When it comes to modernization for federal IT most people focus on data centers, clouds, and agile software development. One key part of this effort must be acquisition.This is a discussion where subject matter experts from several agencies look at some new mandates from the executive office and detail how they are implementing them.

One key motivator is the FAR change that includes recommendations to open conversations with contractors and be more transparent. The goal is to open federal procurement to make it more equitable.

Craig Morgan from the DCMA details how they have a website that shows their strategic plan for modernizing tools and integrating the enterprise environment. They want to unify data so customers can make well-informed acquisition decisions. All participants point out how they are making their acquisition process more transparent.

One of the most remarkable approaches was from Monica Taylor from DHA. She discusses her success using the Procurement Innovation Lab. They have coached 148 procurement teams to lower the barrier for innovative contractors. The net result has been to encourage nontraditional contractors. The GSA takes the lead in this category with a website that includes The Nine Innovative Acquisition Practices as well as articles dedicated to keeping federal acquisition experts informed in areas of acquisition innovation.

Technology can assist in making the federal acquisition question system more equitable. Brian McCormick from ICF points out that some agencies suffer from siloed systems, separate data sets, and isolated workflows that prevent teams in agencies from communicating accurately.

Brian suggests that platforms exist that can implement Robotic Process Automation and protective analytics, better-leveraging data to make better-informed decisions. Procurement professionals can look at their experience with procurement and see trends. Perhaps they can see preferences for a certain kind of vendor. From there, they can address ways to make their acquisition more balanced.
This is such a detailed and nuanced conversation. Dive in to hear comments on The Price Act, The Chip Act, and much more.

To view this webinar: Modernizing the Federal Acquisition Lifecycle.

Featured Speakers:

Monica Taylor, Procurement Innovation Coach, Department of Homeland Security

Monica Taylor
Procurement Innovation Coach,
Department of Homeland Security
Pamela Legare, Director & Senior Procurement Executive, EPA

Pamela Legare
Director, Acquisition Solutions,
Environmental Protection Agency
Patrick Breen, Senior Procurement Executive & Director, National Science Foundation

Patrick Breen
Senior Procurement Executive &
Director, Acquisition & Co-op Support,
National Science Foundation
Craig Morgan, Director, Performance & Systems Management Division, Defense Contract Management Agency

Craig Morgan
Director, Systems & Performance Mgmt.,
Defense Contract Management Agency
Andrew Sanzenbacher, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Business Support Services, U.S. Department of Education

Andrew Sanzenbacher
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Business
Support Services,
Department of Education
Geoff Sage, OP Director of Enterprise Services & Analysis, NASA

Geoff Sage
Director, Enterprise Services & Analysis,
Office of Procurement, NASA
Brian McCormick, Senior Director, Program Management, ICF

Brian McCormick
Senior Director,
Program Management,
ICF
Jane Norris, Moderator & Contributing Editor, FedInsider

Jane Norris
Moderator & Contributing Editor,
FedInsider

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