Some of those efforts include “matchmaker” type events, industry days and pitch days modeled after commercial investment pitch competitions.
At AFLCMC Pitch Days held last November in Dayton and San Francisco, approximately $32 million was awarded to small businesses that successfully pitched a number of products and services.
“Small business is a key part of our [AFLCMC] success,” said Luke Schultz, director of AFLCMC’s Small Business Office. “They are able to move with greater speed and agility while providing highly innovative solutions. When considering the industrial base, it’s imperative to have strong businesses, in order to ensure we have capable companies that can offer the services and supplies required to meet the mission.”
Currently Schultz and his team are focused on transitioning innovative technologies from small businesses to program offices across the center. This involves working with small business to find out what their capabilities are and connecting them with contacts in the program offices.
“My goal is to continue to engage small business and ensure that they come to us and that we give them the necessary information, points of contact and be a value added liaison for them,” said Schultz. “In addition, I want to be a resource for the program executive officers, to let them know of the small business opportunities that are available.
“It’s a very exciting time to be in small business,” Schultz added. “These businesses have the innovative technologies to enhance the capabilities of our warfighters, and I look forward to working with them in the near future.”
AFLCMC has small business professionals at Wright-Patterson AFB, Hanscom AFB, Lackland AFB, Gunter AFB, Eglin AFB and Newark AFB. There are also small business professionals who provide support for AFLCMC at Robins AFB, Hill AFB and Tinker AFB.
For more information and details about small business opportunities, contact the office by email to aflcmc.sb.org.mailbox@us.af.mil or www.aflcmc.af.mil/SBO/ .
About the Author