An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

ARTICLE SEARCH

Small business support - it goes both ways

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Samantha Krolikowski
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  If it weren't for the small businesses that support the base, Fairchild would not function as effectively or efficiently. Local businesses provide electricity, water, gas, waste and water disposal, custodial and grounds maintenance, intrusion detection services and chapel support.

Likewise, Fairchild supports small businesses as part of the Defense Department's Small Business Program. According to statistics provided by the 92nd Contracting Squadron, in Fiscal Year 2015 Fairchild set a goal of having 73 percent of contracts awarded to small businesses. It exceeded that goal by 15 percent by awarding 88 percent of contracts worth approximately $29 million to small businesses in the local area.

Innovation is critical to national defense and economic strength. Locally, small businesses play a role in supporting the wing and tenant unit missions, said Michael Gilbert, 92nd Contracting Squadron director of business operations.

"One of my responsibilities as a Fairchild small business specialist is to conduct a small business outreach program," said Gilbert. "I provide assistance to small businesses at numerous organized events in Spokane and across the regional area as a guest speaker, panel member, and maintaining a booth at regional small business events to encourage small business to work with the Federal Government and Fairchild Air Force Base."

According to Gilbert, all businesses that work on base are required to complete online registration to conduct business with Federal Government. Many contractors are provided vital assistance from a federally-funded program with Washington Procurement Technical Assistance Center. The WAPTAC office provides classes monthly to help contractors navigate the registration process and provide business advice, in conjunction with the Small Business Administration and a myriad of other private organizations. Once registered, a business may offer and receive contract awards from any Federal agency. 

"As the area continues to grow, the extent of business support provided in local area grows and goods and services are provided in a greater variety and at more competitive pricing," Gilbert said. "Small business creates the business solutions that keep the Air Force on the leading edge on national defense. The Department of Defense and the Air Force depend on small business innovation to keep us in-front as a world leader."

For more information on Air Force small business program visit http://airforcesmallbiz.org/, information on the Air Force small business innovation and research program visit http://airforcesmallbiz.org/small-business-programs/support/sbir-sttr.php.