In 2009, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) initiated the Supplier Relationship Transformation (SRT). Under the direction of the VA Deputy Secretary W. Scott Gould, this effort was undertaken to assess and define the causal factors behind challenging supplier relationships across VA, as well as defining and addressing challenges internal VA customers have when working with VA's contracting organizations. This transformation, which will capitalize on industry expertise, is an effort to improve the VA acquisition process as a whole. SRT program goals include improving relations with VA's supplier community, improving transparency, collaboration and participation in the acquisition process, identifying process improvements to contracting and delivery barriers, and most importantly, improving VA's ability to deliver products and services to Veterans at the right place, the right time, and with the right quality.
Ambit conducts a number of management support services to guide the SRT program forward and manage interactions and work with the Deputy Secretary's office, Office of Intergovernmental and Public Affairs, contracting activities in Office of Acquisition, Logistics & Construction and the Administrations, VA internal customers of the contracting activities and VA's supplier community. In this role, Ambit has planned and executed seven facilitated SRT Forums. These forums where held across the country to hear directly from over 800 VA suppliers about the challenges they face within VA's contracting processes and to capture their recommendations and turn them into action plans for improvement. Ambit also supports survey development and execution to over 30,000 respondents (both VA internal customers and suppliers); strategic communications planning, messaging and tactical communications support for the transformation initiative (including social media and Web); initial development of measures or Key Performance Indicators; development of management and governance procedures found in the SRT Concept of Operations for Acquisition Processes, Top Mission Challenges, and Unsolicited Proposals Idea Submission Tools hosted on the SRT Web site.
Since contract inception in 2009, Ambit has supported high-profile supplier outreach events with the Deputy Secretary and delivered on time performance against 100% of milestones and contract deliverables. The result of the SRT initiative has been increased dialogue between VA and its suppliers and action plans put in place based on the feedback from suppliers.
"On behalf of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), I offer this letter of appreciation to you and The Ambit Group (Ambit) in recognition of your outstanding support of the Office of Acquisition and Logistics, VA Supplier Relationship Transformation Forum… As a result of your hands-on involvement, attention to detail, ingenuity, and professionalism, the forum was a huge success… Ambit personnel were courteous and efficient which complemented their business competency – typical of top-notch professionals."
– Letter to Ambit's Chief Operating Officer from Mr. Jan Frye,
VA's Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition and Logistics
