“That level of contracting dollars going to small business really goes to show the large businesses don’t get the credit they deserve in working with small business and supporting our nation’s economy,” said Small. “It also helps AMC’s goal of ensuring the continued health and viability of small business contractors and subcontractors in high-tech, aerospace, and defense niches.”
Small expressed that this effort has been a big concern of the command.
“Our industrial base is decreasing, despite its importance, especially when we are at war. Our logistics organization tracks the industrial base and economy overall to see where we have shortfalls and might engage to do better. Our office then acts in accordance with those other efforts, by facilitating and setting goals and standards,” she added.
Contract dollars to small firms directly impact job creation and fuel the rebalancing of the nation’s economy.
In an address to the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) on Jan. 16, 2015, AMC’s deputy commander, Lt. Gen. Patricia McQuistion, said the changing environment in which AMC contracts are being funded and awarded means a close partnership and collaboration with industry to combine cost savings with a continued focus on providing Warfighters with the equipment and services they need to successfully conduct missions and operations.
“We have fewer dollars available, but there are still a lot of numbers going into these business opportunities. We must continue together to find opportunities to do better with these constrained resources,” McQuistion said. “We need to think about how we do things differently than we have done over the past 15 years to make sure we aren’t just maintaining the edge, but that we maintain our superiority and capabilities. We are an Army in motion. It takes a huge community to make those operations occur around the world every day in support of our nation and our allies.”
Both Small and McQuistion reflect Via’s primary mission focus – to develop and deliver readiness solutions to support unified land operations and contingency operations anytime and anyplace in the world.
An artisan at AMC’s Watervliet Arsenal, one of the Army’s Organic Industrial Base facilities, manufactures and repairs equipment to sustain the Warfighter. Photo courtesy of Watervliet Arsenal Public Affairs
“Accordingly, we must maintain readiness for the force to meet future contingencies. No one can predict the future, but the past shows us that there will be future contingencies. Our forces must be ready, trained and equipped to meet those contingencies when the nation calls,” Via said.
Small added that AMC remains committed to ensuring the warfighting formations are prepared when the call comes. The nation expects and deserves nothing less. And small business will continue to play a critical role in enabling AMC to develop and deliver these readiness solutions required by the nation’s forces.
AMC’s Small Business Program finished strong in fiscal year 2014.
“We continue to set the example for federal government, awarding more contract dollars to small firms than any other federal agency or military service,” Small said.
Contract dollars to small firms directly impact job creation and fuel the rebalancing of the nation’s economy.
“As a result, the Army Small Business Program success is attributable to the commitment and leadership of the commanders,” Small said. “The Army commanders understand the value of the innovation that agile small businesses bring to our Warfighter and the important role that small businesses play in our national security.”
Guide for Small Businesses Wanting to Work with AMC
Nancy D. Small, director of AMC’s Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP), offered the following steps for small businesses to follow in preparing for and seeking contracts with AMC:
Identify the product or service:
Know your codes
- Federal Supply Classification Code (FSC) and North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code