APFIT Project Manager

As an APFIT Project Manager, you will be responsible for helping manage the Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT). APFIT is a pilot program, started in Fiscal Year 2022, to provide procurement funding for innovative projects that have completed development and are ready to transition into operational use. Funding amounts of $10M-$50M are awarded to projects with small business or non-traditional performers to accelerate initial production and reduce the overall procurement timeline.
The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research & Engineering, OUSD(R&E), conducts a competitive down-select process each year using evaluation criteria including impact to the warfighter, sustainment support, and applicability to the broader DoD. Projects are awarded in coordination with a Service, Combatant Command, Defense Agency, or other organization and have included everything from procurement of undersea sensors to the manufacture and launch of satellites.

• Lead the solicitation, evaluation, and selection of specific technology initiatives that deliver war fighting capabilities to close time-critical gaps in high-priority DoD missions.
• Develop relationships with key program offices throughout DoD to solicit viable proposals.
• Assess the maturity of technologies during project solicitation for qualification as a viable potential APFIT selection prior to down-selection.
• Prepare call for proposals materials and serve as primary POC for industry and government inquiries about the APFIT selection process.
• Lead all phases of the APFIT down selection process to identify innovative projects to receive procurement funding.
• Build project solicitation materials.

• Minimum 15 years of relevant work experience.
• Experience providing leadership and technical direction to teams to solve complex technical, management, and administrative problems.
• Experience interfacing with personnel at all levels of the DoD (Services, DoD Agencies, OSD, Joint Staff, Program Offices).
• Expert knowledge of DoD Acquisition and Acquisition Pathways.
• Experience building and managing acquisition documentation, interfacing with contracting and financial managers, and assisting with monitoring program execution.
• Experience overcoming systemic technology transition challenges associated with the DoD acquisition “Valley of Death.”
• Executive presence with highly effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to develop high-quality, professional briefings and written reports to succinctly capture key issues for DoD decision-makers and Congress.
• Self-starter, able to take initiative and accomplish work independently with minimal guidance.
• Must be highly organized with strong attention to detail.
• Experience in system acquisition to include development, integration, production, and fielding of capabilities.
• Education Requirements:
  
  Bachelor's degree required.
• Clearance Requirements:
  
  - Active TOP SECRET clearance with Sensitive Compartmentalized Information (SCI).
• U.S. Citizenship is required for this position.