BATTLE CREEK, Mich. –
The Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services Contracting division hosted its latest Industry Day event in Battle Creek, Michigan, in November featuring hazardous waste contractors and a variety of other companies present to interact with DLA personnel and improve processes for the future.
“We don’t want to just get up here and talk about what we do every day,” said Tracy Hart, the director of DLA Disposition Services contracting. “Whether it’s our public sales, operational, or hazardous waste contracting mission, we want to know from the customer what we can do better. This will help us move into the future in a smarter and more agile manner.”
DLA Disposition Services had representation from its requirements and hazardous waste offices as well as key contracting leaders to ensure the event informed customers.
“The initial goal was to have an opportunity for our staff and leadership to talk to industry partners to get a feel for the things we’re doing well and the things we can improve on,” said Roger Lonoza, division chief of contract oversight and support.
This offsite event featured a series of briefings and discussions on contracting topics ranging from business models and recycling to small business and sales where candid conversations could take place with industry partners – which, according to Lonoza, proved successful.
“I think that it’s gone well,” said Lonoza. “I think the information we presented during the main sessions has been good and the feedback [from participants] has been positive. We got our most value from the smaller scale conversations – the breakouts and the one on ones – with our contractor bases where they could discuss more freely their concerns and their suggestions moving forward. There was lots of engagement between staff and participants”
Both days of the event concluded with open forum questions from the audience and DLA subject matter experts available to provide answers. For Earl Watson, a procurement analyst responsible for providing much of the groundwork to organize the event, these types of exchanges serve as an important way for DLA Disposition Services to support its customer base and further develop acquisition programs.
“We’re constantly evolving and changing as an agency,” said Watson. “I want our customers to feel that we addressed all the issues they brought up, whether that’s regarding payments or further clarification on a contracting process. As long as we hit on what the vendors were looking for, I think that’s the biggest marker of success for this event.”