NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Jacksonville (FLCJ) Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) attended the Department of Defense-sponsored annual small business training for all defense department small business professionals and federal government personnel in New Orleans, April 23-27.

The training event provided the opportunity to learn, build relationships and share best practices. Small business professionals from all over the United States were briefed on new and revised pending legislation and policy changes that have a profound impact on acquisition and business policies, processes and procedures.

In addition, each agency conducted individual meetings to detail regulations, directives and strategies relevant to their particular agency. During the U. S. Navy strategy briefing, Ms. Caretha Brown-Griffin, director, NAVSUP FLC Jacksonville Office of Small Business Programs, was recognized by Ms. Emily Harman, director, Department of Navy Office of Small Business Programs, for her outstanding performance in disputing a myth that major large dollar acquisitions typically flow to sole source awardees who hold proprietary data. Through technical research and collaborative efforts with the contracting officers, Ms. Brown-Griffin disputed the proprietary data claim and demonstrated the positive benefit of fostering intense market research leading toward increased opportunities for the SBA 8(a) Program.

Ms. Brown-Griffin accepted the award on behalf of NAVSUP FLC Jacksonville and made note that the 8(a) company is performing well under the contract. The engineering company also received the 2017 U. S. Women's Chamber of Commerce Innovation & Performance Award, which recognizes contractors who exhibit outstanding innovation or performance on a key contract that will significantly bolster their ability to secure future opportunities.

NAVSUP FLC Jacksonville, one of eight fleet logistics centers under Navy Supply Systems Command, provides operational logistics, business and support services to fleet, shore and industrial commands of the Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and other joint and allied forces. Services include contracting, regional transportation, fuel, material management, household goods movement support, postal and consolidated mail, warehousing, global logistics and husbanding, hazardous material management, and integrated logistics support.

For more news from Naval Supply Systems Command, visit www.navy.mil/.