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.   Primary responsibilities are to:  Lead the solicitation, evaluation, and selection of specific technology initiatives that deliver warfighting 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.  Requirements: 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.  #LI-AC1 #LI-Hybrid