On Nov. 18, leaders from the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and Fort Detrick participated in the 14th Annual Strengthening the Mid-Atlantic Region for Tomorrow Procurement Conference at the Francis Scott Key Holiday Inn & Conference Center in Frederick, Maryland.

The SMART Organization executes the vision of the SMART Congressional Caucus from Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware by providing a membership organization promoting tech enterprise in the region. The conference goal is to build stronger relationships, provide teaming partnerships and discuss upcoming procurement forecasts among industry, community, government and academia.

"Our strategic participation in the SMART PROC conference translates into enabling business firms to compete, win and provide innovative products, services and business solutions in support of the Warfighter and Armed Forces," said Jerome Maultsby, USAMRMC assistant director, Office of Small Business Programs. "Since the inception of the SMART PROC conference, we have consistently supported this outreach event."

Dr. Kenneth Bertram, USAMRMC principal assistant for acquisition, and Col. Robert O'Brien, commander of the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Detrick, participated in the keynote panel.

"Our customer is the Warfighter, and we provide them only the very best products and tools to help keep them healthy and safe," said Bertram during his keynote address. "For you to do business with us, you need to bring your 'A game' because we can accept no less for our men and women in uniform supporting our country. We will help drive you to provide us the best so that we can supply the best."