$787 Million Total in Small Business

NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS: November 25, 2009

DiAnn Fields, (865) 576-0885

www.oakridge.doe.gov

$787 MILLION TOTAL IN SMALL BUSINESS

CONTRACT FUNDING AWARDED IN FY 2009

BY DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

PROGRAMS IN OAK RIDGE

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. – Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 marked a new high for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Oak Ridge Office with approximately $230 million awarded for direct federal prime contracts to small businesses to carry out missions in science, environmental management, nuclear fuel supply, and national security in Oak Ridge. Overall, DOE Oak Ridge and its prime contractors awarded over $787 million to small businesses in FY 2009, representing the highest amount ever awarded in small business contracts.

“With more than three quarters of a billion dollars going to small business procurements, our commitment is profound and continues to grow each year,” said Gerald Boyd, Manager of DOE ORO. “This proves that the capabilities offered by the small business community are critically important as we accomplish our work in Oak Ridge,” he said.

The FY 2009 figure of $787 million included contracts awarded by the Oak Ridge Office ($230 million); UT-Battelle ($257.4M), which operates the Oak Ridge National Laboratory; B&W

Y-12 Technologies ($173M), which operates the Y-12 National Security Complex; Bechtel Jacobs Company ($113.42), which is the Oak Ridge Reservation’s environmental cleanup contractor; and, Oak Ridge Associated Universities ($13.4M), which operates the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education.

Ted Sherry, Y-12 Site Office Manager, said, “The capabilities that small businesses provide are essential to the success of our missions at the Y-12 National Security Complex. Under the mentorship of our Management and Operating contractor, B&W Y-12, they have made small business procurement a priority and will certainly continue to do so in the future,” he said. “They also have made a concerted effort to reach veteran-owned small business and service disabled veteran-owned small businesses to assist in the important work that is accomplished at Y-12,” Sherry said.

Depending on the size and scope of a project, DOE, NNSA, and other federal agencies ensure that small businesses have the opportunity to provide goods and services to the federal government.

According to 2008 statistics from the Small Business Association (SBA), small businesses play a vital role in America’s economy, numbering more than 29.6 million businesses in the United States. Firms wishing to be designated small businesses for contracting opportunities in government programs must meet size standards, which vary by industry as specified by the SBA. More information on these criteria, along with small business opportunities within ORO, may be obtained by contacting Freda Hopper, DOE-ORO Small Business Program Manager, at (865) 576-9430 or . Information on Y-12 small business contracting opportunities may be obtained by contacting Gloria Mencer, Y-12 Socioeconomic Program Manager, at (865) 576-2090 or .

More information about the Department’s missions in Oak Ridge is available online at www.oakridge.doe.gov or www.yso.doe.gov.

-DOE-

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