The Horse Whisperer Creating an Effective Acquisition Team by

							2007 Federal Acquisition Conference and Exposition (FACE)



The Horse Whisperer: Creating an Effective Acquisition Team
                      by Partnering



                         Willie H. Smith
          Director, Office of Acquisition Management
              U.S. Department of Transportation
               Federal Highway Administration
                  Federal government contracts


More than $300B/year contracted by federal government

Each transaction puts a buyer and seller in a legal business
relationship

Procure the good and services needed for public use

Best value (to include best cost, best quality, best quantity, most
timely)

Support and sustain business so as to keep the economic engine
of the nation running smoothly
Step-by-step procedures for “Creating an Effective Acquisition
Team by Partnering

Step #1: Establish a clear understanding of the mission of your
organization and your organizational environment.

Step #2: Develop a clear understanding of your role in
accomplishing the mission of your
organization.

Step #3: Develop a clear understanding of the role of your
customers play in
accomplishing the mission of your organization.

Step #4: Build an organizational structure that fosters continuous
sharing of information
Step-by-step procedures for “Creating an Effective Acquisition Team
by Partnering (continued)

Step #5: Hire good people, delegate for a shared responsibility, empower
people, trust them to do the job, and allow them to make mistakes

Step #6: Use the tools of information-age technology to manage
effectively and efficiently

Step #7: Know what pocket the “8 ball” will be played in as soon as the
rack is broken—realizing that you have to pass on some opportunities in
order to meet the overall desired
end result