Big thoughts on small business shared during seminar

  • Published
  • By Rebecca Amber
  • Staff writer
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  More than 80 companies sent representatives to the Air Force Test Center Small Business Seminar held June 10 at the Airman and Family Readiness Center. Everything from construction services, furniture and medical suppliers, to engineering firms with research and development capabilities, was represented.

The first part of the seminar covers the basic requirements for doing business with the AFTC, the 412th Test Wing and Air Force Research Laboratory. A rep from the base explains the capabilities and resources available to the businesses and upcoming service contract needs for Edwards.

Then the businesses have a chance to sit down for a one-on-one with a contracting officer during match-making sessions. During that time, the companies can pitch their goods and services as well as ask more detailed questions about doing business with Edwards. By the end of the session, the company should have a better idea of whether the business relationship will be a good fit.

"Our job is not just to find small businesses to use for Air Force requirements, it's also to help small businesses with dealing with the federal government overall. The processes, the systems they have to be aware of, the registrations, certifications, terminology of how things are done so they can make better decisions on what they want to do," said Dwight Franke, AFTC small business director.

As an added benefit, the seminar is a good opportunity for the companies to network with each other. Several larger businesses, Lockheed Martin, Hewlett Packard and Corvias Military Housing attended to explore subcontracting opportunities.

"It's kind of a win-win for the government and small businesses coming together. There are networking opportunities so that they can, totally independent of the Air force, increase their reach or sales and we get to learn about new technologies and capabilities that we didn't know exist."

The Small Business Program exists to increase the overall industrial base capacity and capability to enhance the overall economy of the United States. The seminar was a team effort between the AFTC Small Business Office, AFRL and the 412th Civil Engineering Group.

For more information about small business opportunities at Edwards contact the Small Business Programs Office at 661-277-3640 or email aftc.sb@edwards.af.mil.