Federal Acquisition Fellows Coalition

Paid Acquisition Internships

Internships within the acquisition field are often geared towards individuals who have recently graduated college or have some experience. These programs can be up to three years long and have you finish the program as a GS-11 or equivalent. The actual programs will vary by sponsoring agency.

There are several paid internship programs available for individuals interested in transitioning to the acquisition field. This section describes acquisition intern programs and Government-wide internship programs. You may also want to search a specific agency website for internships that particular agency may offer.

Defense Procurement, Acquisition Policy, and Strategic Sourcing Acquisition Exchange Program
The Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy (DPAPSS) Acquisition Exchange Program (AEP) provides a unique career developmental experience for high-caliber individuals in acquisition and acquisition-related career fields.

The AEP represents a serious commitment on the part of DPAPSS to provide a valuable career development experience to individuals in the acquisition community.

The AEP provides insight and hands-on experience about the development and implementation of DoD-wide acquisition policy issues. The assigned projects offer successful candidates an opportunity to enhance their acquisition and senior-level policymaking skills, develop their managerial and leadership skills, and prepare for future positions within the acquisition community.

Government-wide Acquisition Management Intern Program
The Government-wide Acquisition Management Intern program is a two-year program designed to employ Contract Specialists and to develop them into procurement professionals and Government leaders of the future. The program is administered through the Department of the Interior University.

Interns receive technical and business skills training including contract administration, procurement analysis, customer service, project management, and presentation skills. Interns complete four six-month rotational assignments in sponsoring Federal departments and agencies. Upon completion of the two-year training program, interns will be placed in a position at one of the sponsoring agencies. Agencies that participated in 2006 include Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Department of the Interior, Department of Commerce, and Department of Health and Human Services.

Air Force COPPER CAP Internship Program
The COPPER CAP internship program is an Air Force managed program designed to train college graduates and place civilians within the Air Force work environment as Contract Specialists. Contract Specialist trainees are assigned to work with professional Contracting Officers. Trainees receive formal and on-the-job training in requirements definition, solicitation preparations, price justification, negotiation and award of contracts, and administration of contracts.

Air Force PALACE Acquire Internship Program
The Air Force PALACE Acquire internship program provides full-time civilian employment opportunities for personal and professional growth in over 20 career fields with 2-4 years full-time on-the-job-training and performance-based annual promotions while in training.

Defense Logistics Agency Corporate Intern Program
The Defense Logistics Agency Corporate Intern Program is a 2-year corporate training program designed to train entry-level personnel for subsequent advancement to the journey-level in professional, administrative, and technological career fields.

Department of Army Management Intern Program
For over 40 years the Department of Army has administered a management intern program which takes individuals from entry level positions to positions of mid-level management. Through on-the-job training and formal classroom instruction thousands of civilian employees have been trained in a variety of career fields.

Department of Homeland Security Acquisition Professional Program
As a member of the Department of Homeland Security's acquisition team, you will put your education and experience to work. You will be on the front-line, directly impacting the mission everyday by procuring everything from IT hardware and software, boats, and aircraft. You will be part of a team that procures over $20 billion worth of goods and services annually in support of the Department's mission. This is the third largest procurement budget in the Federal Government.

Department of the Navy Naval Acquisition Development Program (NADP)
The Naval Acquisition Development Program, encompassing both the Naval Acquistion Intern Program (NAIP) and the Naval Acquisition Associates Program (NAAP), are PAID entry level and journeyman programs, and may be right for you. For the right candidate it offers professionalism, rapid advancement, mobility, travel and the opportunity to be associated with acquisition, logistics and technology programs that are vital to our nation and to the support of our Naval Forces.

Department of State CLIMB Program
The Cross-functional Logistics Internal Mobility Building (CLIMB) Program is a three-year developmental program designed to attract and establish a cadre of cross-functional journeyman level Logistics Management Specialists in the complex area of logistics management. The program combines on-the-job rotational assignments, formal classroom training, and developmental assignments.

NASA Contracting Intern Program
The NASA Headquarters Office of Procurement administers the NASA Contracting Intern Program (NCIP) targeted towards recent college graduates in business-related fields. Recent demographic studies revealed that NASA's procurement workforce in the next five to ten years would likely have insufficient personnel to fulfill the Agency's Mission. The NCIP was developed in an effort to serve as a training ground for future professionals within the NASA procurement community.

Treasury Acquisition Institute
The Treasury Acquisition Institute, established by the Department of Treasury in 1993, provides resources, training, and information on acquisition.

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