FREDRICKSBURG, Va. – Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) hosted its largest Industry Day and Outreach event in a decade at the Fredericksburg Expo and Conference Center, March 21.
The event featured a strategic keynote address by John Fiore, NSWCDD technical director, and a full day of briefings by NSWCDD technical department and contracts leadership.
“The briefings offered tremendous insight into Dahlgren's strategic direction, the mission, technical capabilities, and organizational structures and opportunities within each department,” said Kris Parker, NSWCDD deputy director for small business.
For years, NSWCDD hosted regular overarching outreach events but the demand of the audience outpaced the venue in the Dahlgren area. Consequently, the decision was made to host the 2019 event at the Expo Center. More than 320 industry representatives and approximately 75 NSWCDD employees participated.
“The event provided tremendous insight into our strategic direction and upcoming procurement opportunities,” said Parker. “We’ve historically filled the event very quickly, and this year was no exception. Our unique technical capabilities and stellar reputation as a world-class research and development facility attracted industry representatives from the D.C. metro area and states including California, Texas, Minnesota and Ohio to learn more about our cutting edge efforts to support the warfighter. I’d like to especially thank all of the Dahlgren representatives who took time to participate, as feedback from industry was overwhelmingly positive because of all who contributed.”
To better educate all in attendance – a mix of current and interested industry members – individual technical department kiosks were staffed throughout the event for one-on-one engagement with company representatives. In addition, all presentations were provided as handouts and a comprehensive Long Range Acquisition Forecast was available to provide insight into current and upcoming opportunities.
"The command's industry partners, including many small businesses, play a key role in our ability to complete our important mission in support of the Fleet," said Tom Duval, chief of the NSWCDD Contracting Office. "Historically, 50 cents out of every dollar we receive is obligated on a contract and I expect this to continue into the foreseeable future. The Industry Day and Outreach gave us the opportunity to present industry with our future contracting demand signal with the goal of fostering more effective competition."