USAID INDUSTRY LIAISON

The role of the Industry Liaison is to serve as an entry point to USAID’s stakeholders and contractors -- helping to connect, engage, and equip organizations that want to work with USAID. To support the goals of the Industry Liaison, USAID has created a new Communications and Engagement Strategy that outlines the activities that Industry Liaison will implement in the next year, and areas the Agency will streamline its communications to various external stakeholders and partners.

Background on Industry Liaison Role: 

On April 30, 2019, the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB), Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP), released its 4th Myth-Busting Memo, Strengthening Engagement with Industry Partners through Innovative Business Practices [PDF, 5MB], on how agencies should engage with industry. In the memo, OFPP asked each Federal agency to appoint an Industry Liaison.

The Myth-Busting memo outlines the following responsibilities for the Industry Liaison: 

• promote timely responses to general vendor requests where appropriate, including from new entrants and small businesses;  
• assist technical and acquisition personnel to develop strategies for engaging potential vendors that can provide the capabilities necessary to achieve USAID's mission; 
• review and update, as appropriate, the vendor communication plan that the Agency developed in 2011 to improve interaction throughout the acquisition lifecycle;
• work with the Agency's Acquisition Innovation Advocate (AIA) and Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) to drive practices that improve communication with vendors; 
• encourage vendor feedback on USAID acquisitions, such as through the use of Acquisition 360 and, to the extent possible, monitor marketplace interest in Agency requirements; and
• share stories on the Innovation Hub (via the government-wide Acquisition Gateway) to promote adoption of good communication practices.

Connect With Us: 

The Communications Director for the Office of Acquisition and Assistance, Matthew Johnson, is USAID’s Industry Liaison. He and his team can be reached at IndustryLiaison@usaid.gov. 

How to Work with USAID Resources

New Partnerships Initiative

USAID Partners Website

A&A Ombudsman

Small Business Partners-OSDBU