Highlights from the 2024 DOE Small Business Forum & Expo

Highlights from the 2024 DOE Small Business Forum & Expo

On June 4 and 5, 2024, the OSDBU hosted the 2024 DOE Small Business Forum & Expo in Minneapolis. Over 1,000 people attended the two-day conference that focused on the theme of American clean energy powered by small businesses and provided a wide range of opportunities to help advance the DOE’s mission and support the small business community working with the Department. The in-depth agenda featured an engaging  lineup of agency and industry speakers with informative messages, the return of an innovative clean energy tech startup competition, educational workshops, panel discussions, Live Reverse Auctions for various commodities and services, a help center with the SBA and Minnesota APEX Accelerator representatives, business matchmaking sessions, presentations from national labs and program offices, and an exhibit hall with over 115 vendors and service providers.  

Welcome Messages and Keynote

The conference began with a pre-recorded video message from the Honorable Jennifer M. Granholm, Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy, on the Administration's accomplishments through President Biden's Investing in America agenda and the pivotal role that DOE and small businesses are playing in powering the clean energy economy. Secretary Granholm highlighted the DOE's small business achievements, including notable increases in awards to small businesses from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds. 

Following Secretary Granholm's welcome message, OSDBU Director Ron Pierce (pictured above at podium and below right) provided opening remarks on DOE small business initiatives, a preview of the conference agenda, and an introduction to the keynote speaker: Dr. Malik Yoba, an acclaimed actor, musician, author, serial entrepreneur, educator, philanthropist, and social justice warrior (below left).

Dr. Malik Yoba's keynote covered the importance of protecting our environment, entrepreneurship, and giving back to the community. The keynote touched upon Dr. Yoba's work founding a real estate, education, and media company to build human capacity through education while simultaneously pursuing sustainable and affordable mixed-use development projects in transitioning neighborhoods. After the keynote, Director Pierce joined Dr. Yoba for a Fireside Chat to field a wide range of questions from the audience, including tips for small businesses to grow and partner with DOE on clean energy initiatives.

OTT EPIC Pitch Competition (aka Purple Pitch)

The conference featured the return of the Office of Technology Transitions (OTT) Energy Program for Innovation Clusters (EPIC) Pitch Competition, one of the most popular features of the 2023 DOE Small Business Forum & Expo in New Orleans. As with the previous year's competition, it was a collaboration between OTT, OSDBU, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. To tie in with the Minneapolis cultural setting, the OTT EPIC Competition was also known as the “Purple Pitch in Minneapolis,” and built upon the previous year's success in supporting small businesses and entrepreneurship with a green twist.

The Purple Pitch kicked off with a special presentation by OSDBU Director Ron Pierce to set the stage and introduce the audience to the competition. There was also a screening of a video showcasing the achievements of the previous year’s winners, with tips for the current year's contestants. Six cutting-edge clean tech startups then pitched their unique ideas for a clean energy breakthrough to a panel of expert judges. The startups featured in the competition were nominated by incubators who have successfully participated in the EPIC program.

OTT and OSDBU awarded the winners (four startups and one incubator) over $160,000 in cash prizes for their groundbreaking energy technologies. Hertha Metals from Conroe, TX received the first place prize of $100,000 for its pitch on environmentally responsible steel. Their technology reduces steelmaking process emissions by 95% with advanced solutions using existing infrastructure for a scalable economy. As the incubator nominating the first-place startup, Greentown Labs from Houston, TX won $25,000. 

Rounding out the second- and third-place awards were Sensatek Propulsion Technology, Inc. from Daytona Beach, FL and Torev Motors from Arlington, VA. In addition to first-, second-, and third-place awards, a $5,000 Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Prize was awarded by OSDBU to NitroCat Energies, located in Fort Collins, CO.

Panel Discussions

The OSDBU Director’s Panel focused on guidance for small businesses to navigate the Federal contracting marketplace and featured representatives from various agencies: Leonardo San Roman (pictured below left), Manager, Procurement Assistance Division, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, U.S. Department of Transportation; Exodie Roe (second from left), Associate Administrator, U.S. General Services Administration; and Sam Le (third from left), Director of Policy Planning, and Liaison at the U.S. Small Business Administration. Moderated by OSDBU Principal Deputy Director Tamara Miles (fourth from left), the wide-ranging panel discussion included tips for conducting business within the Federal government and steps to success for the small business community. The Honorable Katy Kale, Deputy Administrator, U.S. General Services Administration provided Welcome Remarks preceding the OSDBU Director’s Panel on the agency's small business achievements, initiatives, and resources for the small business community.     

There was also a Small Business Owners’ Panel covering insights from various representatives with prior experience doing business with DOE. OSDBU Senior Small Business Advocate Blake Clemmer (pictured below right), moderated the panel discussion with Misty Mayes (second from right), Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Management Solutions; Dottie Li (third from right), Founder and Chief Executive Officer, TransPacific Communications, Inc.; and Cynthia Gross (fourth from right), Esquire, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, InoMedic Health Applications, Inc. Topics of the discussion included challenges, best practices, and strategies for doing business with DOE. The small business owners also shared pointers on networking with the Department for partnership opportunities.

The Meet the Primes Panel focused on various DOE prime contractors at the forefront of fostering small business growth and featured the following speakers: Sarah Brinkerhoff (pictured below left), Small Business Liaison Officer, Accenture Federal Services; Ashley Hannah (second from left), Small Business Program Manager, Savannah River Mission Completion; Jennie Stults (third from left), Deputy Project Manager, Central Plateau Cleanup Company; Kenyon Taylor (fourth from left), Small Business Liaison Officer, Fluor Corporation; and Pat Hopper (fifth from left), Senior Director T&FS Business Unit, AtkinsRéalis Nuclear Secured. Moderated by OSDBU Senior Small Business Advocate Nicola Ohaegbu (sixth from left), the panel discussion explored small business programs, current supply chain needs, and steps for small businesses to navigate and thrive within the prime contracting landscape.

There was also a DOE Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP) panel moderated by OSDBU Senior Small Business Advocate Mark Lochbaum (pictured below right standing at podium) featuring Karen West (left), Purchasing Program Manager, Kansas City National Security Campus managed and operated by Honeywell FM&T; Rebecca Askew (second from left), Chief Executive Officer, Circuit Media LLC, a small business serving as a Protégé in the program; and Debbie Brodt-Giles (third from left), Program Manager and Strategic Advisor, National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The panel discussion involved developing future partners in the program by improving and expanding opportunities to disadvantaged small businesses and underutilized entities. 

Topics included how participating DOE Mentors and Proteges are leveraging the Program to achieve its goals, expand its capabilities and support the Department’s mission. Karen West was also the recipient of the Facility Management Contractor (FMC) Small Business Program Manager of the Year in the DOE FY 2023 Small Business Awards Program.

Reverse Auctions

As a new joint initiative, the OSDBU, Office of Environmental Management, and National Nuclear Security Administration held Live Reverse Auctions during the conference for various commodities and services at the Portsmouth/Paducah Project Office (PPPO) and Sandia National Laboratories sites to support DOE's mission. Awarded as Small Business Set Asides, the five auctions made up a total dollar value of over $318,000 and resulted in cost savings of nearly $50,000. The auction process was completely anonymous for the competitors and viewers, as the system allowed for the identification of the offerors to be masked for public display. OSDBU Senior Small Business Advocate Michael Massello  (pictured below) facilitated the Reverse Auctions and presented a summary announcement upon the conclusion during the conference. Moving forward, the OSDBU will continue to explore ways to expand the utilization of Reverse Auctions and appropriate acquisitions as part of the auction process in support of the mission to put money directly into the small business pipeline.

Breakout Sessions

The 2024 DOE Small Business Forum & Expo also featured various educational workshops for small businesses, referred to as Breakout Sessions, to share resources, best practices, and a wide range of upcoming opportunities. Breakout Sessions explored strategies for new and experienced business owners alike to maximize their success in partnering with the Department's National Laboratories, sites, and program offices to support DOE mission areas.

Doing Business with DOE's Office of Science covered the organization’s mission, structure, products, and services procured, rules of engagement, and small business opportunities. Moderated by DeWillican Middleton (pictured above middle at podium), Small Business Program Manager at DOE's Office of Science Consolidated Service Center, the session included presentations from Rebecca Hamilton (left from podium), Small Business Program Manager, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education; Cassandra McGee Stuart (right from podium), Manager, Small Business Programs, Oak Ridge National Laboratory; and Alex Alcantar (second right from podium), Small Business Liaison Officer, Argonne National Laboratory. 

In Doing Business with DOE’s National Nuclear Security Administration, topics included the NNSA's organization, mission, and small business operation. Moderated by Chelsea Murphy, Field Small Business Program Manager for the Office of Partnership & Acquisition Services at the National Nuclear Security Administration, the session included presentations from Zach Mikelson (pictured above left), Small Business Program Manager, Sandia National Laboratories; Karen West (middle at podium), Small Business Program Manager, Kansas City National Security Campus managed and operated by Honeywell FM&T; Greta Ownby (right from podium), Small Business Program Manager, NNSA Production Office Y-12 National Security Complex; and Randy Crawford (second right from podium), Small Business Program Manager, NNSA Production Office Pantex Plant. Additionally, the session highlighted various opportunities at NNSA Labs and sites. 

Equity in Procurement Matters - Socioeconomic Contracting explored the importance of equity in procurement and the four socio-economic small business categories: woman-owned, service-disabled veteran owned, small disadvantaged, and HUBZone small businesses. The various stakeholder and agency organizations delved into how businesses can navigate the landscape of these small business categories to access opportunities and contribute to a more equitable and resilient Federal marketplace.  Moderated by OSDBU Senior Small Business Advocate Nicola Ohaegbu (pictured above left at podium), the session included the following speakers: Charlie Smith (right from podium), Principal, GovCon Advisors, LLC.; Michelle Burnett (second right from podium), Executive Director, HUBZone Contractors National Council; Angela Dingle (third right from podium), President and CEO, Women Impacting Public Policy; Charles Sills (fourth right from podium), Chief Operating Officer and Project Director, Federal Procurement Center, Minority Business Development Agency, U.S. Department of Commerce; and Richard Ezike (fifth right from podium), Clean Technology Project Manager, Sustainable Transportation and Partnerships Team, Argonne National Laboratory. 

Attendees of the breakout sessions also had the chance to follow up with the presenters at the end of the sessions to address questions about partnering with DOE and upcoming opportunities. The OSDBU will be tracking awards and contracts granted from opportunities presented at the 2024 DOE Small Business Forum & Expo.

Matchmaking

Expanding upon the previous year's conference networking opportunities, the 2024 DOE Small Business & Expo featured new 3-on-1 matchmaking, in addition to 1-on-1 matchmaking, that was extended for double the hours. The increased matchmaking provided small businesses a unique opportunity to meet with DOE program offices, laboratories, sites, and large company buyers in special, pre-scheduled meetings.  

Exhibit Hall

With over 115 exhibitors, the Exhibit Hall offered small businesses the chance to network for opportunities with DOE procurement officials, small business program managers, and prime contractors. Areas for opportunities included the following product and services categories:

• Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
• Engineering Services
• Information Technology
• Facilities Support Services
• Manufacturing
• Administrative Management & General Management Services
• Research and Development
• Construction, Architectural Services
• Industrial Hardware & Wholesalers
• Hazardous Waste Treatment & Disposal
• Machine Shops
• Security Services, Security Guards, Patrol Services
• Office Supplies, Furniture

SBPM Annual Training Session

From left: OSDBU Director Ron Pierce, OSDBU Senior Small Business Advocate Nicola Ohaegbu, and OSDBU Senior Small Business Advocate Michael Massello at the SBPM Annual Training Session on June 3, 2024.

Prior to the first day of the 2024 DOE Small Business Forum & Expo, the OSDBU hosted a comprehensive Small Business Program Manager (SBPM) training session featuring over 100 participants from the DOE procurement community in attendance. Important training topics included procurement and legislative updates, strategies to increase small business opportunities, and best practices to help SBPMs advocate for the Department's mission. OSDBU Senior Small Business Advocate Nicola Ohaegbu served as the Mistress of Ceremony. To kick off the session, Director Pierce provided opening remarks highlighting the Department's small business achievements and ongoing initiatives. 

The informative agenda covered a wide range of DOE small business topics: construction contracting, AbilityOne strategic partnerships with government and industry organizations, and small business subcontracting plans in relation to small business commitment or participation plans. In addition, the training session included an interactive discussion on FY 2025 strategic small business initiatives facilitated by OSDBU Principal Deputy Director Tamara Miles.

The SBPM Training Session explored important discussion points and collaborative approaches to help the DOE acquisition community increase small business opportunities. Kudos to Nicola Ohaegbu for her role in steering the event and to all the presenters.  Special thanks to SBPMs and all who participated to make the training session a great success!

FY 2023 DOE Small Business Awards Ceremony

The 2024 DOE Small Business Forum & Expo also included an awards ceremony to honor and recognize the outstanding achievements of the many small businesses and internal DOE stakeholders who have helped promote and expand the utilization of small businesses. Below is a list of the award recipients of the FY 2023 Annual Small Business Awards Program:

• Federal SBPM of the Year: Chelsea Murphy
• Federal Contracting Officer of the Year: Kwanita A. Brown
• Federal Procurement Director of the Year:  Aaron Deckard
• FMC Small Business Program Manager of the Year: Karen West
• FMC Contracting Officer of the Year: Albert Wilcox
• FMC Procurement Director of the Year: Ron Casper
• Mentor of the Year:  Sandia National Laboratories Small Business Mentor-Protégé Program
• Protégé of the Year: Converge Strategies
• 8(a)/Small Disadvantaged Business of the Year: Murrietta Circuits
• Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year: Team b. Strategy +
• HUBZone Small Business of the Year: SAMES
• Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year: SDV Construction
• SBIR/STTR Small Business of the Year: Tetramer Technologies
• Small Business of the Year: TechSource
• OSDBU Director's Excellence Award:  Yvonne C. Gonzales, Trish Alley

Congratulations to the award recipients of the FY 2023 Annual Small Business Awards Program and thank you for your contributions to the DOE’s mission successes!

Please check out a small business success story from Sandia National Laboratories on SDV Construction, award recipient of the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year, for its work supporting Sandia to advance the Department's mission. The story also covers Sandia’s Small Business Mentor-Protégé Program achievement as DOE Mentor of the Year, an award that the program has received for three years running.

For additional information on the DOE's Annual Small Business Awards Program, please visit the OSDBU website.

Presentation of DOE's "A" Grade Certificate from the SBA

The 2024 DOE Small Business Forum & Expo also included a presentation of DOE’s “A” grade certificate earned from the SBA for FY 2023 small business achievement.  In FY 2023 the DOE awarded more than $10 billion to small businesses in prime contracting opportunities and $2 billion to small businesses in subcontracting opportunities. The SBA's Sam Le (pictured above middle), Director of Policy Planning, and Liaison presented DOE's certificate to the OSDBU's Director, Ron Pierce (above left), and Principal Deputy Director, Tamara Miles (above right).