Washington, D.C. – Calling them "indispensible to our nation’s economic recovery," National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Administrator Thomas P. D’Agostino today highlighted the Department of Energy’s and NNSA’s commitment to small businesses during remarks to the DOE’s Annual Small Business Conference & Expo.
In remarks titled "Investing in the Future Means Investing in Small Businesses [1]," Administrator D’Agostino noted that small businesses create about 2 of every 3 new jobs in America each year, and that more than half of working Americans own or work for a small business. For NNSA, Administrator D’Agostino said "small business is good business" because small business contracting helps reduce overhead costs and "helps us be more efficient in the use of taxpayer dollars."
The largest civilian contracting agency within the Federal government, the Department of Energy has more than doubled its total small business achievement over the last decade – from $3.8 billion in FY 2000 to $7.7 billion in 2010. This week’s conference in Kansas City, Missouri, which drew more than 1,600 participants, will present information to help small businesses across the country benefit from federal funding including grant opportunities, contracting openings, and subcontracting options.
The following are excerpts of Administrator D’Agostino’s remarks as prepared for delivery:
- ON NNSA’S KANSAS CITY PLANT: "It is fitting that we are holding this meeting here in Kansas City, home to one of our nation’s most important national security facilities. The 2,500 hard working, talented and dedicated federal and contractor employees at KCP play a vital role in implementing the President’s nuclear security agenda and keeping the American people safe and secure."
- ON THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION’S COMMITMENT TO SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: "President Obama and Secretary Chu recognize that in these tough economic times, small businesses and entrepreneurs are indispensible to our nation’s economic recovery. It is through the innovation of entrepreneurs like you that new industries and durable jobs will be created – something our economy especially needs after going though the worst recession since the great depression."
- ON THE DEPARTMENT’S RECORD OF SUCCESS: "I am proud to represent the Secretary and the Deputy Secretary at this conference. Under their leadership, the Department has made promoting and encouraging small business contracting a major priority. During the 10-year period between FYs 2000 and 2010, the Department’s total small business achievement more than doubled – from $3.8 billion in FY 2000 to $7.7 billion in 2010."
- ON NNSA’S INVESTMENT IN SMALL BUSINESSES: "At NNSA, our federal offices obligated $396 million in small business contracts in 2010, surpassing our small business goal by 39 percent for the year. Collectively, our seven M&O partners obligated almost $2 billion on small business contracts in 2010. That is up from $1.6 billion in 2009."
- ON IMPROVING EFFICIENCY: "Our motivation for using small business is not altruism. For us, small business is good business. Using small business companies helps us be more efficient in the use of taxpayer dollars, reducing overhead operating costs."
- ON STRATEGIC SOURCING: "Strategic sourcing is the government's trend for the future. For DOE, that means opportunities for both prime and subcontracting. DOE's strategic sourcing initiatives will ensure that small businesses will have a strong presence. More small businesses will have the opportunity to team with others across multiple sites. Together, we are creating a wonderful environment for a small business to expand on a regional or even national level."
- ON NNSA’S SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT CENTER: "Take, for example, the Supply Chain Management Center (SCMC), which is managed right here in Kansas City. Since 2007, we have saved more than $213 million by pooling the purchasing of common goods and services and by leveraging combined purchasing power. Small businesses play a major role in producing those savings. More than 90 percent of the award value identified in the current agreements were awarded to small businesses."
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Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a semi-autonomous agency within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science in the nation’s national security enterprise. NNSA maintains and enhances the safety, security, reliability, and performance of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without nuclear testing; reduces the global danger from weapons of mass destruction; provides the U.S. Navy with safe and effective nuclear propulsion; and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the U.S. and abroad.
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