ACT-IAC Small Business Alliance: Straight Talk with Rich Vinnacombe and George Price

The acquisition system within the federal government is going through evolutions focused on better industry and government collaboration especially for its small business partners.  Leaders in these major changes include  the State Department’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (ODSBU) office which champions small businesses through the Department’s acquisition programs.

Join the ACT-IAC Small Business Alliance on Wednesday, March 22nd at the Three Flint Hill Conference Suite for Straight Talk featuring Rich Vinnacombe and George Price.

Steve directs the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization for the Department of State where his team ensures all legislatively specified categories of small businesses in prime contracts and subcontracts are effectively utilized to the maximum extent possible George is a 23 year federal employee with experience at the US Small Business Administration, General Services Administration, Office of Personnel Management and the US Department of State.  Alongside his role at State, Mr. Price serves as a member of the ODSBU council, an interagency council of federal OSDBU professionals who work with the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, U.S. Small Business Administration, and Heads of Contracting for each agency along with stakeholders in the implementation and execution of the Federal Small Business Contracting Programs. 

Rich Vinnacombe serves as the Deputy Director for the State’s department’s OSDBU Office working alongside Steve.  Prior to his work with the State Department, Rich has served as the Human Capital Category Manager in OPM's HR Solutions Division with responsibility for overseeing the Federal Government's $4.7B annual human capital contract spend, as Program Manager for OPM partnership with GSA to develop the Human Capital Training Solutions contracts, and as manager of the Training, Management and Assistant program.  Rich’s federal career also includes a stint as the Brach Chief within the Departments of Interior’s Interior Business Center where he led several projects that resulted in improved customer service and communication.  Before joining the Federal government, Mr. Vinnacombe worked for nine years in private industry in several information technology, consulting, business development, and operations roles with Lucent Technologies, Sprint, and Vangent. He led major projects to launch new business lines and improve organizational performance.

Both have a passion for supporting the government’s acquisition needs and small business is key within the roles they play within their agency.  As with all ACT-IAC events, audience participation is highly encouraged and attendee collaboration is vital for success.