Industry Day is an event held by a Department of Defense (DoD) Program Management Office (PMO) to present the plans for a current or future procurement to representatives from industry.  It is usually held prior to a Request for Proposal (RFP) being released or any major changes in a program. It’s an opportunity for the government to expresses its goals, schedule, and solicit feedback about a procurement. Industry Day can range from a few hours to three days in length. Usually, during industry day there is an opportunity for industry to sit down with program office personnel in a private one-on-one session to ask questions and give feedback.

Purpose of Industry Day

Industry Day is a good opportunity for industry to get a good understanding of what the government needs. It also provides a good method to try and shape any RFP towards your unique offering.

Typical Industry Day Goals:

• To ensure synergy between the DoD program office and Industry representatives
• Incorporate Industry comments into the RFP development process
• Communicate interoperability and open standards
• Communicate program requirements and schedule
• Gain a better understanding of recent industry developments
• Provide updates to the Industry on future program developments and acquisitions

Industry Day Best Practices

The government hosts Industry Days to interact with stakeholders and partners in the industry. These gatherings offer a forum for communication, cooperation, and openness. The following are some guidelines for organizing an effective Industry Day:

1. Clear Objectives and Purpose: Give the Industry Day’s goals and purpose a clear definition. Ascertain if the purpose of the meeting is to trade information, conduct market research, or talk about future procurement opportunities. Make these goals known to participants ahead of time.
2. Early and Transparent Communication: Provide early and transparent communication about the Industry Day, including the date, location, agenda, and any pre-reading materials. Ensure that potential participants have ample time to prepare.
3. Engagement of Key Stakeholders: Identify and invite key stakeholders, including industry leaders, subject matter experts, and relevant government officials. Encourage active participation and engagement from both government and industry representatives.
4. Structured Agenda: Develop a well-structured agenda that includes presentations, Q&A sessions, and networking opportunities. Allocate sufficient time for discussions and ensure that presentations are informative and relevant.
5. Interactive Sessions: Include interactive sessions, such as panel discussions, workshops, or breakout sessions, to foster engagement and collaboration. This allows for a more dynamic exchange of ideas and perspectives.
6. Feedback Mechanism: Establish a mechanism for collecting feedback from participants. This can be done through surveys, questionnaires, or open discussions. Use this feedback to improve future Industry Day events.
7. Focus on Small and Mid-sized Businesses: Ensure the event is accessible to small and mid-sized businesses. Provide information on how these businesses can participate in government contracts and address concerns.
8. Information Dissemination: Communicate relevant information, such as procurement processes, evaluation criteria, and upcoming opportunities. Guide how industry participants can stay informed about future developments.
9. Compliance with Regulations: Ensure the Industry Day complies with relevant regulations and guidelines. This includes adhering to procurement rules, ethical standards, and legal requirements.
10. Post-Event Documentation:  Record the Industry Day’s activities and provide attendees with important information. Presentation slides, discussion summaries, and any supplemental materials mentioned during the event can all be included in this documentation.
11. Follow-Up Actions: Give a detailed description of any next steps that the industry and government will take. This can entail holding more meetings, submitting data, or working together.

AcqLinks and References:

• Example of Industry Day Flyer

Updated: 11/20/2023

Rank: G3.5