DoD Helps Small Businesses Expand Their Footprint in the Defense Industry

Happy Thanksgiving and Seasons Greetings!

It’s my honor to introduce this month’s DoD Small Business Digest. This edition marks the six-month anniversary of our publication, and I am so pleased to see that we’re reaching about 10,000 subscribers every week with information for small businesses seeking information and support, as well as the acquisition and small business professionals ready to help them. Sharing the resources available from the Department of Defense Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) is a key part of this success, and we are grateful for your support in the mission.

In addition to my role as Director of the Mentor-Protégé Program, I serve as the OSBP Deputy Director working directly with Mr. Farooq Mitha to lead the office and implementation of the DoD Small Business Strategy. The Mentor-Protégé Program is one of the important ways the Department is advancing and expanding the number of small businesses entering the defense industrial base.

Unlocking Potential: The DoD Mentor-Protégé Program

In an era where collaboration and innovation are key to staying ahead, the DoD is paving the way for growth and success through the Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP) . Established as a pilot program in 1990, the Mentor-Protégé Program or MPP for short, was designed to foster partnerships between established defense contractors and smaller, emerging businesses, to help small businesses expand their footprint in the defense industry.

Purpose

At the heart of MPP is the commitment to nurturing the next generation of defense suppliers and small businesses. The program seeks to bridge the gap between experienced mentors and ambitious protégés, providing a platform for knowledge transfer, skill development, and relationship building. By fostering these connections, the DoD aims to enhance the capabilities of protégés, ensuring a robust and competitive defense industrial base.

How to Apply

The MPP application process is streamlined to encourage broad participation. Interested businesses can visit https://business.defense.gov/Programs/Mentor-Protege-Program for detailed information and a link to our online application portal. The program actively encourages diversity and inclusivity, welcoming applications from a variety of backgrounds and expertise.

Benefits

MPP participation opens doors to a myriad of advantages for both mentors and protégés. Protégés gain access to invaluable industry insights, business acumen, and networking opportunities. On the other hand, mentors contribute to the growth of the industry by fostering innovation and nurturing emerging talent. The program has a proven track record of success stories, where protégés have evolved into significant players in the defense sector.

Summer 2024 Mentor-Protégé Summit

Watch for an announcement about the Summer 2024 Mentor-Protégé Summit, a highlight of the program's calendar. This event promises an engaging platform for mentors, protégés, and industry stakeholders to connect, share experiences, and explore future collaborations. Make plans to attend this pivotal gathering that promises to inspire, educate, and propel the defense industry into new heights!

Thank you for your collaboration in this important work, and if we can be assistance, please reach out.

Ms. Kasey Diaz

Director, Mentor-Protégé Program

& Deputy Director, Office of Small Business Programs

U.S. Department of Defense

DAU Interview with ASD Dr. Taylor-Kale

The latest edition of Defense Acquisition magazine features an interview with Dr. Laura Taylor-Kale, PhD , Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy. Taylor-Kale discusses policies to enhance and broaden our industrial base, its workforce and supply chain, and the role of small businesses. Defense Acquisition is a publication from the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) a corporate university of the United States Department of Defense that provides training in acquisition, technology, and logistics to military and federal civilian staff, and federal contractors. Learn More>>

Explore Contractor Team Arrangements

Did you know that under a Contractor Team Arrangement (CTA) two or more GSA Schedule contractors can work together to provide a total solution? Learn how CTAs can create more federal opportunities for you. Learn More>>

Just before leaving town for a “State Work Period” over Thanksgiving week, Congress hustled toward a few legislative milestones.

Continuing Resolution

Most pressing was averting a federal shutdown with a “Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act, 2024.” Known as a continuing resolution or CR, the bill funds most programs and activities at FY23 levels, with some exceptions. The CR, including Defense appropriations, runs thru Feb. 2, 2024, except for four appropriations acts, which run thru Jan. 19, 2024: Military Construction/Veterans Affairs, Agriculture/FDA, Transportation/HUD, and Energy and Water Development.

Final Defense Appropriations

For the final defense appropriations bill, the Senate and House subcommittees are having informal discussions, but to progress towards a bicameral deal they need to agree on a budget for the whole federal government, with an agreed Defense Subcommittee allocation.

Appropriators need about a month of lead time to write compromise bills by the Jan. 19 deadline. Given holiday recesses, Members have about three weeks in late November and early December?to reach a bicameral framework deal on spending levels and subcommittee allocations.

At this point in the budget cycle, the two chambers tend to begin informal conference talks rather than bring spending bills to the floor. However, Senate Appropriations Ranking Member Susan Collins (ME) said she still wants another minibus to comprise the Defense (S 2587 ), Commerce-Justice-Science, Energy-Water, and Labor-HHS-Education bills.

National Defense Authorization Act

For the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), on Nov. 15, 2023 the Senate voted to officially conference the bill with the House. On Nov. 16, 2023, HASC Chair Mike D. Rogers (AL) had the last unofficial NDAA “big-four” negotiation with SASC Chair?Jack Reed (RI), HASC Ranking Member Adam Smith (WA), and SASC Ranking Member Roger Wicker (MS), ideally preparing the bill for final passage in the week of Nov. 27 or Dec. 4.

NAVAIR Small Business Professional Recognized

“GOOOOOOOD Morning Small Businesses!!” was how Shelby Butler, Director of the Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) for Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) , would often greet the audience during his many presentations at various events.

Since Nov. 15, 2015, Mr. Butler has been a dynamic presence in the world of Small Business. While donning his iconic bow-tie, he would often give very engaging, informative, and humorous presentations that would provide a well round account of the state of NAVAIR, its mission, vision and support it seeks from the small business community. He was an active Small Business Director that would be annually featured at major small business events such as Sea, Air and Space, Department of the Navy (DON) Gold Coast Procurement Conference and other government wide conferences.

Mr. Butler’s small business advocacy and support was also evident through the development of many useful tools and resources such as the NAVAIR OSBP Introduction Video to Industry , developed to assist small businesses with engaging NAVAIR, but more broadly, the DON and other DoD agencies. Mr. Butler led the charge, advocating for small business opportunities at NAVAIR. Under his leadership small business contracting awards increased 100-fold from $1.4 billion to $2.8 billion during his nearly nine-year tenure as Director.

As of Oct. 31, 2023, Mr. Butler embarked on the next exciting chapter of his life…Retirement. On behalf of the DON and the DoD, we wish him fair winds and following seas. His contributions and support to the small business program will have a long lasting impact.

• New APEX Accelerator opens in Dearborn, Mich.
• Navy SBIR/STTR Transitions Newsletter, Fall 2023 edition
• Readout of Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen H. Hicks' Meeting With the Defense Business Board

• Defense TechConnect?Innovation Summit & Expo, Nov. 28-30 at the Gaylord National Resort & Conference Center in National Harbor, Md. Register>>
• The National Defense Industrial Association - (NDIA) Small Business Innovation Summit is Dec. 5-7 in Lincoln, Mass. The theme of this year's event is "Accelerating Development and Delivery of Innovation." Register>>
• The DoD Mid-Atlantic Regional Council Presents its Fall Virtual Workshop on Dec. 7 at 1 p.m. ET. This a virtual event (MS Teams) hosted by the Virginia PTAC, an APEX Accelerator based at George Mason University. Confirmed speakers from the following organizations: Department of the Air Force Office of Small Business Programs ; U.S. Small Business Administration ; and United States Air Force . Registrations is required and closes Dec. 4. Register>>
• Doing Business with Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) with an emphasis on the Small Disadvantaged Business/8(a) Program, Feb 7, 2024. Register>>
• Save the Date: April 8-10, 2024 for Navy Sea, Air, Space, the largest marine exposition in the United States. This annual event remains a vital complement to the Navy League's objective of educating the public about maritime affairs and providing support for the sea service. Register>>

Let’s Stay in Touch

We are a network of small business professionals with common values, shared knowledge and regular communication who partner with acquisition professionals seeking small businesses to fulfill DoD procurement requirements and give our Service Members the competitive advantage.

Follow us on social media, visit our website , or send us an email. We look forward to staying connected.

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