Veterans Affairs Acquisition Academy (VAAA)
Warriors to Workforce (W2W) Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a Contract Specialist?
- What kind of work does a Contract Specialist do at VA?
- What skills do I need to be successful as a Contract Specialist?
- What are the qualifications for the W2W program?
- What are the options for those with 24 Business Credits or possess a bachelor’s degree?
- Is the W2W Intern Program only for service-connected Veterans?
- Why apply for the VA W2W Internship Program?
- Will the VA pay for my relocation expenses to the location of my permanent job placement?
- What is a Mobility Statement?
- What is a Continuing Service Agreement (CSA)?
1. What is a Contract Specialist?
Contract Specialists are buyers for the U.S. Government. They participate in decisions about how to fulfill agency missions, plan for the purchase of goods and services from the private sector, and negotiate, award, and manage contracts. Their work is diverse, challenging, and meaningful. Contract Specialists contribute at varying levels of skill and expertise and there is considerable opportunity for growth and increased responsibility for those who excel and are passionate about their careers.
2. What kind of work does a Contract Specialist do at VA?
Federal acquisition professionals, including Contract Specialists, make strategic and innovative business decisions to help the United States acquire the vital goods and services to help the VA meet our mission of serving Veterans. Contract Specialists act as business partners to operations to plan for and acquire a wide range of goods and services.
3. What skills do I need to be successful as a Contract Specialist?
This career field requires a combination of soft skills and professional disciplines: Critical thinking, problem solving, decision making, oral and written communication, negotiating, risk management, customer service, financial management, accounting, record keeping, regulatory knowledge, research, marketing, and many others.
4. What are the qualifications for the W2W program?
- Candidates for the program must have a high school diploma (or equivalent) with little to no post-secondary education (i.e. have not earned a bachelor’s degree and has taken less than six business credits).
- Candidates must be eligible for hire under the Veterans’ Recruitment Appointment (VRA) Authority
. - If you have too many business credits, or already have a degree and are interested in our Acquisition Intern Program (AIP), please visit our website.
5. What are the options for those with 24 Business Credits or possess a bachelor’s degree?
Candidates who have completed their Bachelor’s Degree or who have completed a minimum of 24 college-level business courses are eligible to apply directly for Contract Specialist positions on USA Jobs, and can also apply for the Acquisition Intern Program (AIP). For more information about the AIP, please see the Acquisition Internship website.
6. Is the W2W Intern Program only for service-connected Veterans?
The W2W Program is intended to assist Veterans with service-connected disabilities as well as a son, daughter, or spouse of a Veteran who died or is permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability. The disability must arise out of active service in the Armed Forces.
Eligibility requirements can be found at http://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/other_programs/dea.html.
7. Why apply for the VA W2W Internship Program?
The W2W Program prepares interns for a long-term professional career in government acquisitions. The VA’s mission resonates with most Veterans, as they are able to continue to serve our nation by serving fellow Veterans.
Participants are hired as full-time Federal employees with all associated benefits, including:
- Paid leave
- Paid Federal holidays
- Competitive compensation packages
- Health care benefits
- Advancement opportunities
- Retirement programs
Participants in the seven month paid internship program start at a GS-5. Upon successfully completing the W2W program, participants will convert to the 11 month AIP program. If the participant successfully completes all 18 months of both programs, they will be strategically infused into the VA acquisition workforce.
8. Will the VA pay for my relocation expenses to the location of my permanent job placement?
Yes, relocation expenses will be paid if you are successful in the program and once your Permanent Change of Duty Station is determined.
9. What is a Mobility Statement?
This a requirement for all VA interns to sign that they AGREE to be mobile and are willing to accept an assignment and relocation (at government expense and in accordance with applicable regulations) to any VA Acquisition Organization where their services are needed.
10. What is a Continuing Service Agreement (CSA)?
Interns will be required to sign a CSA requiring them to serve the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for a period of 36 months upon completion of the internship program. The purpose of the Warriors to Workforce/Acquisition Intern Program Continuing Service Agreement (CSA) is to prevent VA from losing valuable trained resources prematurely. The Government Employees Training Act (GETA), codified at 5 U.S.C. 4108, provides agency heads authority to determine the conditions for requiring CSAs.
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