Edwards AFB News

AFFTC taking care of business

  • Published
  • By Kenji Thuloweit
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  It may not be noticeable on the surface, but a lot of what keeps Edwards running is due to small businesses. Construction projects, janitorial services and parts supply are just a few examples of the products and services companies are providing on base, which keep the nation's premier flight test center operating successfully.
 
Instead of going out and looking for business, the Edwards Small Business Program Office invited small businesses on base to meet with squadrons, organizations and large companies that may be looking to hand out contracts for products and services.

The Air Force Flight Test Center annual small business seminar did just that, May 26 and 27. "The Path to Desert Opportunities" was dedicated to promoting communication between base personnel who develop requirements and purchase products and services, and small businesses that are looking for contracts.

About 200 small business owners and representatives attended the two day event, which started out at Club Muroc with guest speakers from across base. The large amount of attendees required the seminar to be moved to the Community Center on the second day where buyers and contractors could meet and talk about potential business opportunities at Flight Test Nation.

"It's important for us to allow small businesses face time with Edwards personnel," said Donna L. Thomason, Edwards Small Business Program Office director. "It also helps the base find out what businesses are out there that can potentially provide products and services."

Small business representatives met with personnel from a variety of organizations around Edwards. Air Force Research Laboratory, 95th Contracting Squadron, NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, Northrop Grumman, General Services Administration, Lockheed Martin and 412th Contracting Office were some of the organizations meeting with small business representatives and contractors.

The Community Center set up numbered stations where squadrons and companies met with different contractors on the second day. The large number of small business representatives made the face-to-face sessions tight so contractors and buyers were limited to 15 minute meetings and then would rotate to another station.

"With the economy the way it is, there are a lot of small businesses looking for customers.  So, this is great way for the Edwards community to see what's out there and a great way for the businesses to market themselves," said Ms. Thomason. "These small businesses help keep the base running smoothly."

Ms. Thomason added that a certain amount of contract money is mandated to go to small business contracts every fiscal year. A base like Edwards is always looking for new contractors to provide a variety of services and products such as construction, engineering, facility management, parts and training.

The majority of the small businesses represented were from California but there were some from as far as Atlanta, Ga.

Edwards and NASA Dryden will hold a similar event July 8 at Club Muroc. The vendor fair is free to attend. Vendors interested in participating need to register by June 30. For more information call 277-8443.