Hundreds of local businesses tried to sell their services to the Rock Island Arsenal on Wednesday. They set up shop at the iWireless Center in Moline as part of an annual networking event between the Army and business owners.
Major General Edward Daly, commanding general of the Army Sustainment Command, says it's an opportunity to learn, but also to teach businesses about the services the Army needs.
"They really run the spectrum in terms of maintenance requirements, supply requirements, transportation requirements, basic life support in very austere areas -- Iraq, Afghanistan," Daly said. "What we're trying to do is tell them how the Army is changing so therefore they can start to think about and predict what requirements are needed."
He says one example is the changing nature of how soldiers fight wars.
"There's not only a threat but you know there's social media, there's cyber threats. It just runs the spectrum in terms of the operating environment we're facing. So obviously we need contracts to augment our ability to support requirements of the Army."
Daly says the Army Sustainment Command currently has 327 contracts for good and services worldwide, and it will keep Quad Cities business owners in mind when it renews contracts in the coming years.