Keynote Remarks from Department of Veterans Affairs, Acquisitions
Christopher D. Parker
Deputy Principal Executive Director (DPED), Office of Acquisition, Logistics and Construction (OALC)
Deputy Chief Acquisitions Officer
US Department of Veterans Affairs
Biography
In August 2025 Mr. Parker was appointed DPED of OALC and VA’s Deputy Chief Acquisition Officer, where he is responsible for the management and oversight of over 17,000 acquisition and support personnel across VA’s portfolio of Acquisition, Logistics and Construction activities delivering care at 1255 facilities for over 9 million Veterans.
Session Summary: Business Opportunities with DoD and VA: Services and Staffing
Representatives from DoD agencies, major military commands, military treatment facilities (MTFs) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) will describe the requirements and acquisition processes to support their medical centers and clinics worldwide with staffing and other contracted services. When applicable, the discussion will include agency/command requirements and processes to acquire these services through current prime contractors, which the speakers will identify.
Frontline Technology Innovation: Insights from Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Commander at Federal Technology Symposium (Sept 9-10, Fayetteville)
Session Summary
Frontline Technology Innovation: Rapid Iteration Under Fire
This session features Colonel Vadym Sukharevskyi, one of Ukraine’s most decorated and innovative commanders and the founding leader of the world’s first dedicated Unmanned Systems Forces. From the trenches of Donbas to the creation of a national unmanned command, Colonel Sukharevskyi has overseen the development, integration, and deployment of drone technologies across logistics, reconnaissance, strike, and counter-drone missions.
FAR Thresholds Are Changing on October 1, 2025
The FAR Council has issued a final rule that adjusts many acquisition dollar thresholds for inflation, effective October 1, 2025. This update raises the micro-purchase and simplified acquisition thresholds and changes several triggers tied to publicizing, reporting, justifications, and subcontracting plans.
Session Summary – A Fireside Chat: Warfighting Challenges of the Chief Technology Officer
This Fireside Chat brings together Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) from the XVIII Airborne Corps, Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC), and US Forces Command (FORSCOM) to discuss the evolving warfighting challenges across the Joint Force. This discussion will explore how technology leaders are leveraging innovation, collaboration, and emerging technologies to strengthen operational effectiveness in complex and contested environments.
Inside the new “Golden Dome for America (GDA)” Project:
A Post-Event Report of the GDA Industry Day and DoD Contract Opportunities in SHIELD, MAPSS, & Beyond
The Department of Defense’s Golden Dome for America Project is opening new doors for innovation, technology development, and professional services — and your organization could be part of it.
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