RUN LIKE THE (TRADE)WIND


and non-FAR-based authorities, allowing government customers to go directly to the vendor that may be able to solve your prob- lem. “You don’t have to do a sole source J&A [justification and approval] to buy. We’ve essentially obviated the need for the lengthy source selection activity,” she said. “I’m not saying the marketplace will solve everyone’s problems, but in terms of innovation, emerging technology or rapid acquisition, a marketplace like this is prob- ably what you need because it allows you to go directly to the solution that has a mission application and run a pilot or whatever you need to do.”


WHY TRADEWIND?


Tradewind was formed in early 2021 to set up and manage a prototype business process that streamlines rapid procurement and agile delivery of AI capabilities for DOD. (Image from tradewindai.com)


“We have to make buying solutions as easy as adding something to your cart online.”


DEFINITELY DIFFERENT Beyond the actual marketplace, where interested vendors upload short videos about their proposed solutions, Evan- gelista sees a larger challenge related to culture change within DOD. “Tis is where we are challenging cultural barri- ers and trying to change hearts and minds out there,” she said. “Rather than pushing requirements out to industry, we are trying to pull solutions into the Department of Defense through this marketplace.”


TO MARKET WE GO


The Tradewind Solutions Marketplace has distinct interfaces for partners in industry, academia and government. (Image from tradewindai.com)


According to Del Coco, the marketplace is the latest in a long line of acquisition- related innovations he has witnessed, and


20 Army AL&T Magazine Spring 2023


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132