Air Force Acquisition Boss Issues Memo Highlighting Workforce Skills for Space-Based Capabilities

Frank Calvelli, assistant secretary of the Air Force for space acquisition and integration, issued a new memorandum in mid-December that outlined key workforce oversight and management skills designed to improve space-based capabilities.

Calvelli, a past Potomac Officers Club speaker, shared that the “Essential Program Management Skills for Government Space Acquisition Professionals” contains 10 program management skills and best practices ensuring that government acquisition professionals working on space programs could perform their jobs effectively. Skills include mastering the fundamentals of acquisition, developing expertise in satellite and ground systems, understanding their mission areas and communicating with other experts working in their space.

Calvelli said the memo also looked at where the Department of Defense struggles regarding acquisition programs and the importance of program managers understanding how the private sector works, Breaking Defense reported.

Various U.S. government components have been calling for enhanced acquisition capabilities over recent weeks.

In the first week of January, Christine Harada, a senior adviser at the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, said government agencies’ acquisition staff must be adequately trained and supported through “modern training and development opportunities.” In December, Gen. James Rainey, the commander of the U.S. Army Futures Training Command, said rapid acquisition would bring new communications capabilities to soldiers on the frontlines.