In this episode, we sit down with Special Agent Chris Graham, Director of Operations, Procurement Fraud Detachment, Air Force Office of Special Investigation, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Special Agent Graham discusses the history and mission of AFOSI, his role in investigating procurement fraud, and the daily life of a Special Agent. He talks about "finding the lie" and "following the money," as well as the Procurement Fraud Triangle, which consists of pressure, rationalization, and opportunity—three elements that often comprise the psychology of a fraudster. He also shares insights into the collaboration between AFOSI and the contracting community, emphasizing the importance of cybersecurity and data protection. Tune in to hear real-life examples of fraud cases and learn how contracting professionals play a vital role in safeguarding critical resources.

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This episode of The Contracting Experience features Shane Boulware, Program Manager, for Airborne Warning and Control System E-3 Modernization Branch, Hanscom Air Force Base. In addition to his full-time civilian job, Boulware is also a reservist in the contracting career field at the Defense Contract Management Agency, National Capital Region. Boulware offers insights into the similarities and differences between the two career fields and emphasizes the importance of their collaboration for mission success. Additionally, he talks about the critical nature of teamwork and communication between program managers and contracting professionals, illustrating how joint efforts drive innovation and efficiency in defense projects.

Acronyms:

AAF – Adaptive Acquisition Framework

AFLCMC – Air Force Life Cycle Management Center

AFFARS – Air Force Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement

AWACS – Airborne Warning and Control System

CO – Contracting Officer

DFARS – Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement

FAR – Federal Acquisition Regulation

FM – Financial Management

JA – Judge Advocate

PGI – Procedures, Guidance, and Information

PM – Program Management

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This episode of The Contracting Experience features Andrea Edmonds, a certified training instructor at the 88th Force Support Squadron, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Edmonds teaches several courses addressing generational differences in the workplace. In this episode, she discusses the origins and key takeaways of her course, explaining the characteristics and dynamics of the various generations currently in the workforce. Edmonds addresses common challenges and misperceptions about generational differences, providing practical advice for effectively collaborating with colleagues from different age groups. Her insights offer valuable guidance for enhancing group dynamics and creating a more inclusive, adaptable, and effective work environment.

Generations defined:

Traditionalist (Silent Generation): Those born from 1928-1945

Baby Boomers: Those born from 1946-1964

Generation X: Those born from 1965-1980

Millennials (Generation Y): Those born from 1981-1996

Generation Z: Those born from 1997-2012

Generation Alpha: Those born from 2013 to present

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This episode of The Contracting Experience features a discussion with Robin Harrah, the new Contracting Technical Director at the Air Force Materiel Command. Harrah discusses her previous contracting assignments and explains her new role as the Technical Director. As the former Chief of Contracts for Special Projects, Harrah shares her passion for working in the vault and clarifies several misperceptions about working in a controlled environment. Harrah also offers some solid career advice for contracting professionals, regardless of the current stage of their career.

Acronyms:

AFMC – Air Force Materiel Command

AFRL – Air Force Research Laboratory

ASC – Aeronautical Systems Center

CLP – Continuous Learning Point

CONS – Contracting Squadron

DAF – Department of the Air Force

ELDP – Executive Leadership Development Program

FIAR – Financial Improvement and Audit Readiness

GFP – Government Furnished Property

PCO – Procurement Contracting Officer

PME – Professional Military Education

TD – Technical Director

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This episode of The Contracting Experience focuses on artificial Intelligence with guest Lt. Col. Dan Finkenstadt, an officer in the Air Force Contracting Force Development division. Finkenstadt holds a PhD from UNC Chapel Hill and served as a professor at the Naval Post Graduate School for the three years. In this episode, Finkenstadt describes the relationships between Artificial Intelligence, Bots, Machine Learning and Large Language Models while offering use cases, benefits, and risks for Air Force contracting. He also speaks about his role in the DAF Contracting Flight Plan where he is leading a team to foster AI education and training across the contracting workforce

Acronyms:

AI – Artificial Intelligence

ML – Machine Learning

LLM – Large Language Model

DAF – Department of the Air Force

CDAO – Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office

SAF/AQCX – Air Force Contracting Force Development

SAF/CN – Air Force Chief Information Officer

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The Contracting Experience Podcast partnered with the Air Force Materiel Command’s Small Business Directorate to interview two business leaders of women-owned small businesses who have successfully entered the Department of the Air Force market and demonstrated their capabilities and commitment to the Air Force mission. They are Jaqueline Gamblin, Chief Executive Officer of JYG Innovations, and Lisa Coker, Chief Executive Officer of Infinite Management Solutions.

The Department of the Air Force and Air Force Materiel Command have a phenomenal small business program setting new records of small business spend, significantly exceeding the small business goals established for both. This is excellent news as we collectively work to strengthen our industrial base and leverage small business innovation to meet mission need. Yet, one area we historically struggle in is the number of women-owned small business and spend – or in contract terms – the number of contract awards and obligations.

Women-owned small businesses have successfully entered and performed in the Department of Defense marketplace. In this conversation, we discuss what challenges these women owned small businesses have faced in doing business with the government and how the acquisition community can partner with women-owned small businesses to better collaborate and execute Air Force missions.

***This podcast episode and the mention or appearance of external links does not constitute or imply official endorsement on behalf of the U.S. Department of the Air Force or Department of Defense. The Department of the Air Force does not endorse any non-federal entities, companies, products, or services. Moreover, the Department of the Air Force does not exercise any responsibility or oversight of the content at external link destinations mentioned during this podcast. The views expressed within this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

Acronyms:

WOSB – Women-Owned Small Business

RFI – Request for Information

RFP – Request for Proposal

Guests:

Jaqueline Gamblin

Chief Executive Officer

JYG Innovations

https://www.jyginnovations.com

Lisa Coker

Chief Executive Officer

Infinite Management Solutions

https://teamims.net

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In this episode of The Contracting Experience podcast we sit down with Head of Air Force Contracting, Maj. Gen .Alice Trevino. Trevino talks about the Great Power Competition and what contracting’s role will be in optimizing the Air Force towards this mission. She also addresses where we are going with digital transformation in Air Force Acquisition and some of the top initiatives contracting professionals can get involved with in 2024. Trevino also advises the workforce on her top areas to focus on as we optimize for the Great Power Competition.

Acronyms:

AF CIO – Air Force Chief Information Officer

SAF/CN – Air Force Office of the Chief Information Officer

ATO – Authority to Operate

LOE – Line of Effort

AI – Artificial Intelligence

SBIR – Small Business Innovation Research

AETC – Air Education and Training Command

GSA – General Services Administration

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In this episode, we sit down with Capt. Alicia Binggeli, Heather Carino, and Capt. Oleksandr Bakuta who are Air Force contracting professionals who have completed Education with Industry (EWI) fellowships. Alicia, Heather, and Oleksandr share their experiences working with 8VC, SpaceX, and Intel Capital. They each discuss what they found impactful during their EWI fellowships as well as how contracting professionals can start applying their lessons learned today.

Acronyms:

EWI – Education with Industry

I2I – Insights to Industry

RFP – Request for Proposal

RFI – Request for Information

DAU – Defense Acquisition University

NSIN – National Security Innovation Network

VC – Venture Capital

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In this episode, we learn about the Air Force Acquisition Toolbox. There are three contracting folks that are part of this conversation. Two of the individuals are members of the SAF/AQC Operational Imperative Field Support Team, Elizabeth Midkiff and Laura Fuller, and the third person is Air Force Materiel Command Contract Data Specialist, Justin Lyles. In this conversation you’ll learn about what the Acquisition Toolbox is and how it is supported for effectiveness to assist acquisition teams in using the latest tools. You will also get insights into how you can start using the Acquisition Toolbox today to enhance your acquisitions.

Acronyms:

DoD – Department of Defense

DAF – Department of the Air Force

OT – Other Transaction

AI – Artificial Intelligence

NASA – National Aeronautics and Space Administration

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In this episode, we sit down with Roger Westermeyer, Director of Enterprise Solutions Support at the Air Force Installation Contracting Center. Roger partnered with Defense Acquisition University to develop a course on critical thinking. He discusses how we can apply critical thinking to the acquisition process. Roger also gives insight into where you can start if you’re interested in learning more about how to better think critically.

Acronyms:

ASP – Acquisition Strategy Panel

Defense Acquisition University Critical Thinking Course:

https://rise.articulate.com/share/IoQ0U_gdvvzhaqcgMxHwKJi3_wKrvGJV#/

Foundation for Critical Thinking:

https://community.criticalthinking.org/index.php

The School of Thought:

https://www.schoolofthought.org/

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