Small Business Workshop Brings Navy, Industry Together

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Tamara Vaughn | 180830-N-RJ834-013 CLEVELAND (Aug. 30, 2018) Deputy Director of the Office of the Secretary Navy Small Business Program, Arveice Washington speaks during a joint small business workshop with the Ohio Procurement Technical Assistance Center at the Cuyahoga County Council Chambers in downtown Cleveland, Ohio during Cleveland Navy Week. The Navy Office of Community Outreach uses the Navy Week program to bring Navy Sailors, equipment and displays to approximately 14 American cities each year for a week-long schedule of outreach engagements designed for Americans to experience firsthand how the U.S. Navy is the Navy the nation needs. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tamara Vaughn/Released)  

CLEVELAND, OHIO, UNITED STATES

08.30.2018

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Tamara Vaughn 

Navy Public Affairs Support Element East - (Active)

CLEVELAND – The Office of the Secretary Navy Small Business Program’s Deputy Director Arveice Washington cohosted a joint small business workshop with the Ohio Procurement Technical Assistance Center at the Cuyahoga County Council Chambers in downtown Cleveland during Navy Week Cleveland, Aug. 30.

More than 60 small business representatives attended the forum, which was designed as an education and awareness event to discuss the defense contracting processes and open a dialog between the Navy and small business owners.

“Navy week is a great occasion to encourage a meeting of the minds and educating small businesses on how to do business with the Navy and Marine Corps," said Washington. “Our goal is to help small businesses be better prepared by teaching the attendees about solicitations and the common mistakes found in proposals submitted for solicitations.”

The one-day event included information about subcontracting opportunities with the Department of Defense (DoD), Small Business Administration programs and certification requirements.

"Helping the small business owners understand the meaning of key contracting terms, contract formats, and allowing them to provide better proposals and more opportunities to be awarded government contracts,” said Washington. “In turn, it will make it easier for the Navy's acquisition teams to evaluate the proposals and enhance business development and technology capabilities."

Small business representatives were interested in learning how to improve marketing skills, gain various resources, and networks to grow to acquiring work for the U.S. Navy.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for the small business community in Ohio to participate in a workshop with a Navy representative," said Supervisory, Business Opportunity Specialist Cleveland District Office, John Renner. "It is about creating a win-win situation for the small business owner and ultimately, the U.S. Navy.”

Each Year the federal government procures more than $500 billion worth of purchases and services from businesses across the country. The Navy Small Business Program helps assist small businesses, including veteran-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, HUBZone, small disadvantaged and women-owned small businesses in marketing their products and services to the DoD.

• Date Taken: 08.30.2018
• Date Posted: 09.05.2018 12:43
• Story ID: 291151
• Location: CLEVELAND, OHIO, US