Brookhaven Lab Receives Small Business Administration Award

April 16, 2009

Jill Clough-Johnston

Jill Clough-Johnston, Brookhaven Lab's Small Business Liaison Officer

UPTON, NY — The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory has been selected to receive the Small Business Administration’s Dwight D. Eisenhower Award of Excellence — Research and Development Category. The award recognizes large prime contractors that have excelled in using small businesses as suppliers and subcontractors. The Laboratory will receive the award during a celebration of National Small Business Week, to be held in Washington, DC, from May 17 - 19.

“I am gratified that the Small Business Administration has recognized the Laboratory with this award,” said Jill Clough-Johnston, Brookhaven Lab’s Small Business Liaison Officer. “Small businesses represent more than 99 percent of all employers and provide up to 80 percent of net new jobs. Brookhaven Lab’s Office of Procurement & Property Management actively pursues relationships with small businesses to provide them with subcontracting opportunities at the Laboratory.”

Specifically, Brookhaven Lab’s Small Business Program connects procurement specialists at the Laboratory with small businesses that offer high-quality goods or services on time and at a fair and reasonable price. The program strives to enhance the small business community by supporting recognized superior performers and offering guidance and support to help grow the small businesses that meet the Laboratory’s needs.

In fiscal year 2008, Brookhaven Lab’s approximately $530 million budget included over $175 million for procurement of supplies and services. The Laboratory purchased architectural and engineering services, computers and computer maintenance, construction and construction materials, office supplies, pharmaceuticals and biological agents, electronic equipment, recreational equipment, research and development services, safety equipment, transportation, testing services, and training services.

During the last five years, Brookhaven Lab has exceeded the subcontract procurement goals set by DOE for most categories of small businesses. For example, in fiscal year 2008:

  • 60.09 percent of the Laboratory’s subcontracts were made with small businesses, exceeding the goal of 46.4 percent
  • 9.28 percent of subcontracts went to small disadvantaged businesses, exceeding the goal of 6.3 percent
  • 14.4 percent of subcontracts were given to women-owned businesses, well over the goal of 5.8 percent
  • 4.63 percent of subcontracts were negotiated with historically underutilitzed businesses, well over the goal of 3 percent.

Outreach strategies are currently employed to increase subcontracts with veteran-owned, and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses.

Tags: award

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