ALCOAST 118/21 - MAR 2021 2021 CONTRACTING CAREER OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM (CCOP)

R 251942Z MAR 21
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 118/21
SSIC 1500
SUBJ:  2021 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 2025, 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 2025. 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 2024). 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 2025, 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 2022 or 2023.
   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 2023). 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 must 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 command 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 is required. Applicants are required to submit transcripts
from a nationally or regionally accredited institution. 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 must 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 October 2021.
    b. Deadline Date: Application packages are due to PSC-EPM-1
before 24 September 2021. Email is the required method of
submission for applications and must be sent to:
HQS-SMB-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 about the application and tracking may be directed
to Ms. Ada Harris, COMDT (CG-PSC-EPM-1), Ada.M.Harris@uscg.mil,
(202) 795-6563, or LT Michelle Rice, COMDT (CG-PSC-EPM-1),
Michelle.J.Rice@uscg.mil, (202) 795-6594.
    b. Questions about the CCOP program may be directed to the
CCOP Program Manager: Mr. David Braxton, COMDT (CG-9132),
David.S.Braxton@uscg.mil, (202) 475-3766.
12. Mr. Keith O’Neill, Head of the Contracting Activity (HCA)
(CG-91), sends.
13. Internet release is authorized.