Edwards AFB News

AFFTC Small Business office hosts 2-day seminar

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stacy Sanchez
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The Air Force Flight Test Center Small Business office hosted a seminar April 10 and 11 at the Conference Center here.

The purpose of the two-day seminar was to introduce several opportunities available on base to small businesses in California as well as the United States.

"The small businesses learned about the different opportunities the base has and learn about the different contractual requirements that are scheduled to come up in the near future," said Donna Thomason, AFFTC Small Business office director. "They also learned what the (AFFTC) requirements are in conducting business with the base."

The small businesses received briefings from Col. David Miller, AFFTC vice commander, Col. Nancy Wharton, 95th Air Base Wing commander, and Col. Arnold Bunch, 412th Test Wing commander. They also received information from NASA Dryden Flight Research Center and a list of tenants and other government agencies.

Ms. Thomason said Edwards needs to work with small businesses because they make up 90 percent of the U.S economy.

"We have mandated goals that allow us to award so many of our contracts to small businesses locally and throughout the country," Ms. Thomason said. "And it is just a smart thing to do by working with them. Small businesses are the ones who help develop our new requirements that create new jobs here."

This is the first time the AFFTC Small Business office has held a seminar on base.

"I think the seminar is a great move," said Travis Mack, Saalex Solutions Inc. founder. "If you never get in front of your customer, they never know you exist. So this is a great way to meet with your customer."

Mr. Mack also said the seminar was a perfect venue to come out and get exposed to the environment and agencies operating at Edwards.

On day two of the seminar, the small business office allowed one-on-one interaction between small businesses and government personnel.

"I was excited about the interaction," Mr. Mack said. "It gives us an opportunity to meet one-on-one with some of the decision-makers on base. It's just another opportunity to get in front of your target audience. Hopefully this will show Edwards that there are small businesses in the community that are capable of getting the job done."

From a small business perspective, Mr. Mack said that it would be great to work with Edwards because he feels that small businesses tend to make their customers their No.1 priority.

"We had a pleasure meeting with all the small businesses," Ms. Thomason said. "This seminar was very well attended. We though it gave people an opportunity to see what we do here and to get a better understanding of Edwards and our mission."