In order to provide defense professionals with the tools and insight needed to effectively bridge the gap between the Defense Department and innovative commercial technology, the Immersive Commercial Acquisition Program is a collaborative fellowship program between the Defense Acquisition University and the Defense Innovation Unit.
The program, which combines virtual classroom training with experiential learning through the execution of prototype projects, is recruiting for the next cohort of acquisition innovators this Spring.
Under ICAP, DOD acquisition personnel work on Service-aligned projects, alongside a DIU contracting officer and project team as well as commercial solution providers on a variety of projects.
Up to six contracting officers will be competitively selected from across the DOD civilian and military communities to take part in the twelve-month immersive program. The ICAP cohort will take virtual classes on Other Transaction (OT) authorities through DAU’s Defense Acquisition Credentials program and receive hands-on experience with every aspect of DIU’s Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) process through project execution. ICAP participants will also get first-hand knowledge of the commercial sector.
Last year, DAU and DIU recognized the first cohort to complete the program, and welcomed six contracting professionals into the second year of the program. The current ICAP fellows are set to complete their capstone projects in October 2024.
“Each year the ICAP program continues to set a high bar for future cohorts and achieves - and exceeds - our goal to provide innovation-fluent contracting officers,” said Cherissa Tamayori, DIU Acquisition Director. “We are excited to continue to provide the environment to learn first-hand how to leverage the OT authority, how to acquire novel commercial technologies - and to have ICAP fellows be change agents in the use of flexible acquisition methods within their organizations.”
Contracting professionals are encouraged to apply now. Applications are being accepted starting April 29, 2024 through August 7, 2024. Learn more here and apply here.