For more than 35 years, The Coalition for Government Procurement has brought public and private sector procurement leaders to strive towards the goal of acquisition. It is a non-profit association for contractors, and one of the most effective platforms for commercial service and product companies selling in the federal market.
The Coalition hosted the Assisted Acquisition Services (AAS) Forum - Bringing Innovation to the Forefront forum, on June 19, 2018, in Arlington, VA. This forum focused on Assisted Acquisition Services, tools, and resources available to industry partners. GSA's Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner, Alan Thomas, provided the keynote address. This forum gave professionals a prime opportunity to network, engage/interact with AAS customer panel members, and insight on FEDSIM (a client support center belonging in GSA’s Office of AAS).
In his keynote address, FAS Commissioner, Alan Thomas, emphasized that AAS takes the extra stride to fully understand concerns of federal government agencies, and in turn offer fast, smart, and cost-effective solutions. AAS is known for rationalizing, modernizing, and simplifying systems, and its ethical leadership. AAS writes and modifies contracts for customers so that the quality of systems matches with people. AAS solutions can include the use of GWACs, Multiple Award Contracts, GSA Schedules, Single Award, and Agency-Specific Contracts. AAS also helps agencies meet small, disadvantaged business goals by offering Alliant SB and 8(a) Stars II contracts. AAS conducts a wide range of services, some of which include, contracting, market research, acquisition documentation, requirement analysis, project scheduling, deliverable(s) tracking, legal support, among several additional services.
The AAS customer panel consisted of Eva White (Procurement Management Division Director, Ginnie Mae), Geoff Wilson (Deputy Program Manager, Test Resource Management Center, Science, & Technology Program, Department of Defense (DOD)), and George Rumford (Program Manager, Test Resources Management Center, Science & Technology Program, DOD). Fred Thomas, Acting AAS Director, first asked panelists to describe their experience with AAS. All in all, the panelists commended AAS for its dedication, commitment, loyalty, and knowledge. Eva White talked about AAS offering her a GSA pilot in 2014, as Ginnie Mae needed to get acquisitions done. The pilot went very well, considering that acquisitions and customers are not at Ginnie Mae. AAS is extremely responsive and therefore has gained the trust of several organizations. Geoff Wilson and George Rumford appreciated that AAS is thorough in its interview process and makes sure to fully understand an agency’s missions, vision, and goals to achieve the required services. Project managers and contracting representatives work closely together so that all members are aware of what is going on.
AAS accurately follows all requirements an agency lays out. AAS is a strong believer of communication and reaches out to agencies on a daily basis. AAS introduced the GSA schedule to the DOD. Wilson and Rumford mentioned how the GSA vehicle was valuable to the DOD, as it establishes subject matter and moves things along smoothly/efficiently. White explained how Ginnie Mae guarantees bonds, and how it has multiple contracts that need to be passed through. GSA made that happen for Ginnie Mae. Instead of just seeing them as customers, AAS sees its “customers” as partners. White, Wilson, and Rumford all vouched for the GSA vehicles, and stressed that agencies/potential customers should consider doing a GSA Pilot with AAS. Thomas also allowed panelists to offer any advice they wanted to AAS for future improvement purposes. While the panelists are all pro AAS, the only suggestion they gave AAS is to layout ALL options on the table and explain the pros and cons of each vehicle to the customers. The AAS GSA expert has knowledge of all the tools and vehicles, but the customer only has knowledge of vehicles and tools in place.
The final part of the forum focused on FEDSIM, with Chris Hamm (FEDSIM Director & Innovation Advocate) Mark Lee (Assistant Commissioner, FAS Office of Compliance and Assistance), and Rodney Couick (R5 AAS Director) offering information about the client support center. FEDSIM is the leading provider of assisted acquisition services for federal agencies. FEDSIM provides hands-on acquisition, financial, and project management for its clients across the life cycle of each contract. FEDSIM customizes its approach to each project and executes trusted processes and business practices to drive high-quality outcomes. FEDSIM makes it an effort to save its clients time and money while focusing on their mission, vision, and goals. In addition to being acquisition, financial, and project management experts, FEDSIM experts are also advisers and client advocates. FEDSIM is involved with projects falling under various sectors such as Civilian, Defense/Air Force, Army/Navy, and Homeland Security. These projects vary immensely depending on the agency’s requirements, which FEDSIM does a solid job of understanding. FEDSIM is recognized for the diversity and complexity of the projects they lead (Acquisition Management, Financial Management, Project Management, IT Services, Professional Services, Managed Services).
Participants at the forum were also provided with a packet listing Office of AAS opportunities for June 2018.