PANAMA CITY, Fla. –
Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) held its annual Industry Day themed “Enabling Agility in a Changing Environment” Nov. 3.
Industry Day provides NSWC PCD an opportunity to collaborate with industry partners in order to better respond to NSWC PCD’s procurement opportunities.
Capt. David Back, NSWC PCD commanding officer, described the event as a great opportunity for the portion of the industry that may not currently contract with NSWC PCD to learn about the command’s products, research areas, and opportunities based on the command’s business outlook.
“One goal of our strategic plan is to be recognized as a model organization. We achieve this goal by being a partner of choice and events like Industry Day allows us to make those vital partnerships,” said Back. “Industry Day affords our command the opportunity to demonstrate how industry partners are essential to NSWC PCD’s efforts of rapidly delivering solutions as the undisputed technical expert throughout the littoral battlespace.”
Tim Reed, NSWC PCD contract specialist, said Industry Days are hosted throughout Department of Defense agencies to raise awareness and interest in upcoming contracted work in an effort to increase competition.
“Industry Days offer industry partners a snapshot of current and future procurements,” said Reed. “It also demonstrates to our industry partners how they are essential to NSWC PCD’s vision and strategy.”
Industry Day provides industry an opportunity to meet with government leaders as well as network with potential partners.
Brian Young, NSWC PCD contract specialist, said the end goal for participants is to communicate with NSWC PCD and understand future program requirements and acquisitions.
“We want to ensure synergy between NSWC PCD and industry partners,” said Young. “Industry Day provides a forum for industry partners to ask questions and receive additional information to do business with the federal government through contracting.”
Previous NSWC PCD Industry Days have been held in-person. For the second year in a row, Industry Day was held virtually due to COVID-19. Technology and digital communication has proven successful as attendance increased by roughly twenty-six percent this year with approximately 475 participants. Industry Day is an NSWC PCD team effort, supported by Command leadership, technical departments, and the Contracts Department. The event included opening remarks from Back and Technical Director Dr. Peter Adair.
To get involved in future Industry Days, an event is posted on SAM.gov and the Seaport NxG Opportunities website, which notifies industry of the event and provides directions for attending.