Analysis of Marine Corps Systems Command Contracting Workforce Competency Assessment

Abstract

This research project analyzes Marine Corps Systems Command’s contracting workforce competencies. The data was gathered through a Contracting Workforce Competency Assessment, which is based on the National Contract Management Association’s Contract Management Standard. This standard was adopted by the DoD as the new basis for the DoD contracting competency model. The purpose of this research is to assess the current workforce’s proficiency ratings for buyer competencies and knowledge ratings for seller competencies. This project also compares assessment results to the 2018 Acquisition Workforce Competency Survey. The research findings indicate that buyer task proficiency ratings are higher than seller task knowledge ratings. The buyer tasks proficiency ratings range from Intermediate for Manage Disagreements to Advanced for Request Offers. The seller task knowledge ratings range from Aware for Manage Disagreements to Basic for Plan Negotiations. In addition, buyer competency ratings are stronger for the pre-award and award phases of the contract life-cycle than for the post-award phase. The comparative assessment with the 2018 Acquisition Workforce Competency Survey shows a similar trend, with buyer competency ratings higher in pre-award than the other phases. These findings can be used to develop targeted training plans that address the weaker competency areas, helping to improve the contracting workforce’s ability to support the warfighter.