Small Business Is Big Business for U.S. Army, OSBP Director Says

In January, Tommy Marks, director, U.S. Army Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP), spoke to a packed house at the Fort Belvoir Officers Club about the money the Army spends with small businesses; changes to the small business procurement environment affecting small and large businesses alike; and when, where and how small businesses should engage with the OSBP, contracting officers and requiring activities for maximum effect. Marks reminded audience members that "Small business is big business in the Department of the Army," as evidenced by the fact that the Army leads the federal government in small business contracting. Of the $88.7 billion in federal contracts awarded to small businesses in fiscal year 2015, $17.5 billion, or 19.7 percent, came out of the Army—more than any other federal agency or military service. Key focus areas for the Army OSBP in fiscal year 2017 include: 1) Small business participation in major systems programs; 2) Promoting greater involvement of small businesses in Army contracts for services; 3) Small business participation in outside the contiguous U.S. contracts; 4) Staffing of small business offices and development of personnel; and 5) Maximizing the use of set-aside authority under multiple award contracts. Marks' slides are available on the chapter website under the Events tab. Thank you to Eric Strauss, chapter vice president for small business programs, for pulling this succesful event together.

Event Photographs: