By Geoff Fein
Small businesses looking to tap into Navy programs need to focus their ideas on the service’s current concerns, otherwise they are unlikely to get an audience with program managers or acquisition staff, a top Navy official said.
But if a small firm’s idea ties to the threat…to the current concerns of the Navy and Marine Corps senior leadership, and it might also help a program manager, then there is a good chance the Navy will listen to the idea, John Thackrah, acting Assistant Secretary of Defense (Research, Development and Acquisition), told attendees at the 2008 Naval Opportunity Forum in Arlington, yesterday.
Thackrah told small business representatives they need to look at the various avenues available to them, besides coming directly to the Navy.
“I have become a relatively energetic fan of the mentor prot�g� conversation. I think there are great opportunities for small business,” he said.
“My biggest concern is the hundreds and thousands of ideas not being addressed because we haven’t answered that transition question,” Thackrah added. “How do we get your good idea transitioned to a mentor prot�g� conversation, SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) investment? How do we get those to grow, because I know there are a lot of good ideas.”
Thackrah said companies could come and talk to the Navy, although it might seem a difficult exercise at times. “I know it is hard, but we want to hear your ideas.”
“Take your specific idea, think for a minute how it addresses the specific threat. Think for a second how it solves a program manager’s program then come talk to us,” he added. “Don’t get dissuaded, don’t get disenfranchised, keep trying…come after us.”
Thackrah said there are a number of avenues for small companies to use to gain entrance to Navy programs. Besides mentor-prot�g� and SBIR, there are opportunities for women owned small business and disabled veteran owned business.
Companies also need to familiarize themselves with the Federal Business Opportunities website, he added.
“[It] is an avenue where we put all of our ideas out,” Thackrah noted.
Thackrah said he was aware of a Navy program posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website that is drawing little if any response from small companies.
“I am shocked, quite frankly, at the lack of response. [It’s a] huge program, lots of opportunity to participate, and I am here to tell you that I shocked at the lack of response,” he said. “When you don’t respond I ask myself, ‘are we asking the right questions,’ or ‘are we getting through…communicating correctly?’ If not please call us up and tell us.”