Air Force recognized for achievements in awarding veterans contracts Published July 2, 2007 By Capt. Justin McVay Nellis Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- The Department of Veterans Affairs recognized 23 Air Force bases for achievement under the Champions of Veteran Enterprise program during a conference here June 27. The Third Annual National Veteran Small Business Conference and Expo was held at Caesars Palace and honored installations with the Federal Achievement Award for significant contributions, by awarding competitive business contracts to service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses. "The Air Force can win the fight for our disabled veterans and reach beyond three percent of our contract dollars," said Ronald A. Poussard, Air Force Office of Small Business Programs director. "We are working aggressively to lead the fight, create new opportunities and provide the assistance needed to develop and match capabilities to customer needs. Assisting our returning war heroes is the right thing to do." Air Force bases from Air Combat Command, Air Force Space Command, Air Education and Training Command, Air Force Mobility Command, Air Force Special Operations Command and Air Force District of Washington were recognized for their outstanding achievements in awarding contracts totaling more than $104.9 million service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses. To comply with legislation requiring that three percent of federal contracting dollars be awarded to service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, federal agencies have implemented new and aggressive outreach strategies. "This conference represents a concerted effort to reach out to veteran-owned businesses and provide them with the support they deserve," said Mr. Scott Denniston, Director of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The criteria for selecting the Federal Achievement Awards were two-fold, according to Air Force Office of Small Business officials. The bases were required to exceed $1 million in contract awards to service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses in fiscal year 2006, as well as reach or exceed the three percent goal for federal agencies set by Presidential Executive Order 13360 in October 2004. The four-day conference, sponsored by the Veteran Small Business Federal Interagency Council, provides both service-disabled, veteran-owned small business and veteran-owned small business entrepreneurs with key information on small business opportunities throughout the federal government, as well as current and future legislation and regulations, and training on business strategies that will aid them in their efforts to increase their participation in the federal business marketplace. The conference featured over ninety expert speakers discussing issues and challenges that veterans face when doing business in the public sector. Attendees also had the opportunity to showcase their businesses and conduct face-to-face meetings with government purchasing officials and subcontracting specialists. All of the sessions addressed the most often cited obstacle to veteran contracting, lack of exposure. The Air Combat Command bases that received the award were Beale AFB, Calif., Cannon AFB, N.M., Dyess AFB, Texas, Holloman AFB, N.M., Minot AFB, N.D., Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C., and Nellis AFB, Nev. The Air Force Space Command bases that received the award were Buckley AFB, Colo., and F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. The Air Education and Training Command bases that received the award were Lackland AFB, Texas, Keesler AFB, Miss., and Sheppard AFB, Texas. The Air Force Mobility Command bases that received the award were Charleston AFB, S.C., Dover AFB, Del., Grand Forks AFB, N.D., MacDill AFB, Fla., McChord AFB, Wash., McConnell AFB, Kan., Pope AFB, N.C., and Travis AFB, Calif. The Air Force Special Operations Command base that received the award was Hurlburt Field, Fla. The Air Force District of Washington base that received the award was Bolling AFB, D.C.
