The weather has been incredible here in Washington DC! It reminds me of August in Maine, no humidity, temperatures in the high 70’s or low 80’s during the day and in the 60’s at night. Rather than typically draining August swelter, it has been invigorating, even energizing! My boys especially appreciate the weather as they started football practice!
That energy is reflected in the Coalition’s August calendar! This week the Coalition hosted the first in a two part series of webinars focusing on GSA’s e-tools. Tim Dempsey, Systems Chief, MAS Program Office, Office of Acquisition Management at the Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) provided training on GSA Advantage! and e-Buy while Bill Gormley provided insight into the key role GSA’s e-tools play in the competitive federal procurement marketplace. This webinar series is especially timely given that everyone is affected by the end of fiscal year crunch. As the clock ticks in the 4th quarter of the fiscal year, streamlined acquisition through GSA’s e-tools have become vital to agencies seeking to quickly and effectively acquire needed products and services.
The first e-tools webinar was a great success. And, as a result of feedback from the participants, the second e-tools webinar will be expanded from an hour to an hour and a half! The second webinar in the series will be on Thursday, August 22 at 12:30 so there is still plenty of time to sign up.
Also this week, the Coalition hosted a Myth-Busters Roundtable conversation with Joe Jordan, Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy, Office of Federal Procurement Policy, Office of Management and Budget. The conversation focused on contract duplication, strategic sourcing strategies, and how the government can buy smarter. The Coalition thanks Administrator Jordan for his time and willingness to engage in a dialogue around the key challenges and opportunities facing the entire procurement community. Myth-Busters dialogues that promote the exchange of ideas between government and the private sector provide the opportunity to deliver best value to customer agencies and the taxpayer through a more efficient and effective procurement system. The Coalition remains committed to a positive Myth-Busters dialogue!
On August 28, the Coalition will be hosting the Joseph P. Caggiano Memorial Charity Golf Tournament at Whiskey Creek Golf Course. The event benefits wounded veterans and we will have a number of veterans participating in the event. We look forward to honoring Joe through our support of those who have served and sacrificed for our freedom and safety. Our veterans and the organizations that support them, Hope for the Warriors and Operation Second Chance, need your help so support the cause through one of our many sponsorships.
Looking ahead to the fall, our Fall Conference is shaping up nicely. We are gratified with the positive Myth-Busters response from across government affirming participation in the conference! To see our confirmed speakers so far, visit http://thecgp.org/event/fall-training-conference-the-new-federal-market.
Finally, a reminder, the Coalition is accepting nominations for the Excellence in Partnership Awards that will be presented during the conference. For information about the awards and to submit a nomination, please click here.
I can’t believe I am saying this in August but I hope you all are having the same weather we are here in DC! Have a great weekend!
Roger Waldron
President
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