request a waiver for the education requirements; however,
applicants must provide a written plan that shows how all education requirements
will be met by the end of the first year (June 2022). The panel will review the plan
and determine if the plan is acceptable. Clearly identify the education waiver by
placing “Education Waiver – Written Plan” at the top of the page. If this is not
included with your application, the waiver request will not be considered.
8. Application guidelines:
    a. Each applicant must submit a standard CG memo via their command. The memo
should indicate that they meet the prerequisites, understand the obligated service
requirements, and detail why they desire participation in the program.
    b. A positive endorsement from any GS-1102 contracting professional in a
supervisory position is required. A command endorsement from a supervisor in the
applicant's chain of command (O-6 or above) is also required. The endorsement must
include a statement certifying the member is in compliance with Coast Guard weight
standards as described in REF (C). The endorsement must include the Commanding
Officer's recommendation as it pertains to the applicant's ability to complete the
course of study, communicate effectively both orally and in writing, analyze
information effectively, make sound business decisions, perform in a professional
manner, and an assessment of the applicant's future potential/aptitude.
    c. A college transcript demonstrating proof of baccalaureate degree or at least
24 semester hours among accounting, business finance, contracts, economics, industrial
management, law, organization and management, or purchasing and quantitative methods.
Applicants are advised to submit transcripts from a nationally or regionally accredited
institution is required. American Council on Education (ACE) documents will not be
accepted. ACE courses must be submitted to the CG Institute for evaluation and then
transferred to an accredited college transcript.
9. A professional resume demonstrating applicable experience, education and
certifications shall be included. Written responses to the following knowledge, skills,
and abilities questions are required:
    a. Discuss your most challenging situation or other assignment/experience. Discuss
the issues you faced, the alternative solutions you considered and the outcome of the
experience.
    b. Strong oral, written, analytical and critical thinking skills are required. On
a scale of 1-10 (10 being the highest), please rate yourself in each of these areas.
You must justify your ratings by providing specific examples/experiences.
10. Selection Timeline:
      a. Convening Date: A Joint Officer/Enlisted CCOP Selection Panel will convene
around Oct 2020.
      b. Deadline Date: Application packages are due to PSC-EPM-1 before 18 September
2020. Email is the required method of submission for applications and should be sent
to: ARL-PF-CGPSC-EPM-1-PANELS@USCG.MIL. Members who submit incomplete or inaccurate
applications are at risk of not being considered for this opportunity.
11. Points of contact:
      a. Questions related to the application and tracking shall be directed to Ms. Ada
Harris, Ada.M.Harris@uscg.mil or LT Michelle Rice, michelle.j.rice@uscg.mil.
      b. Questions about the CCOP program may be directed to HQ COMDT (CG-9132), CCOP
Program Manager: Mr. David Braxton, David.S.Braxton@uscg.mil.
12. Mr. Michael Derrios, Senior Procurement Executive & Head of Contracting Activity (HCA),
sends.
13. Internet release is authorized.