Program aims to increase contracts with locally owned small businesses Published May 2, 2008 By Frederick Anderson WRALC/SB Robins Air Force Base, Ga. -- Last week marked the 45th anniversary of National Small Business Week, and the Small Business Administration recognized the achievements and contributions of small entrepreneurs throughout the country. Likewise, the Air Force Small Business Program has embarked on a new strategy that also champions such recognition. Recently Mr. Ron Poussard, director of the Air Force Office of Small Business Programs, formally kicked off his vision of moving beyond percentage goals and focusing on utilization of small businesses as solutions of choice to meet mission needs. In the Air Force Small Business Strategic Plan for fiscal 2008, Mr. Poussard acknowledges everyone is expected to meet program goals, but states the program goes beyond that. "We must look beyond dollars and percentages. By focusing on performance results we can demonstrate value to the customer, change perspectives, create opportunities and eventually exceed goals," Mr. Poussard said. Michael W. Wynne, Secretary of the Air Force, wholeheartedly endorses Poussard's approach. "They are focusing on creating small business options and solutions for the customer, improving market research data, knowledge and tools to better support strategic sourcing and increasing leadership awareness of small business capabilities and contributions," he said. Air Force Materiel Command also recognizes the value of growing and strengthening small business contributions. "Small businesses are a driving force in our nation's economy and, as such, play a critical role in our national security. Within AFMC, small businesses provide parts for our aircraft, guards at our gates, information technology, advisory and assistance support services and many new and innovative technologies," said Gen. Bruce Carlson, AFMC Commander. Maj. Gen. Tom Owen, Warner Robins Air Logistics Center commander, maintains the benefits small businesses bring to the table in terms of innovation and cost savings should steer the Center's acquisition strategies. "There are a number of Center-wide needs which are suitable for small business participation, such as the small business modifications effort, the information technology applications consolidation, and the enterprise-wide buy for engineering and advisory and assistance services," General Owen said. "We need to work these and closely examine others that are suitable for the various small business programs." Jim Lovett, director of the WR-ALC Office of Small Business Programs, echoes the sentiments of Air Force senior leaders. "There is clearly a recognition at the highest levels of the value small businesses bring to the mission," Mr. Lovett said. "My office periodically canvasses the wings for such examples. The most recent provided to us were the benefits local small businesses bring to the U-2 program as well as to sustainment of the C-5 aircraft. These are good examples of small business solutions of choice." The U-2 breakout program breaks away items from the prime contractor and utilizes local small businesses to produce and repair spare parts for ground support equipment. These firms include women-owned Georgia businesses such as Stone Machine & Tool Inc (Jeffersonville), Greene Machine and Manufacturing (Macon), and SUJAC Sewing Contractors (Moultrie), as well as a service-disabled veteran-owned small business called Bryant's Machine Shop (Unadilla). According to the U-2 breakout program manager, the estimated savings by using small businesses is about $4 to $5 million annually. Another local woman-owned small business, Aging Aircraft Consulting Inc. of Warner Robins, has been instrumental in assisting the C-5 sustainment team in addressing supply chain issues. By assembling a team of experts and applying life cycle solutions that foster effective communication to resolve problems, the ACCI team has saved the Air Force more than $30 million in cost avoidance and savings since 2002. Details of this effort as well as the U-2 breakout program can be found at the Air Force Small Business Web site at www.selltoairforce.org.