Enterprise Sourcing Group holds successful Dialogue with Industry conference Published Nov. 16, 2011 By Travis Gerritsen 72nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- The Enterprise Sourcing Group conducted its inaugural Dialogue with Industry conference at the Hope Hotel and Conference Center here on Oct. 25 and 26. The conference drew more than 500 attendees from industry and government. "We were able to exceed all of our expectations for this inaugural event and had good representation from large and small businesses and government with attendees coming from 37 states representing 58 NAICS codes," said Capt. Adam Coyne, ESG coordinator for the event and strategic sourcing analyst. "The majority of our small business attendees were not just sales reps, they were CEOs and presidents -- we really have their attention." The two-day conference featured distinguished Air Force speakers, breakout sessions and one-on-one meetings with ESG personnel directly responsible for developing, managing and executing future contract awards. Keynote speakers at the event included Maj. Gen. Wendy Masiello, SAF/AQC; Robert Carl Shofner, ESG Director, SES; Joseph McDade, SAF/SB, SES; and Brig. Gen. David Howe, ACC/A7. Much of the dialogue from the keynote presenters centered on the budget constraints facing the DoD and the key role that strategic sourcing will play in meeting the mission with fewer financial resources. Acknowledging that strategic sourcing could favor larger businesses in some instances, Mr. McDade emphasized the Air Force's commitment to small businesses, noted recent ESG awards to small businesses and stressed, "I am confident in the ability of the ESG to successfully achieve its mission, and I stand with Mr. Shofner as he executes the mission of deploying installation strategic sourcing." Commodity Council directors provided detailed overviews of their current and future requirements, then gave attendees an opportunity to engage and ask questions about the ESG's workload. On Oct. 26, Lt. Col. Michael Knipper, 771st Enterprise Sourcing Squadron commander, underscored the importance of both major command representatives and industry partners participating in the market intelligence and requirements definition phases of the "OSD's Strategic Sourcing Process." Steve Brady, Furnishings Commodity Council deputy director, provided further details by explaining how this collaborative environment provides a commodity council with a mutually agreed-to set of requirements that using commands actually need and vendors are capable of delivering prior to releasing a request for proposal. While the ESG was officially activated just one year ago on Oct. 28, 2010, its mission is still not well known to some of its most valued customers. "ESG's Dialogue with Industry illustrated our willingness to 'walk the talk' when it comes to partnering with industry and redefining Air Force acquisition," Mr. Brady said after the conference. "The conference brought together Air Force leadership, major command customers and industry representatives to facilitate the exchange of ideas, specifically focusing on how these parties can work together to lower product and service costs through strategic sourcing." Industry attendees were grateful for the opportunity to learn about the changes to the sourcing environment directly from the ESG. Mr. Shofner concluded by stating, "What the Air Force has charged us with is truly transformational. Such an undertaking requires a fundamental shift in acquisition strategy to include requirements definition, e-procurement, performance management and data reporting. Contractors who understand the changing acquisition landscape will be better positioned to compete for ESG requirements. Our objective with this event was to provide strategies and tools to help industry compete for ESG contracts." For more information on the ESG, please visit www.wpafb.af.mil/units/enterprisesourcinggroup.asp.