Official websites use .gov
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
By Suzanne Zurn Office of Small Business Programs
Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks made the case at the Reagan Institute's National Security Innovation Base Summit on Wednesday that we all have a responsibility to foster a broad national security innovation base.
"And I’m not only talking about the prime contractors that so often serve as our large-system integrators. I’m also talking about thousands of sub-tier suppliers, many of them small businesses, in communities all over America," Hicks said.
DoD has spent billions on the industrial base and sought to expand production. The Department has also spent billions in research and development to ensure service members never go into a fair fight, Hicks said.
"All of these investments, and more, have been aligned with the needs of our National Defense Strategy and the National Defense Industrial Strategy that builds upon it," she explained.
Learn More:
Leaders from the Department of Defense Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) participated in the Winter TRIAD Meeting, a biannual gathering to promote partnerships between government, large business prime contractors and APEX Accelerators, to facilitate compliance and small business utilization.
Mr. Farooq Mitha, OSBP Director, emphasized the crucial role of small businesses in fortifying our supply chains, revitalizing domestic manufacturing, and nurturing the growth of new entrants to the Defense Industrial Base.
Key updates from Mr. Mitha's presentation:
🚀 Transition of the Mentor-Protégé Program: The Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP) has officially transitioned from a pilot to a permanent program. In the past five years, DoD’s MPP has successfully helped more than 190 small businesses fill unique niches and become part of the military’s supply chain.
🤝 Protégé Pilot Incentive Program: To further support our proteges, we implemented the Protégé Pilot Incentive Program (PPI) to bridge gaps and facilitate the seamless integration of products and services with DoD programs and systems.
🏭 Partnership with Manufacturing Innovation Institutes: We are collaborating with the Manufacturing Innovation Institutes (MIIs) to promote small businesses in advanced manufacturing. Together, we're creating opportunities for small businesses to thrive in this dynamic industry.
Additionally, Mr. Khalil Mack, Director of APEX Accelerators, provided updates on the work being done by the 97 Accelerators. These Accelerators are actively promoting subcontracting opportunities for small disadvantaged businesses (SDBs), Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) businesses, service-disabled veteran-owned businesses (SDVOSBs), Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSBs), and other underrepresented small businesses.
Our office is committed to collaboration and fostering a thriving Defense Industrial Base. Events like the Winter TRIAD Meeting are important to breaking down barriers and ensuring that industry, government, and small businesses are working together to advance these shared goals.