The DAU Acquisition Community Training Symposium for 2012
was a huge success. I admit that I was a bit concerned that
the theme – Understanding the Nuts and Bolts of Acquiring
Services - would not be the draw as themes in previous years. I was
wrong, as we easily again filled the auditorium with
participants eager for the training afforded by outstanding
speakers, panelists, and instructors. The workforce
understood better than I did the importance of the topic and
the need for us all to get back to the basic "blocking and
tackling" for acquiring services. I specifically want to
thank General William Tuttle, former Commanding General, Army
Materiel Command, and Rear Admiral Lenn Vincent, former DAU
Commandant, for their enthusiasm and support for this topic.
Both are DAU Board of Visitor members and were the driving
force behind the need to improve trade-craft in this
important part of defense acquisition. Much of their thinking was
based on the fact that large outlays are made by DoD for
services - 55% of DoD contractual
expenditures - and the relatively negative reviews of how
well DoD is executing these acquisitions.
But we don't have much time to rest on our laurels. Coming
up soon we have a hot topic forum - book launch in the
Hirsch Center of Scott Hall on the DAU Fort Belvoir Campus.
The topic is - The History of Acquisition in DoD: Rearming
for the Cold War, (1945-1960) (Volume I). It will take place
from
1130-1300 on Wednesday, 8 May; it will be preceded by a
short reception from 1100 to 1130. Our guest author is
Colonel (Dr) Elliott V. Converse III, USAF, Ret. He is the
author of Volume I. In addition to the presentation at DAU,
Colonel Converse will also present the book launch at the
Pentagon on 10 May. The sponsors for the DAU presentation
are the DAU Defense Systems Management College (DSMC), DAU
Alumni Association (on behalf of DAU), the OSD Historical
Office and the DAU Acquisition Community Connection (ACC) .
To reserve a seat(s) go to
acc@dau.mil.
That's it for now. See you all at the Hot Topic Forum - Book
Launch on 8 May at DAU on Fort Belvoir, VA.
Regards, Bill Bahnmaier, President
About Bill Bahnmaier, DAUAA President:
Bill Bahnmaier is a retired Marine and a former (retired)
instructor at the Defense Acquisition University (DAU). In
his last tour of duty as a Marine (1985-1989) he was a major system PM
for the Marine Corps Assault Amphibian Program. Since retirement, Bahnmaier works as an official volunteer at DAU and also is
a part time consultant and instructor on defense acquisition
matters. He and his wife Peggy reside in Alexandria, VA.
They have 9 nephews and nieces and 18 great nephews and
nieces.
.bmp)
