Hanscom AFB small business panel connects acquisition leaders with industry

  • Published
  • By Andrew Lane
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
NEWTON, Mass. --  

The Hanscom Air Force Base Small Business Office hosted a panel discussion to connect base senior acquisition and contracting leaders with industry professionals March 9.

The panel featured leaders from the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center and the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center including senior materiel leaders and program executive officers. Key discussion topics included software acquisition, PEO priorities and rapid fielding of new technologies to respond to warfighter requirements.

“One of the ways that we can go faster is when our designs are more open,” said Danielle Fennelly, senior materiel leader Electronic Systems Directorate Force Protection Systems division. “Industry can design systems to be compatible with what we already have, and that helps us go faster.”

Leaders emphasized the importance of strong connections between the small business community and the Air Force acquisition ecosystem, noting these partnerships help solve current and future challenges.

“Small businesses are fundamental to us moving the ball down the field and not stagnating on existing technologies,” said Scott Hardiman, integrating PEO for Nuclear Command, Control and Communications and director of the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center NC3 Integration Directorate. “It keeps things fresh. It keeps us getting new types of solutions for the problems we have.”

Col. William Cho, deputy director of Hanscom Contracting, said his contracting teams are focusing on bringing future capabilities to the Air Force.

“The small business community brings tremendous value,” said Cho. “Small businesses should take advantage of the RFI’s and the industry days but also reach out to our small business office. They are a great resource to connect with.”

Amy MacDonough, deputy director of Small Business Programs at Hanscom AFB, moderated the panel and thanked industry leaders for being a part of the conversation.

“We’ve heard the common themes from today’s panel, and we need to keep our industrial base strong,” she said. “We rely on that and the market research to help us make the best possible decisions.”

The Hanscom AFB Small Business Office is the initial point of contact for businesses seeking contract opportunities with Hanscom PEOs and works to enhance acquisition opportunities supporting the Air Force mission.