Small Business Executives Learn to Align Capabilities with Navy Missions through Upcoming Contracting Opportunities - Southern Maryland Online

By Mike Welding, NSWC Indian Head Division Public Affairs, and John Joyce, NSWC Dahlgren Division Public Affairs
Lt. Col. James Bachinsky, Joint Staff Comptroller Acquisition Management Branch Chief, briefs more than 250 executives representing over 100 companies at the 20th Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) "Small Business Opportunities Fair and Conference" held at the University of Mary Washington (UMW) Dahlgren campus May 8.
DAHLGREN, Va. -- A capacity crowd of small business executives discovered a myriad of partnering and prospective contracting opportunities at the first joint "Small Business Opportunities Fair and Conference" featuring two Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Divisions at the University of Mary Washington (UMW) Dahlgren campus May 8.

Top NSWC Indian Head Division and NSWC Dahlgren Division leaders representing command, technical, small business and contracts offices shared their knowledge and expertise with businessmen and women interested in becoming a partner or expanding their current partnership with NSWC.

"With the increased emphasis on competition in the current business environment, keeping an eye on small businesses and small business participation is critical," said Kris Parker, NSWCDD Deputy for Small Business. "Events such as this, help us (NSWCDD & NSWCIHD) determine who's out there from a partnering standpoint, and help small businesses determine what efforts are coming up and where they should apply their limited resources."

What's more, the Navy's current and potential small business partners learned precisely how they could align with the capabilities of the two warfare center divisions.

"I am extremely encouraged and optimistic about the future," said Earnest King, Chief Marketing Officer, II Corps Consultants, Inc. "Perhaps the most beneficial aspect of the conference was the open lines of communication and willingness of the small business advocates at both NSWC Dahlgren Division and NSWC Indian Head Division to assist small businesses with insight and forecasted opportunities to evaluate."

King was among approximately 250 executives representing more than 100 companies who enjoyed a series of "firsts" at the event, including:

-- A combined overview of both the NSWC Dahlgren Division and NSWC Indian Head Division Warfare Centers (NSWCIHD).

-- In-depth technical and business overviews presented by command staff from both NSWC Divisions.

-- A new UMW Dahlgren Campus location to allow for easier access and greater participation.

The businessmen and women also networked with professionals from other small businesses, large businesses and academia - furthering their opportunities for teaming and partnerships.

They listened to NSWCIHD Commander Capt. Andrew Buduo and NSWCIHD Technical Director Dennis McLaughlin as well as NSWCDD Commander Capt. Michael Smith and NSWCDD Technical Director Carl Siel present command technical and business overviews geared to helping small and large business executives and entrepreneurs guide their business decisions.

"The warfare centers complement one another," said Smith, pointing out that every Navy warfare center division has its own niche and collaborates closely. "For instance, Dahlgren Division tests products developed at Indian Head."

The event promoted service contract opportunities for small businesses with the Pentagon-based Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Maryland-based NSWC Indian Head Division and Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division as well as NSWC Dahlgren Division, headquartered in Virginia.

"Indian Head is a good place to do business," Buduo said. "Our work is projected to grow over the next several years."

It may seem counterintuitive during a time of declining defense budgets to expect growth, but it has a lot to do with Indian Head Division's mission beyond service contracts, explained McLaughlin.

"Developing energetics weapons systems is a very unique business," he added. "For instance, we are the only site that conducts substantive work in all phases of weapon energetics."

Chiefs of Contracts from NSWCDD and NSWCIHD - Pat Canciglia and Penny Kennedy respectively - provided procurement forecasts and explained how they handle changes in the procurement environment while focusing on small business.

"We are looking at our initiatives to improve our small business contracting," Kennedy said. "This is one reason we are doing things like industry days, to reach out to small businesses and educate them about what we do."

Both warfare centers partner with industry to bring innovative solutions and performance improvements to the warfighter at a reduced cost.

"NSWC Dahlgren is recognized for its leadership in systems integration," said Siel. "We rely on you to augment that leadership. The complex systems we develop and support require quick and ready access to new technology and unique skills in order to meet the needs of our warfighters. Sometimes the response time can be very short. Readiness is everything."

The capabilities of small businesses to provide rapid and cost-effective technological solutions are considered an invaluable resource by the event's leaders faced with challenges associated with reducing total ownership costs across the Navy.

"Without question, budget constraints are having an impact," said Smith. "But we continue to deliver critical technology and products and are recognized for our leadership in surface warfare and systems engineering."

NSWC Indian Head is planning to have another industry outreach day in January, 2013, one that will focus on the command's 144 technical areas. "We expect an uptick in work due to our unique technical capabilities," said McLaughlin. "Our manufacturing workload is already increasing and may offer an opportunity for contractor surge support."

The warfare centers' parent command, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), has also embarked on a larger initiative to promote competition on contracts. According to NAVSEA's Head of Contracts, Jerry Punderson, NAVSEA contract work totaled $36 billion last year, with much of it going to single competitive bid contracts.

NAVSEA wants to reduce the number of single competitive bid contracts for several reasons, particularly to improve buying power.

"From a total ownership cost perspective, hosting the event at the University of Mary Washington allowed Dahlgren to realize a savings of approximately $15,000," said Parker.

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CelebrAsian Business Opportunity Conference 2012 to be held June 4 - 6 in Bethesda, Maryland - Sacramento Bee

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WASHINGTON, May 15, 2012 -- /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation (USPAACC) will hold its annual flagship event, CelebrAsian Business Opportunity Conference 2012, on June 4-6 at the Marriott Bethesda North Hotel & Conference Center in Bethesda, Maryland. This year's theme is "The Future is Now: Seize It & Win It."

Ravi Saligram, CEO of OfficeMax and Kyle McSlarrow, President of Comcast/NBCUniversal, Washington, DC are the Conference Co-Chairs. Corporate Co-Chairs are Comcast/NBCUniversal, Marriott International, OfficeMax, PepsiCo, and Wells Fargo. Asian American Business Co-Chairs are Fine Tec and Fortinet.

To date, more than 60 Corporations, 15 Government Agencies, 115 Asian American-owned businesses, and 7 Media Partners are participating in the Conference.

CelebrAsian is the only annual national Pan Asian American business conference in the United States. It provides Asian American-owned businesses wide access to contract opportunities, growth industries, strategic solutions and best practices to thrive in the global marketplace.

"Our mission is to provide parity and a roadmap to opportunities for business-to-business Asian American-owned enterprises nationwide so that they can compete effectively in the mainstream," said Susan Au Allen, USPAACC National President & CEO.

Every year, CelebrAsian connects hundreds of top-caliber Asian American suppliers with buyers from Fortune 1000 Corporations and the Federal, State and Local government, through informative summits, workshops, networking events, and its signature pre-scheduled one-on-one business matchmaking meetings. This year, USPAACC lists over 90 different types of commodities needed to be purchased across industries.

Last year, CelebrAsian was held in Los Angeles, where over 600 conference participants came from all over the country and over 500 pre-scheduled one-on-one business matchmaking meetings were held. "What a fantastic event! I met several suppliers with whom we are now working to further assess their capabilities and opportunities," said Marianne Strobel, Executive Director, Supplier Diversity, AT&T Services.

The specially-designed sessions will include: Under 40 Millionaire Entrepreneurs – Success Stories; Procurement Officers Forum; Asia Trade Mission Roundtable; Welcome Reception and Asian American Directors' Awards; Industry Focus Groups (A&M, Construction, IT, Telecom); Supplier Diversity & Small Business Program Caucus; Access to Capital: Financing Through Investors & Banks; Business Express: Ready Set Grow - What Are the Many Roles of a CEO in a Growing Small Business?; Crack the Code of Marketing to Corporations & Government 101; Taking Your Relationship with Corporations & Government to the Next Level: Advanced Contracting; Asian American CEOs: Living the American Dream; Excellence Awards Gala Reception and Dinner; Presentation of the Fast 50 Asian American Businesses; Guanxi* Supplier Opportunity Fair; One-on-One Prescheduled Business Matchmaking Meetings; Business Leaders and College Scholarship Luncheon (*Guanxi is a business term meaning "connections" or "relationship") and much more.

For more information or to register, visit www.celebrasianconference.com or www.uspaacc.com or call USPAACC at (202) 296-5221.

SOURCE US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation

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Contractors eye Tanger Outlets opportunities - Maryland Community Newspapers Online

Business executives are guardedly hopeful that they?ll get a piece of the action when the 460,000-square-foot Tanger Outlets retail center comes to National Harbor within a year.

Officials from both the Peterson Cos., owner and developer of nearby National Harbor in Oxon Hill, and Tanger discussed the project?s status and upcoming business opportunities with representatives from more than 50 small and minority-owned businesses Tuesday at the Oxon Hill Library.

?We have things like this all the time. My concern is that this is not one of those show-and-tell fronts and that it?s legitimately open to the people of Prince George?s,? said Vernon Richardson, vice president of Judd Enterprise in Capitol Heights.

Peterson is in charge of site work, which should begin in October, once all approvals are secured, said Steve Green, vice president of construction at Peterson.

Tanger, of Greensboro, N.C., will be handling the interior work, which has a ?racetrack design,? so shoppers can walk along paths with stores on either side. With up to 80 separate stores in eight buildings to outfit, local companies also could find potential contracts, said Charles Worsham, vice president of development for Tanger. He emphasized that Tanger does not control tenant fit-outs.

?The depth of opportunity is tremendous,? Worsham said, adding that both Peterson and Tanger are partnering with Prince George?s County and its minority business programs to ensure those businesses have access to these contracts.

Because the project is private, neither Peterson nor Tanger is required to have a goal for minority business participation.

Executives at the gathering were excited by the project, although some said they were unsure if they would be able to get contracts on it.

Richardson said he hoped his company could land some information technology contracts. Given the county?s previous reputation for letting major contracts out of state, Prince George?s officials are more cautious now and will work harder to ensure local participation, he said.

?I?m salivating over those tenant buildouts. I could do them in my sleep,? said Nick Mona, president of Mona Construction in Annapolis. ?There?s pieces here for everybody.?

But Ralph Ifeagwu of Apex Petroleum of Upper Marlboro was skeptical about the lack of minority business requirements.

?There?s a possibility not a single minority business in this room will get any business,? he said.

He referred to the National Children?s Museum scheduled to open in National Harbor in the spring of 2013. That project also started with no requirement and then adopted a 30 percent minority business participation goal.

?Without that goal, my inclination is to believe this is a waste of time,? Ifeagwu said.

Joy Anderson, president of JRA & Associates Contracting in Clinton, said she hopes her previous work on National Harbor projects such as Periwinkle will give her an edge in the contracting process.

?Peterson seems to push contracts toward minorities,? she said.

lrobbins@gazette.net

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Businesses question new Prince George’s fund - Maryland Community Newspapers Online

Prince George?s business executives have mixed feelings about the county?s new $50 million Economic Development Incentive Fund, which began taking applications Thursday.

More than 250 people attended an information session Wednesday at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt to hear the county?s economic officials discuss how the fund will work.

The fund — the economic development centerpiece of County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (D) and approved by the county council last year — commits $50 million to business projects that boost economic development and employment in the county.

?I think it?s a good opportunity and I have interest in trying to utilize it. My concern is that small businesses don?t get cut out,? said Yrico Alexander, COO of Aries Enterprises in Upper Marlboro, an environmental services company. ?This could potentially level the playing field.?

The money will been distributed over several years, from about $7 million to $11 million annually. Most will be in loans, although the county may reward grants in extraordinary circumstances involving a larger number of jobs in competitive situations. Priority will be given to projects that maximize local minority business enterprises and projects that provide county jobs, as well as transit-oriented development, international projects and projects with key county economic impact, according to county officials.

?Prince George?s County is the economic engine of the Washington metropolitan region,? Baker said. ?The thing we were missing is having people look at us. That?s what this fund is about.?

Many Prince George?s residents commute elsewhere to work: As of 2009, the county?s ratio of jobs to residents was about 35 percent, while neighboring counties were closer to 45 percent or 50 percent. The county also had fewer jobs in 2011 than in 2000, with slightly fewer than 300,000 last year compared with 300,000 a decade ago, despite a significantly larger population.

The new fund involves a 15-step process, a portion of which will be on administrative levels after a loan is closed. The steps start with an application and review from the county?s Economic Development Corp., credit underwriting with the county?s Financial Services Corp. and an administrative review. Most loans should be processed within 90 days, according to county officials. Loans also include an application fee equal to 1 percent of the loan amount.

Shelley Gross-Wade, CEO of the Financial Services Corp., said that if businesses do not qualify for the fund, the county will help them explore other funding opportunities.

She said the county is looking to see what other funding the project includes, so it can best leverage its loans. Loans will be based on projected job creation.

Alexander already is looking to fund a project that could grow Aries from 15 employees to 35.

?I want to see this handled differently than other opportunities in the past,? he said of the fund.

?Anytime you have money available for small business, it makes sense,? said Michael Dupye, whose Baltimore business MABD Direct consults small-business clients in Prince George?s. ?You have to get people in the position to access the money.?

Others still have concerns.

Stephanie Johnson, CEO of the Hair Care Co. in Camp Springs, said she thinks the county is trying its best to help small businesses.

?I don?t think $50 million is enough,? she said, adding that if the fund can help 100 businesses, that will still be helpful.

She also expressed concern about the collateral that businesses need to match the funding base, questioning whether it was accessible to small businesses.

?I don?t think it?s really providing the necessity that?s needed,? said Deirdre Young, president of Green Leaves Eco Place, a nonprofit in Clinton. ?At some point, you have to give new business opportunities. There?s a lot of stringencies. You need to have a few where you give people an opportunity to show what they?re capable of.?

Young particularly took issue with how the fund allows a nonprofit to use its money only to grow its revenue base, not to defray operating costs, and its focus on existing businesses, rather than startups.

But Najah Ishman, COO of the upcoming Suitland Technology Center, said she was not discouraged.

?In terms of what we?re trying to do in Suitland as far as economic development, we could be the catalyst for that. This can definitely help,? Ishman said. ?I think you have to have a plan. Partnerships and collaborations are huge.?

lrobbins@gazette.net

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