Armchair Discussion
Nathan Tash, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Acquisition and Business Services and Acquisition Executive, FAA
Mathew Blum, Associate Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy, OFPP
This wide-ranging conversation focused on how policy and mission perspectives could be effectively integrated to achieve successful outcomes in contracting. The discussion explored the critical interactions within the federal acquisition ecosystem, bringing together government officials who set policies, developed requirements, managed proposal solicitation and evaluation, and oversaw implementation, along with their contracting partners who performed under federal contracts. The panel aimed to unravel how this diverse ecosystem collaborated to translate agency needs into viable solutions, emphasizing the importance of understanding the "why" behind acquisitions and how it contributed to more effective buying actions.
Nathan Tash, the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Acquisition and Business Services and Acquisition Executive at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and Mathew Blum, the Associate Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP*) spoke. With his extensive experience in overseeing acquisition and business services for one of the most crucial agencies in aviation, Mr. Tash brought unique insights into achieving mission success in the aerospace domain. Mr. Blum offered a high-level perspective from his position in shaping and guiding federal procurement policies across government agencies, delving into forecasting, contract vehicles, and other acquisition trends. His insights provided valuable context on how policy considerations influenced acquisition decisions and contributed to successful mission outcomes.
Together, these distinguished speakers delved into how the federal acquisition ecosystem could harmoniously align policy directives with mission objectives, fostering understanding and collaboration among its diverse stakeholders. The audience gained insights into the inner workings of the federal procurement process, discovering the best practices for integrating policy and mission perspectives, and uncovering the keys to achieving mission success in the dynamic landscape of government acquisitions.
