BATTLE CREEK, Mich. –
Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services hosted a two-day event, bringing together government and industry leaders in Battle Creek, Michigan, May 20 and 21.
The Industry Day forum provided critical information and conversations between the major-subordinate command and industry leaders to strengthen readiness and accelerate innovation in support of the warfighter.
DLA Disposition Services Director Mike Cannon provided opening remarks where he spoke about a theme attendees would hear throughout the conference - the ‘speed of war.’
“Our goal to support the warfighter and to achieve that mission we need to do this smartly and quickly so that the services can be effective,” Cannon said. “We must do acquisition at the speed of war because the services are learning that having excess property slows them down and wastes resources that could be spent making them more lethal.”
Presentations supporting the ‘speed of war’ theme covered topics such as agile processes, trusted partnerships, decisive advantage, rapid acquisition, flexible contracting and streamlined procurement.
“We operate in changing environment such as shifting landscapes, shifting strategies, or even switching partnerships,” DLA Disposition Services Director of Contracting Tracy Hart said. “So please take this opportunity to engage with us and also give us your feedback about what we could do better to enhance this two-way partnership.”
To meet evolving needs in a rapidly changing global landscape, the agency is strengthening industry partnerships and gathering vital feedback during events like Industry Day.
This year, there were 44 registered vendors from across 21 states as well as four partner nation vendors from Canada, Germany, Japan and Jordan.
Bërnd Märker, who works in waste management for a German-based company, was among this year's participants. His organization has worked with DLA Disposition Services for nearly 45 years, and his role frequently requires him to be at field sites where his company actively supports the agency.
“We like to these types of continued in-person events where we can meet and talk with the people who we partner and deal with because this allows us to work out small challenges more efficiently when we are face-to-face,” Märker said.
Attendees were also able to participate in breakout sessions and learn specific information for their areas of interest ranging from demilitarization of equipment, electronic recycling, scrap sales, technical requirements, and each day concluded with a question-and-answer session.
During his closing remarks on the final day, Cannon told the group he hoped everyone was able to learn new information and gain more insight into the business model at DLA Disposition Services.
“We need a strong vendor base to help us do what we do by ensuring you see positive gains by working with us and that we continue supporting the warfighter to the best of our ability,” Cannon said.