Small Business Opportunities, Achievements, and Defense Industry Updates

Rhode Island Businesses Learn About DoD Small Business Resources

OSBP Director Mr. Farooq Mitha spoke about opportunities for small businesses during a roundtable event yesterday at 401 Tech Bridge in Providence, Rhode Island. Mr. Mitha shared how DoD offers several programs to increase small business participation in defense acquisition, reduce barriers, and provide pathways to success. Despite its small size, Rhode Island features more than 100,000 small businesses and is a hub for submarine manufacturing.

DAU Honors Top Acquisition Professionals

Defense Acquisition University honored the 2024 Defense Acquisition Awards winners on Wednesday at a ceremony at Fort Belvoir, Va. Dr. William LaPlante, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment, recognized individuals and teams for acquisition excellence across 23 separate categories.

The Defense Acquisition Awards recognize individual and team accomplishments that have advanced the National Defense Strategy and supported the Secretary of Defense's priorities through excellence in acquisition. 

"Wars are won and lost in program offices, often years before the shooting starts," said Dr. LaPlante. "Our acquisition professionals contribute directly to our ability to deter aggression, and I continue to be impressed by all they do on a daily basis. Congratulations to this year's winners and their tremendous body of work delivering capability to our warfighters, allies, and partners at speed and scale."

See the full list of winners>>

Sharing Insights with State Leaders at ALEC Academy

OSBP Director Mr. Farooq Mitha spoke with state legislative leaders last week on the best way for state-level officials to support national security. Hosted by the American Legislative Exchange Council , the event brought together 25 state lawmakers to hear from OSBP and the DoD Chief Information Officer . Joining Mr. Mitha presenting at the event was Mr. Khalil Mack, who discussed the APEX Accelerator program, and Ms. Kasey Diaz, who highlighted the Mentor-Protégé Program.

House Approves National Defense Authorization Act

This week, the House of Representatives voted 281-140 in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act. Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune envisioned the Senate taking up the bill next week. Shortly thereafter, the President is expected to sign the bill that authorizes programs and funding levels for national defense. House Speaker Mike Johnson has said that the Defense Appropriations Act that actually spends the money for national defense will move next year.

Small Businesses Gain Boost in Federal Lending and Contracting Opportunities

The Biden-Harris Administration announced new initiatives last week to increase federal support for small businesses. Key actions include the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) raising the cap on SBA 7(a) loans from $350,000 to $500,000, improving access to capital for underserved entrepreneurs. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has also issued guidance to enhance forecasting of federal contract opportunities and expand access to subcontracting, supporting small businesses competing for a share of over $700 billion in federal contracts. In addition, federal agencies are leveraging small disadvantaged businesses at record rates to improve resilience in federal research and development (R&D) supply chains.

These measures build on record-setting achievements in small business growth and federal investment, including $86 billion in subcontract awards and $76.2 billion directed to small disadvantaged businesses. Learn More>>

NDIS-IP Initiative #1: Building a Defense Industrial Base to Enhance Indo-Pacific Deterrence

The recently released National Defense Industrial Strategy Implementation Plan (NDIS-IP), outlines six cross-cutting initiatives to achieve a more resilient defense industrial ecosystem and buy-down risks.

This week we highlight Implementation Initiative #1: Building a Defense Industrial Base to Enhance Indo-Pacific Deterrence. “This first initiative focuses on missiles and munitions production and the submarine industrial base as two top requirements in the Indo-Pacific theater,” said Carla Zeppieri , Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Resilience.

Key actions include modernizing Army arsenals and depots and identifying and removing limitations on critical munitions production to deliver at speed and scale, as well as strengthening the submarine industrial base to support the Navy’s goal of producing one Columbia class and two Virginia class submarines per year, ultimately increasing operational availability of the submarine fleet.

Read the full NDIS and NDIS-IP>>

Defense Acquisition University will host the first three webinars focused on cyber hygiene on Dec. 16. The sessions will cover FAR 52.204-21 and help attendees navigate the essentials of federal contract compliance. Upcoming sessions will be held on Jan. 13 and Feb. 24. Sign up>>

Let’s Stay in Touch

We are a network of small business professionals with common values, shared knowledge and regular communication who partner with acquisition professionals seeking small businesses to fulfill DoD procurement requirements and give our Service Members the competitive advantage. Follow us on social media, visit our website, or send us an email. We look forward to staying connected.

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