Tuesday, 12 April 2022, 1:00 PM EST

These webinars cover the topic of Market Research for VA Supply Chain Modernization. They are designed to create a dialogue between Industry and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The last in this webinar series:
Stay involved • Engage in the dialogue. Make a difference!
Description:
The VA Market Research is designed to provide an overview of key areas that were assessed during the VA Supply Chain Management Assessment (SCMA). The objective of SCMA phase I was to assess and document the current state of VA SC. This does not mean SC has been properly defined, just notionally what VA has been referring to as the VA SC. The VA is working with outcomes for SCMA Phase I to identify and document the as-is state, summarize observations for improvements, and they are in the process of reviewing various documents included in the VA SCMA repository.
A high level overview of SCMA Phase I will be provided by key VA staff (Administrations and VA Central Offices) in each of these sessions. The information in the VA SCMA repository can be shared as part of the VA Market Research, Phase II (some exceptions may apply).
Industry support is required to assure VA is conducting quality marketresearch to collect information from the industry partners with expertise in SC Management and to collect proven best practices, lessons learned, and various programmatic methodologies that can be applied to inform the VA Comprehensive SCM Strategy (quality data based business practices and targeted recommendations based on VA mission areas) along with path forward to assess the information received from industry.
Background – and updated information:
(for all official VA postings and documentation visit sam.gov)
The VA received numerous requests to clarify next steps and have extended the response dates for Industry Submissions. This is a follow up webinar to communicate next steps.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) completed 5 Market Research (MR) sessions providing industry an overview of various areas that are being analyzed as part of the VA Supply Chain Management (SCM) Assessment. These MR sessions were very successful with over 250 potential industry partners attending each session. These sessions began on March 4th and continued through March 31st. Recordings of these sessions can be found on sam.gov: https://sam.gov/opp/2aff4a971b704ba28bf572221b143c25/view
Now that the MR sessions are completed, The VA is requesting feedback from potential Industry Partners related to modernizing and transforming the Supply Chain. As described in sam.gov, Industry’s feedback should address various aspects of the current marketplace conditions and provide areas that should be considered by VA as notional SCM solutions and approaches that will inform the development of a VA SCM Strategy which can be sustained over many years. As described in sam.gov, the VA has requested that industry inputs be in the form of (1) Targeted SCM Capabilities Presentations and/or (2) SCM White Paper(s). The VA is offering two options for participation to maximize industry input. See SAM.GOV for details.
The response due dates have been extended to the 18th of April, 2022. However, please check Sam.gov for all official VA information and documentation. This update is for informational purposes only for those receiving this email. The purpose of this webinar is for the VA to additionally communicate next steps.
When: Apr 12, 2022 01:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
The goals of this discussion will be to allow leadership from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to share their strategy and vision for Supply Chain Modernization. Industry will have a chance to listen and pose recorded questions to Acquisition, Supply Chain and Program Offices.
• The landscape of “Supply Chain Modernization” and the potential planned scope of the initiative; the problem to be solved and the complex opportunity that the VA is asking industry to address. This includes a review of all options in support of the VA mission and requirements.
• The VA leadership will discuss their acquisition approach and invite industry input and questions. The VA is considering a Statement of Objectives (SOO) vs. a Statement of Work (SOW).
• The VA desires to work with industry to provide for the best solutions and approaches to modernization. What does industry need to be able to offer their services?
• Topics for this Close Out Session will be covering how Industry will engage, set up follow on meetings and how the VA is moving forward on this modernization endeavor.
Moderated by: Joe Grace, Captain, USN (Retired), CEO, Grace and Associates
Opening Speakers Include: Michael D. Parrish, Dr. Angela Billups, Phil Christy, Greg McLean,
Webinar Speakers

Michael Parrish
Principal Executive Director for the Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction (OALC). Head of Contracts.@Department of Veterans Affairs
Mr. Parrish has over 35 years of senior leadership experience in military, government, corporate, and non-profit organizations. After graduating in 1985 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the U.S. Military Academy, Mr. Parrish served for 14 years on active duty and 21 years in the in the U.S. Army Reserves where he held various leadership positions of increasing responsibility as an Army Aviator, serving as an Air Operations Officer during Desert Storm and culminating as a member of the Army Acquisition Corps. Mr. Parrish has been Chairman & CEO of several publicly traded companies and was founder and CEO for several start-ups. Mr. Parrish holds a Master’s Degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Stanford University and an MBA with honors from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Phillip Christy
Deputy Executive Director, Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction (OALC) @Department of Veterans Affairs
Mr. Christy serves as an advisor to OALCs Principal Executive Director on acquisition, logistics, and construction issues. His responsibilities include the day to day operational management of OALCs three major organizational elements: the Office of Acquisition and Logistics, the Office of Procurement, Acquisition and Logistics and the Office of Construction and Facilities Management. Mr. Christy is a retired U.S. Army Medical Service Corps Officer, and he served in multiple senior acquisition, construction and logistics positions during his 20-year career. Mr. Christy is a native of Renton, Washington. He holds an Executive Juris Doctorate in Health Law from the Concord University of Law, a Master of Science in Health Care Administration from Central Michigan University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Business from Washington State University.
Dr. Angela Billups
Executive Director, Office of Acquisition and Logistics@Department of Veterans Affairs
Dr. Angela Billups was appointed as the Executive Director, Office of Acquisition and Logistics at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on November 26, 2018. As the Executive Director of one of the largest acquisition and logistics programs in the Federal government, Dr. Billups manages and oversees the development and implementation of policies and procedures for department-wide acquisition and logistics programs supporting all VA facilities and the VA Acquisition Academy in Frederick, Maryland. She is the primary advisor to the Chief Acquisition Officer and to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for matters related to enterprise business strategies and acquisition management. Dr. Billups also serves as the VA Senior Procurement Executive and VA Suspension and Debarment Official. Dr. Billups is a seasoned acquisition professional with years of experience advising and assisting senior officials, government and industry, with the goal of helping them realize the acquisition life cycle.
Joe Grace, Captain USN (Retired)
President and CEO – Moderator for this series on Supply Chain Modernization @Grace and Associates, LLC.
Joe Grace, Captain, USN (Retired), is the President and CEO of Grace & Associates. Mr. Grace is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, a former nuclear submarine officer, and earned his MBA from the University of New Orleans. During his active and reserve military career, he worked a variety of military assignments, including his final tour as the Chief Information Officer for Navy Medicine. Mr. Grace has worked for multiple companies and held many positions in industry. He is a serial entrepreneur, venture construction leader and long time business owner. He now works as a connector between industry and government, with an emphasis on Military Health and the Department of Veterans Affairs. His many roles include Moderator, Facilitator, a key trusted advisor to leadership and a mentor to industry and government. As an entrepreneur, Mr. Grace has started many technology-based companies and taken three public. Grace & Associates holds no government contracts
Gregory McLean
Special Projects eManager @Department of Veterans Affairs
Gregory “Greg” McLean Special Project Manager Reported to APS (on detail) in May 2020. Gregory McLean is Vice-Chancellor of the VA Acquisition Academy (VAAA) Program Management (PM) School, where he oversees the training of VA program managers. The Program Management curriculum is intended to ensure that VA has the most qualified program managers and includes competency assessment, classroom and online learning, coaching and mentoring, on-the-job qualification development, assignment-specific courses, training toward Federal Acquisition Certification in Program/Project Management (FAC-P/PM), and continuing education. Mr. McLean previously served as Director of Program Management Policy in the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Policy and Planning. Mr. McLean has more than 22 years of industry and Government experience, including developing and implementing national training and certification programs for major and critical acquisition initiatives.
Please join us for this important discussion
12 April 2022, 1:00 PM EST.
Check SAM.GOV for information.
