government-wide acquisition management fellows program

(a)

Establishment of program

(1)

In general

The Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 403 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

45.

Government-wide acquisition management fellows program

(a)

Establishment of program

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act of 2009, the Administrator shall establish a government-wide acquisition management fellows program (in this section referred to as the program) for the purpose of investing in the long-term improvement and sustained excellence of the Federal acquisition workforce. (b)

Objectives

The objectives of the program shall be as follows: (1)To develop a new generation of acquisition leaders with government-wide perspective, skills, and experience. (2)To recruit individuals with the outstanding academic merit, ethical value, business acumen, and leadership skills to meet the acquisition needs of the Federal Government. (3)To offer, upon completion of the program, opportunities for advancement, competitive compensation, and leadership opportunities at various executive agencies. (c)

Structure

(1)

Contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements

The Office of Federal Procurement Policy shall enter into contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements with one or more qualified universities with demonstrated expertise in Federal Government acquisition. (2)

Training

The program shall consist of one academic year of full-time, on-campus training followed by two years of on-the-job and part-time training toward a Masters or equivalent graduate degree in related fields. (3)

Curriculum

The curriculum of the program shall include the following elements: (A)Rotational assignments at three or more executive agencies covering, among other issues, acquisition planning, cost estimation, formation and post-award administration of cost-reimbursement contracts, time-and-materials contracts, indefinite delivery indefinite quantity contracts, and interagency contracts, terminations, and contract close-out. (B)All required non-agency-specific training courses necessary for basic contracting officer warrant as established by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy. (C)Emphasis on transparency, accountability, and integrity in the public contracting process. (D)Other necessary courses and education as required by participating universities. (4)

Priority for employment

(A)

In general

The head of each executive agency shall give priority to graduates of the program for purposes of hiring employees in the acquisition field, based on performance during the program and other qualifications, and shall initially appoint such graduates to positions at the GS–12, 13, or 14 levels of the General Schedule, or equivalents. (B)

Rule of construction

Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to authorize any hiring that violates any merit system principle under section 2301 of title 5, United States Code, or conflicts with any right of a preference eligible (as defined under section 2108 of such title). (d)

Size

The total number of individuals entering the program each year may not exceed 200. There shall be at least 50 participants in the first year of the program, 100 participants in the second year, and 150 participants thereafter. (e)

Elements

In carrying out the program, the Administrator shall— (1)enter into one or more contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements with qualified universities having an expertise in Federal Government acquisition and the resources to administer the program independently; (2)be responsible for the management and oversight of the overall program and for placement of individuals upon graduation; (3)allow participating universities to select and to remove program participants in accordance with the established academic process for such graduate degree programs; and (4)periodically review the career development of the program participants upon placement and make necessary adjustments to the program to ensure the objectives are met. (f)

Service agreement

(1)

Commitment for Federal service

A person selected for participation in the program shall commit to employment with the Federal Government in the field of acquisition, following completion of the program, under such terms and conditions as the Administrator considers appropriate to ensure the Federal Government receives proper return on investment. Such employment shall be for a term of not less than one year for each year in the program. (2)

Reimbursement of funds

In cases of candidates who do not successfully complete the program or do not fulfill the minimum service requirements, the candidates shall be required to reimburse the Federal Government for funds received under the program. (g)

OFPP acquisition Fellows Program Fund

(1)

Establishment

There is hereby established in the Treasury of the United States a fund to be known as the OFPP Acquisition Fellows Development Fund (in this section referred to as the Fund). (2)

Use of funds

Amounts in the Fund shall be used for— (A)the establishment and operations of the program; (B)the award of contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements to cover expenses including— (i)tuition, books, materials, and other academic expenses; (ii)room and board of students during the time students are enrolled in the program; (iii)expenses for travel as required by the program; (iv)stipends; (v)planning and administration of the program; and (vi)other necessary expenses the Administrator considers necessary. (3)

Deposits to fund

The Fund shall consist of amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to the Fund.

(2)

Clerical amendment

The table of contents in section 1(b) of such Act is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

Sec. 45. Government-wide acquisition management fellows program.

(b)

Reports

(1)

Initial report

Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a preliminary report on the program, including a description of the program and the five-year budget needed to carry out the government-wide acquisition management fellows program established under section 45 of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act, as added by subsection (a). (2)

Annual report

Not later than one year after the commencement of the program and annually thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the program. The report shall include— (A)a description of the activities under the program, including the number of individuals who participated in the program and the training provided such individuals under the program; (B)an assessment of the effectiveness of the program in meeting the objectives of the program, including the performance of each university administering the program; and (C)any recommendations for additional legislative or administrative action that the Administrator considers appropriate in light of the program. (3)

Appropriate congressional committees defined

In this subsection, the term appropriate congressional committees means— (A)the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and (B)the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. (c)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated for the OFPP Acquisition Fellows Development Fund the following amounts: (1)For fiscal year 2011, $16,000,000. (2)For fiscal year 2012, $32,000,000. (3)For fiscal year 2013, $48,000,000.