Frequently Asked Questions

and Little Known Facts 

Q: Can anyone (company or individual) become a member of R&DA?
 
A: Yes, any company, governmental organization, or individuals may become members. Our members include US and foreign companies, US and foreign governmental agencies, US and foreign universities, and US and foreign individuals.
 
Q: What do I get with membership in R&DA?
 
A: Actually you get quite a lot of services. These include:
Publications/ Newsletters/ Discounts on meetings/ Confidential advice on business matters/ Strategies in accomplishing your goals/ Superb networking/ Access to R&DA's governmental points of contact/ A mini-market assessment/ a ready resource to answer your questions.
 
Q: Can I give a presentation at an R&DA meeting?
 
A: R&DA solicits all proposals for presentation at its meetings. Naturally, a selected presentation should be of interest to meeting attendees. All presentations are published in our internationally distributed Activities Reports. With guidance from the Executive Director, we are usually able to modify initial proposals to fit our meeting's agenda.
 
Q: How many and what types of meetings does R&DA hold?
 
A: Each year we hold two general meetings where 275-325 personnel attend. One is the Annual Meeting and Exhibition held in the spring, and the other, the Fall Meeting held in the fall. Lastly, R&DA conducts orientations for industry to learn more about government food operations. These have included on site visits to military installations, training, tactical exercises, and headquarters.
 
Q: Can R&DA assist my company in doing business with the government?
 
A: R&DA can assist in your ability to understand, reach, and present information to key governmental agencies. However, R&DA does not represent any companies directly. The actual ability to be successful rests with individual companies. R&DA will help you to understand the marketplace, identify key personnel, provide proven strategies, link you with the right person consistent with governmental needs, and provide other services.
 
Q: I have been told that it is very difficult to do business with the government. Is this true?
 
A: Since the 1990's the government has made numerous advances to become customer friendly and to reduce the administration and government-peculiar nature of buying goods and services from industry and individuals. Those heavy and non-understandable government specifications are now commercially based item descriptions. The contracts are advertised in the Commerce Business Daily. Awards are based upon "Best Value" as opposed to lowest bidder. The government actively solicits commercial items for adaptation into government needs. Although there are clearly government peculiar aspects to be aware of, the playing field is more level at this time. R&DA publishes an Acronyms List to help you understand the government language.
 

Q: Headhunters for Food Business?      

A.  Although this is geared to retiring military it does apply to others as well.

 NOTE: It is our judgement that the most effective manner to obtain employment is through a headhunter agency.  We recommend that you call and speak to an agent, then send your resume.  THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR ANY SERVICES PROVIDED AS THEY WILL RECEIVE A FEE FROM THE FIRM WHERE THEY PLACE A CANDIDATE.  Theses firms in essence screen candidates for other companies.  In your strategy with headhunter firms, I recommend that you follow up at least once every two weeks.  Do not consider yourself a pest! Aggressiveness is oftentimes a plus.  Additionally, this action may put you ahead of a better qualified but passive candidate.  The following are some firms that you should consider contacting:

 All firms place US and worldwide, so there is no advantage dealing with a company near to your home!  Even if you are not mobile, for any employment opportunity you should state that for the ideal position you would relocate.  Never provide a dollar value of your expected salary for any position offered.  Let the company make the first offer, then negotiate.

 Please ensure that your resume is as perfect as possible.  Your resume says to professionals “This is my best!”  If you have typos and errors in your resume, your reduce your chance to be a successful candidate by over 75%.

 You need to convert military positions into commercial positions.  For instance a commander is the equivalent to a CEO.  NCOIC is equivalent to the Operations Manager.  Use terms with numbers wherever possible.  For example, Improved readiness by 40%; saved over $300,000 in operational costs; enhanced personnel performance  by 33%; etc.

Q: What if I have more questions?
 
A: Please call Jim Fagan at R&DA. With over forty years of detailed experience in government food, packaging, and related areas and as the Executive Director of R&DA, you will probably get an answer to your questions.