We are looking forward to a wonderful two days of Myth-Busters collaborative and constructive dialogue across the procurement community. We are very excited to have GSA Administrator Denise Turner-Roth as our Keynote Speaker for the EIPs and the Honorable Dr. Jack Gansler as our Keynote Speaker for the Fall Training Conference. As the Training Conference title indicates, much of the dialogue will focus on acquisition reform in its many “forms,” from current operational initiatives across the executive branch, to the policy and legal reforms being contemplated for the system as a whole.
With the focus on acquisition reform, the Coalition is setting aside time during the Fall Conference for a “brainstorming” session, during which, we will solicit attendee (both government and industry) ideas for reforms that improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the procurement system. We are pleased that Francis Rose from Federal News Radio has agreed to serve as our facilitator for this brainstorming session, which we have nicknamed our “Post-it Note Session!” Here is how it will work:
Morning Fall Conference Kick-off Remarks
As part of my opening kick-off remarks the morning of the Fall Conference, I will provide attendees with an update on the Coalition, and part of this update will include a briefing on the Coalition’s Commercial Marketplace Initiative for the MAS program. The Commercial Market Initiative represents an effort to streamline entry and competition, and to promote innovation, across the largest government-wide contracting program. In addition to this initiative, three to four additional acquisition reform categories will be highlighted for consideration. Attendees will be asked to recommend potential reforms and initiatives for improving acquisition performance for all. The intent of this opening session is to prepare attendees for the lunch brainstorming session.
Lunch Acquisition Reform Brainstorming Session
The Acquisition Reform brainstorming session will take place during the Fall Conference Luncheon. We hope attendees will share and discuss their acquisition reform ideas during the meal, as we will be seeking suggestions from each table. Next, Francis Rose will facilitate a discussion among the attendees, probing for acquisition reform ideas and suggestions. In addition, attendees will be provided post-it notes in order to write down their ideas and suggestions that will be posted on charts around the room. The charts will be focused on the three to four additional acquisition reform categories introduced in the morning. Finally, as a follow-up to the conference, the posted ideas and suggestions will be collected, recorded, and provided to the attendees, speakers, and other stakeholders across the procurement community.
Needless to say, we are looking forward to a robust reform dialogue!! You can find the entire 2015 Fall Training Conference agenda here. We look forward to seeing you next week, and don’t forget to bring your acquisition reform thinking caps!
Roger Waldron
President