NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

During the opening ceremonies for the recent Business Opportunities Expo 2006, Dudley Cannon, director of procurement for NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, told the crowd that the event is a prime example of partnership between the space agency, the U.S. Air Force’s 45th Space Wing and the Canaveral Port Authority.

“It is also an example of the collaboration we have with industry, both large and small businesses, and has grown into a popular event,” Cannon said at the Oct. 17 event, held in Cruise Terminal 4 at Port Canaveral, Fla.

Image at Right: Expo visitors stroll among the displays of the more than 175 exhibitors that participated in the event. Image credit: NASA

“The expo is our premier event to reach out to all businesses and really helps to establish relationships. This event started out in a tent in the parking lot behind our Headquarters Building at Kennedy, so it has really grown into something great.”

The annual expo, which was free and open to the public, drew more than 175 exhibitors. During the opening ceremonies, Kennedy procurement employee Connie Wilcox announced the honorees for the space center's Contractor Awards for this fiscal year, including Advanced Business Services (Woman Owned Subcontractor), InDyne (Small Business Contractor), Waste Pro (Small Business Subcontractor), and Industrial Supplies Company (Industrial Supplies Company).

Glenn Delgado, associate administrator for the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization at NASA Headquarters in Washington, told the audience that small businesses must be creative as the space agency transitions from the shuttle program to the next generation of space exploration. There will be a large amount of work in the research and development area and not much in the manufacturing areas, he said.

“I’m looking forward to working with all the small businesses that support NASA, as well as the partnerships with all of our large prime contractors,” Delgado said. “I’m also looking forward to working with the procurement employees, because that’s where the money hits the road.”

Center Director Jim Kennedy told the crowd there are ample opportunities for small businesses at the Spaceport. He said 23 percent of the center’s procurement dollars are spent with small businesses.

Image at Left: Kennedy Space Center Director Jim Kennedy talks to expo participants about future business opportunities at the center. Image credit: NASA

“These are exciting times at the Kennedy Space Center and that means this will also be a very active time, which means business opportunities are going to abound for all (sizes of) businesses,” Kennedy said. “We had a goal of $150 million of our direct procurement dollars going to small business, but the people who execute those contracts pulled in $300 million of those procurement dollars -- double the original goal. My commitment to you today is that we are here to help those of you who are a part of the small business or start-up to thrive. The future of the space business in Florida is bright and we need you to accomplish the work ahead of us.”

Jeff Stuckey and Cheryl L. Mansfield
NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center