The supply chain management (SCM) team at Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) - the management and operations contractor at the Savannah River Site (SRS) in Aiken, South Carolina - received three awards. In FY17, the SRNS SCM team allocated $36 million to new small businesses, with $10 million of that going to local small businesses.
SRNS Procurement Director Jay Johnson received the Facility Management Contractor (FMC) Procurement Director of the Year award for his commitment to maximizing small business utilization through policies, procedures, outreach, and creating an atmosphere with a “small business first" mindset throughout the organization.
“One of our strategic goals in procurement is to be active and progressive advocates for small businesses. We’ve exceeded our goals the past two years and are on track to exceed them again this year. These awards give us some kind of indication that we’re heading in the right direction," Johnson said.
Alex Agyemang, SRNS procurement manager of small business programs and supplier partnering, received the FMC Small Business Program Manager of the Year award for nearly doubling outreach efforts with small businesses. This was accomplished through various efforts, including the creation of roundtable talks for buyers to receive answers to questions about small business and the establishment of the first ever Small Business Champion Awards luncheon to recognize buyers for supporting small businesses. SCM also partnered with several minority development advocacy organizations to assist in finding qualified and diverse sources for buyers.
“By allowing companies the opportunity to interact directly with SRS officials, they can obtain ideas on how to get involved with the site, and we are able to find the right partners in execution of the site’s missions," Agyemang said.
SRNS supplier KAMO, a family-owned business providing sustainable janitorial supplies on site, received the Small Business of the Year award for being a good steward of taxpayer dollars and for its contributions toward continuous improvement of SRS.
“Not only are they a long-time supporter of SRS, but rather than turning a higher profit, they have exhibited a selfless approach to business by informing us of how to save over $1 million and how we can create less waste. KAMO exemplifies the qualities we are looking for in all our suppliers. We don’t want just a supplier, we want someone who will partner with us," Johnson said.
EM contractor Pacific Office Solutions received the FY17 Woman‐Owned Business of the Year Award for its customer service and contributions across the Hanford Site in Richland, Washington.
With a staff of eight, Pacific Office Solutions provides office supplies, facility and industrial supplies, computer and technology equipment, and office furniture for thousands of employees at Hanford.
“It’s just amazing to me as I look back and remember how our business started. In 2000, we put in our first e-commerce site to support a Hanford contract. Before that, our orders were all by phone or fax, now we are 98 percent e-commerce," said Julie Valdez, the company’s owner.
EM Portsmouth Site contractor Fluor-BWXT Portsmouth received the FMC Small Business Achievement of the Year Award.
The purpose of DOE’s Small Business Forum & Expo is to help small business program managers remain up to date on legislation and programming rules, and conduct a trade fair for small businesses interested in working with DOE-Savannah River. These awards acknowledge the success of those who have contributed to improving collaboration with small businesses.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy, Office of Environmental Management
