The workshop opened with welcoming remarks from Mr. Pete Swift, Chairman of AmCham Kuwait, who introduced Lt. Col. Sabellico, the newly appointed Commander of the 386th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron (ECONS). Lt. Col. Sabellico shared introductory remarks and emphasized the unit’s commitment to expanding vendor engagement and supporting local procurement efforts.
A key highlight of the day was the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) session, led virtually by Mr. Dean Franks and Mr. Drew Griffin of Cohort Shield, a U.S.-based cybersecurity compliance firm. Their presentation provided attendees with a foundational understanding of CMMC requirements and practical steps toward certification—an increasingly critical component of eligibility for DoD contracts.
Following the CMMC discussion, the 386th ECONS team delivered an in-depth overview of SAM.gov, the federal government’s centralized procurement platform. They guided attendees through navigating active solicitations and shared best practices for identifying and responding to opportunities. A subsequent session focused on how to respond to a solicitation, providing real-world examples and interactive Q&A. The team concluded with a practical briefing on how to get paid, including invoicing processes and use of systems such as Wide Area Workflow (WAWF) and PIEE.
In addition to the formal presentations, attendees had the opportunity to engage directly with contracting personnel for one-on-one guidance and technical support—an aspect that received high praise in post-event feedback.
“Events like Vendor’s Day are critical to building trust, transparency, and capacity between the public and private sectors,” said Pete Swift, Chairman of AmCham Kuwait. “We are grateful to the 386th ECONS and our guest speakers for their time, knowledge, and commitment to empowering the local vendor community.”
For more information on future programs or to inquire about becoming a member of the American Business Council Kuwait, please contact [email protected] or visit www.amchamkuwait.org.
