BES Small Business Office Hosts 4th Annual Vendor Exchange Forum

  • Published
  • By Makayla Cameron
MAXWELL AFB-GUNTER ANNEX, Ala. --  The Business and Enterprise Systems (BES) Small Business Office (SBO) hosted its annual Vendor Exchange Forum on Feb. 17, 2026, as a hybrid event offering both in-person and virtual participation at Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex in Montgomery, Ala.

Led by Director of Small Business Programs, Yolanda McCain, VEF provides industry partners with the opportunity to engage with BES leadership and program offices, gain insight into mission priorities and challenges, and learn about innovative initiatives across the enterprise.

“VEF is a key component of our industry engagement strategy,” said McCain. “It brings together BES leadership and industry partners in a setting that promotes open dialogue and transparency from an enterprise perspective and facilitates alignment with industry on mission objectives. All of which supports our continued focus on mission readiness.”

This year’s event featured two sessions: BES Government Presentations and Selected Vendor Presentations.
With more than 350 attendees, the opening session included updates from the SBO; an overview titled “A Look at Directorate Priorities and Acquisition Considerations,” a technology-focused briefing highlighting enterprise initiatives; and upcoming acquisition spotlights from four BES programs.

During the second session, eight vendors presented their companies’ capabilities and solutions directly to BES leadership, product line managers, capability delivery teams, and others.

“The vendor presentations are invaluable because they give us insight into capabilities and creative solutions happening across industry,” said McCain. “They help us identify potential sources and opportunities and strengthen the partnerships that ultimately drive delivering faster and smarter solutions to the Warfighter.”

Outreach events like VEF build on this value by bringing industry and BES together in a focused, collaborative setting. These engagements deepen our awareness of emerging capabilities, foster stronger relationships, and accelerate the development of innovative, cost-effective solutions that advance support to the Warfighter.

For more information about the BES SBO, please visit https://www.aflcmc.af.mil/WELCOME/Organizations/Business-and-Enterprise-Systems-
Directorate/Units/SBO/