DLA Acquisition Policy Summit helps develop guidance and alliances

FORT BELVOIR, Va. -

Upcoming improvements to the Defense Logistics Agency's procurement procedures and acquisition processes were central to the 2026 Fiscal Acquisition Policy Summit at the McNamara Headquarters Complex July 22-23.

The purpose of the summit is to gather the acquisition workforce in person and virtually to provide updates on the latest regulations, executive orders and DLA priorities, as well as to build relationships, said Amarilis Cartagena, chief of DLA Acquisition's Policy and Pricing division.

Participants learned how to build organizational agility and supply chain resiliency. They discussed modernizing procurement processes and pricing, as well as the Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul. Other focuses included developing guidance and maintaining the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification.

Director for Contract Policy in the Office of the Principal Director for Defense Pricing, Contracting and Acquisition Policy within the Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment, Michelle Miller, served as the opening speaker for the summit.

She discussed designating a lead for using artificial intelligence in contracting, using structured requirements to write contracts with quick delivery times and commercial offerings. This process could use AI for source selection, acquisition transformation strategy, developing training courses, and updating market research reports. She noted how AI can also be used for streamlining the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement and the source selection process so they are easier to follow.

"My main focus is to create guides, tools and templates for the workforce to use to complete tasks. This is the best practice for translating the acquisition transformation strategy," Miller said, adding that training for these resources would go hand in hand.

An additional topic on contract pricing and cost in acquisition was presented by Peter Guinto, senior technical advisor for DPCAP. He discussed the deal team's role in the acquisition process. Deal teams were designed to promote faster delivery times to warfighters and build an organizational structure for business deals that enhance production capacity and overhaul contract execution. This helps support the lines of efforts which includes the new mission efforts for munitions and weapons support, demand signals, go direct-to-supplier and wartime production unit, Guinto said.

Matthew Beebe, DLA Acquisition director, described the future for acquisition professionals in his remarks at the summit. In terms of contracting techniques, the focus for DLA is more on supply chain management and supply chain risk, not just contracting He encouraged participants to read the acquisition transformation strategy and DLA's acquisition roadmap, since contracting is not all the agency does. The roadmap included more of a risk-based approach for DLA's procedures, which aligns more closely with what DLA Acquisition does overall.

He added that relationships matter, and acquisition professionals should move beyond transactional engagements and work toward creating continuous dialog.

DLA Acquisition Deputy Director George Atwood emphasized to attendees the importance collaboration across major subordinate command acquisition activities, including the Headquarters policy element. A procurement transformation relating to advancements in information technology is underway, and the teams need to be in sync to make these efforts successful.

Cartagena drew on a note both Beebe and Atwood referenced in their remarks as her major takeaway: The importance of relationship building, both internally and externally. She described the summit as a perfect opportunity to build those relations among DLA peers, all while sharing lessons learned and getting guidance on the agency's strategic initiatives.