A clearinghouse of the U.S. Africa Command's senior leader's updates on issues important at AFRICOM.
We encourage your comments and feedback.
Click here to see our public feedback
On 11/5/2010 1:29:31 PM Sergeant First Class Andres Reta wrote
CCO Partners with Ethiopian Businesses on How to Conduct Business with U.S. Government
The Contingency Contracting Office's plan was to build a better partnership with the Ethiopian community and, at the same time, create a larger vendor base for procuring services and commodities in support of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa's mission throughout our assigned operating areas. CCO partnered with the U.S. Embassy and the local chambers of commerce to complete this very important task.
Prior to our arrival to Ethiopia, coordination was made to meet with the Addis Ababa, Awasa and Dire Dawa Chamber of Commerce. The Addis Ababa's chamber of commerce president Mr. Getachew Regassa was extremely friendly and eager to assist us in setting up vendor days with the Addis Ababa chamber of commerce members.
During the initial meeting, we gave Mr. Regassa a list of commodities and services we were interested in procuring, which consisted of: lumbar, steel, aggregate, vehicle leasing, construction equipment to purchase and lease, line haul services, medical and veterinary supplies, and computer/related equipment. Mr. Regassa, with help from his staff, prepared a list of qualified vendors who would fall under this requested list and sent e-mails to them. He also publicized the presentation in the local newspapers and radio stations for maximum participation.
Our initial plan was to accomplish the vendor project in a two-day period; day one activities were to brief all vendors on how to conduct business with the U.S. government; day two activities were to register any interested vendors on the Euro-NECO website. The Euro-NECO website is the government entry point for all East Africa solicitations. My expectations were to have approximately 30 to 50 vendors present. The day of the vendor event we were surprised to receive more than 90 interested vendors present. Vendors came from the cities and suburbs to listen in on what we had to offer.
The first day of the presentation we conducted a successful presentation ending with a question and answer session. All vendors were very excited on the information they received and were ready to do business with the government as soon as possible. At the end of the session many vendors stayed to converse and thank us for giving them the opportunity to do business with the government. The Ethiopian people were extremely polite and friendly. The following day, approximately 40 vendors showed up for Euro-NECO registration and we were able to register all interested vendors with minor glitches.
With this extremely successful mission, we increased the Ethiopian vendor base by 300 percent, and at the same time assisted in the mission of building partner nation capacity in order to promote regional stability, prevent conflict, and protect U.S. and coalition interests. We also conducted meetings with the Dire Dawa and Awasa chambers of commerce on a smaller scale, but also contributing to the overall mission. The vendors recruited by the Ethiopian team will be able to see all solicitations from contracting officers soliciting in the Euro-NECO website, which will increase competition and ease the way procurements are conducted in East Africa coming from CCO based out of Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti.
Our overall impression from the whole mission was truly positive. We can see that the Ethiopian people do not think negative of Americans being in their country trying to help. Ethiopians are very proud and humble people, but seem to be open minded to any assistance the U.S. may have to offer. For me it was the greatest experience of my life, to be able to intermingle with great African people and be welcomed as we were will have lasting memories for life. I encourage all to take part in similar missions and become ambassadors and role models for the military.
PA mission to Ethiopia 1/8/2011 · By Airman 1st Class Jevon Smith
Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa strategic communication combat camera videographer
VETCAP in Negele 1/8/2011 · Captain David Creech
402nd Civil Affairs Battalion functional specialty team veterinarian
Visiting Our Teams over the Holidays 1/4/2011 · Rear Admiral Brian Losey, commander, and Captain John Dixon, chief of staff, Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa
From LTC David Knellinger on 9/10/2012 2:02:03 PM "The Central Africa Region Environmental Security Symposium, hosted by the United States Africa Command Environmental Security Program and the United Nations Environmental Programme..." (Read Full Entry)
From Brigadier General Stayce Harris on 7/19/2012 8:54:32 AM "The following blog is by Brigadier General Stayce Harris, U.S. Africa Command's mobilization reserve assistant to the commander.
Over the past 2 years, I have had the..." (Read Full Entry)
Hamza in Gabes, Tunisia wrote on 10/2/2012 11:09:13 AM "I LOVE US ARMY I DREAM TO BE SOME ONE FROM MARINS ITS JUST DREAM..." (Read Full Entry)
Pamela in Virginia wrote on 10/2/2012 10:28:15 AM "This command much needed not only to ustain African governments ,but to also be an aide to our United States stability and protection. Many hostile in that area ,especially on East..." (Read Full Entry)
Herman in Pretoria wrote on 9/23/2012 5:46:33 PM "Awesome aircraft, thank you for the display! It is most appreciated...." (Read Full Entry)
Paul in UK wrote on 8/22/2012 9:16:10 AM "I was also involved in the communications training at Kisangani and share Michel Beya's comments I'm sure we met. What I saw was a very well trained battalion and hope that..." (Read Full Entry)
Mark in Fort Leavenworth wrote on 8/21/2012 10:25:29 PM "False allegations against Commander USAFRICOM appear to be in fashion. It is shameful that someone felt the need to assassinate the character of the previous commander — one ..." (Read Full Entry)