WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced it has met all goals of the Small Business Administration (SBA) Scorecard for Fiscal Year 2007. DOE was one of only three federal agencies to meet these goals. The SBA Scorecard is an annual measurement of federal agencies’ efforts to develop and encourage relationships with small businesses.

The Department met its goals in contracting with businesses in all five of the SBA’s categories: small businesses; small disadvantaged businesses; women-owned small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; and small businesses owned by service-disabled veterans.

“Our small business program managers have led outstanding outreach efforts through opportunity sessions, venues and conferences,” said Director of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Theresa Speake. “We’re thrilled with our success and continue to encourage small business contracting opportunities with DOE.”

DOE today also announced plans for its 10th Annual Small Business Conference, Exposition & Matchmaking Forum, which will take place August 11-14, 2009, in Long Beach, California. The conference and forum will provide over $1 billion in potential subcontracting opportunities in FY 2009.

Co-sponsored by The New Mexico 8(a) & Minority Business Association, this year’s conference is charged with creating and enhancing entrepreneurial business opportunities.

The New Mexico 8(a) & Minority Business Association is a 501(c)(6) organization.

DOE is the largest civilian purchaser within the federal government, annually procuring over $22 billion in goods and services. DOE’s OSDBU leads the Department’s national outreach effort, as outlined in President Bush’s Small Business Agenda. Efforts like this conference provide insight into programs available to assist small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, veteran, service-disabled veteran-owned 8(a), and HUBZone businesses engage in DOE contracting opportunities.

You can register online for the 10th Annual Small Business Conference, Exposition & Matchmaking Forum or by calling (888) 246-2460.  Lorn more information about doing business with the Department of Energy.

Media contact(s):
Kristin Brown (202) 586-4940