DLA Aviation exceeds Small Business goal for fiscal 2013 Published Dec. 6, 2013 By Trinace Johnson DLA Aviation Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Defense Logistics Agency Aviation awarded 27.1 percent of total eligible small business dollars to small businesses in fiscal 2013 compared to 22.4 percent in fiscal 2012. That amount exceeded the assigned goal of 26 percent. More than $1 billion was awarded to small businesses in fiscal 2013. At Robins Air Force Base, DLA Aviation's commitment to supporting the federal government's small business programs included using innovative contracting methods to make a competitive contract award for 11 items to a small business. All of the items were previously purchased from a large business, and included electronic items that support the Versatile Depot Automatic Test Station. A few other examples included a contract awarded to an electronics company in Kathleen, Ga., which provides C-130 and F-15 parts support to DLA Aviation, and another contract awarded to a small business in Dallas, Ga., which provides aerospace adhesively bonded components. "Small businesses are important partners in warfighter support for the Defense Logistics Agency and for DLA Aviation at Warner Robins," said Col. Daniel Hicks, DLA Aviation commander at Robins. "DLA Aviation actively looks for ways to increase small business awards. "In fiscal 2013, DLA Aviation at Warner Robins' acquisition team awarded more than $7 million to small business," he added. "In support of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex, the acquisition specialists who make procurements for my industrial support activity awarded 86 percent of their contracts to small business, accounting for $1.4 million of the total $7 million." The remainder was awarded by local DLA contracting officers executing buys for Air Force-managed reparable items for the 638th Supply Chain Management Group, another Robins partner. John Henley, associate director of DLA Aviation's Small Business Office, said this was the first year DLA Aviation met the goal since the assumption of the depot-level reparable mission in 2007. "Notably, the small business percentage for consumable items increased to 44 percent in fiscal 2013, compared to 37 percent in fiscal 2012," said Henley. "It took a lot of effort across DLA Aviation - from the acquisition specialists, contracting officers, product specialists, business process analysts, sourcing strategic specialists and demand and supply chain analysts," said John Henley, associate director of DLA Aviation's Small Business Office. DLA Aviation fully embraced the DLA Small Business Improvement and Marketing Plan, according to Henley. "Senior leadership emphasizing and monitoring progress toward goals were essential," he said. The DLA Aviation commander, deputy commander and acquisition executive challenged the workforce to find ways to increase awards to small business. DLA Aviation Commander Brig. Gen. Mark Johnson ensured a small business goal achievement plan was included in the Aviation Annual Operating Plan, Henley said. "In October, he presented 24 commander's coins to employees who have supported the small business program. Morning coffee chats between DLA Aviation Deputy Commander Charles Lilli and myself occur on a monthly basis to discuss small business issues. Also, Lilli presented senior executive service coins to small business program supporters," Henley said. The Small Business Friday video teleconferences with Nancy Heimbaugh, DLA senior procurement executive, included participation from DLA Aviation senior leaders including the DLR directors of procurement operations. Goal assignments were made with each acquisition directorate with performance reviews on a regular basis with DLA Aviation leadership to discuss small business initiatives. Editor's note: Jenny Gordon contributed to this report. For the full story, visit www.aviation.dla.mil/externalnews/