409th CSB hosts first European contracting board

By Rachel ClarkApril 29, 2013

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany -- The 409th Contracting Support Brigade hosted the first European contracting coordination board March 29 in Wiesbaden, Germany.

The board was established by direction of Kim Denver, former deputy assistant secretary of the Army (procurement) in an effort to synchronize contracting support, leverage organizational expertise and to resolve common issues across the European theater.

More than 30 attendees representing 13 different acquisition and contracting organizations in the medical, finance, logistics and engineering communities attended.

According to Col. William Bailey, 409th CSB commander, the board set the framework for strategic collaboration on contracting business across Europe.

"We can accomplish so much more as a collective, in regards to coordination, resources and support. We need to be talking to each other and this is a great step in the right direction," said Bailey.

Each organization presented its mission, structure and capabilities, which increased everyone's situational awareness.

"With the current fiscal limitations, this board provides the opportunity to identify and eliminate redundancies. The response was overwhelmingly positive about the need for and the opportunity provided by this forum for value-added change," said Bailey.

Related Links:

Army Contracting website