Presentation: Steps to Building a More Innovative Acquisition Culture
Abstract: The federal acquisition community supports some of the government’s most critical priorities—from advancing racial equity and modernizing our infrastructure to addressing climate change. To deliver on these priorities, federal leaders and agencies must develop new ways for government to procure—or buy and acquire—the goods and services it needs.
The government has quite a different set of challenges than the commercial sector. For example, the nature of the government-contractor relationship and other unique federal policies and processes make it difficult to replicate a pure commercial innovative environment. However, these challenges should not dissuade a program from considering an innovation strategy. Increased acquisition innovation can dramatically change how the agencies deliver capabilities when used in the right environment, with active stakeholder support and strong government-contractor relationships. It will take time to integrate innovation effectively into acquisition environments. It will take strong leadership to champion the cultural changes needed to enable innovative practices, active support and collaboration across all the major acquisition disciplines, and a strong program management office empowered to break from traditional practices.
This presentation will outline ways that agencies can support this goal. Building on emerging innovations in federal procurement and acquisition, these strategies encourage acquisition leaders to take smart risks and balance compliance with experimentation to help the government fulfill its mission more effectively.
PMI Talent Triangle: Technical Project Management (Ways of Working)
Biography: Andrea D. Wilson is a seasoned acquisition professional with several years of diverse federal acquisition experience, having served as a Contract Specialist, Contracting Officer, and Procurement Specialist. Noted for her expertise in federal acquisition, contract processes, and agile methodologies, she has played an integral role in several major enterprise-wide acquisitions, including establishing multiple Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) and Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQs) vehicles. Andrea has helped design and implement a wide variety of contracting solutions and innovative strategies, helping to maximize efficiency and productivity for several government agencies, including the Central Intelligence Agency, Department of Homeland Security, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and currently, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Andrea’s natural leadership abilities have helped her to excel in every position she has held. She has consistently won the respect of both her peers and superiors, racking up numerous accomplishments and creating countless successful programs. She remains dedicated to serving her country and is looking forward to continuing to blaze trails in the field of federal acquisition.
