Army OSBP Magazine March 2012 by Ricardo Ruiz

Back Cover

Front Cover

Page 1

Page 2 Director’s Message

In this Issue 2 3 9 14

2012: A Look Ahead

Senior Leader Corner

• Director’s Message - 2012: A Look Ahead

African-American History Month

• African American/Black History Month - “Black Women in American History and Culture” • OSBP Director Attends Swearing-in Ceremony of First African-American Vice Chief of Staff of the Army • OSBP Team Visits Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

U.S. Army OSBP

Program Focus

Phone: 703.697.2868 Fax: 703.693.3898 www.sellingtoarmy.com

• Army Surpasses 3% Contracting Goal for Veteran-Owned Small Business • 2011 MacDill SDVOSB/VOSB SB Conference and Expo - “Taking the Steps to Success” • Army Mentor-Protégé Program Update • 3rd Annual NASBC/USWCC National Small Business Contracting Summit – Southeast

Command Focus

• Army Sustainment Command Acquisition Course Features OSBP Director as Guest Speaker • C4ISR Center of Excellence Reaches Out to Industry • AMC Featured at NDIA Materiel Enterprise Small Business Conference • Annual Small Business Conference for DoD Engineering, Construction and Environmental Programs • Representative Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. Attends US Army Corps of Engineers Small Business Conference • USACE Commander Recognizes Leaders for Excellence in Small Business Program Achievements • USAMRMC and Fort Detrick OSBP Participate in Procurement Conference Aimed at Helping Small Businesses • The AMC is Open for Business — If You’re a Global-Ready, Non-Manufacturing Business

106 Army Pentagon Room 3B514 Washington, DC 20310

Points of Contact Ms. Tracey L. Pinson Director tracey.l.pinson.civ@mail.mil Ms. Suellen Jeffress Deputy Director suellen.d.jeffress.civ@mail.mil Mr. James Lloyd Assistant to the Director, Program Manager, SDVOSB & HUBZone james.c.lloyd20.civ@mail.mil Ms. Peggy Butler Assistant to the Director Program Manager, Mentor-Protégé & Subcontracting peggy.w.butler.civ@mail.mil

Small Business Career

Legislative Focus

Success Story

Ms. Stacy Watson Assistant to the Director Program Manager, Women Owned Small Business, Major Programs and Training stacy.r.watson.civ@mail.mil

Small Business by the Numbers

Ms. Portia Deans Assistant to the Director Procurement Analyst portia.l.deans.civ@mail.mil

24 27 29

• Take Another Look at the Small Business Career Field

• Current Bills Affecting Small Business

• AeroVironment Receives $4.9M Contract for Switchblade Agile Munition Systems and Services

• Size Standards: Know Your Size • Increasing the Involvement of the Smallest Business in Army Procurement

Calendar of Events Holiday Highlight

Ms. Cynthia Lee Assistant to the Director Program Manager, HBCU/MI and 8(a)/SDB cynthia.r.lee.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 ....................................................

UPCOMING EVENTS Please visit www.sellingtoarmy.com and click on “Calendar of Events”. FOLLOW ARMY OSBP www.twitter.com/ArmySmallBiz www.flickr.com/ArmySmallBiz www.facebook.com/ArmySmallBiz

Newsletter | March 2012

Ms. Marina Sullivan Program Manager New Concepts & Associates marina.g.sullivan.ctr@mail.mil

appy New Year! Though the fiscal year may be more important to those of us in the procurement world, the beginning of 2012 gives us cause to look back at the major accomplishments and lessons learned in 2011 and initiate goals for 2012.

The highlight of the year was the Army exceeding the statutory three percent ServiceDisabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) contracting goal for the first time. The latest data from the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) show the total Army contracts awarded to firms owned and operated by veterans with service connected disabilities, exceeded $3.17 Billion, or 3.5% of total Army procurement dollars.1 We explored this accomplishment in-depth in the last issue of this newsletter but it should not overshadow the fact that the Army also exceeded its goal in all of the socioeconomic categories (see table below). The story behind this success is one of hard work by Army’s Acquisition team – Small Business and Contract Specialists, Contracting Officers, Technical Subject Matter Experts, Program Managers, and Commanders – in identifying appropriate opportunities as well as organizing and participating in numerous outreach events, training sessions and one-on-one meetings with small business firms. Some highlights of our outreach efforts in 2011: • I participated in many outreach events, the two largest being the NDIA Materiel Enterprise Small Business Conference and the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME)/Army Corps of Engineers Conference. • Our personnel participated as speakers, exhibitors, and mentors in matchmaking sessions at the 7th Annual National Veteran Small Business Conference and Expo. • Our Deputy Director Suellen Jeffress participated as a speaker at The U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce WOSB Conference and the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council National Conference and Business Fair. • Headquarters Department of Army small business staff joined New Jersey National Guard Bureau small business representatives

in counseling sessions at Senator Menendez’s Hispanic Small Business Event. • Historically Black Colleges and Universities/ Minority Institutions and Small Disadvantaged Business 8(a) Program Manager Cynthia Lee assisted in planning the White House’s annual HBCU conference, the Minority Business Development Agency’s Minority Enterprise Development Week Conference, and the Department of Defense annual small business training conference. • Our Major Programs and Training Program Manager, Stacy Watson and our Major Services Acquisition Program Manager, Peggy Butler provided direction, guidance, and contract strategy recommendations to over 40 major programs and ensured that small businesses were utilized in the acquisition phases. Looking forward to 2012, we are planning an Army small business conference to take place around the May or June timeframe (stay tuned for details). On the policy side, some key factors to our success in 2011 were: • Army Commands specifically targeted prime contracts for increased emphasis and dedication to small business participation and enhanced emphasis on subcontracting through stronger contract language. • Army participated in the accelerated drafting of FAR Case 2011-024, Section 1331 of the Small Business Jobs Act, to draft an interim rule authorizing agency use of small business set-asides for the initial award of multiple award contracts, the setting aside of orders issued under multiple awards contracts and the Federal Supply Schedules Program, and the reservation of contracts for small business in full and open solicitations for multiple award contracts. Some policy initiatives we will be working on this year: • Headquarters Department of Army small business staff in collaboration with the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Procurement is developing a Memorandum of Agreement to outline the roles and responsibilities of the Small Business portion

FY11 Army Prime Contract Awards (Total Spend: $90.92B) Spend

Percent

DoD-Assigned Goal

Small Business

$23.82B

26.20%

25.37%

Small Disadvantaged

$9.49B

10.45%

8.84%

Women-Owned

$4.12B

4.53%

3.84%

Mr. Cameron Miles cameron.e.miles.ctr@mail.mil

HUBZone

$4.59B

5.06%

4.13%

Veteran-Owned

$4.58B

5.04%

Mr. Anthony Braun anthony.m.braun2.ctr@mail.mil

Service-Disabled/Veteran-Owned

$3.18B

3.49%

$28.50M

7.14%*

Newsletter Produced By Halfaker & Associates, LLC Support Contractor to the Army OSBP

Mr. Ricardo Ruiz ricardo.ruiz@halfaker.com

Program

HBCU/MI

3.00%

Ms. Tracey L. Pinson, Director of the Procurement Management Review effort between the organizations. HQDA OSBP is proactively reviewing and revising our internal policy for the Procurement Management Reviews and will have a fully revised policy detailing a more structured process for the program. • Promote greater involvement of small businesses in Army contracts for services (ASSP). • Small business participation in outside of the continental United States contracts. • Implementation of the Acting Army Acquisition Executive’s policy memorandum of 16 July 2011, Maximizing Support for the Army Small Business Program. On a final note, we tend to focus on contract dollars, but it is important to also consider the number of small businesses participating in Army contracting, as well as the distribution of Army contracting dollars by geographical area and industry type. One way we hope to increase the number of contracts going to small businesses is by working with contracting personnel to increase small business awards below the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000. The Federal Acquisition Regulation requires contracts valued between $3,000 and $150,000 to be set-aside for small businesses except in cases where two or more competitive offers from small businesses are not available. FPDS data shows that only 60 percent of Fiscal Year 2011 Army contracts within this range went to small businesses2 (see article on page 25). This shortfall in small procurements represents an opportunity for Army to increase the participation of the smallest firms in our procurement process, as well as to provide a starting point for new small businesses. By focusing on efforts like these I am confident that we can build on our success in 2011 and make 2012 the best year yet for the Army Small Business Program. ■ Ms. Tracey L. Pinson Director 1 2

FPDS-NG data on 01-03-2012 FPDS-NG data on 12-19-2011

Source: FPDS-NG data on 01-03-2012 * Percentage of Army contract spending with educational institutions.

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

Page 1

Page 2 Director’s Message

In this Issue 2 3 9 14

2012: A Look Ahead

Senior Leader Corner

• Director’s Message - 2012: A Look Ahead

African-American History Month

U.S. Army OSBP

Program Focus

Phone: 703.697.2868 Fax: 703.693.3898 www.sellingtoarmy.com

Command Focus

106 Army Pentagon Room 3B514 Washington, DC 20310

Small Business Career

Legislative Focus

Success Story

Ms. Stacy Watson Assistant to the Director Program Manager, Women Owned Small Business, Major Programs and Training stacy.r.watson.civ@mail.mil

Small Business by the Numbers

Ms. Portia Deans Assistant to the Director Procurement Analyst portia.l.deans.civ@mail.mil

24 27 29

• Take Another Look at the Small Business Career Field

• Current Bills Affecting Small Business

• AeroVironment Receives $4.9M Contract for Switchblade Agile Munition Systems and Services

• Size Standards: Know Your Size • Increasing the Involvement of the Smallest Business in Army Procurement

Calendar of Events Holiday Highlight

Ms. Cynthia Lee Assistant to the Director Program Manager, HBCU/MI and 8(a)/SDB cynthia.r.lee.civ@mail.mil

UPCOMING EVENTS Please visit www.sellingtoarmy.com and click on “Calendar of Events”. FOLLOW ARMY OSBP www.twitter.com/ArmySmallBiz www.flickr.com/ArmySmallBiz www.facebook.com/ArmySmallBiz

Newsletter | March 2012

Ms. Marina Sullivan Program Manager New Concepts & Associates marina.g.sullivan.ctr@mail.mil

FY11 Army Prime Contract Awards (Total Spend: $90.92B) Spend

Percent

DoD-Assigned Goal

Small Business

$23.82B

26.20%

25.37%

Small Disadvantaged

$9.49B

10.45%

8.84%

Women-Owned

$4.12B

4.53%

3.84%

Mr. Cameron Miles cameron.e.miles.ctr@mail.mil

HUBZone

$4.59B

5.06%

4.13%

Veteran-Owned

$4.58B

5.04%

Mr. Anthony Braun anthony.m.braun2.ctr@mail.mil

Service-Disabled/Veteran-Owned

$3.18B

3.49%

$28.50M

7.14%*

Newsletter Produced By Halfaker & Associates, LLC Support Contractor to the Army OSBP

Mr. Ricardo Ruiz ricardo.ruiz@halfaker.com

Program

HBCU/MI

3.00%

FPDS-NG data on 01-03-2012 FPDS-NG data on 12-19-2011

Source: FPDS-NG data on 01-03-2012 * Percentage of Army contract spending with educational institutions.

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

Page 3 African-American History Month

Newsletter | March 2012

Page 4 Back to Table of Contents

Page 3 African-American History Month

Newsletter | March 2012

Page 4

Page 5 African-American History Month

Page 6 Back to Table of Contents

African-American History Month

5 1

Photos:

OSBP Director Attends Swearing-in Ceremony of First African-American Vice Chief of Staff of the Army n January 31, 2012, OSBP Director Ms. Tracey Pinson attended the swearing-in ceremony of the first African-American Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, General Lloyd J. Austin III.

General Austin commanded US forces in Iraq from September 2010 to December 2011. He oversaw the final withdrawal of troops on December 19. He succeeds retiring General Peter W. Chiarelli who served as the Vice Chief of Staff since August 2008 and retired on January 31, 2012.

Newsletter | March 2012

1. Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh swears in General Lloyd J. Austin III as the 33rd Vice Chief of Staff of the Army (previous page). 2

2. General Austin delivers his remarks. 3. Undersecretary of the Army Dr. Joseph W. Westphal, OSBP Director Ms. Tracey Pinson, LTG Dennis Via and his son Bradley Via at General Austin’s swearing-in ceremony.

Secretary of the Army John McHugh administered the oath of office and described General Austin as a “fullspectrum leader” who “has always led from the front.”

4. Secretary McHugh passes the Flag of the Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army to General Austin.

In his remarks, General Austin paid tribute to Army’s soldiers, describing them as “the fabric of our Army. They’ve made every seemingly impossible task look easy.” ■ Submitted by: Mr. Anthony Braun Support Contractor

5. Mrs. Dennis Via and Mrs. “Kip” Ward at the swearing-in ceremony.

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

Page 5

Page 6 Back to Table of Contents

African-American History Month

5 1

Photos:

Newsletter | March 2012

1. Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh swears in General Lloyd J. Austin III as the 33rd Vice Chief of Staff of the Army (previous page). 2

Secretary of the Army John McHugh administered the oath of office and described General Austin as a “fullspectrum leader” who “has always led from the front.”

4. Secretary McHugh passes the Flag of the Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army to General Austin.

5. Mrs. Dennis Via and Mrs. “Kip” Ward at the swearing-in ceremony.

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

Page 7 African-American History Month

Page 8 Back to Table of Contents

OSBP Team Visits Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial n October 11, the Army OSBP team visited the newly-opened Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on the National Mall.

The memorial was officially dedicated on October 16 in a ceremony attended by over 10,000 people. President Obama delivered the keynote address in which

he cited Dr. Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s struggle to correct the injustices of his time as a source of inspiration for overcoming challenges currently facing the nation. â&#x2013;

African-American History Month

Page 7

Page 8 Back to Table of Contents

African-American History Month

OSBP Team Visits Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial n October 11, the Army OSBP team visited the newly-opened Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on the National Mall.

The memorial was officially dedicated on October 16 in a ceremony attended by over 10,000 people. President Obama delivered the keynote address in which

he cited Dr. Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s struggle to correct the injustices of his time as a source of inspiration for overcoming challenges currently facing the nation. â&#x2013;

African-American History Month

Page 9 Program Focus

Page 10 Back to Table of Contents

Program Focus

2011 MacDill SDVOSB/VOSB SB Conference and Expo - “Taking the Steps to Success” n its 4th year, the 2011 MacDill SDVOSB/ VOSB Small Business Conference expanded its focus from service-disabled and veteran-owned small businesses to include small businesses in all socioeconomic categories. The conference was hosted jointly by the small business offices of the Air Force 6th Air Mobility Wing and HQ United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), Special Operation Research, Development, and Acquisition Center (SORDAC) from December 7 – 8, 2011 at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, FL.

This year, the conference was the largest since its inception four years ago. The attendance was made up of representatives from both industry and the federal government numbering in excess of 1,400 participants and approximately 200 plus exhibitors. The conference agenda was designed with a strong emphasis on education and providing a networking opportunity for the beginner, intermediate and advanced small business firms in attendance. The conference was marketed to all Small Business entities this year and the agenda offered ample opportunities for the attendees to network with peers and potential buyers (Federal and Industry). Participants were welcomed by Colonel James C. Hodges, Commander, Mission Support Group, USSOCOM, Colonel Kurt Bergo, Director of Procurement USSOCOM/SORDAC and Colonel Brett McMullen, Deputy Director of Procurement, USSOCOM/SORDAC-K. Keynote addresses were presented by Mr. Andre J. Gudger, Director, Office of Small Business Programs, Department of Defense, Mr. Joseph M. McDade Jr., Director, U.S. Air Force Office of Small Business Programs and Mr. Tom J. Leney, Executive Director, Small and Veteran Business Programs, Department of Veterans Affairs. In addition to the keynote addresses, the conference provided an opportunity for attendees to participate in plenary sessions where Agency small business Program Managers provided insights on the Agency vision for potential opportunities for small businesses to contribute to their mission success. Of particular note is the session presented by SDVOSB Program Mangers from the Army, Navy and Air Force OSBP –Government SDVOSB Panel Discussion. Attendees were also able to participate in other general sessions that covered topics

Newsletter | March 2012

Recipients of the “Pillar of the Movement” Award (from left to right): Mr. Rocky Bleier, National Spokesman, NaVOBA; MG Merdith “Bo” Temple, Acting Chief of Engineers, USACE; Mr. Joe Wynn, Treasurer, VET-Force.

Mr. James Lloyd, Program Manager, Army VOSB/SDVOSB Program speaks during the government SDVOSB panel.

Mr. Andre Gudger, Director, DoD Office of Small Business Programs delivers a keynote address.

of broad interest and breakout learning sessions that presented more focused “how to” topics. The breakout learning sessions ranged from topics beneficial to individuals at the initial stages of business development to more experienced small business firms. Some of the topics addressed included legal perspective, successful proposal submission, the industrial security program, joint ventures and teaming arrangements, the Mentor Protégé Program, and requirements for working on classified government contracts.

of the veteran business movement who distinguished themselves in setting and achieving goals to enhance the movement in a substantial and lasting manner. The awardees were Major General Merdith “Bo” Temple, Acting Chief Engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Mr. Rocky Bleier, National Spokesperson, National VeteransOwned Business Association (NaVOBA); and Mr. Joe Wynn, Treasurer, Veterans Entrepreneurship Task Force (VET-Force). ■

One of the highlights of the conference was the presentation and induction into the “Pillar of the Movement” award ceremony. The Pillar of the Movement Award was established in 2009 to honor members

Submitted by: Mr. James Lloyd Program Manager SDVOSB and HUBZone Programs

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

Page 9 Program Focus

Page 10 Back to Table of Contents

Program Focus

Newsletter | March 2012

Mr. James Lloyd, Program Manager, Army VOSB/SDVOSB Program speaks during the government SDVOSB panel.

Mr. Andre Gudger, Director, DoD Office of Small Business Programs delivers a keynote address.

Submitted by: Mr. James Lloyd Program Manager SDVOSB and HUBZone Programs

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

Page 11

Page 12 Back to Table of Contents

Program Focus

Army Mentor-Protégé Program Update xciting news! H.R. 1540 was signed by President Obama on December 31, 2011, which includes language in Section 887 extending the Department of Defense Mentor Protégé (MP) Program for an additional four years. The new legislation allows approval and award of new agreements through 30 September 2015, and continued management of existing agreements through 30 September 2018. We are excited about this news and look forward to executing additional MP contract agreements in FY12 and beyond. HOOAH!

As evidence of the programs vitality and successfulness over the years, this article will feature one of our most thriving mentor-protégé agreements – Jacobs Engineering Group (mentor) and TANTARA Corp. (protégé). The Jacobs agreement will begin its third and final

year in March under the Army and has thus far exceeded the expectations of all parties involved.

in the world, has done work for the Department of Defense (DoD) for more than 50 years. Jacobs has participated in DoD and other Federal MP Programs since 1996, mentoring 19 protégés and winning 4 Nunn-Perry Awards for outstanding and successful MP Program relationships. Technology Transfer Program Jacobs’ MP agreement with TANTARA features a Technology Transfer Program designed to enhance their technical capabilities, strengthen project management skills, increase their business base and revenues, and improve their competitiveness. To date, Jacobs has facilitated 19 technology transfer activities for TANTARA in the following areas: • Small Arms Firing Ranges (SAFR) • Regulatory Framework and Cleanup Strategies • Dredging • Health and Safety (Jacobs “Beyond Zero” corporate initiative to eliminate accidents and injuries) • Unexploded Ordinance (UXO) (Regulatory Framework, Cleanup Strategies, Detection Instruments and Techniques) • Quality Assurance (Plan Development)

TANTARA Corporation: A Small Business Success Story TANTARA Corporation entered into a Mentor-Protégé (MP) Program agreement in March 2010 with Jacobs Engineering Inc. as mentor. TANTARA, a WBE/DBE/SDB/ HUBZone/8(a) firm, was incorporated in 2000 and is headquartered in Worcester, MA. They provide remediation services to privatesector and federal clients, restoring sites with scopes including remediation system construction and operation, excavation and restoration, installation of barrier systems, operation and maintenance of water treatment plants, landfill and lagoon closures, and demolition. Jacobs, one of the largest and most diverse providers of technical, professional, and construction services

Newsletter | March 2012

TANTARA field crew at Westover AFB.

• Health and Safety (Safe Plan of Action) • Project Management Professional (PMP) Preparation Course • Project Execution Selected to assist the team with the Technology Transfer program, Florida International University (FIU) delivered PMP pre-test certification training. FIU also facilitated a 360-hour Management course delivered on-line and on-demand to TANTARA principles. TANTARA President, Dawn Dearborn, said: “FIU put what I knew and had learned over a period of 20 years into a nice, neat refresher course. Sometimes, you just put your head down and ‘go,’ not really taking the time to contemplate the impact some decisions have on an organization. Taking the course motivated me to develop TANTARA’s Values and Objectives Statement. It is displayed at all job sites and is on the wall in every office now. I put on paper what we stand for as a company. I had taken for granted that every employee knew that already, but they didn’t and neither did our clients. Now, that is the first thing I speak about when marketing new clients. It’s important to me that they know who we are and what we believe as well as what we can do for them.”

Program Focus TANTARA’s demonstrated capabilities include Construction, Construction Management, Environmental Remediation, Decommissioning and Demolition, Hazardous Waste Transportation and Disposal, and Asbestos/Lead/Mold Abatement. They have performed work for a wide variety of government and commercial clients including: • • • • • • • • • • • •

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Air National Guard Naval Facilities Command U.S. Air Force EPA Department of Energy Bose Corporation Baker Process Security Construction Intel Corporation Jacobs Providence Energy

Selected DoD Project Highlights Army Corps of Engineers, New England District – TANTARA completed asbestos abatement, remediation and demolition of three buildings at Westover Air Force Base (AFB). This was a design-build job; since there were no drawings, asbestos survey, or plan. TANTARA performed the asbestos and hazardous material surveys, worked with the local Conservation Commission to obtain permits for the work, and performed all of the work, including site restoration. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District – TANTARA worked two off-base water projects for the New England Corps of Engineers. The Peters River Erosion Repairs project involved diversion of the river, installation of an engineered slope system, gabions, safe conduit entry, and clean out. The conduit is quite long and runs under the city of Woonsocket and along the Blackstone River, which periodically rages and sustains high flow. The monitoring of the river to strategically manage the work and schedule around nature was new to TANTARA but proved to be an excellent learning experience for the company. The Union Village Dam Intake Channel Sediment Removal Project also expanded their water engineering capabilities. It included dredging the channel of the dam and dewatering the sediment for transportation and disposal. Both of these projects were design-build in which only conceptual plans were provided. TANTARA and the New England Corps worked collectively to design the work plans for both projects. In addition,

this is the greatest success so far that could be attributed to the MP Agreement. The mentoring Jacobs has provided us facilitated our being able to present ourselves in this new format and it has been a successful endeavor.” Please visit our website at www. sellingtoarmy.info for the complete Success Story on TANTARA. We wish TANTARA, and all of our participants, continued success and growth! ■ Submitted by: Ms. Peggy Butler Program Manager Mentor-Protégé and Subcontracting Programs

TANTARA reconstructed the Peters River Streambed.

TANTARA performed engineering scopes, which was a natural evolution to their existing construction and field service capabilities. After a successful marketing and business development effort, TANTARA has expanded its geographic reach during the past year. This was an outgrowth of the DoD MP Program with Jacobs. The company now has two Indefinite Delivery/ Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts from the Corps of Engineers Mobile District and is executing a substantial amount of work at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS), Patrick Air Force Base, and the Melbourne Optical Tracking Annex (MOTA) under its contracts. TANTARA has experienced significant revenue growth over the past two years. At the start of their MP Agreement, revenue was $1.4M. Last year, revenue reached $1.8M. Based on work completed and scheduled for this year, revenue is projected to exceed $5M. The company has also doubled its work force. Dearborn said, “The most dramatic change in the business has been our “backlog.” With the award of new contracts such as the NE MARC at $10M and two IDIQ contracts from the USACE Mobile District, we currently have a backlog of more than $20M for the next few years. Additionally, the work we have won this year was based on our qualifications rather than just low price. We have been able to sell the qualifications of our staff and our firm in order to win work. I think

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

Page 11

Page 12 Back to Table of Contents

Program Focus

year in March under the Army and has thus far exceeded the expectations of all parties involved.

Newsletter | March 2012

TANTARA field crew at Westover AFB.

Program Focus

TANTARA’s demonstrated capabilities include Construction, Construction Management, Environmental Remediation, Decommissioning and Demolition, Hazardous Waste Transportation and Disposal, and Asbestos/Lead/Mold Abatement. They have performed work for a wide variety of government and commercial clients including: • • • • • • • • • • • •

TANTARA reconstructed the Peters River Streambed.

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

Page 13

Page 14 Back to Table of Contents

Program Focus

3rd Annual NASBC/USWCC National Small Business Contracting Summit – Southeast he 3rd Annual National Small Business Contracting Summit – Southeast was presented jointly by the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce (USWCC) and the National Association of Small Business Contractors (NASBC). It was held in Orlando, FL on January 25 - 26, 2012.

There were 145 attendees from all over the country. Participants raved about the presentations and the opportunity to meet with agency and prime contractor representatives and resource providers. Army was represented by personnel from the Office of Small Business Programs, Mobile Army Corps of Engineers; Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation (PEO STRI); and the Jacksonville Army Corps of Engineers. The event provided attendees with the following opportunities: • Information on the increased federal focus on assuring small business federal contractors secure a fair share of federal

contracting (taxpayer) dollars • Access to federal agencies and prime contractor representatives • Timely education and information on current trends, opportunities and threats to small business contractors • Legal education important for teaming, joint ventures and related topics • Connections to potential teaming and joint venture partners • Taking new ground - setting a course for the future with specific FY 2012 objectives • Influence on The Hill -- connecting votes to action for our Congressional leaders

Contracting Mythology, Teaming & JV agreements, Leveraging Your Chamber to Grow Your Business. The afternoon portion of the event was devoted entirely to the small business matchmaking between industry and major prime contractors / government contracting officials. ■

Command Focus

Army Sustainment Command Acquisition Course Features OSBP Director as Guest Speaker

Submitted by: Ms. Stacy Watson Program Manager Women-Owned Program

Randy Edney, Associate Director, Office of Small Business Programs, PEO STRI provided a training session on “Things to Consider When Doing Government Contracting”. Elizabeth Myers, Small Business Adviser, Jacksonville ACE provided a training session on “How to Market Your Capabilities”. The event also included government training sessions on how to do business with DoD/NASA/ GSA/US Fish and Wildlife/NAVSUP, and industry training sessions on Government

Randy Edney, Associate Director, Office of Small Business Programs, PEO STRI.

Ms. Pinson and students from the Acquisition Intermediate Qualification Course.

n November 18, OSBP Director Ms. Tracey Pinson spoke on a panel for the Army Acquisition Center of Excellence FA51 (Acquisition) Intermediate Qualification Course (IQC) in Huntsville, AL.

Army representatives: Mary Moore, Chief of Contracting, Administrative Branch, Mobile ACE; Stacy Watson, Program Manager, Woman-Owned Small Business Program Army OSBP; Randy Edney, Associate Director, OSBP, PEO STRI; Tara Wagner, Deputy Associate Director, OSBP, PEO STRI; Linda Spadaro, Small Business Advisor, Mobile ACE; Elizabeth Myers, Small Business Advisor, Jacksonville ACE.

Newsletter | March 2012

Terry Williams, CEO, American Small Business Chamber of Commerce. Margot Dorfman, CEO, US Women’s Chamber of Commerce.

The FA51 (Acquisition) Intermediate Qualification Course (IQC) provides a more advanced acquisition-related education to military and civilians who have demonstrated exceptional leadership potential in previous acquisition assignments. It is designed to prepare students for critical acquisition assignments. The FA51 IQC develops acquisition Leaders capable of leading and managing any acquisition organization at the LTC/GS-14 level

and develops a pool of future senior officers and civilians trained in innovative leadership & acquisition topics. Topics include: site visits to government and commercial acquisition activities, senior acquisition (government, industry, and civic) guest speakers, instruction, and workshops on Leadership/Advocacy, Small Business Programs, and Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution (PPBE). Submitted by: Mr. Dwayne A. Morton FA51 Intermediate Qualification Course (IQC) Director Army Acquisition Center of Excellence (AACoE)

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

Page 13

Page 14 Back to Table of Contents

Program Focus

Command Focus

Army Sustainment Command Acquisition Course Features OSBP Director as Guest Speaker

Submitted by: Ms. Stacy Watson Program Manager Women-Owned Program

Randy Edney, Associate Director, Office of Small Business Programs, PEO STRI.

Ms. Pinson and students from the Acquisition Intermediate Qualification Course.

n November 18, OSBP Director Ms. Tracey Pinson spoke on a panel for the Army Acquisition Center of Excellence FA51 (Acquisition) Intermediate Qualification Course (IQC) in Huntsville, AL.

Newsletter | March 2012

Terry Williams, CEO, American Small Business Chamber of Commerce. Margot Dorfman, CEO, US Women’s Chamber of Commerce.

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

Page 15

Page 16 Back to Table of Contents

Command Focus

C4ISR Center of Excellence Reaches Out to Industry BERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. -- More than 450 business and economic development representatives from across the country gathered here Dec. 7-8, for the annual command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) Advanced Planning Briefing for Industry (APBI) and Small Business Conference.

In addition, Maj. Gen. Randolph P. Strong, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics LCMC Command, presented his “State of CECOM” briefing to 400 business and community representatives at a breakfast on Dec. 8 sponsored by the local chapter of the Armed Forces CommunicationsElectronics Association. The APBI is an opportunity for any business to find out about the major contracting opportunities that are currently projected for the next five years by the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command’s Software Engineering Center and its Logistics and Readiness Center; the Program Executive Office for Command, Control, CommunicationsTactical; the Program Executive Office for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Surveillance; and the CommunicationsElectronics Research, Development and Engineering Center. The C4ISR

team briefed approximately $14 billion in currently known potential contracts for fiscal years 2012-17. In addition, the new System of Systems Integration Directorate of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology provided a presentation on the new Agile procurement process and the Network Integration Evaluation process. The two-day event was aimed at raising awareness of the potential requirements needed within the C4ISR Center of Excellence to ensure support to the warfighter is done effectively and efficiently. In his State of CECOM presentation, MG Strong highlighted the past year’s accomplishments, his new priorities for the year, and his view of the challenges ahead. Strong said, “In our business, we have a definite need for industry partnerships because our capabilities are built largely on commercially-based products.” He emphasized the transition in the Army from the “Big Five” systems of the Abrams tank, the Apache helicopter, the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, the Paladin self-propelled howitzer and the Patriot missile system to the Network.

“The Network is the Army’s number #1 modernization effort,” Strong explained. “C4ISR systems will continue to be procured at substantial rates. There is a huge portfolio of systems that Team C4ISR provides.” C4ISR enterprise senior leaders took part in a detailed panel discussion about upcoming requirements and needs of their respective organizations for both large and small businesses. Briefings included the objectives for the available contracts; as well as the contract type; estimated contract values; milestones; and contracting points of contact. The dedication of a day solely to small business interests was explained by Gary Martin, CECOM’s deputy to the commanding general. “If there is anywhere where small business can be successful, it’s in the C4ISR industry.” Strong said he encourages the focus on small business because, in C4ISR, small businesses can provide in innovative equipment for such capabilities as command and control systems where that may not be possible in the larger weapons systems such as tanks. “In Fiscal Year 2011, there were 27,000 contracting actions from the C4ISR Center of Excellence and $11.7 billion for all U.S. obligations, “ said Kenyata Wesley, CECOM’s Associate Director for Small Business. “We awarded $1.4 billion of those eligible obligations to small businesses.” Skelly Holmbeck, an employee of Truestone, a company which is part of an Alaskan Native Corporation owned by the Iñupiat people of Northwest Alaska said, “The event (APBI and Small Business Conference) provided lots of great information and inspiration. It makes me so proud as an American to hear about our vision and plans for the future. And, I am enthusiastic about what we can do to help make that happen.” All briefings of potential contracting opportunities are available on the events’ registration website at: https://denalipub. army.mil/apbi.nsf. ■

Ms. Maria Esparraguera, the Chief Counsel for the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command discusses acquisition policy issues at the C4ISR Center of Excellence’s Advance Planning Briefing for Industry 7 Dec. More than 450 industry representatives came to Aberdeen proving ground to learn about $14 billion in potential contracts.

Newsletter | March 2012

Submitted by: CECOM Public Affairs

Ms. Tracey Pinson participated as a speaker. She is seated next to GEN. Ann Dunwoody, Commanding General, Army Materiel Command.

AMC Featured at NDIA Materiel Enterprise Small Business Conference UNTSVILLE, Ala. -- The National Defense Industrial Association’s Materiel Enterprise Small Business Conference featuring the U.S. Army Materiel Command took place at the Westin in Huntsville, November 16 - 17.

Small Business professionals from several federal agencies gathered to provide small and large business owners with the opportunity to obtain first-hand knowledge on how to successfully do business with the Army. “This conference is timely with AMC’s headquarters completing its transition to Huntsville,” said Tony F. Hodge, Program Manager for AMC’s Office of Small Business Programs. “It brings together industry leaders, government as well as the small business community to discuss timely topics that include recent changes that affect small businesses.” Gen. Ann Dunwoody, AMC’s Commanding General, briefed the audience on AMC’s current condition and the way ahead.

AMC supported two wars along with relief efforts in Haiti, Chile, and Japan while conducting a move that affected roughly one out of six of the more than 70,000 employees that work for the command. “It has been a tough decade but we have a lot to be proud of,” Dunwoody said. “People, our customers, don’t worry about what we do because they know we are going to deliver.” Dunwoody presented slides on what the Tennessee Valley community could collectively do to assist AMC in overcoming future challenges.

The conference also offered panels highlighting large businesses, small business success stories, networking opportunities and updates from senior leaders in contracting, procurement, and acquisition. For more information on doing business with AMC visit www.amc.army.mil/pa/ BusinessOpportunities.asp. ■ Submitted by: Ms. Cherish Washington AMC Public Affairs

“We are going to be expected to fight and win our nations wars. We are not going to say, ‘Sorry I had a budget cut, we can’t go do that,’” Dunwoody said. “We can’t just do less of what we’ve been doing. We have to fundamentally change what we’ve been doing, so we can get after the costs associated with the way we do business. That’s where we need your ideas, your innovation, and your good inventions,” Dunwoody continued.

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

Page 15

Page 16 Back to Table of Contents

Command Focus

Newsletter | March 2012

Submitted by: CECOM Public Affairs

Ms. Tracey Pinson participated as a speaker. She is seated next to GEN. Ann Dunwoody, Commanding General, Army Materiel Command.

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

Page 17

Page 18 Back to Table of Contents

Command Focus

Annual Small Business Conference for DoD Engineering, Construction and Environmental Programs

MG Merdith (Bo) Temple, acting Chief of Engineers and acting Commanding General, USACE, and MG Kendall P. Cox, Commander of the Transatlantic Division, USACE, provided remarks at the conference.

id you know that small businesses in the U.S. represent 99 percent of all employer firms, and employ about half of all private sector employees? Small businesses have generated 65 percent of the net new jobs over the past 17 years, and hire 43 percent of high tech workers, including scientists, engineers, computer programmers and others.

The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) understands the importance of small businesses. In Fiscal Year 2011, 42.5 percent of all USACE contract obligations were awarded to small businesses at a total value of $8.1 billion. I am very proud that our teams not only met but exceeded our assigned goals this year in every category, including awards to Small Disadvantaged, Service-Disabled VeteranOwned, Women-Owned and HUBZone businesses. Recently, Corps leaders and our hardworking acquisition professionals, as well as their counterparts from other Department of Defense (DOD) agencies, participated in the Society of Military Engineers’ annual Small Business Conference for DOD Engineering, Construction and Environmental Programs. This event and others like it offer small businesses vital information and training to prepare them to work with the government, while allowing us to learn how their companies can help the Corps serve the military and the Nation.

Newsletter | March 2012

If you take a look back at what the Corps has accomplished over the past year, you will see clearly the importance of our small business and industry partners. After five years of intense effort, we met our commitments to deliver $11 billion of Base Realignment and Closure projects to our military customers and provide 100-year risk reduction to the citizens of New Orleans with the massive $14 billion Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System. Our teams were on the ground this year helping communities recover from tornadoes and hurricanes and managing historic flooding throughout much of the country. Where the Corps has served our Nation, small businesses have played a vital role. The same is true overseas, where we are reaching out and working with local contractors in Europe, Asia and Afghanistan to build Host Nation Capacity. It takes the whole team – USACE and our federal partners, state and local agencies, tribal nations, special interest groups, academia and industry – to deliver sustainable engineering solutions and the Small Business community is a very important aspect of this! ■ Blog post: MG Merdith (Bo) Temple Commander (acting) US Army Corps of Engineers

Command Focus

Representative Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. Attends US Army Corps of Engineers Small Business Conference n the invitation of US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Acting Commander, MG Merdith (Bo) Temple, Congressman Bishop (D – GA) visited and met with several USACE senior leaders regarding the Corps’ small business program on 30 November 2011. At the start of the 112th Congress, Congressman Bishop was elected by his colleagues to serve as the top Democrat on the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee. Congressman Bishop applauded the Corps for efforts in providing contract opportunities to small businesses, minority businesses, and veteran owned businesses which help to stimulate our nation’s economic recovery.

Congressman Bishop is a strong advocate for jobs for veterans and contracts to veteran owned businesses. In July 2011, Congressman Bishop testified to the House Veterans Affairs Committee. During the testimony, Rep. Bishop said, “We have an obligation to help our veterans land on their feet when they come home and help them find good paying jobs to support their families. These members of our society have risked the most for our country. Our current system, although well-intended, simply does not focus enough on our service-members transition into civilian life.” Impressed with the small business achievements of the Corps of Engineers, Congressman Bishop also took time to speak with over 1800 attendees at the Society of American Military Engineers’ (SAME) 2011 Small Business Conference at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center at National Harbor, MD. The conference was for Department of Defense (DoD), Engineering, Construction and Environmental Programs with a major focus on USACE projects. This conference was a good opportunity for businesses to network with DoD and industry partners. Information was available on upcoming DoD and federal agency procurement opportunities. Throughout the conference, USACE Commanders or other key speakers shared invaluable insights into doing business with the federal government. ■

Rep. Sanford Bishop (D – GA).

BG Richard Stevens, Commander, Pacific Ocean Division, USACE, Rear Adm. Kevin Slates NAVFAC Atlantic, Congressman Bishop.

Submitted by: Marianela ‘Mattie’ Leonard and Jackie Robinson-Burnette Susan Hill, Congressman Bishop, Dr. Bob Wolff, and Lashone Goodman-Cooper.

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

Page 17

Page 18 Back to Table of Contents

Command Focus

Annual Small Business Conference for DoD Engineering, Construction and Environmental Programs

MG Merdith (Bo) Temple, acting Chief of Engineers and acting Commanding General, USACE, and MG Kendall P. Cox, Commander of the Transatlantic Division, USACE, provided remarks at the conference.

Newsletter | March 2012

Command Focus

Rep. Sanford Bishop (D – GA).

BG Richard Stevens, Commander, Pacific Ocean Division, USACE, Rear Adm. Kevin Slates NAVFAC Atlantic, Congressman Bishop.

Submitted by: Marianela ‘Mattie’ Leonard and Jackie Robinson-Burnette Susan Hill, Congressman Bishop, Dr. Bob Wolff, and Lashone Goodman-Cooper.

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

Page 19

Page 20 Back to Table of Contents

Command Focus

USACE Commander Recognizes Leaders for Excellence in Small Business Program Achievements G Merdith (Bo) Temple, acting Commander, US Army Corps of Engineers recognized the achievements of several Corps leaders during an Annual Small Business Awards luncheon. The event was held at the Gaylord National Harbor in Maryland on 30 November 2011. MG Temple is hands on when it comes to leading the Corps’ Small Business Program, because he understands the value of small businesses in revitalizing our economy. He challenges Corps leaders to look for ways to consistently award prime contracts to small businesses in every small business subcategory. In response, leaders across the Corps at every level excelled in small business achievements for FY2011. During the event, MG Temple recognized the following Corps leaders:

• COL Bruce Estok Commander, Seattle District, NWD

Colonel Richard Gridley Award for Excellence in SDVOSB Achievements

• COL Kevin Wilson Commander, Engineering Research and Development Center (ERDC)

• BG John R. McMahon Commander, Northwestern Division [award accepted by COL Tipton]

Submitted by: Jackie Robinson-Burnette Associate Director Office of Small Business Programs USACE

Small Business Champion Awards for exceptional Small Business Program Support

USAMRMC and Fort Detrick OSBP Participate in Procurement Conference Aimed at Helping Small Businesses

Division Small Business Specialist of the Year Award • Ms. Melea Crouse USACE Division Level Small Business Leader District Small Business Specialist of the Year Award

COL Robert Ruch receives HBCU/MI Star Award.

• Mr. Daniel Curado Albuquerque District, SPD

he U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC) and Fort Detrick Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) attended the 10th annual Strengthening the Mid-Atlantic for Tomorrow (SMART) Procurement & Expo conference Friday, 19 October in Frederick, MD.

HBCU/MI Star Award • COL Robert Ruch Commander, Omaha District, NWD

MG Merideth (Bo) Temple, Commander (Acting), USACE, and BG Harrison receive SB Champion Award for Exceptional Small Business Program Support.

• BG Theodore C. Harrison NCO Director

• Ms. Daphne Jackson Operations Manager (Civil Engineer) Nashville District, LRD

“This was the 10th conference and the biggest one yet, and it’s all about providing an outreach from our government to small business and supporting our defense programs,” Bartlett said. “Most of our innovation and creativity is from small business, and I’m just very pleased to see that there’s real interest.”

• Mr. Robert Byrne Chief, Programs & Civil Project Management Branch New England, NAD

Newsletter | March 2012

The daylong event, which attracted more than 800 people and featured 64 speakers and 51 vendors at the Francis Scott Key Holiday Inn, was organized by U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, a Republican representing the 6th District, in conjunction with SMART, a not-for-profit membership corporation of the technical community in Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The conference featured presentations and workshops by Fort Detrick and other federal government procurement officers, prime contractors and vendors, along with networking opportunities.

• Mr. Robert Fuchs Contract Specialist Portland District, NWD

• Mr. Henry Wigfall Contracting Officer Charleston District, SAD

Command Focus

COL Robert A. Tipton, Deputy Commander, USACE Northwestern Division (center), receives the Colonel Richard Gridley Award for Excellence in SDVOSB Achievements from MG Temple. On the right is Mr. Jack Beecher, Program Manager, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Program, USACE.

USAMRMC and Fort Detrick OSBP continue to be a pivotal participant in every SMART Procurement Conference

Jeff Gilchrist, operations director for Jen-esis of Hagerstown, left, explains the operation and capabilities of his firm’s mobile communications and surveillance truck to Tom Dillon of Tri-Cor Industries during the 10th annual Procurement & Expo conference Friday at the FSK Holiday Inn in Frederick. Photo by Bill Green.

that have been held in Frederick, Maryland. Each year, senior military and civilian leadership from USAMRMC, along with OSBP are honored to represent the command and installation at this premier procurement event. Coincidentally, this event attracts a plethora of reputable small business firms and large businesses seeking prime and subcontracting opportunities. A vast number of these businesses have previously communicated and received advocacy guidance from the OSBP. The over-arching goal for OSBP is continuing to empower, educate and encourage small business firms in their quest to learn, listen attentively, ask questions, network and compete for federal procurements/contracts that coincide with their core capabilities. Despite the current economic challenges

with the U.S. economy, small business firms are eager and better acquainted with the needs of USAMRMC, along with the other mission partners located in or in close proximity to the installation. ■ Note: Sections of this article are taken from an October 22, 2011 Frederick News-Post article by Ike Wilson. Reprinted with permission. Submitted by: Mr. Jerome Maultsby Associate Director Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, Fort Detrick

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

Page 19

Page 20 Back to Table of Contents

Command Focus

• COL Bruce Estok Commander, Seattle District, NWD

Colonel Richard Gridley Award for Excellence in SDVOSB Achievements

• COL Kevin Wilson Commander, Engineering Research and Development Center (ERDC)

• BG John R. McMahon Commander, Northwestern Division [award accepted by COL Tipton]

Submitted by: Jackie Robinson-Burnette Associate Director Office of Small Business Programs USACE

Small Business Champion Awards for exceptional Small Business Program Support

USAMRMC and Fort Detrick OSBP Participate in Procurement Conference Aimed at Helping Small Businesses

Division Small Business Specialist of the Year Award • Ms. Melea Crouse USACE Division Level Small Business Leader District Small Business Specialist of the Year Award

COL Robert Ruch receives HBCU/MI Star Award.

• Mr. Daniel Curado Albuquerque District, SPD

HBCU/MI Star Award • COL Robert Ruch Commander, Omaha District, NWD

MG Merideth (Bo) Temple, Commander (Acting), USACE, and BG Harrison receive SB Champion Award for Exceptional Small Business Program Support.

• BG Theodore C. Harrison NCO Director

• Ms. Daphne Jackson Operations Manager (Civil Engineer) Nashville District, LRD

• Mr. Robert Byrne Chief, Programs & Civil Project Management Branch New England, NAD

Newsletter | March 2012

• Mr. Robert Fuchs Contract Specialist Portland District, NWD

• Mr. Henry Wigfall Contracting Officer Charleston District, SAD

Command Focus

USAMRMC and Fort Detrick OSBP continue to be a pivotal participant in every SMART Procurement Conference

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

Page 21

Page 22 Back to Table of Contents

Command Focus | Small Business Career

The AMC is Open for Business — Take Another If You’re a Global-Ready, Look at the Non-Manufacturing Business Small Business Career Field ancy Small, Director of the Office of Small Business Programs at the AMC, says there are a lot of benefits to being at Redstone Arsenal and in Huntsville—benefits people outside of the Washington D.C. beltway might not believe.

is a four-star command, so we are a national organization, we support the local community, but our outreach is at the national level.”

Whomever they do business with has to be ready to act globally, which is a big step for most small businesses, Small says. AMC has worked with community groups to connect with local companies and to arm those companies with the knowledge of how to get their foot in the door. “We have done quite a bit of outreach through University of Alabama in Huntsville or Alabama A&M or some private non-profit organizations, like Women in Defense— spreading the word about business opportunities.”

“I tell everybody they better watch out, because Huntsville, Alabama is the Pentagon of the South,” Small says. “Pretty much everything that the Washington D.C. area provides, particularly from the large and small business corporations, they’re right outside our gate as well. When you talk about the economic support of the military, we have an extensive listing that could match the Pentagon,” she says. There can be benefits for local businesses wanting to do business with AMC, but there are a few things they must understand first, Small says. Although her job involves getting small business involved in AMC work, please, do not think you can come knocking on her door trying to sell something. AMC doesn’t buy goods out of the Huntsville headquarters and the work done there is not remotely related to manufacturing. It’s mostly logistics work that ensures soldiers around the world have what they need when they need it, and it’s a global mission that uses large and small businesses across the country. “Last year we put more than $13 billion into the small business economy” nationally. But, “you have to remember that AMC

Newsletter | March 2012

UAH has a Procurement Technical Assistance Center, which helps local businesses, particularly very new local businesses that have never done business with the government before, Small says. “They really have a great program, where they help them do their basic stuff,” such as getting through all of the registration processes. Companies who want to do business with her command or any other DOD installation need to understand what part of the work is actually done in their backyards, she says. AMC commander Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody “reminds us every day we are a global organization and just happen to be in a local environment. We have to keep AMC at that global level, and that is very critical and crucial, because we support worldwide. My job is to help the small businesses become more global, so their outreach can expand beyond the Tennessee Valley area.” Doing business locally is easy in an area with so many professional experts, she says. “Until you visit, you just would not believe the brain power or the economic impact that this community has.” ■ Ms. Tara Hulen Business Alabama Reprinted with permission

t is a new year and a lot of you are making resolutions. One resolution could be to change your career field. With President’s initiative for utilizing more small businesses, you may want to take a look at the Small Business Specialist (SBS) as an option. The SBS provides leadership and guidance to the acquisition community to help create opportunities for small businesses throughout the acquisition process. SBS also serve as the primary liaison between private-sector small businesses seeking to do business with government agencies. Defense Acquisition University (DAU) and US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) have indentified the SBS as part of the 1102 series - Contracting career field.

Many of you may be wondering how one becomes an SBS. The DAU contracting 1102 series formal training is required, however experience is more important. Whether or not you are Level II or Level III certified in contracting, experience will be critical to your success. This can include experience working with small businesses as well as acquisition experience. SBSs exist across various commands, which means that the education, training and experience you need to become a SBS will vary significantly from position to position. As an SBS, your acquisition experience and technical expertise will greatly assist the Army as it continually updates its acquisition regulations and conducts reviews of Army System Acquisition Review Council (ASARC) and Army Service Strategy Panel (ASSP). This career allows you to travel all over the world and meet new people. Let’s start the new year off right, by making a difference for Small Businesses. ■ Submitted by: Ms. Stacy Watson Program Manager, Women-Owned Program

Legislative Focus

Current Bills Affecting Small Business HR 282

HR 1425

To require Federal contractors to participate in the E-verify program for employment eligibility. The bill is sitting in committee.

Creating Jobs through Small Business Innovation Act of 2011. To reauthorize and improve the SBIR and STTR programs. HR 1425 -7/1/2011 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 85.

HR 598 To eliminate the preferences and special rules for Alaska native Corporations under the program. HR 598 - Referred to subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native affairs.

HR 674 Would repeal the 3 percent withholding on government payments to vendors. Signed by the President on 11/21/11. Became P.L. 112-56.

HR 829 Would prohibit the award of contracts in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold unless the prospective contract certifies in writing to the awarding agency that the contractor has no seriously delinquent tax debt. HR 829 - Ordered to be reported (amended) by voice vote.

HR 899 Would amend title 41 United States Code to extend the sunset date for certain protests of task and delivery order contracts. HR 899 - Placed on the Union calendar.

HR 2055 Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012. Making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012. This bill has become law.

HR 2146 Data Act. To amend Title 31, United States Code to require accountability and transparency in Federal spending. HR 2146 - 10/25/2011 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 174.

S. 236 A bill to eliminate the preferences and special rules for Alaska Native Corporations under the program under section 8(a) of the Small Business Act. S 236 - 1/31/2011 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

S. 493 HR 1163 To provide Federal contracting preferences for, and a reduction in the rate of income tax imposed on Patriot Corporations. HR 1163 - 3/17/2011 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

HR 1354 American Jobs Matter Act of 2011. To amend titles 10 and 41 of the United State Code to allow contracting officers to consider information regarding domestic employment before awarding a Federal contract. HR 1354 - 4/8/2011 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations and Procurement Reform.

A bill to reauthorize and improve the SBIR and STTR programs and for other purposes. S 493 - 5/4/2011 Senate floor actions. Status: Cloture on the bill (S. 493 ) not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 52 - 44. Record Vote Number: 64.

S. 633 A bill to prevent fraud in small business contracting and for other purposes. S 633 - 9/22/2011 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business. Source: www.govtrack.us Compiled by: Cameron Miles Support Contractor Army OSBP

HR 1424 Federal Acquisition Improvement Act of 2011. To improve the Federal Acquisition Institute. HR 1424 - 4/8/2011 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations and Procurement Reform.

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

Page 21

Page 22 Back to Table of Contents

Command Focus | Small Business Career

is a four-star command, so we are a national organization, we support the local community, but our outreach is at the national level.”

Newsletter | March 2012

Legislative Focus

Current Bills Affecting Small Business HR 282

HR 1425

To require Federal contractors to participate in the E-verify program for employment eligibility. The bill is sitting in committee.

Creating Jobs through Small Business Innovation Act of 2011. To reauthorize and improve the SBIR and STTR programs. HR 1425 -7/1/2011 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 85.

HR 598 To eliminate the preferences and special rules for Alaska native Corporations under the program. HR 598 - Referred to subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native affairs.

HR 674 Would repeal the 3 percent withholding on government payments to vendors. Signed by the President on 11/21/11. Became P.L. 112-56.

HR 899 Would amend title 41 United States Code to extend the sunset date for certain protests of task and delivery order contracts. HR 899 - Placed on the Union calendar.

HR 2146 Data Act. To amend Title 31, United States Code to require accountability and transparency in Federal spending. HR 2146 - 10/25/2011 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 174.

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

Page 23

Page 24 Back to Table of Contents

Success Story

Small Business by the Numbers

Size Standards: Know Your Size FY09 - FY11 Top Army Contracting NAICS codes FY09 - FY11 Army Spend

NAICS Code

NAICS Description

541330

Engineering Services

$35.74B

336992

Military Armored Vehicle, Tank, and Tank Component Manufacturing

$19.63B

236220

Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

$19.58B

336411

Aircraft Manufacturing

$17.62B

237990

Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction

$17.15B

336212

Truck Trailer Manufacturing

$11.16B

334511

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing

$9.26B

541710

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences

$9.00B

541712

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (Except Biotechnology)

$8.30B

561210

Facilities Support Services

$8.15B Source: FPDS on 1-24-12

ou can ask most people what size dress, pants or shoes they wear and they can quickly give you an answer. Did you know that the business where these items are sold also has a size? The Small Business Administration (SBA) is responsible for establishing a Table of Small Business Size Standards that is matched to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) that determines if a business is large or small. NAICS describe the various industries found in the private sector and fall under the purview of the Office of Management and Budget. For example, retail businesses fall under NAICS 44-45, Retail Trade, and are broken out into subsectors based on what the business sells. Department Stores (except discount Department Stores) that sell dresses have a NAICS of 452111 with a corresponding size standard of $30M. Discount Department Stores that sell dresses fall under NAICS 452112 with a corresponding size standard of $27M. Establishments that fall under these NAICS and others must be no larger than the SBA established size standard to be considered a small business.

Small Business at the cutting edge: the Switchblade.

AeroVironment Receives $4.9M Contract for Switchblade Agile Munition Systems and Services n June 29, 2011, AeroVironment, Inc., a Monrovia, California based small business, was awarded a $4.9M contract (W31P4Q-11-C-0258) by the U.S. Army Contracting CommandRedstone Arsenal, AL (ACC-RSA). The award is for the rapid fielding of the Switchblade Agile Munition Systems and Services to deployed combat forces.

The Switchblade is a miniature Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) capable of flying at high speeds and delivering its onboard explosive payload. The Switchblade is managed by the U.S. Army Close Combat Weapons System

Newsletter | March 2012

(CCWS), Program Executive Office Missiles and Space (PEO MS) at RSA. The Switchblade weighs less than 2 kilos and can be carried in a backpack. It is powered by a quiet electric propulsion motor and can be launched from a tube with its wings quickly unfolding. This will enable ground forces to launch and control the Switchblade without having to rely on support from other operating units. The Switchblade will stream live video in real time to the soldier on the ground. By using the controlled precision explosive payload of the Switchblade, the soldiers will gain a valuable advantage on the battlefield while minimizing collateral

damage from airstrikes. The switchblade is also equipped with a kill switch that will allow the operator to abort the mission at the last minute. AeroVironment was awarded this contract after many years of development, testing, demonstrations, and customer evaluations. The prototype for the Switchblade received safety confirmation as well as Military Utility Assessment by the U.S. Army in the fall of 2010. Submitted by: A. David Wall AMCOM OSBP

Business size is not simplistic. SBA’s size standards consist of 45 different size levels, covering 1,141 NAICS industries, and 17 sub-industry activities. Of these size levels, 32 are based on average receipts, eight are based on number of employees, and five are based on other measures. In addition, SBA has established 11 other size standards for its financial and procurement programs. With that said, have you ever considered if the size of a business matters when

you make purchases? When it comes to making purchases for the federal government, size does matter. Before making federal government purchases, a duly appointed Contracting Officer (KO) must first determine the appropriate NAICS and size for the item to be purchased. Additionally, the KO must determine if socioeconomic regulations governing federal contracts require that the purchase be made as a small business set-aside. If it is determined that the purchase must be made as a small business set-aside, the KO can only make the purchase from a business that falls within the size standard found on the SBA Table of Small Business Size Standards for that NAICS. You might question why it is important to now focus on this topic when NAICS and size standards have been around for a long time. The answer is twofold.

Second, the Army’s acquisition process and small business program is impacted by these ongoing changes. The Army annually spends billions of dollars that cross the spectrum of industries and their corresponding size standards. Over the previous three FYs, the Army’s top ten purchases (based on dollars) have fallen into NAICS categories 541330, 336992, 236220, 336411, 237990, 336212, 334511, 541710, 541712, and 561210 (see table). You can learn more and follow these changes by going to the SBA’s size standard information web page here: http://www.sba.gov/category/navigationstructure/contracting/contracting-officials/ eligibility-size-standards ■ Submitted by: Ms. Cynthia Lee Program Manager HBCU/MI and SDB/8(a) Programs

First, the SBA is currently in the process of incrementally reviewing each industry and the corresponding size standard. Changes are being made to each size standard as the SBA deems appropriate. To date, the size standards that have been reviewed are NAICS Sectors 44-45 (Retail Trade), 48-49 (Transportation and Warehousing), 51 (Information), 53 (Real Estate and Rental Leasing), 54 (Professional, Technical, and Scientific Services), 56 (Administrative and Support, Waste Management and Remediation Services), 61 (Educational Services), 72 (Accommodation and Food Services), and 81 (Other Services). Size standards for 44-45, 72, and 81 have been increased and the effective date was November 5, 2010.

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

Page 23

Page 24 Back to Table of Contents

Success Story

Small Business by the Numbers

Size Standards: Know Your Size FY09 - FY11 Top Army Contracting NAICS codes FY09 - FY11 Army Spend

NAICS Code

NAICS Description

541330

Engineering Services

$35.74B

336992

Military Armored Vehicle, Tank, and Tank Component Manufacturing

$19.63B

236220

Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

$19.58B

336411

Aircraft Manufacturing

$17.62B

237990

Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction

$17.15B

336212

Truck Trailer Manufacturing

$11.16B

334511

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing

$9.26B

541710

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences

$9.00B

541712

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (Except Biotechnology)

$8.30B

561210

Facilities Support Services

$8.15B Source: FPDS on 1-24-12

Small Business at the cutting edge: the Switchblade.

Newsletter | March 2012

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

Page 25 Small Business by the Numbers

Page 26 Back to Table of Contents

Increasing the Involvement of the Smallest Business in Army Procurement Percentage of FY11 Contracts between $3,000 and $150,000 Awarded to Small Business by Army Command

Small Business by the Numbers percent went to the top 100 firms receiving the most dollars and 60 percent went to the top 500. To put this in perspective, nearly 10,000 small businesses received at least $100,000 in contract awards from the Army in FY11, so the distribution of Army small business spending is heavily concentrated with a small percentage of firms at the top. The common benchmark for evaluating the Army’s Small Business Program, the percentage of contract awards going to small businesses, is strongly influenced by the awards received by this small group of the largest small businesses, which seems contrary to the spirit of the Program. If the purpose of the Program is to assist as many small businesses as possible in navigating the Army procurement process, surely we should also consider Army’s efforts to reach out to the smallest businesses, many of which are struggling startups. One way to reach out to the smallest businesses is to ensure that the Army is doing all it can to award contracts below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) to small business. These are small contracts – between $3,000 and $150,000 – that are required by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR 13.003(b)(1)) to be set aside for small businesses.1 Because the smallest firms are more likely to be operating in this price range, Army’s small business performance in this range is a good measure of efforts to reach out to the smallest businesses.

n measuring the success of small business programs, government officials tend to focus heavily on performance towards meeting contracting percentage goals. However, an analysis of FY11 spending data suggests that for the Army, this simple indicator is limited by the fact that it is mostly a reflection of contracting dollars going to a relatively small group of the largest small businesses. By looking at Army’s small business percentage in awarding

Newsletter | March 2012

smaller contracts, where most small firms operate, we can get a sense of the effectiveness of Army’s Small Business Program at expanding the Army’s small business industrial base across small businesses of all sizes. Analysis of this data suggests that the Army has room to improve in reaching out to the smallest firms. In FY11, Army awarded $23.82 billion in contracts to small businesses. Of this, 31

In FY11, only 60 percent of Army contracts within this range were awarded to small businesses.2 The percentage within each Army command varies between 43 and 81 percent (see above graph). While the FAR does permit an exception – in the case that competitive offers from two or more small businesses cannot reasonably be expected – it is likely, especially in commands with the lowest percentages, that many SAT procurements that could have gone to small businesses instead went to large businesses. Increased effort to ensure that this doesn’t happen would improve the Army Small Business Program’s effectiveness at increasing the participation of the smallest businesses in Army procurement.

Army-specific data for micro-purchases is unavailable, it may be worthwhile for Army OSBP to work with Army purchase cardholders to develop strategies for increasing small business participation in this range, as doing so would likely do much to increase involvement of the smallest businesses in Army procurement. Army met all of its small business contracting goals in FY11 – an unprecedented accomplishment. However, in order to get a better picture of the Army’s efforts to include firms of all sizes in its procurement process, it is valuable to look at small business utilization in small purchases, where the bulk of small businesses operate. Analysis of Army and Federal spending suggests that increased effort by small business specialists to work with contracting personnel to ensure that small businesses are always considered for these purchases would significantly improve access to Army procurement for the smallest firms, which typically need it the most. ■ Submitted by: Mr. Anthony Braun Support Contractor Army OSBP FAR 13.003(b)(1) states “Each acquisition of supplies or services that has an anticipated dollar value exceeding 3,000 ($15,000 for acquisitions as described in 13.201(g)(1)) and not exceeding $150,000 ($300,000 for acquisitions described in paragraph (1) of the Simplified Acquisition Threshold definition at 2.101) is reserved exclusively for small business concerns and shall be set aside (see 19.000, 19.203, and Subpart 19.5). See 19.000(b) and 19.502-2 for exceptions.”

FPDS-NG data on 12-22-2011

On an even smaller level, in a 19 December memo, the Office of Management and Budget revealed that in FY10, only 30 percent of federal-wide micro-purchases – purchases below $3000 – were from small businesses. Although

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

Page 25

Page 26 Back to Table of Contents

Small Business by the Numbers

Increasing the Involvement of the Smallest Business in Army Procurement Percentage of FY11 Contracts between $3,000 and $150,000 Awarded to Small Business by Army Command

percent went to the top 100 firms receiving the most dollars and 60 percent went to the top 500. To put this in perspective, nearly 10,000 small businesses received at least $100,000 in contract awards from the Army in FY11, so the distribution of Army small business spending is heavily concentrated with a small percentage of firms at the top. The common benchmark for evaluating the Army’s Small Business Program, the percentage of contract awards going to small businesses, is strongly influenced by the awards received by this small group of the largest small businesses, which seems contrary to the spirit of the Program. If the purpose of the Program is to assist as many small businesses as possible in navigating the Army procurement process, surely we should also consider Army’s efforts to reach out to the smallest businesses, many of which are struggling startups. One way to reach out to the smallest businesses is to ensure that the Army is doing all it can to award contracts below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) to small business. These are small contracts – between $3,000 and $150,000 – that are required by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR 13.003(b)(1)) to be set aside for small businesses.1 Because the smallest firms are more likely to be operating in this price range, Army’s small business performance in this range is a good measure of efforts to reach out to the smallest businesses.

Newsletter | March 2012

Small Business by the Numbers Army-specific data for micro-purchases is unavailable, it may be worthwhile for Army OSBP to work with Army purchase cardholders to develop strategies for increasing small business participation in this range, as doing so would likely do much to increase involvement of the smallest businesses in Army procurement. Army met all of its small business contracting goals in FY11 – an unprecedented accomplishment. However, in order to get a better picture of the Army’s efforts to include firms of all sizes in its procurement process, it is valuable to look at small business utilization in small purchases, where the bulk of small businesses operate. Analysis of Army and Federal spending suggests that increased effort by small business specialists to work with contracting personnel to ensure that small businesses are always considered for these purchases would significantly improve access to Army procurement for the smallest firms, which typically need it the most. ■ Submitted by: Mr. Anthony Braun Support Contractor Army OSBP FAR 13.003(b)(1) states “Each acquisition of supplies or services that has an anticipated dollar value exceeding 3,000 ($15,000 for acquisitions as described in 13.201(g)(1)) and not exceeding $150,000 ($300,000 for acquisitions described in paragraph (1) of the Simplified Acquisition Threshold definition at 2.101) is reserved exclusively for small business concerns and shall be set aside (see 19.000, 19.203, and Subpart 19.5). See 19.000(b) and 19.502-2 for exceptions.”

FPDS-NG data on 12-22-2011

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

Page 27 Calendar of Events

Page 28 Back to Table of Contents

Calendar of Events

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

Newsletter | March 2012

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

Page 27 Calendar of Events

Page 28 Back to Table of Contents

Calendar of Events

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

Newsletter | March 2012

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

Page 29

Page 30 Back to Table of Contents

Holiday Highlight

Holiday Highlight PC Sarah Deckert, SGT, USA created this gingerbread Pentagon for display in the Army Executive Dining Facility over the holidays. She spent two weeks on the project and says she was motivated by the challenge of recreating such an impressive building out of gingerbread..

It is an annual tradition for the Army Executive Dining Facility to present a gingerbread house during the holidays. SPC Deckert has worked in the food service industry for over 10 years and joined the Army two years ago. She is a member of the Pentagon Culinary Arts Team as well as the US Army Culinary Arts Team, which will be competing at the Culinary Olympics in Erfurt, Germany in October 2012 â&#x2013;

Newsletter | March 2012

Page 29

Page 30

Holiday Highlight

PC Sarah Deckert, SGT, USA created this gingerbread Pentagon for display in the Army Executive Dining Facility over the holidays. She spent two weeks on the project and says she was motivated by the challenge of recreating such an impressive building out of gingerbread.. It is an annual tradition for the Army Executive Dining Facility to present a gingerbread house during the holidays. SPC Deckert has worked in the food service industry for over 10 years and joined the Army two years ago. She is a member of the Pentagon Culinary Arts Team as well as the US Army Culinary Arts Team, which will be competing at the Culinary Olympics in Erfurt, Germany in October 2012 â&#x2013;

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

Production of the next issue is already underway! Please submit articles to: cameron.e.miles.ctr@mail.mil or anthony.m.braun2.ctr@mail.mil

Article submission deadline: 30 March, 2012.

Feedback Let us know what you think about the newsletter by filling out our ICE comment card at: www.sellingtoarmy.com/feedback/ newsletter.asp

Newsletter | March 2012