Last week representatives from small and native owned businesses met at the annual National 8(a) Association National Small Business Conference in Orlando, Florida, to showcase their value to federal government agencies as well as build skills to help deliver on the mission.
Events such as this one help to showcase the value that an important group of partners bring to the federal government. It’s a common misperception that only large corporations work with federal agencies. There are approximately 9,000 8(a) businesses working with federal agencies to deliver mission-critical services.
At the conference Jimmy Smith director of the Department of the Navy’s Office of Small Business Programs encouraged organizations to “[b]e bold!” While Denise Randolph, the department’s Chief of Staff encouraged small and native owned businesses to connect with the Navy’s small business programs to access resources and contracting opportunities.
This sentiment was echoed by experienced 8(a) business leader, Ryan Maloney, President of Chenega Systems who noted that, 8(a) businesses bring vital services to the government to help them navigate the digital transformation process. “The main way we help the government … is through our streamlined acquisition process,” he shared. “Every contract is done through the Alpha contracting process, which has allowed us to provide turnkey solutions for the federal government.”
Interested in hearing more about the value that 8(a) and native-owned businesses bring to the federal government? Our podcast will get you up to speed:
