Revolutionizing Federal Acquisition: Insights from NCMA's New Efficiency Working Group

Revolutionizing Federal Acquisition: Insights from NCMA's New Efficiency Working Group



In an ambitious move to enhance federal procurement practices, the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) recently launched its Acquisition Efficiency Working Group. This initiative is crucial as it aligns with recent Executive Orders and mandates aimed at reforming the federal acquisition process. The primary focus is to tap into the expertise of practitioners who have demonstrated significant experience on both the buying and selling sides of federal contracts.

Chaired by Wes Bennett, an NCMA Board Member and Vice President of Contracts at Booz Allen Hamilton, the Working Group consists of a diverse coalition of experts from various sectors. This unique assembly includes individuals from publicly traded corporations, private capital-backed companies, academia, and governmental agencies. Collectively, they present a wealth of experience in federal procurement; notably, nearly half of the members have involvement with nontraditional companies, which enriches the group's perspective. This wide-ranging expertise in acquisition operations, policy formulation, and transformation efforts enables the team to develop recommendations that directly address essential issues such as speed, transparency, and efficiency.

Wes Bennett stated, "This group was designed to reflect the ecosystem we aim to improve. By gathering experts spanning the acquisition lifecycle and representing organizations of varying sizes and missions, we ensure a comprehensive approach to the challenges we face. Our objective is to create solutions that simplify acquisition practices and ultimately enhance the efficacy of mission delivery."

Joining Bennett as Vice Chair is Soraya Correa, President and CEO of the National Industries for the Blind. Correa, widely recognized for her role as Chief Procurement Officer at the Department of Homeland Security, has been instrumental in innovative procurement initiatives, such as establishing the Procurement Innovation Lab. The leadership of the Working Group is further supported by a formidable roster of experts, including:

  • - Eric Crusius
  • - Tim Cummins (Executive Director, Commerce and Contract Management Institute)
  • - Megan Dake (Vice President, Corporate Contracts and Estimating, Lockheed Martin)
  • - Julie Dunne (Principal, Monument Advocacy)
  • - Dave Ferris (Head of Global Public Sector, Cohere)
  • - Lesley Field (Former Deputy Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy at the Office of Management and Budget)
  • - Heather Gerczak (CFCM, CPCM, Fellow, Chief Administrative Officer, Integral Federal, Inc)
  • - Claire Grady (Senior Vice President, Strategy, Mantech)
  • - Sally Guyer (CEO, World Commerce Contracting)
  • - Christopher Hetz (Applied Intuition)
  • - General Cameron Holt (USAF Retired, President, Strategic Markets, Exiger)
  • - Leslie Husler (EVP Corporate Strategy, Persistent Systems, LLC)
  • - Ian Kalin (CEO, TurbineOne)
  • - Matt MacGregor (Senior Director, Strategic Growth, Anduril Industries)
  • - Benjamin McMartin (Senior Fellow, George Mason University, Greg and Camille Baroni Center for Government Contracting)
  • - William Roberts (Director of Emerging Technologies, ASI Government)

As this group progresses, they anticipate expanding their team, adding more names and areas of specialization to further enhance their capabilities. Soraya Correa emphasized the proactive nature of the group, stating, "This isn't just a think tank—it's a powerhouse of action! These experts symbolize the full spectrum of acquisition management, from frontline contracting officers to strategic policy makers. Having experienced the challenges of the system firsthand, they are uniquely positioned to advocate for cultural and operational changes that will endure."

The Acquisition Efficiency Working Group embodies NCMA's commitment to optimizing procurement outcomes. They will leverage the insights and research initiatives from the Commercial and Contract Management Institute, which is key to NCMA's data analysis and its understanding of cross-sector dynamics. By harnessing this extensive expertise, the Working Group aims to provide practical recommendations that will simplify regulations, modernize the workforce, and foster the adoption of NCMA's Contract Management Standard® (CMS™). The collective outcomes are expected to shape future training strategies and will be disseminated through various reports, events, and forums to engage the broader acquisition community.

For the latest updates and more information about the NCMA and its efforts to enhance acquisition efficiency, visit their official website at www.ncmahq.org/acquisitionefficiency.

About NCMA


The National Contract Management Association (NCMA) is a vibrant community comprising over 100,000 contract management professionals worldwide. Devoted to promoting a recognized contract management profession and enhancing ties with related acquisition communities, NCMA serves a broad membership, including participants from both public and private sectors. Through its unwavering commitment, NCMA fosters the growth, development, and influence of practitioners, offering a platform for an open exchange of ideas in inclusive forums that drive innovation and excellence in contract management.

Topics General Business)

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