News

Requirements Symposium draws hundreds

  • Published
  • By Jenny Gordon
  • 78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Despite recent announcements regarding civilian workforce adjustments and restructure from Air Force Materiel Command, it will not affect the way companies do business with Robins Air Force Base.

That was the message Maj. Gen. Robert McMahon, Warner Robins Air Logistics Center commander, stressed to about 800 representatives who attended the 9th Annual Require-ments Symposium Nov. 15 through 17 at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry.

The annual event is held to enhance communication between industry and government, and provide companies who wish to do business an understanding of the broad future needs of Robins.

He reiterated that though there would be future organizational changes at the center, along with a name change, its mission would remain the same.

"When you come do business with us, it is an opportunity to touch the entire Department of Defense," said McMahon, referring to various units and agencies who have a presence at Robins. "I offer to you that the four things we are looking for from you are quality, cost, delivery and safety."

Keynote speaker Maj. Gen. Samuel Cox, U.S. Transportation Command director of Strategy, Policy, Programs and Logistics, gave an overview of how people can make a difference.

"What you're doing here today is going to have an impact on trying to figure out better ways to accomplish our business," said Cox.

For example, Cox pointed out that in 2011, there were 90 million pounds of supplies that were air dropped into Afghanistan, which equaled to 2,500 missions, supporting 10 to 15 forward operating bases.

Helping figure out ways to be more precise with air drop systems is a potential area that can be explored, he said.

Deryl Israel, center executive director, gave an overview of current and future acquisition expectations. During a time of diminishing defense budgets, Israel noted that services offered at Robins will continue. "Despite all you may have heard, program execution remains at Robins," said Israel. "They will still be here and we need to continue that work."

There were 26 Canadian companies at the symposium, out of 370 represented.

The majority of the two-day event centered on numerous break-out sessions, which focused on such areas as technology requirements, Aerospace Sustainment Directorate, 78th Air Base Wing, 638th Global Logistics Support Center, 402nd Maintenance Wing, Small Business Office, Air Force Reserve Command, Defense Acquisition University, Georgia Center of Aviation and Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center.

Senior leaders, program managers, engineers and technical acquisition and community members who acquire and sustain weapons systems or commodities were available.

"The law of the land here is competition," said Steven Zamparelli, center contracting director. "It's the basis of capitalism and it's where we get the best advantages. It's where new ideas are driven by competitive cost and approaches to business."

"Overall, the symposium went very well. It was an opportunity for us to exchange ideas for what we do so that industry can help us figure out how to do business more effectively," he added.

In fiscal 2011, $5.4 billion was awarded in contracts, which has been about the average in the last several years, he said.