DOT 180-09
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Contact: Bill Adams
Tel: (202) 366-4570
DOT Small Business Vendor Day Focuses on Service Disabled Veteran Small Business Owners
Approximately 500 small business owners, with an emphasis on businesses owned by service disabled veterans, today learned more about how to get and do business with the U.S. Department of Transportation at a Vendor Day sponsored by the department’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSBDU).
The OSDBU tutorial was open to all small businesses, including disadvantaged business enterprises and those owned by service disabled veterans, and included a discussion of contractor requirements and one-on-one counseling from small business specialists, acquisitions specialists and technical program managers.
“Small businesses are a major part of the economy and we’re delighted to show small business owners, and particularly our veteran disabled owners, the opportunities that exist right here at DOT,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
“OSDBU is very excited to host an event focused on helping veteran owned small businesses,” said Brandon Neal, OSDBU Director. “We are committed to helping all small businesses, especially veterans to whom we owe so much. We hope this event will highlight the many opportunities for small businesses within the Department of Transportation.”
Speakers included Transportation Deputy Secretary John Porcari; Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy; Matt Flavin, White House Office of Veterans and Wounded Warrior Policy; Brandon Neal, OSDBU Director; Linda Washington, Transportation Assistant Secretary for Administration; and Joanie Newhart, the department’s Senior Procurement Executive.
Speakers and presentations focused on services and products the department currently purchases as well as those forecasted for FY 2010, to increase the awareness of procurement opportunities within DOT.
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