OSDBU Quarterly Newsletter | january 2025

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Quarterly Newsletter (Q1)

January 15, 2025

From the Director

On behalf of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), I wish you a happy new year! It is my pleasure to share updates on the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) small business activities and achievements. DOE continues to make impressive gains in small business utilization. According to preliminary FY 2024 small business numbers, the most recent full year of data available, the Department is projected to surpass the prior year achievement of $10 billion in prime contracting. The Department’s FY 2024 small business achievement will be finalized once DOE receives its Small Business Procurement Scorecard from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) later this year. In other developments, OSDBU will host the 2025 DOE Enterprise Construction Matchmaking Event at DOE Forrestal Headquarters on February 13! Register here for this special event where you will have the chance to explore various DOE construction opportunities. We are also pleased to announce our flagship conference, the 2025 DOE Small Business Forum & Expo, will take place on June 25-26 in Chicago! Join us to explore small business partnerships with the Department and a wide range of opportunities. New features include priority matchmaking for early bird registrants, redesigned programming with more networking opportunities, and exclusive access to National Labs and DOE decision-makers. The conference website and registration have launched—register at www.Energy.gov/DOEForum to secure your spot today! Additional topics covered in the Newsletter include small business achievement and success stories, legislative updates, and other exciting developments across the Department. On a personal note, this month marks my departure as OSDBU Director. It has been an honor serving in this capacity over the past three years and working alongside the DOE small business community to maximize opportunities in support of the Department’s mission. One of the major highlights was in July 2023 when the OSDBU hosted the DOE Small Business Forum & Expo for the first time in four years. This incredible event in my hometown of New Orleans with the Honorable Jennifer M. Granholm, U.S. Secretary of Energy Secretary, and over 1,200 small businesses in attendance, fostered meaningful connections and showcased the vital role small businesses play in driving innovation. Additionally, I am incredibly proud of DOE’s stellar track record of small business achievement during my tenure—including the Department earning its 7th and 8th consecutive “A” grades from the SBA since 2015. Many thanks to the OSDBU, internal DOE stakeholders, and small businesses for your invaluable contributions to the Department’s successes. With your hard work, dedication, and unwavering support, the future of small business at DOE continues to look bright! Tamara Miles, the OSDBU’s Principal Deputy Director, will assume the role of Acting Director. Tamara’s experience and leadership will ensure a seamless transition and progression of the Department’s small business initiatives. I look forward to seeing DOE continue championing small businesses and wish you all the very best in the years ahead. Thank you for advocating for the utilization of small businesses to help advance the DOE’s mission.

Ron P. Pierce, Director
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
U.S. Department of Energy

Small Business Achievement

The Department continues to increase opportunities for underrepresented small businesses and make progress in socio-economic achievement. In the first quarter of FY 2025, the Department projects increased prime small business awards, including growth in two of the four socio-economic categories graded by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Below is a preliminary first quarter data summary of Prime Federal Small Business Contracting Spend and the change over the same period in prior years using the SAM.gov Small Business Goaling Report. Please note that the data has not been finalized.

Q1 FY 2021-2025 Prime Federal Small Business Contracting Spend

The Department is outpacing prime awards to Small Businesses (SBs) by $43M, Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDBs) by $14M, and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) by $9M compared to this same period in FY 2024.

2025 DOE Small Business Forum & Expo

We are hosting our flagship event, the 2025 DOE Small Business Forum & Expo, from June 25–26 in Chicago! Meet DOE decision-makers, connect with National Labs, and unlock federal contract opportunities! Join over 1,400 small business leaders, innovators, and decision-makers for this can’t-miss event driving innovation, partnerships, and impact.

REGISTER today at https://www.Energy.gov/DOEForum.

DOE Small Business Success Stories 

The OSDBU is pleased to share a recent DOE small business award made in the first quarter of FY 2025:

Office of Acquisition Management Contract Award

The Office of Acquisition Management (MA-60), Office of Headquarters Procurement Services (MA-64), awarded a contract on behalf of the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) Office. The award is effective January 06, 2025, and provides Programmatic and Advisory Support Services support. The contractor, GoosePoint JV, LLC, is an Alaska Native Corporation (ANC) small business concern that will be providing programmatic and advisory support services. The total value of this award is $24.2 million with a five-year period of performance through January 05, 2030.

(Pictured above from left) Sheila Vigil, Naomi Robinson, and Timothy Jackson are the Contracting Staffers.

The OSDBU is also excited to share a small business success story from Sandia National Laboratories:

Success Through Mentoring: The Journey of Strategic Industry, Inc.

In October 2020, Sandia National Laboratories selected its first protégés to support construction initiatives at its facilities. Among them was Strategic Industry, Inc., a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business based in Kingsburg, California who is a general contractor specializing in electrical and low-voltage trades. Despite the challenges presented by COVID-19 during their inaugural year as a Protégé, the Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP) team remained steadfast in their commitment to fostering Strategic Industry in alignment with the laboratory's mission requirements.

The results have been impressive. Strategic Industry has successfully completed a range of projects on the Sandia California campus, including a lab renovation, electrical services, lightning detection systems, and security installations. Eager to expand its footprint within Sandia, Jason Miller, the company’s Vice President, decided to pursue a Construction Partnership Opportunity at Sandia’s New Mexico campus. This endeavor was no small task; it required Strategic Industry to obtain licensing in New Mexico, establish a new office in Albuquerque, and fulfill all mandatory requirements outlined in the Request for Quote (RFQ).

After more than a year of evaluation and selection, Strategic Industry was awarded the role of Electrical Construction Partner for Sandia’s New Mexico campus. The company is now leveraging its experience gained from projects in California to prepare for upcoming work in New Mexico. Strategic Industry has successfully obtained its GB98 (General Construction) and EE98 (Electrical) contractor licenses in New Mexico and has opened an office in Albuquerque, positioning itself to contribute to Sandia National Laboratories mission. The company aims to apply the insights gained from the Mentor-Protégé Program and its current projects in California to enhance its operations in New Mexico. Additionally, Strategic Industry is in the process of upgrading its facility security clearance from L to Q, expected to be completed in 2025. This enhanced security privilege will enable the team to work in secure locations as required.

Strategic Industry Secures Major Subcontract with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Strategic Industry has also been awarded a construction subcontract with the prestigious Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), set to commence in the calendar year 2025. This milestone underscores the company’s strong reputation and proven capabilities within the Department of Energy (DOE) sector and success gained through the Mentor-Protégé Program.

Continued success through with the Department of Energy

Strategic Industry’s mantra, “Building Every Project with Purpose,” is evident in their successful execution of projects at Sandia sites. The team possesses extensive knowledge and experience in managing construction projects, understanding the critical importance of planning and preparation for the success of every assignment. They prioritize partnerships with clients and cultivate key relationships with architects, engineers, manufacturers, material suppliers, and subcontractors to deliver maximum value on every project.

The protégés have learned that navigating the complexities of working with Sandia and the DOE is achievable through hands-on mentoring and a commitment to continuous learning.

As Strategic Industry continues to excel in various areas of the DOE, this contract not only highlights their expertise but also opens doors for further opportunities in large-scale projects across the energy landscape. With a steadfast commitment to innovation and excellence, Strategic Industry is poised to make a lasting impact on future construction work at multiple DOE sites.

If you are interested in learning more, please contact Sandia National Laboratories at sddmpp@sandia.gov.

Thanks to MA-60, MA-64, FEMP, and Sandia National Laboratories for their continued partnership and commitment to small businesses and for sharing these great success stories!

Legislative Updates

Below are recent updates from the Small Business Procurement Advisory Council regarding government contracting programs:

1. Strengthening Federal Procurement Forecasts (Nov. 29, 2024)

• New standardized approach to federal procurement forecasts
• Requires agencies to improve forecast content by Q3 FY2025
• Enhance timeliness by Q1 FY2026
• Provide centralized access through GSA's Forecast of Contracting Opportunities tool by Q3 FY2026
• Agencies must designate a Forecasting Lead by February 2025

More information:

Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) Memorandum

2. Increasing Small Business Subcontracting Participation (Nov. 29, 2024)

• Recommendations for agencies to close subcontracting gaps:
  • Submitting an application by December 22 qualifies until the SBA makes a decision
  • Challenge contractors proposing zero or minimal small business participation goals
  • Consider monetary incentives for prime contractors meeting small business subcontracting targets
  • Expand use of small business participation evaluation factors beyond just bundled contracts
  • Monitor contractor compliance with subcontracting plans more closely

More information:

OFPP Memorandum

3. SBA Final Rule: Women-Owned Small Business (Dec. 4, 2024)

• Aligning the language on outside employment across the 8(a), women-owned, and service-disabled veteran programs
• Removing outdated references to the VA's certification program
• Implementing statutory requirements on a firm needing to change its WOSB self-certification status based on a status protest
• Changes to definitions

More information:

Federal Register (89 FR 96089)

📅Mark Your Calendars

Below are upcoming small business events and training. Please visit the Small Business Events Calendar on the OSDBU’s website for more information.

• February 11-13, 2025 | 2025 National Small Business Conference hosted by National 8(a) Association
• February 13, 2025 | 2025 DOE Enterprise Construction Matchmaking Event hosted by DOE OSDBU
• March 6, 2025 | 2025 Small Business Opportunities Fair hosted by Sandia National Laboratories