Service-Wide Support (Not Otherwise Accounted For)

The Service-Wide Support (Not Otherwise Accounted For) program, under Program Element (PE) 1201212SF, is a new initiative in the Air Force's FY 2026 Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) budget, specifically supporting the Space Force. The program's primary objective is to implement critical automation and data infrastructure upgrades necessary for the Personnel Management Act (PMA), as mandated by the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act. This legislation established a five-year term for the Space Force to define and execute policy, process, and system actions for a unified personnel component, categorizing all Guardians as either full-time or part-time. The program is designed to address urgent human resource modernization needs, including the retention and management of talent within the Space Force.

The main line item within this program is Project 670220: Datalake & UI/UX Development, which aims to develop and prototype advanced data management and user interface/user experience systems tailored to Space Force HR requirements. The project's scope includes conducting market research, evaluating commercial technologies, and risk reduction activities to ensure cost-effective and timely delivery. The goal is to create a flexible, modular data layer within the Air Force's existing HR infrastructure that can be adapted for Space Force needs, supporting both current and future personnel management processes.

A key objective of the Datalake & UI/UX Development project is to enable the Space Force to process and manage Guardians in a part-time status, with the option to return to full-time service. This capability is critical to addressing concerns over the loss of skilled personnel to the private sector and the lack of mechanisms for talent retention in a reserve capacity. The Chief of Space Operations has directed the Space Force's personnel directorate, with support from the Secretary of the Air Force for Space, to research, develop, and test a platform that meets these requirements by January 2026.

The project is structured around several technical components: the S1 Data Layer, the System Integrator, and the Guardian Automation Layer. The S1 Data Layer focuses on integrating legacy Department of the Air Force and Office of the Secretary of Defense HR systems, enabling change requests and data harmonization. The System Integrator is responsible for selecting and integrating commercial and custom solutions, ensuring seamless functionality and scalability. The Guardian Automation Layer is designed to automate personnel management processes, supporting the transition to a component-less part-time status and facilitating future policy changes.

The program will utilize an agile development approach, delivering incremental functionality through sprints. This strategy allows for continuous improvement, cost and schedule accountability, and performance metric tracking. The initial phase includes market research, technology maturation, and preliminary integration studies, followed by ongoing configuration development as PMA-centric policies are finalized. The acquisition strategy for this program requires approval from the Secretary of the Air Force for Space and will involve multiple vendors and contract methods to ensure flexibility and responsiveness.

Looking ahead, the program plans to expand system functionality in future years through additional agile sprints and incremental upgrades. The focus will remain on delivering efficient, effective HR tools that enable the Space Force to meet its evolving personnel management requirements and maintain operational readiness.