David Stagney, senior director at Pratt & Whitney, served as moderator for an expert panel discussion during the Potomac Officers Club’s 2021 Air Force Acquisition Forum on July 8th.
The following panelist discussed embracing digital transformation and agile development featuring Preston Dunlap of the Department of the Air and Space Force, Michael Roberts of Space Rapid Capabilities, William Bailey and Kristen Baldwin of the U.S. Air Force.
If you missed the 2021 Air Force Acquisition Forum, you can still access the OnDemand footage by visiting Potomac Officers Club’s Event Page.
Darlene Costello, acting assistant secretary of the U.S. Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, delivered the Forum’s keynote address. She discussed her perspective and priorities for the Air Force’s relationship with private industry and significant accomplishments of the service branch’s acquisition process and culture.
After the keynote, William Bailey, deputy assistant secretary of Acquisition Integration, U.S. Air Force, opened the discussion by saying the Air Force acquisition needs to “move faster, cost less and need fewer people in these efforts.”
Bailey also said the acquisitions process needs to happen in an environment that increases the rate of competition and provides a level turn time where both industry and the government benefit.
Preston Dunlap, chief architect of the Department of the Air and Space Force, entered the discussion by explaining his role as chief architect. He argues that technology opportunities have been beyond the grasp of the government for too long. Meaning technology was moving too fast to integrate and the USAF/USSF needs to be able to catch, adopt and roll out new capabilities at the speed of innovation.
Kristen Baldwin, deputy assistant Secretary of Science, Technology & Engineering, UASF, commented heavily on the importance of digital transformation for maintaining a competitive advantage on near-peer competitors. She explained that her digital transformation vision is a “transformative ecosystem where tools and authoritative data are used to inform our decisions rapidly.”
In his comments, Michael Roberts, director and program executive officer of the Space Rapid Capabilities Office, focused on the tactical level of digital engineering. He said that digital engineering should especially be used for the upfront aspects of acquisition. Roberts also stated that digital engineering needs to transfer data and information between the government and contractors rapidly.
If you missed the 2021 Air Force Acquisition Forum, you can still access the OnDemand footage by visiting Potomac Officers Club’s Event Page.
Join us on August 10th, when the Potomac Officers Club will host its 2021 Digital Transformation Forum. Do not wait to save your spot for this must-watch Forum. Visit PotomacOfficersClub.com to register for the 2021 Digital Transformation Forum on August 10th.
Danielle Metz, deputy CIO for Information Enterprise at the DOD, will serve as keynote speaker. Metz will discuss how to transform an organization by adopting innovative technology and provide her perspective on critical initiatives and challenges facing the DOD’s digital transformation goals.
