Monthly, the NNSA Headquarters' Small Business Program Manager, Program personnel and other invited parties set aside time to meet with small businesses that supply products or services of interest to the NNSA. Small businesses are scheduled, individually, to present their company's capabilities and competencies.
Prior to being scheduled for an Opportunity Session, small businesses are interviewed to asses expertise, past performance, security clearance status, and knowledge of the NNSA environment. Areas of expertise, skills, competencies, and experience that the NNSA looks for in a small business prior to scheduling them for an Opportunity Session include:
- General Federal contracting experience
- Experience within the NNSA, the Department of Energy (DOE), or Management & Operating environment
- Personnel with security clearances
- Stable revenue growth
- In business for a minimum of two years
- Contracting vehicles: GSA, 8(a), Alaskan Native Corporations, Small Disadvantaged Business, HUBZone, woman-owned, service disabled veteran-owned, and others
During the Opportunity Session, small businesses are given an overview of NNSA's background. They are invited to present their company's capabilities for approximately 30 minutes, leaving time for questions, answers, and next steps. Upon conclusion, small business participants receive, electronically, a Small Business Capabilities Questionnaire, Survey, and Program Manager's List for DOE and NNSA Enterprise-Wide.
