2003 PEO/SYSCOM Commanders Conference: Transforming Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics to Combat Future Threats in Unconventional Environments

The 2003 Program Executive Officer/Systems Command (PEO/SYSCOM) Commanders Conference was held at the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) facilities, Fort Belvoir, Va., Dec. 3-5, 2003. This annual conference brought together approximately 400 senior leaders in the Department of Defense Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics community and their industry counterparts.

Acting Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics) Michael W. Wynne hosted the 2003 conference on "Transforming Acquisition, Technology and Logistics to Combat Future Threats in Unconventional Environments."

The first day featured an afternoon of special topic sessions, which included a host of former and current initiatives critical to the accomplishment of the acquisition, technology and logistics mission in DoD. Special sessions included "Contracting Challenges in an Evolutionary Acquisition Environment." "Earned Value Management," "DFARS Transformation--the Next Evolution," and related subject matter issues.

In the official opening ceremony on the second day, Wynne provided an overview of many of the issues and challenges facing the DoD and industry today, highlighting the importance of the roles each of the attendees and organizations played in supporting the warfighter.

The opening day also saw a keynote address by Marine Lt. Gen. James E. Cartwright and three informative panel sessions: "Enabling Technologies Supporting the Warfighter," "The Human Capital Crisis--What are DoD and Industry Doing About It?" and "Aligning the DoD 5000 Instruction and JCIDS: Implementing the Chairman's New Capabilities-based Process for Identifying and Satisfying the Warfighter's Needs."

Attendees also heard a luncheon presentation on homeland security by Dr. David F. Bolka, director, Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency. Bolka provided a summary overview of many of the operations homeland security is involved in and its expanding relationships with the DoD.

The final day of the conference included a presentation on "Small Business, A Useful Tool for the Program Manager" and two panels: "What Does the Warfighter Really Want?" and "Partnerships and Alliances with Industry: Non-Traditional Business Requirements in Unconventional Environments."

The conference included multiple displays and exhibits of the latest technology initiatives in DoD, including spectrum management, corrosion control, unique identification, and E-BIZ. To view more information on the conference, visit <www.peosyscom.com>.

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