Posted on 03/14/2025 5:13:54 AM PDT by Fish Speaker
The Air Force canceled its premiere acquisition seminar and collaborative meeting with industry for 2025 to comply with Trump administration efficiency directives, the Air Force Materiel Command’s Life Cycle Management Center said March 11. The Life Cycle Industry Days 2025 event was to be held the Convention Center in Dayton, Ohio, July 28 and 29.
“Based on Air Force guidance on mission-critical categories of exempted travel consistent with Executive Order 14222, ‘Implementing the President’s “Department of Government Efficiency” Cost Efficiency Initiative’, and in consultation with the Dayton Development Coalition and representatives of the State of Ohio, we have canceled the 9th annual Life Cycle Industry Days and Wright Dialogue with Industry this year,” an Air Force spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine.
The weeklong event typically features 2-3 days of top-level open-source briefings and speeches by AFMC leadership, along with briefings from Program Executive Officers. Officials also share classified presentations to cleared audiences and meet individually with industry representatives. The assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, AFMC commander, and LCMC commander all typically present at an event centered on Air Force technical interests and needs.
In recent years, AFMC commander Gen. Duke Richardson has used the conference to explain AFMC’s organizational changes and the move toward digital design, digital program reviews, and digital contracting. The Air Force Research Laboratory also typically offers presentations about its high-profile and emerging programs.
(Excerpt) Read more at airandspaceforces.com ...
I wonder how much this event has cost taxpayers over the years.
Just took a quick look and can’t easily find the info anywhere.
Let’s be honest here, they are boondoggle vacation trips.
I guess they have never heard of “Zoom” meetings!
This is so unfair! Now how will Air Force officers be able to line up cushy private industry jobs after they retire?
💰
“I guess they have never heard of “Zoom” meetings!”
You know you can’t do a ‘what goes TDY stays TDY” via zoom
Considering the military procurement results over the years, these conferences don’t seem to have improved the process all that much. Maybe time to try something different?
This is the NINTH “Life Cycle Industry Days and Wright Dialogue with Industry.”
So we got along fine without them up until ten years ago? (Presuming it’s an annual conference).
Things can’t change that fast in procurement. Hold it every three or five years.
I organized and attended many such conferences and seminars. You are right that little actual work gets done there and it’s an excuse for people to travel and have some fun seeing old buddies.
I worked for a shipyard. Even though we were relatively small we had a guy on staff whose main job was to get government grants. Anytime there was a Navy conference like this he was there. Apparently the Navy officials who attended the conferences were also involved in approving grants and contracts. We got millions in grants over the years (but still eventually went bankrupt).
“...(but that’s not to say that a few people could, and did, get a lot accomplished during them).”
This particular conferenece has been used the last few years for briefings on digital change over and other related things in sensitive areas. While most of it can be in public preview, some of it can’t and any collaboration or possible recommendations could be lost. Having the players in one sealed spot is the best way to improve the mission needs so it levels as to what is being discussed and what changes are imminent.
This is only their ninth year with this so it is reletively new. And without having the secure lines to discuss these things, running curriers to accomplish the goal, let’s face it, is outdated and probably more expensive. Is it worth it? We won’t know.
wy69
"used them as excuses to network"
the organizers are getting a grant from somewhere. This stuff isn’t free. Probably USAID.
The weeklong event typically features 2-3 days of hookers and partying.
“running curriers to accomplish the goal”
Will Ives pitch in and help?
That’s a lot of digitalia.
> I guess they have never heard of “Zoom” meetings!<
“ In recent years, AFMC commander Gen. Duke Richardson has used the conference to explain AFMC’s organizational changes and the move toward digital design, digital program reviews, and digital contracting.”
It looks like the general’s work for recent years has been an utter failure.
EC
Awright, doubter! Let’s see you demonstrate how bags of dosh are transferred over a Zoom call!
Go ahead! Show me. :)
“Will Ives pitch in and help?”
They’d have to get more expensive if they are going to carry sensitive information. Plus tagged documents will mean days apart for simple discussion that could take minutes. We’re back to the Flintstones.
Sometimes something may have to cost some to get it accomplished when on paper it may look wrong.
wy69
It’s called, Zelle....lol
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