Spotlight on D.O.E. Contracting - December 10, 2010

Received from DOE:

As we are nearing the date for the “Business Opportunity Session” (BOS) with the “Minority Business Round Table,” (MBRT), the MBRT members should be aware of how the Department of Energy (DOE) is structured, how we make purchases, and what to expect at the BOS.  On December 10, 2010, the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) will host a “BOS” in collaboration with the MBRT, a small business association.  Due to the uniqueness of DOE business model, i.e., approximately 85% of DOE’s prime contracting base is spent with major prime contractors that manage and operate government-owned national laboratories and facilities.  Only 15% of DOE’s contracting dollars remain for direct prime contracting with small and large businesses, interagency agreements and mandatory purchases, e.g., utilities.  As a result of this business model, the greater opportunity for contracting with small businesses often is at the subcontracting level. 

For this BOS, each DOE office, and contractor laboratory and facility, were queried as to their FY 2011 prime and subcontracting opportunities, and the availability of a person to present the opportunities to the BOS attendees.  Eight laboratories and facilities  responded by indicating that they have FY 2011 subcontracting opportunities that they can present to the MBRT members and other BOS attendees.   Accordingly, we have arranged to use the Department’s Audio Visual facilities to stream the presentations from these field presenters, in a way that will enable interactive video and audio discussions.  In addition, three field representatives will travel to DOE to attend both the BOS general session in the morning, and the MBRT-focused panel discussion in the afternoon.  These representatives will provide personal contacts for MBRT networking now and in the future.     

Further, the OSDBU staff will be available to field questions of a general nature, and to ensure that the MBRT attendees receive the most positive experience in exchanging business information with appropriate representatives of these laboratories and facilities.  To that end, we will provide to MBRT members the list of opportunities presented by the field facilities, as well as their contact 

We welcome MBRT members to the BOS on December 10, and invite them to network with DOE personnel beyond the event.  Mr. Kent Hibben, of the OSDBU staff is coordinator of the BOS event.  He can be reached at:  kent.hibben@hq.doe.gov, (preferably) or at: (202) 586-7377. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Brenda DeGraffenreid

Acting Associate Director

Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization (ED-3)

U.S. Department of Energy

Washington, DC 20585

(202) 586-4620

Brenda.degraffenreid@hq.doe.gov