Strategic Resolution Experts, Inc. (SRE), a 100 percent woman/veteran-owned small disadvantaged business, signed their first federal contract with the Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service. SRE, owned by Jeannette King and headquartered in Martinsburg, W.Va., is a participant in the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development Program.
The signing recognition ceremony took place at the Eastern Panhandle Entrepreneurs Forum held at The Clarion Hotel & Conference Center in Shepherdstown on Thursday, Nov. 3. SRE Business Development Director Elizabeth Sager, SBA’s West Virginia District Director Judy K. McCauley and Melissa Loder, SBA business opportunity specialist in West Virginia, participated in the recognition ceremony.
The $167 thousand dollar sole-source contract was awarded for Business Modernization Office (BMO) Customer Account Data Engine (CADE) Project Strategic Planning and Transition Management Support.
“As a participant in the SBA’s 8(a) program, SRE is laying the groundwork to become an extremely successful technology and business solutions company,” said McCauley. “Jeannette King is using the tools provided her through the 8(a) program to acquire the knowledge and experience necessary to bid on and receive government contracts. That’s the 8(a) program working as it was designed.”
“SRE is very proud of our accomplishments this year having captured three prime contracts and actively working on several sub-contracting opportunities,” said King. “It took us several years to break into the federal market, but with the help of the great people at SBA and our teaming partners, we are successfully delivering services to our federal customers. I am excited about the future opportunities for the company and employees.”
“The 8(a) program is an essential instrument for helping socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs gain access to the economic mainstream of American society,” said Loder. “This program has helped thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs gain a foothold in government contracting.”
Divided into two phases over nine years, certified companies advance from a four-year development stage to a five-year transitional stage. The program provides access to sole-source contracts, up to a ceiling of $4 million for goods and services and $6.5 million for manufacturing. While the 8(a) certification program helps firms build competitive and institutional know-how through sole-source contracts, the SBA also encourages participation in competitive contracts as well as commercial contracts.
SRE was founded in 2007 and provides technology and business solutions to government agencies and commercial customers. Their customer base includes such clients as the IRS, US Navy, Department of Veterans Affairs, Federal Aviation Administration, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Princeton Information.
To learn more about the SBA and its business development programs, visit them at www.sba.gov/wv or contact Melissa Loder at (304) 623-5631 (Melissa.loder@sba.gov).