Investing purchasing power into small, local businesses is a top priority under the Los Alamos National Security, LLC management and operations contract.
Wednesday morning, the Assurance Operations Office (ASM-AO) made an effort to make the Lab more aware of small business purchasing, by handing out balloons with a friendly reminder logo: “Make a Big Deal of Small Business.” The balloons were handed out to employees in Acquisition Services Management (ASM) Division who make purchases for Laboratory organizations.
“The small business goals that LANS proposed are very aggressive and we are trying to spread awareness throughout the Lab,” Dennis Roybal, of the Small Business Program said. “Purchasing from small business not only is in the prime contract, but it’s the right thing to do.”
Through May of fiscal year 2007, the Laboratory has purchased $451.1 million in goods and services. Of that amount, $210.8 million (46.7 percent) was from Northern New Mexico businesses. Total small business purchases through May are $159.1 million, said Roybal.
"Therefore, it is essential that we all work together to increase the procurement dollars going to small businesses,” he said.
Roybal believes that purchasing from small businesses could benefit the Lab in terms of offering more flexibility, better customer service, more innovation, and sometimes better prices.
“If the door is opened up to these small businesses, I believe they can provide just as good or better services,” Roybal said.
