Army OSBP Newsletter - March 2015 by ArmyOSBP

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Over 300 Attend Army Small Business Seminar at AUSA Annual Meeting

In This Issue 2 • Over 300 Attend Army Small Business Seminar at AUSA Annual Meeting 3 • Former Army OSBP Deputy Director Speaks to Veteran Small Business Program Graduates 5 • USACE Wilmington District Attends the Federal Infrastructure & Environmental Summit 7 • Anniston Army Depot Holds First Vendor Day 8 • Small Business Highlight: A. Bright Idea, LLC 9 • Small Businesses Essential to Huntsville Center Success 10 • USAMRMC OSBP Recognizes Acquisition Workforce 11 • Small Business Highlight: ACC Redstone Awards Remotely Piloted Vehicle Target to Small Business 12 • CECOM Software Engineering Center Excels in HUBZone Utilization • MICC Executes Almost $2.4 Billion in FY14 Small Business Contracts

U.S. Army OSBP 106 Army Pentagon Room 3B514 Washington, DC 20310 Phone: 703.697.2868 Fax: 703.693.3898 ArmySmallBusiness@mail.mil www.sellingtoarmy.com

Points of Contact Mr. James Lloyd Acting Deputy Director Program Manager, SDVOSB & HUBZone james.c.lloyd20.civ@mail.mil

13 • Small Business Conference for Federal, Engineering, Construction and Environmental Programs Facilitates Engagement and Provides Acquisition Forecast to Small Business 15 • The Impact of Small Business Exclusions on Army’s FY14 Performance 17 • Remembering Ms. Tracey L. Pinson, Former Director, Army Office of Small Business Programs 22 • Army Small Business Deputy Director Promoted to Senior Executive Service

Ms. Cynthia Lee Assistant to the Director Program Manager, HBCU/MI and 8(a)/SDB cynthia.r.lee.civ@mail.mil Ms. Pamela L. Monroe Assistant to the Director Program Manager, Mentor-Protégé & Subcontracting pamela.l.monroe8.civ@mail.mil

• Army OSBP Welcomes New Women-Owned Program Manager 23 • Women as Veteran Entrepreneurs Policy Update Breakfast 24 • Army Provides “Access” at Veteran Small Business Engagement • New Map Feature Added to Army Small Business Specialist Directory

Ms. Sharon R. Morrow Assistant to the Director Program Manager, Women-Owned Small Business, Major Programs and Training sharon.r.morrow.civ@mail.mil

25 • Calendar of Events Ms. Portia Deans Assistant to the Director Procurement Analyst portia.l.deans.civ@mail.mil Ms. Edith St. Catherine Staff Action Control Specialist catherine.e.stcatherine.civ@mail.mil Ms. Veronica Atkinson Administrative Officer veronica.d.atkinson.civ@mail.mil ....................................................

Newsletter Produced By Halfaker and Associates, LLC Support Contractor to Army OSBP Mr. Anthony Braun anthony.m.braun2.ctr@mail.mil Mr. Ricardo Ruiz ricardo.ruiz@halfaker.com Mr. Burt Stanko burt.j.stanko.ctr@mail.mil

Upcoming Events

Ms. Monica Early monica.m.early.ctr@mail.mil

Please visit www.sellingtoarmy.com and click on “Calendar of Events.”

According to a post-seminar attendee survey conducted by Army OSBP, almost 90 percent of attendees were from small businesses. Representatives from large businesses, government, and universities also attended. One hundred percent of survey respondents said that the seminar was either “very useful” or “somewhat useful.” The seminar consisted of a series of panels and individual speakers. The most useful panel, according to the survey, was the Department of Defense (DoD) Small Business Directors Panel, which was moderated by Mr. Kenyata Wesley, Deputy Director, DoD OSBP, and featured Army, Navy, Air Force, Defense Information Systems Agency, and Defense Logistics Agency. Other panels included “Contracting Opportunities” with Army contracting officers

Follow Army OSBP www.twitter.com/ArmySmallBiz www.facebook.com/ArmySmallBiz www.flickr.com/ArmySmallBiz

ver 300 people attended the second Army Small Business Seminar at the AUSA Annual Meeting, October 14 and 15 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC.

Newsletter | March 2015

and program managers, an overview of the Army MentorProtégé Program, and a Small Business Legislative Update. New this year was a small business professional development panel aimed at Defense small business specialists, which featured Ms. Camylle Coley, Senior Management Consultant, DoD OSBP. For presentations and photos from the seminar, please visit: http://sellingtoarmy.com/content/army-small-businessseminar-2014-ausa-annual-meeting. ■ Submitted by: Mr. Anthony Braun Support Contractor Army OSBP

U.S. Army OSBP • Building the Future of the Army through Small Business Utilization | www.sellingtoarmy.com

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Over 300 Attend Army Small Business Seminar at AUSA Annual Meeting

U.S. Army OSBP 106 Army Pentagon Room 3B514 Washington, DC 20310 Phone: 703.697.2868 Fax: 703.693.3898 ArmySmallBusiness@mail.mil www.sellingtoarmy.com

Points of Contact Mr. James Lloyd Acting Deputy Director Program Manager, SDVOSB & HUBZone james.c.lloyd20.civ@mail.mil

Ms. Sharon R. Morrow Assistant to the Director Program Manager, Women-Owned Small Business, Major Programs and Training sharon.r.morrow.civ@mail.mil

Upcoming Events

Ms. Monica Early monica.m.early.ctr@mail.mil

Please visit www.sellingtoarmy.com and click on “Calendar of Events.”

Follow Army OSBP www.twitter.com/ArmySmallBiz www.facebook.com/ArmySmallBiz www.flickr.com/ArmySmallBiz

ver 300 people attended the second Army Small Business Seminar at the AUSA Annual Meeting, October 14 and 15 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC.

Newsletter | March 2015

U.S. Army OSBP • Building the Future of the Army through Small Business Utilization | www.sellingtoarmy.com

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Former Army OSBP Deputy Director Speaks to Veteran Small Business Program Graduates

These included tips for submitting complete and accurate proposals, networking, and submitting effective capability briefings. Ms. Robinson-Burnette encouraged the graduates to consider mentor-protégé programs as a means to attain training, mentorship, and growth. She also remarked that it is important for companies to contact contracting offices and small business specialists to create a relationship with the customer. “Find out what the need is from the customer and truly determine if your company is able and capable of providing that service,” she said. Mr. Vera encouraged business owners to look outside of the norm and consider international opportunities, which have been steadily increasing for small businesses. Ms. Robinson-Burnette closed the ceremony by congratulating the graduates and assisting with the awarding of the VIP certificates and Congressional citations from each graduate’s home state. ■ Submitted by: Ms. Monica Early Support Contractor Army OSBP

Ms. Jackie Robinson-Burnette, former Deputy Director, Army OSBP, with Mr. Ron Washington, CEO, AirGo a ServiceDisabled Veteran-Owned Small Business. Mr. Washington is one of the 49 certified graduates for the 2014 Veteran Institute for Procurement training.

The 2014 certified Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce graduating VIP Service-Disable and Veteran Owned small business participants.

n October 21 2014, Ms. Jackie Robinson-Burnette, former Deputy Director, Army OSBP was among three panelists that spoke at the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP) graduation ceremony. Themed “Arming Vets to Win”, the ceremony was held at The Bolger Conference Center located in Potomac, MD.

Veteran-owned small businesses to succeed in the federal contracting market.” The MCCC funds the program with partners and sponsors so that Veterans can participate at no cost. Service-disabled and veteran-owned small businesses that have had one to two years of federal government contract exposure, either as a prime or subcontractor, are eligible to participate.

The other panelists were Mr. Mauricio Vera, Director, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Office of Small Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) and Ms. Teresa L.G. Lewis, Director, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), OSDBU. Mr. Robert Bailey, President of BIT-Consultants, LLC, a servicedisabled veteran-owned small business, and former graduate of the MCCC VIP, moderated the panel.

Launched in 2009, the program has trained and graduated 397 veteran-owned small businesses, according to its website. The 2014 VIP graduating class consisted of 49 veteran-owned small business owners. The program accepts candidates from across the country and as far as Hawaii. This year’s graduates hailed from 14 states across the nation.

According to its website, “the VIP is the country’s firstever program to train Veteran service-disabled and

During the panel discussion, Ms. Robinson-Burnette, along with Mr. Vera and Ms. Lewis, offered information and recommendations to help business owners succeed.

Newsletter | March 2015

Federal agencies speak to 2014 49 VIP graduates. Speakers from left to right Ms. Teresa L.G Lewis, Director, HHS OSDBU; Ms. Jackie Robinson-Burnette, former Deputy Director, Army OSBP; Mr. Maurico Vera, Director, USAID OSDBU and moderator Mr. Robert Bailey, President,BIT-Consultants, LLC.

U.S. Army OSBP • Building the Future of the Army through Small Business Utilization | www.sellingtoarmy.com

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Former Army OSBP Deputy Director Speaks to Veteran Small Business Program Graduates

Ms. Jackie Robinson-Burnette, former Deputy Director, Army OSBP, with Mr. Ron Washington, CEO, AirGo, a ServiceDisabled Veteran-Owned Small Business. Mr. Washington is one of the 49 certified graduates of the 2014 Veteran Institute for Procurement training.

The 2014 certified Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce graduating VIP Service-Disable and Veteran Owned small business participants.

According to its website, “the VIP is the country’s firstever program to train Veteran service-disabled and

During the panel discussion, Ms. Robinson-Burnette, along with Mr. Vera and Ms. Lewis, offered information and recommendations to help business owners succeed.

Newsletter | March 2015

U.S. Army OSBP • Building the Future of the Army through Small Business Utilization | www.sellingtoarmy.com

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USACE Wilmington District Attends the Federal Infrastructure & Environmental Summit

Mr. Scott Dorney, NC Military Business Center Executive Director, talks to Ms. Donna Walton, Wilmington District Small Business Director during a break at the FEDCON Summit.

COL Donald Walker, Deputy Commander, South Atlantic Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers talks to small business contractors during one of the breaks at the FEDCON Summit.

Mr. Kenyata L. Wesley COL Steven A. Baker, Army Special Operations Command Combat Engineer, listens to COL Kevin P. Landers, Sr., Wilmington District Commander, give contractors a briefing on District construction opportunities for small business during the Army and Air Force Issues Panel at the 2014 Federal Construction, Infrastructure & Environment (FEDCON) Summit on October 16 at the Wilmington Convention Center.

he 2014 Federal Infrastructure & Environmental Summit (FEDCON) was held at the Wilmington Convention Center October 15 and 16, 2014. The event was sponsored by the North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC) and U.S. Senator Richard Burr, R-N.C. Approximately 600 attendees, 82 exhibitors, and 24 federal agencies participated in the event.

FEDCON Summit on October 16. Mr. Scott Dorney, Executive Director, North Carolina Military Business Center, provided the welcoming remarks to all attendees and exhibitors. Mr. Dorney discussed the importance of bringing federal agencies and small and large businesses together in one forum to discuss future opportunities for North Carolina companies.

The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Wilmington District provided a site visit for conference attendees to the fish passage at Lock and Dam 1 along the Cape Fear River on October 15. Approximately 40 FEDCON attendees participated in the visit. The fish passage was constructed by Cape Romain Contractors and Pre Con Marine, both small businesses. This fish passage enables fish to swim upstream without using the lock system and is the first of its kind built on the East Coast.

COL Donald Walker, Deputy Commander, USACE South Atlantic Division, provided remarks during lunch and discussed the impact sequestration had on the USACE budget.

Senator Burr provided the opening remarks and officially kicked off the

Several business sessions were held during the day. Representatives from the USACE Wilmington, Charleston and Savannah Districts; Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, U.S. Navy; U.S. Marines Corps; U.S. Coast Guard; Veterans Administration; national Park Service; GSA and USDA Forest Park Service participated in FEDCON.

All agencies presented their forecasts and talked about business opportunities during the various sessions that were held throughout the day. COL Kevin P. Landers, Commander, USACE Wilmington District, and Ms. Donna Walton, Deputy of Small Business, USACE Wilmington, participated in meet & greet sessions with attendees. The summit is a forum for both federal agencies and businesses to find out what opportunities are in the marketplace. FEDCON 2015 will be held at the Wilmington Convention Center October 28 and 29, 2015. â&#x2013; Submitted by: Ms. Donna Walton Deputy for Small Business USACE, Wilmington District

FEDCON Summit attendees view the newly constructed fish passage at Lock and Dam 1 along the Cape Fear River.

Newsletter | March 2015

U.S. Army OSBP â&#x20AC;˘ Building the Future of the Army through Small Business Utilization | www.sellingtoarmy.com

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USACE Wilmington District Attends the Federal Infrastructure & Environmental Summit

Mr. Scott Dorney, NC Military Business Center Executive Director, talks to Ms. Donna Walton, Wilmington District Small Business Director during a break at the FEDCON Summit.

COL Donald Walker, Deputy Commander, South Atlantic Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers talks to small business contractors during one of the breaks at the FEDCON Summit.

COL Donald Walker, Deputy Commander, USACE South Atlantic Division, provided remarks during lunch and discussed the impact sequestration had on the USACE budget.

Senator Burr provided the opening remarks and officially kicked off the

FEDCON Summit attendees view the newly constructed fish passage at Lock and Dam 1 along the Cape Fear River.

Newsletter | March 2015

U.S. Army OSBP â&#x20AC;˘ Building the Future of the Army through Small Business Utilization | www.sellingtoarmy.com

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Anniston Army Depot Holds First Vendor Day

Small Business Highlight: A. Bright Idea, LLC

nniston Army Depot’s (ANAD) OSBP hosted its first Vendor Day October 15 and 16. More than 80 representatives from 46 small and large businesses visited the installation. The event had two purposes:

Vendors toured production areas and spoke with depot employees and managers to learn more about how their companies may help the installation with quality and process improvements. ■

1. To help businesses better understand the depot’s production and manufacturing operations 2. To provide opportunities to match commercial products and services to depot needs with the goal of finding ways to increase efficiency, cut costs and improve productivity.

Submitted by: Mr. Gregory A. Wynne Assistant Director Office of Small Business Programs Anniston Army Depot

Upon starting out in 1996, ABI’s founder Ms. Anita Brightman possessed the skills for success in advertising, public relations, graphic design, and interactive and multimedia services, but knew that a vision which included serving the federal government had numerous potential pitfalls. For initial guidance and support toward that goal, ABI utilized the services of the county’s Small Business Resource Center, now known as the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). In addition to discussing the value of building past performance at the subcontract level, SBDC suggested that ABI consider enrolling in the SBA’s 8(a) program to allow ABI additional support as a woman-owned small business competing in the federal marketplace.

tilizing the support of various federal small business resources and the Small Business Administration (SBA) 8(a) program, A. Bright Idea, LLC (ABI) has grown from a homebased business to a full-service agency employing nearly 40 staff members in offices on the East and West coasts.

Ms. Brightman decided that initially her priority would be to build past performance and expand personnel. ABI began as a subcontractor for Michael Baker Corporation in support of the Directorate of Public Works at Aberdeen Proving Ground, and as a subcontractor for Booz Allen Hamilton in support of the Army Program Manager for Chemical Demilitarization, now known as the Army Chemical Materials Activity (CMA). These relationships and successful past performance became the catalyst for future subcontract awards from L-3 Communications, URS Corporation, and Science Applications International Corporation, developing into larger and larger subcontracts with expanded program requirements. At the same time, ABI expanded their retail business working in the banking, healthcare, and education industry, to diversify and grow the portfolio.

Mr. Gregory A. Wynne, Assistant Director, OSBP, Anniston Army Depot, provides the orientation briefing during the first Anniston Army Depot Vendor Day on October 15 and 16, 2014.

Mr. Jody Owens, far right, discusses Stryker reset and repair operations with potential vendors in the Combat Vehicle Repair Facility during Vendor Day

However, it was a passing conversation one afternoon, with the late Mr. Miguel “Mickey” Morales, public affairs officer for the former Soldier and Biological Chemical Command (SBCCOM), which gave Ms. Brightman the nudge to complete the application for the SBA’s 8(a) certification. With the help of the SBDC, A. Bright Idea was accepted into the 8(a) program in 2006. “In working with the Small Business resources provided, we knew that there were people working behind the scenes to help us move forward,” Ms. Brightman stated. “Without the numerous individuals I met along this journey, I would not have been encouraged to make some of the key decisions that propelled A. Bright Idea in the right direction at the right time, growing at a rate that would ensure our sustainability – not just for us, but for the sake of our employees.”

Mr. Chris Williams, far right, division chief, Turbine Drive Train Division, Anniston Army Depot, showcases components of the AGT1500 engine to vendors who toured the installation as part of Vendor Day.

Newsletter | March 2015

Under the CMA Chemical Stockpile Elimination Program, the Army was undertaking a critical and high-visibility mission for the safe treatment and disposal of chemical agents and weapons at various stockpile sites using advanced incineration and neutralization technologies. ABI’s excellent performance as a public affairs support subcontractor enabled the Army to keep the public informed of the stockpile elimination’s progress and reinforced the Army’s partnership with the surrounding communities. This success attracted the attention of Mr. Jacob Chieffo of the RDECOM OSBP, as well as Mr. Eric Braerman, Contracting Officer, Edgewood Contracting Division, Army Contracting Command (ACC) Aberdeen Proving Ground, who were servicing the CMA mission and saw an opportunity to transition the public affairs component of the CMA engineering support contract to a competent 8(a) small business.

Ms. Anita Brightman, President and CEO, A. Bright Idea, LLC, and Mr. Jimmie Cummings, Director of Government Services, A. Bright Idea, LLC, attended the 2014 National 8(a) Conference held in Florida.

RDECOM considers small businesses to be an integral and vital resource in achieving their mission of providing integrated research, development, and engineering solutions to empower, unburden, protect, and sustain the Warfighter. RDECOM and ACC’s aggressive small business prime contract award goals further empowered Mr. Chieffo and Mr. Braerman to re-envision the public affairs acquisition strategy with CMA program officials, creating the environment for ABI to be considered as a new prime contractor. ABI had supported this client for more than 15 years as a subcontractor and, via the 8(a) program, was able to step into the forefront as a prime contractor. “It was like coming full-circle,” says Ms. Brightman because this opportunity was related to the Army’s chemical weapons disposal program. “This was the project that started my career as a public affairs contractor and the program my business supported as a subcontractor every year thereafter. It’s unbelievably rewarding.” ABI has continued to expand their clientele, this year securing contract awards with the National Institute on Drug Abuse; SBA Office of the National Ombudsman; DoD Education Activity; Army 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Defense and Explosives Command; and the Army National Guard. Transitioning from a small business in need of support to one which serves in a mentorship role for other aspiring small business leaders, ABI gives back by presenting at events held by support organizations such as the SBDC, and the Minority Business Enterprise University, hosted by the Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs. By forging relationships with other small businesses, ABI is able to share their expertise in drafting successful proposals, navigating the 8(a) process, and getting onto the GSA schedules. ■ Submitted by: Mr. Jacob Chieffo Small Business Specialist Army Research, Development and Engineering Command

U.S. Army OSBP • Building the Future of the Army through Small Business Utilization | www.sellingtoarmy.com

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Anniston Army Depot Holds First Vendor Day

Small Business Highlight: A. Bright Idea, LLC

nniston Army Depot’s (ANAD) OSBP hosted its first Vendor Day October 15 and 16. More than 80 representatives from 46 small and large businesses visited the installation. The event had two purposes:

Vendors toured production areas and spoke with depot employees and managers to learn more about how their companies may help the installation with quality and process improvements. ■

Submitted by: Mr. Gregory A. Wynne Assistant Director Office of Small Business Programs Anniston Army Depot

Mr. Gregory A. Wynne, Assistant Director, OSBP, Anniston Army Depot, provides the orientation briefing during the first Anniston Army Depot Vendor Day on October 15 and 16, 2014.

Mr. Jody Owens, far right, discusses Stryker reset and repair operations with potential vendors in the Combat Vehicle Repair Facility during Vendor Day

Newsletter | March 2015

Ms. Anita Brightman, President and CEO, A. Bright Idea, LLC, and Mr. Jimmie Cummings, Director of Government Services, A. Bright Idea, LLC, attended the 2014 National 8(a) Conference held in Florida.

U.S. Army OSBP • Building the Future of the Army through Small Business Utilization | www.sellingtoarmy.com

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Small Businesses Essential to Huntsville Center Success

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The truth is we couldn’t deliver our programs without them – when you get to the actual execution of projects, there’s a business that’s part of our team. We need them to get the work done,” Col. Robert J. Ruch said during the U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville’s Small Business Forum Oct. 15 in Huntsville, Alabama. The commander spoke to approximately 250 business owners and representatives about Huntsville Center’s mission and potential opportunities to work with the center in the coming years. “We are really proud of the work we did here,” Ruch said in highlighting some of the center’s fiscal year 2014 small business goals and achievements. The center exceeded its 36 percent small business goal by 7 percent and met the Service Disabled-Veteran Owned Small Business goal for the first time, achieving 3 percent against a goal

of 2.5 percent. He also shared that Huntsville Center made the largestever federal award to a Service Disabled-Veteran Owned Small Business set-aside contract just before the end of the fiscal year. The $23,526,676 contract was awarded to Herman/JCG CoJoint Venture to renovate the Old Guard Barracks at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Virginia. Ruch stressed the center’s skill in centrally managing large-scale programs and its various areas of specialized expertise that set it apart in the Army Corps of Engineers, as well as the importance of partnering with quality contractors to perform the work. “Every one of my customers who comes to me gets a vote; they don’t have to come back to me the next time – kind of like the world you live in,” he explained to the packed room at the Jackson Center in Cummings Research Park. “It’s very important that we execute every

Mr. Len Iseldyke from D2Team-Sim discusses his firm’s capabilities with Ms. Crystal Bennett-Echols and Mr. Wes Turner of the Installation Support and Programs Management Directorate’s Medical Division programs during the center’s Small Business Forum Oct. 15 at Jackson Center in Cummings Research Park. (Photo by Julia Bobick)

USAMRMC OSBP Recognizes Acquisition Workforce

uring a training event on November 5, 2014, Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC) OSBP formally recognized the efforts of the entire Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) acquisition workforce. Each USAMRAA Group Chief and Branch Chief received a plaque which highlighted their collective efforts.

project well. You folks are doing that for us.” Huntsville Center’s Director of Contracting Colleen O’Keefe emphasized how critical it is for businesses to provide feedback to the contracting office to improve the process and provide the best project outcomes. “We do send out a lot of requests for information and draft [requests for proposal] because we are looking for responses from industry,” O’Keefe said. “We really want you to tell us, ‘Does this make sense?’ ‘Is this the way that your industry does business?’ ‘Have we put something in there that’s proprietary?’ We need that information because we are not necessarily the experts in it, you are.” Ruch added that the small business forum is a great tool for the center because if every one of the hundreds of people attending wanted to come through the center individually, it would be impossible for program managers to break free from what they are doing to talk to them all. He said offering this forum once a year lets business representatives talk directly to program managers and begin to develop relationships that will benefit both the center and small businesses. “There’s been a gradual shift in the center’s culture over the past few years to think small business first when a requirement is identified,” said Rebecca Vucinaj, chief of the center’s Office of Small Business Programs. “Every one of us at the center realizes the fact that we are making a difference in supporting our nation’s economy by awarding contracts to small business concerns. We set a phenomenal record this year by achieving 43 percent – absolutely astounding! When you consider some of the highly complex and extremely large awards we make that are not necessarily a good match for small businesses, I could not be prouder

Newsletter | March 2015

Ms. Lillian Fox talks with a potential contractor about the Information Technology Services Program, one of the fastest growing programs within Huntsville Center. (Photo by Julia Bobick)

of the center’s achievements this past year.” “Because we break out the programs after the presentation, companies get to talk one-on-one to contracting officers and program managers. They get to network and explain their capabilities to us, and we have the opportunity to see if their capabilities could potentially support our programs,” said Dennis Bacon, Huntsville Center’s DLA Fuels Program manager

USAMRMC FY14 small business accomplishments epitomized the collaborative, mutually beneficial working relationship between the small business office and other members of the acquisition workforce. USAMRMC met or exceeded four out of five Armyassigned small business goals, while achieving 98.6% of its HUBZone target. These achievements are a result of advanced acquisition planning, indepth market research and overall commitment to provide maximum opportunities for small business firms (either as a prime or subcontractor).

USAMRMC is the Army medical materiel developer with responsibility for medical research, advanced development, and medical logistics. USAMRMC expertise in these critical areas contributes significantly to the health care of our military service members, as well as their families, our veterans, and the general public. ■ Submitted by: Mr. Jerome K. Maultsby Associate Director USAMRMC OSBP

The Army Corps of Engineers is so supportive of the small business community, reaching out to small businesses and bringing them on board, Ruch said. “I don’t think there’s an organization in the Army or maybe even the federal government that does as much outreach and is as successful in using small business to support the programs for our Soldiers and family members.” Of the $1.8 billion eligible for award to small business concerns, Huntsville Center awarded more than $782 million. ■ Submitted by: Ms. Julia Bobick U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville

Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity workforce receives recognition from the Army Medical Research and Materiel Command Office of Small Business Programs at a training event on November 5, 2014.

U.S. Army OSBP • Building the Future of the Army through Small Business Utilization | www.sellingtoarmy.com

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Small Businesses Essential to Huntsville Center Success

“

USAMRMC OSBP Recognizes Acquisition Workforce

Newsletter | March 2015

Ms. Lillian Fox talks with a potential contractor about the Information Technology Services Program, one of the fastest growing programs within Huntsville Center. (Photo by Julia Bobick)

U.S. Army OSBP • Building the Future of the Army through Small Business Utilization | www.sellingtoarmy.com

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Small Business Highlight: ACC Redstone Awards Remotely Piloted Vehicle Target to Small Business

CECOM Software Engineering Center Excels in HUBZone Utilization

ommunications Electronics Command (CECOM) Software Engineering Center (SEC) under Director Mr. Larry M. Muzzelo’s leadership is promoting opportunities for Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZones) to obtain more SEC contract awards.

MQM-170C, Outlaw, Remotely Piloted Vehicle flies in the vicinity of Point Mugu Naval Air Station, CA, in support of the Joint Staff Black Dart Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems exercise

he Army Contracting Command-Redstone (ACC-RSA) received a requirement for the manufacture and support of Remotely Piloted Vehicle Targets (RPVT) air vehicles, related support equipment, payload system devices and training. Market research conducted for this effort in 2012 through early 2013 by the ACC-RSA and the Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) revealed multiple small businesses capable of providing the support required. Based on market research and an extensive history of small business participation for prior RPVT contracts, the RPVT solicitation was issued as a small business set-aside. in September 2014, ACC-RSA awarded a contract for MQM170, Outlaw RPVT support to Griffon Aerospace, Inc., a small business located in Madison, AL. The award is a base plus four one-year option contract with a estimated maximum value of $89 million. This award demonstrates that small businesses can meet and exceed the contract performance requirements for the RPVT contract while providing equipment and flight services support to the US Army War Fighter.

Under Mr. Muzzelo’s leadership, total prime contract dollars awarded by SEC to HUBZone businesses sextupled from

This success has resulted in the creation of jobs, alleviating some poverty and reducing unemployment in our nation’s most vulnerable communities. The SEC small business program has had a transformational effect on small businesses far beyond the Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) community. This practice certainly deserves a spotlight for promoting small business programs and encourages the use of HUBZone companies as ideal organizations with which the government can do business. According to Ms. Maria ContrerasSweet, SBA Administrator, in FY13, HUBZone businesses only received 1.7 percent of federal contracts, well short

of our three percent goal.” Mr. Muzzelo’s transformational leadership style is an example of how a command can actively work together to achieve not only their goals, but also contribute to overall Army and Federal HUBZone goals. CECOM SEC OSBP has mastered an approach which consists of analyzing ideal situations for successful small business collaboration with specific emphasis on HUBZones. Harnessing the power of market research, fostering industry growth by recruitment of more firms for HUBZone participation for future requirements, and awarding more sole-source and set-aside awards directly for HUBZones is definitely a grassroots approach. ■ Submitted by: Ms. Stacey Gaddis Deputy Associate Director CECOM OSBP

MICC Executes Almost $2.4 Billion in FY14 Small Business Contracts

he Mission and Installation Contracting Command (MICC) awarded almost $2.4 billion to small businesses in FY14. This is 48 percent of the $5.6 billion in total small-business eligible contracting dollars awarded in support of Army commands, installations and activities across the Department of Defense that year.

Army has been providing aerial targets in support of Air Defense gunners since World War I. The RPVT project was established in 1982 and supports two Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) requirements for a Hostile Expendable Aerial Target and a scoring miss distance indicator. Department of Defense acquisition programs employ aerial targets in the development and testing of new weapon systems. An example of an unmanned aerial target is the MQM-170, Outlaw, family of RPVT. When used with the Avenger air defense weapon system, the RPVT supports tracking and live fire training on Department of Defense and Allied training ranges worldwide. The aerial target is also employed on Department of Defense test ranges to support system development and test operations. The RPVT System is managed by Mr. Brian Whitaker, Project Director, Air Defense Artillery Targets, for the Targets Management Office (TMO) at Redstone Arsenal, AL. The TMO is a subordinate element of the Project Manager for Instrumentation, Targets and Threat Simulators’ (PM ITTS), which is assigned to the Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training, & Instrumentation (PEO STRI), both of which are located in Orlando, FL. ■

The HUBZone program has served as one of the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) signature initiatives and has helped small businesses in urban and rural communities gain preferential access to federal procurement opportunities. The program encourages economic development and employment growth in distressed areas by providing opportunities for firms to become active participants in the federal supply chain.

$470 thousand in FY13 to $2.9 million in FY14, the highest recorded improvement in CECOM history.

“What the numbers don’t show are the long hours, selfless sacrifices and superior dedication it takes from our team of professionals to accomplish our mission,” said BG Jeffrey Gabbert, MICC Commanding General. “Fiscal 2014 was a tremendous success for the MICC, and I’m confident that our team will continue to do great things for our Soldiers, their families and the Army this fiscal year.” An Avenger air defense system engages an MQM-170A, Outlaw RPVT at Fort Bliss, TX.

Submitted by: Ms. Mary Birdsong Associate Director, Acting, AMCOM OSBP

Almost half of the $2.4 billion in contracts awarded to small businesses came in the final quarter of the fiscal year, following an extensive outreach effort by MICC small business specialists across the command in June and July. “The tremendous effort put forth by our small business specialists was a major contributor

Newsletter | March 2015

in the MICC exceeding its small business goal for the second year in a row,” said Mr. Mark Massie, Associate Director, MICC OSBP. “The MICC’s acquisition forecast open house events were a total success in providing transparency to industry and giving them the information needed to pursue future opportunities. This was evident in the MICC surpassing four of five small business goals, a first since fiscal 2010.” The command’s 48 percent small business achievement exceeded its 45.8 percent goal for FY14. MICC also awarded the following amounts in the goaled socioeconomic categories: • Small disadvantaged business, $1.3 billion • Service-disabled veteran-owned small business, $477 million • Women-owned small business, $462 million • Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) small business, $314 million Although efforts in meeting the HUBZone small business goal fell short, Mr. Massie said the value of contracts awarded during

FY14 in that socioeconomic category exceeded the previous year by more than $35 million. MICC small business specialists advocate on behalf of small businesses throughout the country to ensure small businesses have the maximum opportunity to compete for Army contracts. Dollars awarded to small business contractors help support the achievement of annual government-wide goals required by the Small Business Act. The $5.6 billion in contract actions awarded command-wide in FY14 is approximately $300 million greater than the previous fiscal year. Mr. Pat Hogston, the director of contract support integration at the MICC, said this reflects a return to stable spending after the impact of sequestration and operational budget cuts. Contracts executed by the MICC totaled $7 billion and $6.3 billion in FY11 and FY12, respectively. ■ Submitted by: Mr. Daniel P. Elkins Mission and Installation Contracting Command Public Affairs Office

U.S. Army OSBP • Building the Future of the Army through Small Business Utilization | www.sellingtoarmy.com

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Small Business Highlight: ACC Redstone Awards Remotely Piloted Vehicle Target to Small Business

CECOM Software Engineering Center Excels in HUBZone Utilization

MQM-170C, Outlaw, Remotely Piloted Vehicle flies in the vicinity of Point Mugu Naval Air Station, CA, in support of the Joint Staff Black Dart Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems exercise

Under Mr. Muzzelo’s leadership, total prime contract dollars awarded by SEC to HUBZone businesses sextupled from

MICC Executes Almost $2.4 Billion in FY14 Small Business Contracts

$470 thousand in FY13 to $2.9 million in FY14, the highest recorded improvement in CECOM history.

Submitted by: Ms. Mary Birdsong Associate Director, Acting, AMCOM OSBP

Newsletter | March 2015

U.S. Army OSBP • Building the Future of the Army through Small Business Utilization | www.sellingtoarmy.com

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Small Business Conference for Federal, Engineering, Construction and Environmental Programs Facilitates Engagement and Provides Acquisition Forecast to Small Business

he Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) participated in the Society of American Military Engineers Small Business Conference for Federal, Engineering, Construction and Environmental Programs in Kansas City, MO, December 9-11, 2014. The conference attracted 1,785 attendees, 18 percent of which were government representatives; 82 percent were from private industry; 62 percent were from small businesses; and 38 percent were from large businesses. USACE sent 148 leaders, including LTG Thomas P. Bostick, USACE Commanding General; USACE district, center and division commanders; Ms. Grace K. Fontana, Associate Director, USACE OSBP; Mr. Lloyd Caldwell, Director of Military Programs; and Mr. Stuart Hazlett, USACE Director of Contracting. In addition, each USACE division and center had a booth in the exhibit hall. LTG Bostick visited several of the booths and personally met with industry. The Small Business Conference kicked off with a moving and meaningful commemorative ceremony for Vietnam veterans to honor and thank them for their service. LTG Bostick announced his commitment for USACE participation in the Department of Defense’s national program commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. He invited Vietnam veterans from the audience to join him on stage to be formally recognized while highlighting their continuing excellence. For the fifth year, USACE exceeded its small business goal, achieving more than 46 percent. USACE works collaboratively with more than 300,000 contractor employees to execute the USACE mission. Small businesses play a major role in the Corps’ success, and are contracted for almost every type of project. The conference is a significant outreach event for USACE where many small firms learn and discuss the Corps’ acquisition forecast of upcoming projects. The event has contributed to the Corps’ success in facilitating exchanges on scientific, technical and professional issues. The industry engagement (Army engineer to industry engineer) results in innovative solutions to Department of Defense technical and resource challenges involving military construction, water resource management, critical civil works projects, geospatial technology and renewable energy. Speakers included USACE Safety and General Counsel, as well as Ms. Pamela Monroe, Program Manager, Army Mentor Protégé Program. Naval Facilities Engineering Command; Air Force; General Services Administration; Department of Commerce; Department of Energy; and the Small Business Administration also participated. “I’ve never been to a conference this big with so many military generals, colonels, small business, and contracting people from one agency. Usually, an agency will send two or three people to a conference,” said CEO of LTD Global, Ms. Lili Tarachand.

President and CEO of GEM Environmental Services, Inc., Mr. Richard Camacho, was also impressed with the huge USACE presence. In his words, “Everyone I met from USACE was very friendly and helpful. I left this conference with great info and knowledge on how to bid and win contracts for my 8(a) firm.” The event concluded with a USACE Small Business Awards Ceremony hosted by LTG Bostick, and moderated by Ms. Fontana. Award winners are shown below. ■

USACE commanders and civilian employees recognized for exceptional support of the Army Small Business Program

LTG Thomas P. Bostick, Commander, USACE (fourth from left) with representatives of the top 10 USACE Districts and Centers in dollars awarded to Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses.

(spending data as of the time of the awards) Top 10 District/Center Commanders in Dollars Awarded to SDVOSB 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Los Angeles Mobile Huntsville Fort Worth Savannah New Orleans Omaha Sacramento Louisville Seattle

$97.8M $87.4M $57.2M $51.5M $51.0M $48.9M $41.3M $39.6M $38.8M $35.3M

COL Kimberly Colloton COL Jon Chytka COL Robert Ruch LTC William Craig COL Tom Tickner COL Rich Hansen COL Joel Cross COL Mike Farrell COL Chris Beck COL John Buck

Top 10 District/Centers in Percentages of Dollars Awarded to SDVOSB 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

ERDC (Labs) Los Angeles Norfolk Mobile Albuquerque Seattle Rock Island Savannah Fort Worth Sacramento

21.70% 14.10% 13.90% 13.40% 12.10% 12.00% 11.60% 10.50% 10.20% 9.20%

COL Jeffrey Eckstein COL Kimberly Colloton COL Paul Olsen COL Jon Chytka LTC Patrick Dagon COL John Buck COL Mark Deschenes COL Tom Tickner LTC William Craig COL Mike Farrell

• • • •

Top Division by $ - Southwestern Division $607M Top Division by % - Pacific Ocean Division 44% Top District by $ - Huntsville Center $388M Top District by % - Los Angeles 74%

Top HUBZone Award Recipients • • • •

Top Division by $ - South Atlantic Division $242M Top Division by % - Mississippi Valley Division 13% Top District by $ - New Orleans $115M Top District by % - Memphis District 33%

Other Award Recipients COL Richard Gridley SDVOSB Achievement Award: BG R. Mark Toy, South Pacific Division Commander ($166M/12.22%) Small Business Specialist Award: • Ms. Mary Spencer, Los Angeles & (Acting) San Francisco District • Ms. Karen Brady, Memphis District Division Small Business Specialist Award: • Ms. Melea Crouse, Southwestern Division Small Business Champion Awards

Top WOSB Award Recipients • • • •

Top Small Disadvantaged Business Award Recipients

Top Division by $ - South Pacific Division $194M Top Division by % - South Pacific Division 14% Top District by $ - Los Angeles $108M Top District by % - ERDC 47%

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• Mr. Randall L. Bowker, Head Alaska District Engineers Program & Project Mgmt. Div. • Ms. Lakisha D. Vance, Contracting Officer, Little Rock District • Mr. Douglas A. Summer, Program Manager, New York District • Ms. Sheila Winston-Vincuilla, District Contracting Chief, New England District • LTC Glenn O. Pratt, Portland Deputy District Commander

Ms. Sherrie Plonski, Small Business Specialist, USACE Pittsburgh/Buffalo District; Ms. Jacque Gee, Small Business Specialist, USACE Louisville District; Mr. Roy Rossignol, Small Business Specialist; and Ms. Debbie Czewski, Small Business Specialist, USACE Huntington District, staff the booth.

Submitted by: Ms. Grace K. Fontana, Associate Director, USACE OSBP, and Mr. Stan S. Lee, Assistant Director, USACE South Pacific Division OSBP