The Office of Small Business Programs at Space and Systems Command, led by Tameka Wanzo. Plays a vital role within the Department of Defense by looking for programs to empower small businesses in defense contracting and assisting them in competitive opportunities for government contracts through advocacy, guidance, resources, and support. Under the leadership of ssc office of Small Business Programs Tameika Wanzo, the landscape has changed as more opportunities have opened for small businesses to do business with the DoD Especially through programs such as the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR). This article discusses the structure, importance, and outcomes of the SSC OSBP about driving small businesses in the DoD.
Key Takeaways
- The Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) within the Space and Systems Command (SSC) fosters critical partnerships between the Department of Defense (DoD) and small businesses.
- Tameika Wanzo is the Director of SSC’s OSBP, focusing on advocacy, outreach, and increasing contracting opportunities for small businesses within defense.
- SSC OSBP provides training, mentorship, and resources to help small businesses succeed in the complex world of federal procurement.
- Wanzo’s leadership has significantly expanded small business participation in SSC contracts, helping to diversify and strengthen the defense supplier base.
- Programs like SBIR and STTR, are managed by SSC OSBP. Offer substantial support for small businesses in technology innovation and collaboration with research institutions.
- The involvement of small businesses in defense contracts has led to job creation, economic growth, and innovation in the defense sector.
What Is the SSC Office of Small Business Programs?
The SSC OSBP plays a very important role in the DoD commitment to taking deliberate actions toward involving small businesses in defense contracts. SSC OSBP mission is to promote effective relations between small businesses and the defense industry to further innovation and provide a more competitive environment in the bidding process in the DoD contracting process.
It ensures that small businesses participate through training, mentorship, and funding. This office acts as an intermediary between small businesses and larger government contractors. Trying to balance the scales by giving smaller players a voice and opportunities in defense procurement.
Mission of the SSC OSBP
The SSC OSBP follows a certain mission-that of taking along small businesses in defense contracts. For this, it focuses on:
- Increase contracting opportunities awareness within the DOD
- Training and education of small businesses on the procurement process
- Opportunities to be given to small businesses through innovative and research programs, like the SBIRs/STTRs.
- Create opportunities for collaboration among small businesses through bigger defense contractors under programs like the Mentor-Protégé Program.
| Key Objective | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Increase Small Business Participation | Promote small business contracting opportunities within the defense sector. |
| Provide Training and Mentorship | Help small businesses navigate the complexities of federal procurement. |
| Foster Innovation | Encourage small businesses to participate in technological advancements through research programs. |
| Diversify Supplier Base | Enhance the defense sector by promoting competition and innovation. |
Leadership and Vision by Tameika Wanzo
Tameika Wanzo leads the SSC OSBP as a powerful voice in the halls for small businesses in the defense industry. As director of SSC’s OSBP, Wanzo is assigned critical responsibility for shaping programs and policies. Outreach initiatives planned to ensure increased participation by small businesses in the defense supply chain. Her leading role is to provide small businesses with a level playing field and to grow their share in large defense contracts.
Most of Tameika Wanzo’s work was done in the field of public service and development of small business enterprises in the federal and defense sectors. She tries to bring about her vision through collaboration, education, and support of businesses that may face difficulties breaking into government procurement.
With her experience in the field of business administration and federal contracting, Wanzo understands very clearly the barriers to entry that small businesses often face in trying to win defense contracts. Under her leadership, SSC’s OSBP has realized an increase in small businesses that have taken their first contract award and continued their relationships with the DoD.
Impact on SSC OSBP
Under the leadership of Tameika Wanzo:
- Greater outreach: More small businesses are aware of SSC’s contracting opportunities and support programs.
- Increased participation: More small businesses participate in SSC projects, adding variety to the supplier base for the defense sector
- Increased mentorship program: The Mentor-Protégé Program activities have been increased by SSC. Allow more small businesses to be mentored or supported by large defense contractors.
Value Proposition -Small Businesses to the Defense Industry
Small businesses are said to be the backbone of the U.S. economy. It is not different in their involvement concerning defense contracts. The involvement of small businesses being imperative for the following reasons includes:
- Innovation: Due to speed, small businesses can easily be flexible and innovative. Thus providing the Department of Defense with advanced technologies that bigger firms probably could not be able to develop proficiently.
- This ensures more competition in the market. Hence cost savings and the delivering of better products for the needs of the defense sector.
- It contributes towards economic development through the creation of jobs whenever large-scale defense contracts are involved
.Creation and Employment Opportunities
The SBA estimates that small businesses create nearly 44% of the United States economic activity and two-thirds of net new private sector jobs. Because of this factor, their involvement in defense contracts has a deep impact on economic growth, especially in those fields that require specialized knowledge or technological advancement.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Percentage of U.S. Economic Activity | 44% |
| Percentage of New Jobs Created by SMBs | 66% |
Major Initiatives of SSC OSBP
The SSC Office of Small Business Programs has programs available to help small businesses in pursuit of winning and performing defense contracts. These range from funding, mentorship, to networking programs.
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program
Of all the initiatives within the SSC OSBP, one of the most major programs is the SBIR. This program funds small businesses that are concerned with research and development projects highly likely to be commercialized. It aims at the inspiration of innovation and hence assures that the DoD has access to emerging technologies.
- Phase I: A small business gets an initial fund for studying the feasibility of its project.
- Phase II: With the successful completion of the project in Phase I, the company is entitled to additional funding for further development.
- Phase III: Companies are required, in this phase, to seek funding from private sector or non-SBIR sources to commercialize their product.
Small Business Technology Transfer Program
While similar in nature to the SBIR program, STTR requires small businesses partner with research institutions such as universities and nonprofit research organizations to help foster innovative technologies from research labs to the commercial market.
| Program Name | Purpose | Target Audience |
|---|---|---|
| SBIR | Encourage small business research and development | Small tech companies |
| STTR | Facilitate collaboration between small businesses and academia | Small businesses and research labs |
Mentor-Protégé Program
Stated in another way, the goal of the Mentor-Protégé Program is to give ssc office of small business programs tameika wanzo through a match with larger, more established defense contractors. Through that match, this can enable them to receive invaluable advice and materials to assist them in navigating the confusion of federal procurements and furthering their business.
- Mentors: Major defense contractors guide and mentor small businesses.
- Protégés: Small businesses are mentored in competing for and winning federal contracts.
Why Small Businesses Are Important to National Security
Small businesses are vital in allowing the U.S. military to obtain high-quality advanced technologies and solutions. Through granting small businesses defense contracts, the DoD exposes itself to a wide range of abilities and experiences that may not be available through larger businesses. Ideas. Technologies.
Promoting Innovation
For this reason, small businesses can be quick, in comparison to large corporations. To experiment with new technologies and bring into the market innovative solutions. This is important for the defense sector, where technological advantages enjoyed can make much difference in ensuring security from external threats.
Ensuring Competition
Inclusion of small businesses in defense procurement brings about healthy competition into the market. This competition results in better products, process efficiencies, and cost savings to DoD.
Sustainment of National Defense
The war-fighting technological advantage of the U.S. military relies on a broad supplier base. Through the encouragement of small business involvement in defense contracts. The SSC OSBP plays a role in ensuring the military access to a wide range of products and services critical for national defense.
How to get involve with the SSC Office of Small Business Programs
Joining the OSBP is an essential step in getting start for small businesses desirous of doing business with SSC. The ssc office of small business programs tameika wanzo offers a host of resources that will help small businesses to understand the process of federal procurement, including:
- Training Programs: Ranges from “how to” bid a contract to how to work one’s way through a maze of federal regulations.
- Networking Events: SSC OSBP hosts events that bring small businesses together with government officials. Large defense contractors and other small businesses.
- Outreach Initiatives: SSC’s OSBP reaches out to small businesses to encourage their awareness of contracting opportunities and advises them in how to submit a proposal.
Steps to Get Start
- Register with SAM.gov: Before one applies for government contacts. A small business needs to register with the System for Award Management. The system basically provides important information to the government, about your capabilities and past performance.
- Attend Training Sessions: SSC OSBP offers training sessions that help in discussing how to bid on government contracts.
- Apply for Contracts: Once registered, firms can begin applying for contracts. SSC OSBP guides how one finds contracting opportunities and submits proposals.
Conclusion
The Office of Small Business Programs under the Space and Systems Command. Under the great stewardship of Tameika Wanzo. Is all about empowering small businesses to know their full capability to participate in defense contracts. Ssc office of small business programs tameika wanzo serves as a resource for a variety of programs aimed at benefiting small businesses, including SBIR, STTR, and the Mentor-Protégé Program. These programs created the foundation on which small businesses can be competitive through the utilization of competition, innovation, and collaboration to enable access by the U.S. military. To the best technologies and solutions available. While fostering growth and economic development of small businesses.
FAQs:
What is SSC Office of Small Business Programs?
Resources and opportunities in the office include training, mentorship, and funding opportunities to help small businesses have opportunities to obtain defense contracts.
Who is Tameika Wanzo?
Tameika Wanzo is the director leading efforts to be more inclusive of small businesses in winning defense contracts at SSC OSBP.
Name some SSC OSBP programs.
Programs under this office include the SBIR, STTR, and Mentor-Protégé Programs.
How do small businesses get involve with SSC OSBP?
Small businesses will be able to register in SAM.gov, attend training, and apply for contracts through the SSC OSBP.
What benefits will small businesses receive from SSC OSBP?
Small businesses benefit from SSC OSBP through the grant of contracts, networks, training, and mentorship that further enable their growth and innovation.
