MAXWELL AFB-GUNTER ANNEX, Ala. -- On Jan. 14, 2025, the Business and Enterprise Systems (BES) Small Business Office (SBO) held its annual Vendor Exchange Forum (VEF) in a hybrid format at Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex in Montgomery, Ala.
Led by Director of Small Business Programs, Yolanda McCain, VEF provides an opportunity for industry partners to gain insight into BES’ mission, priorities, challenges, and upcoming opportunities, while offering a platform for industry representatives to showcase their unique capabilities and solutions offered.
Two sessions were offered during VEF: Selected Vendor Presentations and Government Presentations.
During the first session, eight vendors were presented the opportunity to provide their company’s capabilities and solutions offered directly to BES Leadership, Capability Delivery Teams, Product Line Managers, and others.
“The goal of this event is to create an opportunity to showcase and explore the sources, capabilities, and experiences of our Industry Partners, with a special focus on our Small Business partners,” said McCain. “This aligns with BES's mission to Operate, Integrate, and Innovate, while delivering world-class IT capabilities that support the Air Force and benefit the warfighter.”
With over 400 attendees, the second session featured updates from the BES SBO, an introduction to new BES Leadership, a panel on “Happening Across the BES Enterprise,” and acquisition spotlights from six programs.
Outreach events like VEF are vital in deepening BES’ understanding of industry resources and expertise, while highlighting opportunities to strengthen partnerships to deliver innovative and cost-effective IT solutions to support the Warfighter.
“We believe it's important to share BES's goals, priorities, ongoing initiatives, and key focus areas with industry to better equip them to support our mission,” said McCain. “Based on the immediate feedback from the panel discussion, we can confidently say that we were successful in achieving this.”
BES values its partnerships with industry and is committed to hosting and expanding industry outreach events moving forward.
To learn more about the BES SBO, please visit https://www.airforcebes.af.mil/Units/Small-Business-Office/.