2019 Navy Gold Coast Conference Recap
From July 24 to July 26, 2019, stakeholders in the defense industrial base met in San Diego for the 31st Annual Department of the Navy Gold Coast Conference. “Navy Gold Coast” is the premier Navy centered small business procurement event in the entire country and is the only procurement event co-sponsored by the Department of the Navy’s Office of Small Business Programs. The conference seeks to educate, guide, and assist businesses in their works supporting the government, with an emphasis on the Navy and the Department of Defense. This year’s theme “Engaging with Small Business to Fortify National Defense” provided attendees with an in depth look at the Navy’s commitment to leverage small business as a strategic advantage. This interest in small business comes at an especially critical time with the 2018 National Defense Strategy emphasizing the renewed importance of investing in new and innovative military technologies that will expand the technological reach of our armed forces.
In addition to bringing together industry thought leaders, another component of the program is to provide industry with a forum to exhibit new technologies and products. This year the exhibition attracted over 200 government agencies and industry organizations. Attendees also benefited from one on one industry perspectives and the opportunity to further their professional network with a small business matchmaking program.
The conference also saw the presentation of new research on several topics. One topic of conversation was how to improve the defense industrial base’s level cybersecurity readiness. This discussion extended into the category of micro-small businesses. NDIA’s San Diego chapter circulated graphics which explain how micro-small businesses have lagged in compliance with NIST 800-171. Another finding noted the laboriousness of implementing a one-size-fits-all Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC).
Additional presentations included, a discussion on the roll-out of cybersecurity audits with Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) lead Vice Adm. Lewis, a briefing on the NIST 171B cyber standards from OSD’s Vicki Michetti, a much anticipated question and answer session from HQE for Cyber Katie Arrington on the CMMC. Ms. Arrington’s slides are presented below.
Finally, Navy Gold Coast is the venue for the NDIA’s San Diego Chapter’s “Twice a Citizen Award.” This award is given to Reserve Service or National Guard Members from the San Diego Area. Nominees are those that demonstrate leadership, self-sacrifice, commitment to service, outstanding overall performance. Nominees also must have provided outstanding professional performance while participating in contingency/support activities outside of drill weekends. This year’s winners were SSgt Carey, LT Rivera, LCDR Saenz, and OSC Silva.
Topics: Contracting, Navy News, Small Business
Comments (0)