Submitted by Army Office of Small Business Programs T

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1 August December 2008 Inside this issue: Structural changes at AMC Headquarters OSBP 12th Annual Small Business Conference Woman-owned business wins weapon cleaning contract Wounded Soldiers and Family Hotline $1Billion for Small Business AMCOM OSBP Contacts 7 UPCOMING EVENTS: 19th Annual OSDBU Procurement Conference, 22 Apr 09 Department of State, Small Business Fair, 17 Jun 09 5th Annual National Veterans Small Business Conference, Jul 09 For more information on upcoming events visit: and click on Calendar of Events DoD Aw ards Recognize Army Acquisition Professionals and SDVOSBs Submitted by Army Office of Small Business Programs T he Service-Disabled Veteran- Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) awards ceremony on November 17, recognized the efforts of 17 contractors, business owners, agencies and civil servants for efforts during Fiscal Year 2007 in a ceremony at the Pentagon hosted by the Department of Defense (DoD). Three of these award recipients support Department of the Army programs: one government employee and two prime contractors. The SDVOSB Achievement Award recognized businesses that have excelled in the areas of innovative technologies for the Warfighter and their impact on the veteran and service-disabled veteran community and the business. Captain (Ret.) Dawn Halfaker, CEO, Halfaker and Associates, LLC, based out of Washington, D.C., accepted the award on behalf of her company. Halfaker and Associates, LLC is an 8(a), Woman-Owned, HUBZone SDVOSB Small Business providing national security services to the U.S. Government. Tony Ortiz of Millennium Systems Services, Inc. (MSSI), based in Huntsville, Ala., also took home an SDVOSB Achievement Award. MSSI was founded in 2001 as an SDVOSB with 8(a) certification. Their achievements in FY07 were in support of the Army Aviation Mission in Iraq an Afghanistan, where they have employees imbedded with the aviation units. MSSI has also grown to be an essential part of the Theater Aviation Maintenance Program and its employees have and continue to provide continuity for units rotating to and from the theater of operations. The Golden Talon Award was given to Mark Mailander, administrative contracting officer for the Omaha District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, for excellence in promot- Captain (Ret.) Dawn Halfaker, CEO of Halfaker & Associates, receives the SDVOSB Achievement Award from Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England (also pictured below) at the SDVOSB awards ceremony on November 17. ing the program and providing opportunities for veterans by using companies employing disabled veterans. Mailander currently serves as the Black Hills Area Engineer and has proactively mentored military installations within his Area of Operations with regard to the availability of local SDVOSBs. Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England presented the awards and remarked on the importance of supporting veterans entrepreneurial efforts. We owe it to our veterans and particularly to our disabled veterans to give them every opportunity they can to continue to contribute to this great free society, England said. They make a positive impact, and we want to see these businesses continue to do well. It s good Continued on page 2

2 DoD Awards Recognize Small Business From page 1 for them, it s good for us, it s good for America. The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program (SDVOSB) is a federal program that was established in 1999 to foster career opportunities to disabled servicemembers. According to DoD Office of Small Business Programs Director Anthony Martoccia, DoD has awarded $3 billion in fiscal year 2008 in prime contracts to companies owned by servicedisabled veterans. The total awards for subcontracts for such companies has nearly doubled to $1.5 million from about two years ago. For more information on the SDVOSB Program, visit programs/veterans/index.htm. New Structure Implemented at Headquarters, Army Materiel Command, Office of Small Business Programs Submitted by Ms. Giselle Whitfield The Headquarters, Army Materiel Command (AMC), Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) would like to announce the new structure effective October 1, Ms Nancy D. Small was appointed Director, HQ AMC, OSBP. Ms. Small previously served as the Assistant to the Director, Secretary of the Army, OSBP, and was the Woman-Owned Small Business Program Manager and has held numerous key acquisition positions. Ms. Small has gained three new leaders in the HQ AMC, OSBP: Ms. Mary Moore assumed the position of Deputy Associate Director, with over 25 years of contracting and acquisition experience. Her previous position was Program Manager/Contracting Officer for the Reserve Component Automation Systems. Ms. Giselle Whitfield assumed the position of Program Manager, with over 23 years of contracting and acquisition experience and two years of small business experience. Her previous position was Acting Associate Director and Deputy Associate Director for Information Technology E-Commerce Commercial Contracting Center (ITEC4) OSBP. Mr. Lance Wiltshire assumed the position of Management Analyst, and has over 27 years of government service. His previous position was a Command Operations Specialist in the Office of the Secretary of the General Staff, HQ AMC. Effective September 1, 2008, the U.S. Army Senior Procurement Executive designated the Head of Contracting Activity authority for the new Army Contracting Command. The Deputy Associate Directors, OSBP, are responsible for implementing the Small Business Program for the Major Subordinate Commands (MSC) Head of Contracting Activity and executing the policies, directives, and goals of AMC, OSBP: U.S. Army Contracting Command (ACC) Ms. Alice Williams-Gray Mission Installation Contracting Command (MICC) Ms. Lenneia Jennings Expeditionary Contracting Command (ECC) - Vacant U.S. Army Aviation & Missile Life Cycle Management Command (AMCOM LCMC) Mr. David Seitz U.S. Army Sustainment Command (ASC) Mr. Robert Matthys U.S. Army Communications-Electronic Life Cycle Management Command (CECOM LCMC) Ms. Marcia Easton U.S. Army Joint Munitions & Lethality Life Cycle Management Command (JM&L LCMC) Mr. Eric Bankit U.S. Army Research Development & Engineering Command (RDECOM) Mr. John O Brien U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command (TACOM LCMC) Mr. John Madden For contact information for the HQ AMC, Office of Small Business Program please visit

3 The conference provided a wide range of information on partnering for success between small business and the military. 12 th Annual Small Business Conference Submitted by Ms. Giselle Whitfield National Defense Industrial Association sponsored the Army Materiel Command s (AMC) 12 th Annual Small Business Conference in McLean, VA from November 12-13, The conference provided a wide range of information on partnering for success between small business and the military. Some of the topics discussed during this conference included an outlook on the current economic situation, considerations for business and an update on the state of small businesses. Ms. Kathryn Condon, Executive Deputy to the Commanding General, kicked off the conference by providing opening remarks and emphasizing the importance of the forum. Ms. Condon reiterated that the conference was great avenue to partner for success and encouraged the attendees to connect with quality vendors and subcontractors. The conference attracted 401 participants consisting of representatives from large primes, small business firms and a wide variety of contracting officials from the Federal Government. The two-day conference featured a networking reception, an exhibit area and a closed Associate Director s (AD) Session. The AD s Session included all of the Major Subordinate Command s OSBP and broached numerous topics concerning small business. Jackie Robinson-Burnette (ACC) discussed small business participation, an esrs overview was presented by Rosemary Kemp (ACC) and Kristine Preece (BTA) and the MTAPP was discussed by Marilyn Nash (TACOM MTAPP Program Manager). The Associate Director s Overview included critical information on upcoming acquisitions and was provided by each of the Major Subordinate Command s AD s: Alice Williams - ACC, John O Brien - RDECOM, Robert Matthys - ASC/JMC, Eric Bankit - JM&L LCMC, Marcia Easton - CECOM LCMC, John Madden - TACOM LCMC, and David Seitz - AM- COM LCMC. Ms. Tracey Pinson, Office of the Secretary of the Army, Office of Small Business Programs, provided strategic insight on the way forward. BG James Hodge (SDDC) and BG Larry Wyche (JMC) made a special appearance in the session to further encourage the AD s for a job well done. During the conference the U.S. AMC MG Pillsbury presenting the AMC SB Specialist of the Year Award to Rachel Eggleston, Crane Army Ammunition Activity, Office of Small Business Programs Small Business Specialist of the Year award was presented by MG James Pillsbury to Rachel Eggleston, Associate Director for the Crane Army Ammunition Activity, Office of Small Business Programs. Ms. Eggleston was commended for her outstanding contributions and leadership in advancing the role and participation of small and disadvantaged businesses along with Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Institutions in fulfilling the requirements of AMC and the Army. Under her leadership, Crane Army Ammunition Activity awarded $4.4M and exceeded all small business category goals. The conference also offered a Business Opportunities Fair featuring Small Business Advocates from all of the Major Subordinate Commands, to include Missile Defense Agency and the National Guard Bureau, which provided key information about opportunities within the commands. The fair facilitated oneon-one counseling from the OSBP, Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, Missile Defense Agency and the National Guard Bureau. Concurrent to the fair were breakout sessions. Simone Jackson, ITEC4 OSBP and Michelle Currier, ACC Enterprise & Installations Operations, conducted breakout sessions on opportunities within ITEC4 and marketing to the federal government, respectively. The conference provided two-days full of information, leaving the attendees upbeat about the marketplace and excited about the future for small businesses. Next year s conference will be held at the Hilton McLean in McLean, VA on 2-3 December The AD s Meeting will be held the afternoon of December 1, 2009 and the morning of December 2, Page 3

4 Otis Technology will be responsible for providing a minimum of 15,000 kits with the potential to provide up to 1,250,000 kits. This award could bring a $330M total value if the maximum is purchased. Woman-Owned HUBZone Business Wins Award to Build Individual Weapon Cleaning Kits Submitted by David Drag E very soldier gets indoctrinated with the phrase, Take care of your weapon and it will take care of you. Weapon cleaning just became a little easier with the award of an Individual Weapon Cleaning Kit to a Woman-Owned, HUBZone firm from Lyons Falls, New York, by the name of Otis Technology, Inc. Otis Technology, Inc. was founded in 1985 by Doreen Williams Garrett when she was a high school student. Garrett conceived the idea of a portable gun cleaning kit after a bad day of hunting. She was 15 years old at the time, and before another year had passed, she developed a prototype. Her first sales came at an industry trade show, and as the orders rolled in, she put her family to work around the kitchen table. The product was a three-and-ahalf inch cleaning kit attached to a belt called, The Whole Kit and Caboodle. Today, Otis Technology employs 150 people at its Lyons Falls plant and the company serves three markets: Military, Law Enforcement and the Commercial Market. When the Joint Munitions and Lethality Life Cycle Management Command (JM&L LCMC) at Picatinny Arsenal had a requirement for a weapons cleaning kit, Otis Technology submitted its bid. After the closing of the solicitation and the completion of technical evaluations, Otis Technology, Inc. had demonstrated that they were more than capable in meeting the government s requirement and the award was made on and it will take care of you Take care of your weapon September 25, The cleaning system selected consists of 26 cleaning components designed for cleaning efficiency, weapon and optics maintainability in garrison, or during field operations. This military issue cleaning system cleans and maintains the M9 9MM, 7.62MM Rifles, M16-A1-A2- A4, M4, M249 SAW and all other 5.56MM variants. Flexible, Memory Flex cleaning rods and 100% Cotton Patches quickly clean the re- An Individual Weapon Cleaning Kit created by Otis Technology, a Woman-Owned HUBZone Small Business. The company recently won a contract to provide a minimum of 15,000 kits to the Joint Munitions and Lethality Life Cycle Management Command (JM&L LCMC) at Picatinny Arsenal. ceiver, chamber, neck, and bore; obstruction removers knock out bore obstructions and stuck cases. There is a special scraper and pick for the bolt face, slide and locking lugs, and there are all purpose brushes and a comprehensive instruction booklet to maintain flawless performance in mission critical situations. Otis Technology will be responsible for providing a minimum of 15,000 kits with the potential to provide up to 1,250,000 kits. This award could bring a $330M total value if the maximum is purchased. Currently the government has awarded the First Delivery Order to Otis Technology in the amount of $39 million and deliveries are now taking place to support our troops across the globe. As Otis Technology continues its growth, it has a goal of introducing five new products to the market each year. Building on the company reputation, Otis Technology prides itself in bringing premium products to the market. As the company turns to more sophisticated solutions to issues facing its customers in the firearms market, Otis Technology is being asked for more information on how and why their products work. Note: All information in this article was obtained from an interview with Otis Technologies Inc. marketing department Page 4

5 Small Business Office Sends Care Package to Af ghanistan Submitted by Jackie Robinson-Burnette The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Office of Small Business Programs initiated an effort to send a care package to the Office of the Principal Assistant Responsible for Contracting - Afghanistan. Several members of the U.S. Army Contracting Command contributed The Center for Contracting Excellence awarded the Wounded Soldiers and Family Hotline (WSFH) contract with an award ceiling price of $13,105,828 ($3,276,457 per year for four years) to National Sourcing, Inc. (NSI) a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business firm located in Tampa Florida on January 15, 2008 with work beginning on February 3, Previously the contract was cost plus fix fee and included 42 full time employees and 78 Army representatives providing oversight. The awarded contract is time and material and governed by the Service Contract Act (Wage and Determination). to the box of cookies, candy, books, coffee, and so much more. COL Jeffrey D. Willey, Deputy Commander for Contract Operations, Afghanistan PARC, is pictured with the other PARC staff. COL Jeffrey D. Willey deployed from the U.S. Army Contracting Command, Fort Belvoir - Spring SDVOSB wins Wounded Soldiers and Family Hotline Submitted by Pamela Monroe, Center for Contracting Excellence Through August 30, 2008, for services related to WSFH, NSI has billed approximately $1,062 monthly, which extrapolated over twelve months is $1, annually. It is estimated that NSI will save the Department of Defense in excess of $4,000,000 in contractor payments over a four year period. Additionally as a result of the screening and hiring practices introduced by NSI the call center is efficiently managed with oversight from 6 Army representatives versus the 78 required in Most importantly, through organizational realignment, process improvements and focus, the quality of service that WSFH is providing for Wounded Soldiers and their families is exceptional. Page 5

6 The EXPRESS Program utilizes multiple-award Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPA) and is divided into four Domains: Business & Analytical, Logistics, Programmatic, and Technical. Each Task Order is competed among all teams within the appropriate domain. In accordance with the terms and condition of the BPA, the large business BPA Holders under EXPRESS are encouraged to propose a Direct Award to one of their small business team members, essentially providing an informal mentoring program for the Direct Awardee. On EXPRESS, all the small business team members under the BPA Holders have the required General Services Administration (GSA) schedule permitting them to receive a Direct Award. $1Billion for Small Business AMCOM EXPRESS Expanding Small Business Participation Submitted by David Seitz Army Materiel Command The Expedited Professional and Eng i n e e r i n g S u p p o r t S e r v i c e s (EXPRESS) Program provides advisory and assistance service to the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Life Cycle Management Command (AMCOM) and its customers supporting the Warfighter. EX- PRESS has been and continues to be a very successful part of AMCOM s Small Business Program. Since its inception in April 2005, there have been a total of 290 tasks orders issued on EXPRESS, with 195 task orders (67%) going to small businesses. As of September 30, 2008, a total of $2,574,319,007 was obligated on the EX- PRESS between April 2005 and September 2008, with a total of $1,246,523,934 (48%) successfully obligated to small businesses. There have also been a total of 32 direct awards to small businesses made on EX- PRESS to date for a total of $232,126,757. In the last 12 months, approximately $1 Billion ceiling dollars have been successfully awarded to small businesses. The EXPRESS Program utilizes multiple-award Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPA) and is divided into four Domains: Business & Analytical, Logistics, Programmatic, and Technical. Each Task Order is competed among all teams within the appropriate domain. In accordance with the terms and condition of the BPA, the large business BPA Holders under EXPRESS are encouraged to propose a Direct Award to one of their small business team members, essentially providing an informal mentoring program for the Direct Awardee. On EXPRESS, all the small business team members under the BPA Holders have the required General Services Administration (GSA) schedule permitting them to receive a Direct Award. EXPRESS includes sixteen BPA Holders (prime/team leader) with teaming arrangements that include over 930 individual companies composed of team members and subcontractors representing a vast pool of expertise. In mid December/mid January, AMCOM will be announcing an open season to restructure existing teams for all four Domains. The purpose of this open season is to allow the existing EXPRESS BPA Holders (prime/team leader) to restructure their existing teams by adding new team members and subcontractors, deleting their current team members and subcontractors, changing their current subcontractors to team members, changing their current team members to subcontractors, and/or revising teaming arrangement(s) to enable them to better respond to future EXPRESS task order requirements. EXPRESS currently consists of four large business BPA Holders (prime/team leader) and twelve small business BPA Holders (prime/team leader). Due to required recertifications taken place in April 2008, EX- PRESS now has nine large business BPA Holders (prime/team leader) and seven small business BPA Holders (prime/team leader) making the preponderance of the BPA Holders large businesses. On July 15, 2008, AMCOM synopsized a special 2008 Open Season to add small business BPA Holders (prime/team leader) to enhance small business participation on EXPRESS. AMCOM announced that it intended to award an estimated two additional small business BPAs in Business & Analytical, three additional small business BPAs in Logistics, three additional small business BPAs in Programmatic, and five additional small business BPAs in Technical with one of the five small business BPAs in Technical being reserved for an 8(a). However, AMCOM did state that they reserved the right to vary the number of awards depending on the number of responsive proposals submitted. On September 3, 2008, the Request for Quotations (RFQs) were released to add small business BPA holders to the EX- PRESS Program in all four domains. Respondents were allowed to seek consideration as a prime/team leader in more than one domain. Eligibility to compete for the anticipated BPA awards is limited to those small businesses who hold one of the required General Services Administration (GSA) schedules and who meets the size standards for the NAICS applicable to that schedule identified as primary for the EXPRESS program. Page 6

7 OSBP Points of Contact Ms. Tracey L. Pinson Director Mr. Paul L. Gardner Deputy Director Program Manager, Small Business Mr. James Lloyd Assistant to the Director, Program Manager, SDVOSB & HUBZone Ms. Peggy Butler Assistant to the Director Program Manager, Mentor-Protégé & Subcontracting Ms. Cynthia Lee Assistant to the Director Program Manager, HBCU/MI and 8(a)/SDB Ms. Suellen Jeffress Assistant to the Director Program Manager, Woman-Owned Ms. Edith St. Catherine Staff Action Control Specialist U. S. A R M Y Office of Small Business Programs 106 Army Pentagon Room 3B514 Phone: Fax: Registration now open at Early Bird Registration Deadline: April 30, 2009 Page 7