2024 Defense Acquisition Workforce Writing Awards
CATEGORY 1:
INNOVATION IN OVERCOMING OBSTACLES
(up to five awards annually at $5,000 for each award recipient)
Papers should document a firsthand account of the member using independent judgment and an original or engaging idea to overcome an obstacle faced while working within the defense acquisition system. The paper should indicate critical thinking and include diverse perspectives.
CATEGORY 2:
INNOVATION IN IMPLEMENTING ACQUISITION FLEXIBILITIES
(one award annually at $5,000 for the award recipient)
Papers should document approaches to program management that emphasize innovation and local adaptation. These would include the use of simplified acquisition procedures, inherent flexibilities within the Federal Acquisition Regulation, commercial contracting approaches, public-private partnership agreements and practices, cost sharing arrangements, innovative contractor incentive practices, and other innovative implementations of acquisition flexibilities and authorities.
PRIZES:
Five award recipients may be selected in the Innovation in Overcoming Obstacles category and one recipient in the Innovation and Implementing Acquisition Flexibilities category. Recipients will receive a $5,000 cash prize.
ELIGIBILITY:
All military and civilian members of the Defense Acquisition Workforce are eligible to compete for the 2024 Defense Acquisition Workforce Writing Awards. Contractors and DAU employees are not eligible for this award.
HOW TO ENTER:
Essays should be 1,000 to 1,500 words and must be submitted by email to [email protected] along with completed forms below. Click here for specific submission guidelines.
DD Form 1910 Clearance Request for Public Release
2024 Defense Acquisition Workforce Writing Awards Submission Form
The deadline for submission is Feb. 1, 2024. Winners will be announced in spring.
DAU is not responsible for submissions that are incomplete.
FAQS:
Q: The "Call for Papers" memorandum states that the writing awards are open to military and civilian members of the Defense Acquisition Workforce--does this infer that anyone submitting the papers must be in coded acquisition positions? A: Yes. The statutory language § 1743 specifies that the awards are to recognize members of the acquisition workforce. Per policy, the Defense Acquisition Workforce is defined as people on acquisition coded positions. As such, the names of those submitting papers will be checked against the acquisition workforce database.
Q: Are military members eligible for the cash award?
A: Yes, military members of the Defense Acquisition Workforce in acquisition coded positions are eligible for the $5,000 cash award. 10 USC 1743 requires the President of DAU to set up a program to issue cash awards up to $5,000 to members of the acquisition workforce, which are defined as people on acquisition coded positions.
Q: Can I submit multiple entries per category?
A: No, you may only submit one entry per category.
Q: Can I win in both categories?
A: No. A member of the Acquisition Workforce may receive one award each year.
Q: Does the word count include references?
A: No. References are not included in the overall word count.
Q: Must the firsthand account in 'Innovation in Overcoming Obstacles' take place within a certain timeframe?
A: No. The firsthand account could have taken place at any time.
Q: Are co-authors allowed?
A: No. One author per entry.
Q: Should my submission follow a certain style?
A: Submissions should comply with plain writing guidelines (as defined in section 3 of the Plain Writing Act of 2010.) For overall style and format, Associated Press (AP) Style is preferred.
Q: Can I certify myself on the DD Form 1910 Public release?
A: No. Certification must be from an official who has the authority to release your submission with the understanding that the submission may be posted online or published in an acquisition magazine. The official is certifying the command agrees with the release and there are no sensitivities like source selection concerns or classification issues.
Q: Will the essays be judged blindly?
A: Yes. This will ensure there is no bias during the judging process.
PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS:
Promotional Flyer:
LinkedIn:
Submissions for the inaugural Defense Acquisition Workforce Writing Awards are open! Established to encourage persistence in overcoming obstacles and innovation in defense acquisition, learn more at scan.dau.edu/wFuL4MIWD?fc=0
Facebook:
The Defense Acquisition Workforce Writing Awards are open for your submissions! Focused on two award categories, Innovations in Overcoming Obstacles and in Implementing Acquisition Flexibilities, don’t miss your chance to win a $5,000 cash prize. Learn more about submission requirements at scan.dau.edu/wFuL4MIWD?fc=0
Instagram:
Submissions for the Defense Acquisition Workforce Writing Awards are open! Award Categories include:
Innovations in Overcoming Obstacles, Innovations in Implementing Acquisition Flexibilities
Prize: $5,000
Deadline: Feb. 1, 2024
