WESTPAC '03 EXPO highlights FISC Yokosuka services - Around NAVSUP

Navy Supply Corps Newsletter, July-August, 2003 by Victor R. Lopez

Department of Defense and private industries representing a variety of products and services participated in Fleet and Industrial Supply Center's Third Annual WESTPAC Armed Forces Logistics EXPO, hosted in Yokosuka, Japan. Held in mid-February, the exposition represented scores of vendors specializing in electronics, communications, industrial supplies, office systems, food management, defense logistics, and transportation industries. Approximately 2,000 visitors attended the EXPO.

In addition, numerous workshops and seminars were facilitated to inform EXPO attendees about DoD products and services. These included DoD EMALL, an Internet-based parts information and shopping cart ordering service that provides a single point of order entry for DoD and Federal purchasers and access to global vendors 24-hours-a-day.

Equally well-attended, the Consolidated Hazardous Material Reutilization and Inventory Management Program, illustrated to end-users the precise management and control processes used to monitor hazardous materials from procurement, management and disposal.

The U.S. Army's Logistics Management Collage also presented a Joint course on Logistics/Multi-National Logistics (ALMC); and booth exhibits manned by Team Japan promoted face-to-face opportunities and information exchange.

Rounding out the event, the Contracting Department provided seminars on the Government Purchase Card Program. Facilitators highlighted the card's functionality when purchasing supplies, services, construction and other purchase offerings.

Another FISC service revisited was Reverse Auction, which allows sellers to bid down the price of online services and products. The online bidding process may help reduce the cost of specific consumables to DoD end users, while fostering healthy competition in the market.

According to FISC Marketing Director Sandra Gallagher, "The EXPO was a huge success resulting in several leads for potential new business, was well-attended and provided viable access for both vendor and perspective customers." She added, "Next year's Expo '04, scheduled for Feb. 25-26 promises to be bigger and better." For additional info for to: www. yoko.fisc.navy.mil.

LT Victor R. Lopez, FISC Yokosuka MarketingOffice