# 2026-12145: Pentagon Tweaks Hiring Rules for Acquisition Staff

2026-12145, Civilian Acquisition Workforce Personnel Demonstration (AcqDemo) Project; Department of Defense (DoD), is a Federal Register notice from Defense Department published 2026-06-17, effective 2026-07-17; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-06-24).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12145
- As of: 2026-06-24
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-12145
- Title: Civilian Acquisition Workforce Personnel Demonstration (AcqDemo) Project; Department of Defense (DoD)
- Type: Notice
- Agencies: Defense Department
- Citation: 91 FR 36580
- Published: 2026-06-17
- Effective: 2026-07-17
- Comments close: 2026-07-17
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-06-24

## In one line

Pentagon Tweaks Hiring Rules for Acquisition Staff

## Summary

The Department of Defense is updating its AcqDemo program to make hiring, pay, and workforce rules more flexible and modern. These changes help attract and keep skilled civilian workers who support military buying and tech projects. The new rules kick in about a month after the final announcement, and folks can share their thoughts until July 17, 2026.

## Abstract

The Department of Defense (referred to herein as "the Department", "Department of War" or "DoW") is providing notice of a proposed amendment and modification to the DoW Civilian Acquisition Workforce Personnel Demonstration Project (AcqDemo) Plan. This action amends and modifies the existing Federal Register notice by adopting, by reference, certain provisions from the Department's Science and Technology Reinvention Laboratories (STRLs) personnel demonstration project plans, where consistent with AcqDemo's statutory authority. It consolidates policy updates, modifies previous interventions, and incorporates new flexibilities for hiring, pay administration, and workforce shaping. These amendments will strengthen DoW's ability to attract, develop, and retain a highly skilled Warfighting Acquisition Workforce through the expanded use of modernized pay and personnel flexibilities.

## Effects PRIA read

- Out-of-Cycle Pay Increases Allowed: benefit, medium. DoD AcqDemo organizations may grant within-broadband pay increases outside the normal annual compensation cycle to address mission needs, reassignments, or sustained high contribution. Any increase must follow percentage limits and guidance in the AcqDemo Operating Guide.
- Distinguished Contribution Allowance (DCA): mixed, medium. AcqDemo organizations may pay a Distinguished Contribution Allowance (DCA) to employees at the top of their broadband pay level who perform exceptionally, paid bi-weekly, as a lump sum, or both. A DCA may not exceed the rate of basic pay for Executive Level I, may be paid up to 5 years at a time (n…
- Retention Counteroffers Up To 50% Bonus: benefit, medium. AcqDemo organizations may make retention counteroffers to retain high-performing employees that can include a basic pay increase up to the broadband ceiling and/or a one-time cash payment not to exceed 50 percent of annual basic pay. Such counteroffers are subject to aggregate pay limitations under…
- Accelerated Pay for Developmental Roles: benefit, medium. AcqDemo organizations may provide Accelerated Compensation for Developmental Positions (ACDP) for certain DAWIA-coded and critical acquisition support roles, including expansion to NH-IV broadband level. Eligible developmental positions may receive successive pay increases of up to 20 percent in 12…
- Transcript Waiver Speeds Hiring Start: benefit, low. Hiring offices may use unofficial transcripts or a registrar/dean letter to make qualification determinations and set an Entrance-on-Duty (EOD) date, provided official transcripts arrive within 30 calendar days after EOD. This waives the prior requirement to have official transcripts before EOD.
- Student Loan Repayment Up To $25K Per Year: benefit, high. Participating AcqDemo organizations may repay qualifying student loans for employees or candidates up to $25,000 per employee per calendar year and up to $125,000 total per employee; the Under Secretary may increase these amounts to stay competitive. Employees remain responsible for any income tax…

## Related documents

- [2026-19160](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19160): Federal Acquisition Regulation: Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul Parts 16, 17, and 35, 2026-09-18
- [2026-18317](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-18317): Updated Definition of “Waters of the United States”, 2026-09-09
- [2026-11505](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-11505): DoD Assistance to Non-Government, Entertainment-Oriented Media Productions, 2026-06-09
- [2026-09067](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-09067): Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Mitigating Risks Related to Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (DFARS Case 2021-D0…, 2026-05-07
- [2026-09038](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-09038): Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Disclosure of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (DFARS Case 2024-D021), 2026-05-07
- [2025-20402](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-20402): Updated Definition of “Waters of the United States”, 2025-11-20

## Sources
- [2026-12145 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/17/2026-12145/civilian-acquisition-workforce-personnel-demonstration-acqdemo-project-department-of-defense-dod)
- [2026-12145 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-06-17/pdf/2026-12145.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-12144, Importer of Controlled Substances Application: Wedgewood Pharmacy LLC](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12144)
- [Next: 2026-12146, Agency Information Collection Activities Under OMB Review](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12146)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12145 (as of 2026-06-24).