MOLINE, Illinois -- Representatives from business of all sizes gathered at the iWireless Center, May 23, for an Industry Day hosted by U.S. Army Contracting Command-Rock Island and U.S. Army Sustainment Command.

The event focused on the Enhanced Army Global Logistics Enterprise program in the morning and the Logistics Civil Augmentation Program in the afternoon. These are two ASC logistics programs for which ACC-RI handles the acquisition of maintenance, supply, and transportation under EAGLE, and a wide breadth of logistics and base support services to augment the force for LOGCAP.

EAGLE is a global program that is based on awarding task orders for logistical requirements to Basic Ordering Agreement holder companies. There are currently 140 BOA holders, 93 of which are small businesses. To date, 38 task orders totaling $3 billion have been awarded, 74 percent to small businesses.

Lana Graw, an EAGLE procuring contracting officer, welcomed 108 industry members representing 73 companies, and opened the floor for Carl Cartwright, executive director, Acquisition Integration and Management, ASC. Cartwright provided opening remarks that focused on the history and successes of the EAGLE program, as the original five-year program moves into its second iteration with "EAGLE II" BOAs anticipated to be executed in August.

EAGLE seeks to expand competition, increase small business opportunities, standardize contracts and increase the efficient use of resources.

Cartwright said he sees a significant evolution from EAGLE as "just a name and a program" when it first started to a successful strategic sourcing tool, which is being increasingly used and looked at from commands outside of Army Materiel Command.

"There are other people out there who have seen the power of this program," said Cartwright. "I know where this program is going, and it's going in the right direction."

Other government panel participants in the EAGLE discussion were Christopher Dake, director, Field Support Contracting Directorate, ACC-RI; Alexis Bribriesco, branch chief, Field Support Contracting Directorate, ACC-RI; Brian Almonrode, chief, EAGLE Business Office, ASC; Jody Fasko, director, Contract Management Office, ASC; and Rachel Farwell, EAGLE requirements team lead, ASC.

In the afternoon, the room was filled with 192 industry members representing 101 companies who were eager to learn more about LOGCAP V, a highly visible program that sustains the warfighter. Government representatives expressed interest in gathering all feedback from industry on the program, which is particularly crucial because LOGCAP V has significant changes from past program iterations.

"This is not your mother's LOGCAP" said Michael Hutchison, deputy to the commanding general, ASC. "It's not set up like when we were just in Iraq and Afghanistan."

LOGCAP is expanding upon its traditional capability of supporting contingencies largely in the CENTCOM region by leveraging industry to augment Army forces via established global capability thereby enabling readiness and rapid response worldwide. Moreover, the Army is looking to industry to think innovatively, apply advances in technology to enhance efficiency and effectiveness, and anticipate the needs of the supported units instead of being reactionary when time is of the essence.

Maj. Gen. Edward Daly, commanding general, ASC, said the proactive steps contractors take in "setting the theater" will be an essential aspect of LOGCAP V.

"I think this is a golden opportunity for you to provide your logistics assessment on requirements," said Daly. "I think you'll be able to come back to us and say you have ways to reduce the logistics burden on theater in ways that will reduce risk and improve response."

Hutchison and Jerome Jastrab, portfolio manager for logistics management services, ASC, also spoke about the evolving nature of the LOGCAP V program.

Brian Knutson, procuring contracting officer, ACC-RI, spoke at length about the acquisition strategy. "The ultimate goal is having some flexibility built in the program while prioritizing responsiveness," said Knutson.