The mission of Acquisition Grind is to serve as a credible, peer-reviewed journal enhancing collaboration and innovation across the Department of the Air Force contracting community. We publish thought-provoking content on current issues relevant to both public and private sectors. Acquisition Grind is published twice annually, featuring articles written by and for contracting professionals.
If in doubt, we encourage you to submit your article(s) for evaluation. Your voice and experiences matter… give it a shot!
Consideration for Publication
Acquisition Grind welcomes original articles on best practices, case studies, insights, applications, and opinions for publication consideration. Submissions are evaluated based on originality, clarity, and relevance to the contracting community. As a contracting or acquisition professional, your experience in the field has value – we encourage you to share it. Articles are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed by the editorial team for accuracy, clarity, and alignment with publication standards.
Publication Guidelines
Articles should be submitted as a Microsoft Word document. If any citations are used, they should be in APA format citations. APA recommends the use of the default formatting endnotes settings in word-processing programs when using endnotes (e.g. 10-point font and single spacing).
We will generally seek articles falling into the categories below, though all submissions are welcomed for consideration:
- Feature Article: 1,800–2,500 words. Deep analysis, reform proposals, or leadership themes.
- Professional Insight: 1,000–1,500 words. Case studies, lessons learned, or tactical contracting applications.
- Commentary / Column: 600–900 words. Short reflections, opinion pieces, or cultural insights.
- Book / Policy Review: 500–700 words. Reviews of new guidance, books, or doctrine relevant to contracting professionals.
In addition to the author’s contact information (full name, phone number, and email address), submissions should include a one-paragraph abstract and a “about the author” biography not to exceed 175 words in length. Such biographies might include significant positions or assignments, notes on education or degrees attained, and brief allusions to other qualifications that establish the credibility of the author with regard to the subject covered in the article.
Authors should avoid the use of professional jargon that is arcane or extremely technical language that may be unfamiliar to the average reader. All acronyms should be spelled out at first reference or avoided, when possible.
Authors should submit corresponding featured photos, artwork, charts, tables, maps, etc. that support the major themes in the manuscript. Photographs should be in JPEG format with a resolution of 300 DPI or higher. Each visual should be accompanied by a caption identifying the date, location, unit, personnel, etc., and a description of the action, and a photo credit specifying who took the photo. All photos should either be US government photos or the property of the author.
Editing Process
Article submissions should be made to submissions@acquisitongrind.com. Acquisition Grind will send an acknowledgment to the author upon receipt of the manuscript. Submissions that include content relevant to the contracting community and meet the initial guidelines above will then
be assigned to the editing team. The editors may suggest changes in the interest of clarity and economy of expression; such changes will be made in consultation with the original author. The editors are the final arbiters of usage, grammar, style, and length of article.
Publishing Schedule
- Spring Edition – May (submissions due by 15 March 2026)
- Fall Edition – November (submissions due by 7 November 2026)