JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- Air Force District of Washington’s contracting directorate hosts an annual Industry Week to let companies know what the needs of the government are. This year, the event was April 13 -16, and contracting squadrons from the 11th Wing at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling and the 316th Wing at Joint Base Andrews participated. The event organizers focused on three main objectives: communication, transparency, and predictability.
“That translates to improved communication between industry and the Air Force, increased transparency as it pertains to what our requirements are and improving the predictability of requirements by providing industry with projected requirements,” said SMSgt Edward Williams, deputy chief, Operations Support Division, AFDW Contracting Directorate.
The military uses contract support to enhance our national security. In order to make cost-effective use of the taxpayer’s money to do this, contracting directorates help units navigate rules and regulations for these contracts and work to strengthen the industrial base.
“It is safe to say it would be difficult to accomplish our mission as a defense department without the vital support of these contractors,” Williams said.
Industry Week provides companies a chance to learn about government needs, and how they can potentially meet those needs. AFDW’s Small Business Program representatives will be on hand to work with some of the smaller companies to answer any questions they may have. A financial management team will also brief interested companies.
The three focus areas for Industry Week help Air Force contracting and mission partners better define and refine requirements based on the capabilities and innovations industry brings forward.
“This is the opportunity for companies to speak about their company’s capability,” Williams said. “They could be anything from advising and assistance roles to civil engineering equipment to any number of other items that are required for the mission set.”
About 250 contractors registered to participate, and the AFDW team spent nearly 6 months planning the virtual event.
“Our job is to help strengthen the industrial base but also provide the taxpayer with the most viable solution at the most cost-effective means of doing so,” Williams said. “We have to be able to meet those needs together. Help strengthen our national defense through contract support, that is the end goal.”