One of the largest employers in the CSRA is inviting small businesses to learn how to connect and engage for projects.
The annual Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) Small Business Opportunity Day is set for June 11. Normally, small businesses deal with the procurement department. This event gives them the chance to meet directly with stakeholders and end users to learn about current and upcoming projects.
“It is an opportunity for small businesses to connect with SRNS end users and representatives as well as partner organizations,” Jana Chavous, SRNS lead supply chain management specialist, explained for ABD. “This event provides a platform to learn about upcoming opportunities and projects that we have going on at the site, engage in networking with SRNS end users, as well as other small businesses.”
The daylong event kicks off at 9:00 a.m. with workshops and panel discussions in the morning. It will include information about SRNS’s new supplier portal, and attendees will have the opportunity to register. The portal provides suppliers with a way to onboard information to work with SRNS.
“Small business is very important for the site,” said Rachel Boyd, Supplier Engagement Specialist. “We follow a small business policy. And in regard to a lot of the missions and initiatives on site, we want to show how meaningful the small business community is to the site and how they contribute to our goals.”
The opportunity day can be particularly informative for Metro Augusta’s large community of military retirees who may be looking for their second chapter. Lisa Tanner, Director of Supplier Mission Readiness and Engagement, said they understand it can be challenging to do business with the Department of Energy.
“One of the main goals that Jana and Rachel have in organizing this event is creating an understanding of and the connections that these small businesses need to be successful,” she said. “People in their work with the Department of Energy and SRNS, and the education that Rachel and Jana organized and provided to them, extend well beyond SRNS. It gives them the knowledge and the opportunity to work with other NNSA (National Nuclear Security Administration) sites within the complex.”
In addition to specialists from the site, representatives from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Georgia Tech Apex Accelerator will be available to meet with attendees.
There are two new events added to this year’s opportunity day. Just before the noon break, the Small Business Awards will be presented. It will recognize suppliers that have worked closely with the site.
Also new will be supplier “matchmaking” sessions.
“Where the small businesses will have an opportunity to have direct conversations and present their capabilities further in detail to our end user groups and just gain general insight into how to do business with SRNS,” said Chavous.
Registration is required to take part in the matchmaking sessions. That registration begins on May 18.
Small Businesses Opportunity Day will be at the Augusta Convention Center at 2 Tenth Street. It runs from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Although the event is open to the public, Tanner said they are asking people to register so they know how many to expect. A similar event last fall was standing room only.
More information and registration are at:
https://web.cvent.com/event/2bcd636f-9842-4161-a6dd-fda08e4cb871/summary
