The Contracting Experience - Episode 54: Introducing the new AFMC Contracting Technical Director

This episode of The Contracting Experience features a discussion with Robin Harrah, the new Contracting Technical Director at the Air Force Materiel Command. Harrah discusses her previous contracting assignments and explains her new role as the Technical Director. As the former Chief of Contracts for Special Projects, Harrah shares her passion for working in the vault and clarifies several misperceptions about working in a controlled environment. Harrah also offers some solid career advice for contracting professionals, regardless of the current stage of their career. Acronyms: AFMC – Air Force Materiel Command AFRL – Air Force Research Laboratory ASC – Aeronautical Systems Center CLP – Continuous Learning Point CONS – Contracting Squadron DAF – Department of the Air Force ELDP – Executive Leadership Development Program FIAR – Financial Improvement and Audit Readiness GFP – Government Furnished Property PCO – Procurement Contracting Officer PME – Professional Military Education TD – Technical Director If you would like to share feedback on the podcast, please submit via [email protected]. Register at https://www.dvidshub.net/ to access transcripts of the podcast.

This episode of The Contracting Experience focuses on artificial Intelligence with guest Lt. Col. Dan Finkenstadt, an officer in the Air Force Contracting Force Development division. Finkenstadt holds a PhD from UNC Chapel Hill and served as a professor at the Naval Post Graduate School for the three years. In this episode, Finkenstadt describes the relationships between Artificial Intelligence, Bots, Machine Learning and Large Language Models while offering use cases, benefits, and risks for Air Force contracting. He also speaks about his role in the DAF Contracting Flight Plan where he is leading a team to foster AI education and training across the contracting workforce Acronyms: AI – Artificial Intelligence ML – Machine Learning LLM – Large Language Model DAF – Department of the Air Force CDAO – Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office SAF/AQCX – Air Force Contracting Force Development SAF/CN – Air Force Chief Information Officer If you would like to share feedback on the podcast, please submit via [email protected]. Register at https://www.dvidshub.net/ to access transcripts of the podcast.

The Contracting Experience Podcast partnered with the Air Force Materiel Command’s Small Business Directorate to interview two business leaders of women-owned small businesses who have successfully entered the Department of the Air Force market and demonstrated their capabilities and commitment to the Air Force mission. They are Jaqueline Gamblin, Chief Executive Officer of JYG Innovations, and Lisa Coker, Chief Executive Officer of Infinite Management Solutions. The Department of the Air Force and Air Force Materiel Command have a phenomenal small business program setting new records of small business spend, significantly exceeding the small business goals established for both. This is excellent news as we collectively work to strengthen our industrial base and leverage small business innovation to meet mission need. Yet, one area we historically struggle in is the number of women-owned small business and spend – or in contract terms – the number of contract awards and obligations. Women-owned small businesses have successfully entered and performed in the Department of Defense marketplace. In this conversation, we discuss what challenges these women owned small businesses have faced in doing business with the government and how the acquisition community can partner with women-owned small businesses to better collaborate and execute Air Force missions. ***This podcast episode and the mention or appearance of external links does not constitute or imply official endorsement on behalf of the U.S. Department of the Air Force or Department of Defense. The Department of the Air Force does not endorse any non-federal entities, companies, products, or services. Moreover, the Department of the Air Force does not exercise any responsibility or oversight of the content at external link destinations mentioned during this podcast. The views expressed within this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government. Acronyms: WOSB – Women-Owned Small Business RFI – Request for Information RFP – Request for Proposal Guests: Jaqueline Gamblin Chief Executive Officer JYG Innovations https://www.jyginnovations.com Lisa Coker Chief Executive Officer Infinite Management Solutions https://teamims.net If you would like to share feedback on the podcast, please submit via [email protected]. Register at https://www.dvidshub.net/ to access transcripts of the podcast.

In this episode of The Contracting Experience podcast we sit down with Head of Air Force Contracting, Maj. Gen .Alice Trevino. Trevino talks about the Great Power Competition and what contracting’s role will be in optimizing the Air Force towards this mission. She also addresses where we are going with digital transformation in Air Force Acquisition and some of the top initiatives contracting professionals can get involved with in 2024. Trevino also advises the workforce on her top areas to focus on as we optimize for the Great Power Competition. Acronyms: AF CIO – Air Force Chief Information Officer SAF/CN – Air Force Office of the Chief Information Officer ATO – Authority to Operate LOE – Line of Effort AI – Artificial Intelligence SBIR – Small Business Innovation Research AETC – Air Education and Training Command GSA – General Services Administration If you would like to share feedback on the podcast, please submit via [email protected]. Register at https://www.dvidshub.net/ to access transcripts of the podcast.

In this episode, we sit down with Capt. Alicia Binggeli, Heather Carino, and Capt. Oleksandr Bakuta who are Air Force contracting professionals who have completed Education with Industry (EWI) fellowships. Alicia, Heather, and Oleksandr share their experiences working with 8VC, SpaceX, and Intel Capital. They each discuss what they found impactful during their EWI fellowships as well as how contracting professionals can start applying their lessons learned today. Acronyms: EWI – Education with Industry I2I – Insights to Industry RFP – Request for Proposal RFI – Request for Information DAU – Defense Acquisition University NSIN – National Security Innovation Network VC – Venture Capital If you would like to share feedback on the podcast, please submit via [email protected]. Register at https://www.dvidshub.net/ to access transcripts of the podcast.

In this episode, we learn about the Air Force Acquisition Toolbox. There are three contracting folks that are part of this conversation. Two of the individuals are members of the SAF/AQC Operational Imperative Field Support Team, Elizabeth Midkiff and Laura Fuller, and the third person is Air Force Materiel Command Contract Data Specialist, Justin Lyles. In this conversation you’ll learn about what the Acquisition Toolbox is and how it is supported for effectiveness to assist acquisition teams in using the latest tools. You will also get insights into how you can start using the Acquisition Toolbox today to enhance your acquisitions. Acronyms: DoD – Department of Defense DAF – Department of the Air Force OT – Other Transaction AI – Artificial Intelligence NASA – National Aeronautics and Space Administration If you would like to share feedback on the podcast, please submit via [email protected]. Register at https://www.dvidshub.net/ to access transcripts of the podcast.

In this episode, we sit down with Roger Westermeyer, Director of Enterprise Solutions Support at the Air Force Installation Contracting Center. Roger partnered with Defense Acquisition University to develop a course on critical thinking. He discusses how we can apply critical thinking to the acquisition process. Roger also gives insight into where you can start if you’re interested in learning more about how to better think critically. Acronyms: ASP – Acquisition Strategy Panel Defense Acquisition University Critical Thinking Course: https://rise.articulate.com/share/IoQ0U_gdvvzhaqcgMxHwKJi3_wKrvGJV#/ Foundation for Critical Thinking: https://community.criticalthinking.org/index.php The School of Thought: https://www.schoolofthought.org/ If you would like to share feedback on the podcast, please submit via [email protected]. Register at https://www.dvidshub.net/ to access transcripts of the podcast.

In this episode, we sit down with Rob Lorton, Branch Chief for Data eUtilization within the Air Force Materiel Command Contracting Digital Division. Rob talks about the vision for the new Contract Data Specialist positions that were created in Air Force Contracting. He discusses expectations of the responsibilities and experience level of the positions. Rob also gives insight into where you can start if you’re interested in a Contract Data Specialist position. Acronyms: CDS – Contract Data Specialist If you would like to share feedback on the podcast, please submit via [email protected]. Register at https://www.dvidshub.net/ to access transcripts of the podcast.

In this episode, we sit down with Col. Eric Obergfell, Deputy Director of Contracts, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center. Obergfell explains what psychological safety is and why it’s important in our Air Force organizations. He also speaks to the value that personal growth adds to Air force missions and how to know when you need a mentor and when you need a coach in your career. Acronyms: STRATCOM – United States Strategic Command DCMA – Defense Contract Management Agency SOCCOM – United States Special Operation Command TRL – Technical Readiness Level USAF – United States Air Force FMS – Foreign Military Sales If you would like to share feedback on the podcast, please submit via [email protected]. Register at https://www.dvidshub.net/ to access transcripts of the podcast.

This guest episode features the Defense Acquisition University’s (DAU) Contracting Conversations podcast hosted by DAU Department Chairs, Jim Valley and Scott Williams. Contracting Conversations aims to provide listeners with updated information on the credentialing contracting curriculum and answer questions on the training structure at Defense Acquisition University. This featured episode from Contracting Conversations talks about the Back-to-Basics certification structure, one year after implementation. Search for the podcast in your favorite podcasting app or go to dau.edu and search for Contracting Conversations to hear more topics that can help you on your acquisition journey. “Contracting Conversations” at dau.mil: https://media.dau.edu/media/1_vi98l1at If you would like to share feedback on the podcast, please submit via [email protected].