The Commodity Procurement Division of the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will hold its annual conference on April 19 and 20 in Washinton, D.C. to discuss the AMS commodity purchase and distribution program. AMS contractors and commodity suppliers are encouraged to consider attending.

This year’s conference will include a first day all-day session covering procurement and contracting issues.  The second day includes breakout sessions for each industry group where the agenda will include commodity-specific matters.  Topics to be discussed include the division’s reorganization and program changes, including new contracting methods and timelines, as well as updates from other agencies involved in commodity procurement programs. In addition, lessons learned regarding web-based supply chain management will be discussed.  Questions or comments are invited prior to the conference so that these issues can be addressed at the meeting.

The conference will be held at Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center, 201 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, Maryland.  AMS said hotel rooms are limited so reservations should be made as soon as possible.  Registration information, hotel accommodations, and other information can be found here.