National Small Business Week

Greetings from Small Business Training Week (SBTW24) in Chicago where 800+ federal small business and acquisition professionals convened for a week-long intensive training event.

Next week we will have a recap of SBTW24, and as National Small Business Week wraps up we extend a hearty congratulations to the Vanguard Award Winners who were recognized at a luncheon here on Wednesday.

Established in 2015, the DoD Small Business Vanguard Awards Program recognizes the exceptional contributions of the Department's small business  professionals and members of the acquisition community that influence small business participation in Defense procurements. The awards process is managed on behalf of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (USD(A&S)) by the Director, Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP).

The nominees selected for the awards demonstrated excellence and significantly contributed to the small business mission during the period of October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023. This year's winners are:

• Revolutionary Leadership Award: Thaddeus L. Martin, Director, U.S. Army Materiel Command
• Tracy L. Pinson Small Business Professional of the Year Award: Paul Ward, United States Army Special Operations Command, OSBP
• Verdure Award: California National Guard Contracting Enterprise
• Vanguard Award: Department of the Navy Office of Small Business Programs