ALCOAST 173/23 - MAY 2023 2023 CONTRACTING CAREER OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM (CCOP)

R 011030Z MAY 23 MID120000019361U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 173/23
SSIC 1500
SUBJ: 2023 CONTRACTING CAREER OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM (CCOP)
A. Office of Federal Procurement Policy Memorandum,
"Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C)
Modernization", dated January 16, 2023
B. Performance, Training and Education Manual, COMDTINST 1500.10D
C. Coast Guard Weight and Body Fat Standards Program Manual,
COMDTINST M1020.8
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 2027, 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 2026. While there is no guarantee of a job
offer upon program completion, the combination of hands-on
experience in formal contracting at 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 2025). 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, D.C., 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 2026, 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 2024 or 2025.
    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 2024). 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 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.
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 SEP 2023.
     b. Deadline Date: Application packages are due to PSC-EPM-1
before 24 August 2023. Email is the required method of submission
for applications and should 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 related to the application and tracking shall be
directed to LTJG Max McClay, Maxwell.McClay@uscg.mil or
HQS-SMB-CGPSC-EPM-1-PANELS@USCG.mil.
     b. Questions about the CCOP program may be directed to
COMDT (CG-9132), CCOP Program Manager: Mr. Termaine Richmond,
Termaine.M.Richmond@uscg.mil.
12. Mr. Keith O'Neill, Head of the Contracting Activity (HCA)
(CG-91), sends.
13. Internet release is authorized.