DLA Disposition Services deepens ties with industry partners

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services gathered government and industry leaders for a two-day Industry Day on May 20–21 focused on strengthening readiness and accelerating innovation for the warfighter.

Framed around a recurring “speed of war” theme, the forum featured discussions on agile processes, trusted partnerships, decisive advantage, rapid acquisition, flexible contracting, and streamlined procurement. DLA Disposition Services Director Mike Cannon used his opening remarks to underscore the urgency driving the command’s approach. “Our goal to support the warfighter and to achieve that mission we need to do this smartly and quickly so that the services can be effective,” Cannon said. “We must do acquisition at the speed of war because the services are learning that having excess property slows them down and wastes resources that could be spent making them more lethal.”

Organizers positioned the event as a venue for two-way dialogue with industry to help the major-subordinate command respond to evolving needs in a fast-changing global environment. “We operate in changing environment such as shifting landscapes, shifting strategies, or even switching partnerships,” DLA Disposition Services Director of Contracting Tracy Hart said. “So please take this opportunity to engage with us and also give us your feedback about what we could do better to enhance this two-way partnership.”

This year’s Industry Day drew 44 registered vendors from 21 states, along with four partner-nation vendors from Canada, Germany, Japan, and Jordan. Among them was Bërnd Märker, a waste management professional whose German-based company has worked with DLA Disposition Services for nearly 45 years and regularly supports field sites. “We like to these types of continued in-person events where we can meet and talk with the people who we partner and deal with because this allows us to work out small challenges more efficiently when we are face-to-face,” Märker said.

Attendees joined breakout sessions tailored to specific interests, including demilitarization of equipment, electronic recycling, scrap sales, and technical requirements. Each day closed with a question-and-answer session.

Cannon closed the event by emphasizing the importance of a robust industrial base to the agency’s mission. “We need a strong vendor base to help us do what we do by ensuring you see positive gains by working with us and that we continue supporting the warfighter to the best of our ability,” he said.