SBP 102V - Introduction to Small Business Programs, Part B, Course

ENFebruary 23, 2024

cost

dau

100th Episode Special Edition Podcast

Scott and Jim celebrate their 100th episode with this special podcast on where they have been and where they are going. They will take you on a tour of the DAU.EDU site, where the podcast resides, and what playlists are available. Then they will discuss the future of the podcast, such as recording on-site at NCMA's NEXUS Conference (co-hosted with DAU) and focusing more on interviewing SME's on topics you suggest to them. To make this work, please let them, in the comments section below, know your thoughts on how they can improve and what future topics they should tackle. Be sure to subscribe to the channel, press the like button, and enjoy the ride.

If you are watching this video on DAU Media, but rather watch on YouTube, go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsA

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225

ENFebruary 20, 2024

dau

100th podcast

Introduction of NEXUS Conference Emcees

NEXUS - - Connected Acquisition Teams Get It Right the First Time!

DAU and the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) are partnering to host Nexus March 3-6, 2024. This event unites government and industry acquisition teams and provides a unique platform for cross-functional collaboration to tackle pressing issues in federal procurement, such as supply chain risk, cybersecurity, and sustainability.

In this episode, Jim and Scott interview Carly Cox, who is the President, and Chief Operating Officer of JJR Solutions, and Professor Julie Knechtel, professor of program management at DAU's Midwest Region. Carl and Julie are the MCs for this year's conference - they will bring the energy! In this podcast they talk about why they volunteered to MC the event, what is exciting and unique about it, and why you should consider attending. Jim and Scott will be conducting interviews of attendees, team leads, and speakers, and hope you will talk to them as you enter the conference center. Looking forward to seeing everyone there.

This event is specifically designed for professionals in all functional areas within the acquisition community. Bringing all members of the team together (pricing, program management, logistics, contracts, legal etc.) is critical to providing the warfighter what they need more efficiently and with higher quality. Nexus is designed to do exactly that. Learn from and train with integrated teams who have broken barriers in space exploration, disaster response and beyond. They will share their successes and pitfalls. This is a great way to share knowledge across departments to help make better business and buying decisions. See links below to obtain more info and to register.

NEXUS site:  https://s6.goeshow.com/ncma/nexus/2024/index.cfm
Direct Registration:  https://s6.goeshow.com/ncma/nexus/2024/registration.cfm
DAU YouTube Channel - for NEXUS multifunctional video assets: https://www.youtube.com/@defenseacquisitionuniversi5631
DAU Media Channel:  https://media.dau.edu/
DAU website:  https://www.dau.edu/

For Contracting Conversations channels:

If you are watching this video on DAU Media, but rather watch on YouTube, go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsA

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225

ENFebruary 14, 2024

What are DAU's Mission Assistance Capabilities?

In this episode of DAU's Contracting Conversations, Jim and Scott speak with Joel Little, the South Region's Assistant Dean for Outreach and Mission Assistance (ADOMA). Mr. Little goes into the specifics of how DAU can support your organization with Consulting, Coaching, Customized Learning Solutions, Executive Support and Open Enrollment Workshops. Jim and Scott believe most of our customers don't know of this valuable resource DAU provides, and their goal is to get the word out. While many of our customers are program offices, we also support other organizations, for example, contracting, engineering, and research & development offices. Below, there are links to the Mission Assistance site at DAU.EDU, which includes DAU's POCs at each of its five regions.

DAU.EDU MA site: https://www.dau.edu/mission-assistance

If you are watching this video on DAU Media, but rather watch on YouTube, go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsA

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225

ENFebruary 13, 2024

NEXUS - NCMA-DAU Multi-Functional Training Event

NEXUS - - Connected Acquisition Teams Get It Right the First Time!

In this episode, Jim and Scott interview Michelle Currier, the Chief Learning Officer (CLO) for NCMA, who envisioned the event. She explains that unlike other NCMA-hosted events, this one is specifically designed for professionals in all functional areas within the acquisition community. Bringing all members of the team together (pricing, program management, logistics, contracts, legal etc.) is critical to providing the warfighter what they need more efficiently and with higher quality. Nexus is designed to do exactly that. Learn from and train with integrated teams who have broken barriers in space exploration, disaster response and beyond. They will share their successes and pitfalls. This is a great way to share knowledge across departments to help make better business and buying decisions. See links below to obtain more info and to register.

NEXUS site:  https://s6.goeshow.com/ncma/nexus/2024/index.cfm
Direct Registration:  https://s6.goeshow.com/ncma/nexus/2024/registration.cfm
DAU YouTube Channel - for multifunctional video assets: https://www.youtube.com/@defenseacquisitionuniversi5631
DAU Media Channel:  https://media.dau.edu/
DAU website:  https://www.dau.edu/

For Contracting Conversations channels:

If you are watching this video on DAU Media, but rather watch on YouTube, go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsA

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225

ENFebruary 01, 2024

CCON 025 - Contracting for Services Credential

Scott and Jim chat with Ray Ward, the Learning Director for CCON 025 - Contracting for Services Credential. Ray talks about what the credential consists of, the sequence taken, capstone assessment, target audience and how to enroll. Please listen in if you want to know what to expect and if it is the right credential for you.

I-Catalog for more info and to sign up:

CCON 025: https://icatalog.dau.edu/onlinecatalog/CredentialConceptCard.aspx?crs_id=46
Credentials home page: https://www.dau.edu/credentials
Back to Basics: https://www.dau.edu/back-to-basics; BtB Contracting: https://www.dau.edu/functional-areas/contracting
Contracting Community of Practice: https://www.dau.edu/cop/contracting
If you are watching this video on DAU Media, but rather watch on YouTube, go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsA

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225

ENJanuary 19, 2024

services

credential

CCON 024 - Operational Contracting Credential

Scott and Jim chat with Cindy Baker, the Learning Asset Manager for CCON 024, Operational Contracting Credential. She tells us what it is all about, how many assets, the capstone assessment, definition of operation contracting, the target audience, and the possibility of a operation contracting workshop, with a live instructor, in the future.

I-Catalog for more info and to sign up:

CCON 024: https://icatalog.dau.edu/onlinecatalog/CredentialConceptCard.aspx?crs_id=77
Credentials home page: https://www.dau.edu/credentials
Back to Basics: https://www.dau.edu/back-to-basics; BtB Contracting: https://www.dau.edu/functional-areas/contracting
Contracting Community of Practice: https://www.dau.edu/cop/contracting
If you are watching this video on DAU Media, but rather watch on YouTube, go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF8yqm-r_M5czw5teb0PsA

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225

ENJanuary 19, 2024

credentials

dau

Contracting in the Age of AI - Part 5 - The Pitfalls and Risks of AI

In Part 5 of our series, 'Contracting in the Age of AI - Responsible AI - The Pitfalls and Risks of AI, Rhonda Maus, Professor of Software Engineering, Agile Coach, and DAU's lead for AI Research, continues the series by talking about risk mitigation, safety related incidents in early AI technology (trust issues), importance of continuous updates and constant monitoring, and how to contact DAU for help on AI - either DAU or a DoD organization who has solved your challenge already. Please help the AI series podcasts by letting us know your concerns/challenges so we can bring to the show experts throughout DoD and industry that can help you with your concerns.  Below are some great resources to grow your AI knowledge:
To reach DAU for AI support, e-mail us at agile@dau.edu
For any Software Agile training (SWE XXXX), go to dau.edu - recommendations from Rhonda coming soon.
Defense Cyber Workforce Framework:  https://dodcio.defense.gov/Cyber-Workforce/DCWF/
Defense Cyber Workforce Framework Tool:  https://public.cyber.mil/wid/dcwf/
DoD AI Ethical Principles:  https://www.ai.mil/docs/Ethical_Principles_for_Artificial_Intelligence.pdf
DoD Memo: Implementing Responsible Artificial Intelligence in the Department of Defense (2021): https://media.defense.gov/2021/May/27/2002730593/-1/-1/0/IMPLEMENTING-RESPONSIBLE-ARTIFICIAL-INTELLIGENCE-IN-THE-DEPARTMENT-OF-DEFENSE.PDF
DoD Responsible AI (RAI Strategy & Implementation Pathway:  https://www.ai.mil/docs/RAI_Strategy_and_Implementation_Pathway_6-21-22.pdf
CDAO Press Release on the new DoD RAI Toolkit:  https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3588743/cdao-releases-responsible-ai-rai-toolkit-for-ensuring-alignment-with-rai-best-p/
CDAO's RAI Toolkit Website:  https://rai.tradewindai.com/
Access to Contracting Conversations can be found at:
DAU Media:  https://media.dau.edu/channel//231324903
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@dau-contractingconversatio9271
Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225
Please subscribe, like and share - thank you for being part of the Contracting Conversations family!

ENJanuary 09, 2024

artificial intelligence

Contracting in the Age of AI - Part 4 - Responsible AI - "This is the Way!"

In Part 4 of our series, 'Contracting in the Age of AI - Responsible AI - "This is the Way!", Rhonda Maus, Professor of Software Engineering, Agile Coach, and DAU's lead for AI Research, goes more in-depth into Responsible AI (RAI), what is RAI, trusting our systems (how do we keep control?), the beauty of AI (what about risk?), why does AI make errors?, importance of quality data (biases), how relate to AI ethical principals, and AI in small batches to be agile (to reduce the risk).  We will bring on other AI experts, with DoD and industry, to help answer your questions and bring additional perspectives - we need your help in giving us those AI topics. Below are some great resources to grow your AI knowledge:
For any Software Agile training (SWE XXXX), go to dau.edu - recommendations from Rhonda coming soon.
Defense Cyber Workforce Framework:  https://dodcio.defense.gov/Cyber-Workforce/DCWF/
Defense Cyber Workforce Framework Tool:  https://public.cyber.mil/wid/dcwf/
DoD AI Ethical Principles:  https://www.ai.mil/docs/Ethical_Principles_for_Artificial_Intelligence.pdf
DoD Memo: Implementing Responsible Artificial Intelligence in the Department of Defense (2021): https://media.defense.gov/2021/May/27/2002730593/-1/-1/0/IMPLEMENTING-RESPONSIBLE-ARTIFICIAL-INTELLIGENCE-IN-THE-DEPARTMENT-OF-DEFENSE.PDF
DoD Responsible AI (RAI Strategy & Implementation Pathway:  https://www.ai.mil/docs/RAI_Strategy_and_Implementation_Pathway_6-21-22.pdf
CDAO Press Release on the new DoD RAI Toolkit:  https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3588743/cdao-releases-responsible-ai-rai-toolkit-for-ensuring-alignment-with-rai-best-p/
CDAO's RAI Toolkit Website:  https://rai.tradewindai.com/
Access to Contracting Conversations can be found at:
DAU Media:  https://media.dau.edu/channel//231324903
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@dau-contractingconversatio9271
Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contracting-conversations/id1621567225
Please subscribe, like and share - thank you for being part of the Contracting Conversations family!