More than 400 participants are in Norfolk this week to discuss the mission and contracting priorities of the U.S. Navy. The Navy Contracting Summit, hosted by the Defense Leadership Forum, is taking place May 7 and 8 at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott.
Congressman Bobby Scott (D), 3rd Congressional District, Virginia, opened the 5th annual Summit on Monday morning with a keynote address on the impact of the U.S. Navy on Norfolk.
Congressman Scott Taylor (R), 2nd Congressional District, Virginia, followed with a second keynote address on the newly passed $700 billion defense budget and the need to identify new defense solutions from industry.
"We need a revolution of thinking from the private sector to empower our country with innovative, new defense and homeland security solutions," said Congressman Taylor.
Best practices from companies across industries are shared at the national event along with strategic presentations that address contracting procedures for businesses to identify federal contracting resources. The Summit includes matchmaking sessions and additional speakers from the General Services Administration, NAVIFOR, MARCORSYSCOM, NAVSEA, NAVFAC, NASA, SBA, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and more.
With more than 57 exhibitors showcasing their defense solutions, the Summit strongly emphasizes networking and contracting opportunities between prime contractors and new subcontractors.
Among the featured exhibitors is Swift Engineering, a California-based company that has developed an advanced unmanned aerial system which provides the acquisition and transmission of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance data in support of warfighters needs.
"The Defense Leadership Forum provides us with more one-on-one opportunities. We get an in-depth look at outstanding contracts and a better understanding of the contractual processes," said Phil Mengden, Technical Sales Manager with Swift Engineering.
The Summit commences Tuesday, May 8 at 8:30 AM with contracting presentations from additional military and government agencies as well as several defense contractors. For more information, visit www.defenseleadershipforum.org/navycontractingsummit.
