Director of the Department of the Navy Office of Small Business Programs, Emily Harman, spoke to local and surrounding business leaders during a Small Business Workshop held in partnership with the Kentucky Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) in Louisville, Kentucky, Aug. 22.

The 42 workshop attendees, including business leaders and government contractors, gathered at the Kentucky Manufacturing Career Center to learn how small businesses can effectively work with the Navy and Marine Corps.

“People get scared when they see the Department of Defense (DoD) and how to do a contract with them, it can be very complicated and a very challenging road ahead,” said Jim Iacocca, president of the Knox Regional Development Alliance.

Similar sentiments are the reason why the Navy hosts these workshops.

“Sometimes people have a different way of learning, and by hearing it and being able to interact, they know that we’re authentic when we say we want to enhance a culture of small business inclusiveness across the Department of the Navy,” said Harman. “By holding workshops across the country during Navy Weeks, we’re sending the message that we are looking for small businesses and giving them a point of contact they can go to if they’re running into challenges.”

During the event, Harman gave tips on how small businesses can take the first step in working with the DoD, including contacting the local small business development center or PTAC, as well as advice on how to advertise services or products to the DoD.

“Find your niche, and figure out where you really want to focus and go after it,” said Harman. “You’re not going to be able to, starting out as a small business, support each one of our 10 buying commands. You’ve got to figure out which one of those buys what you sell and go for that.”

Harman also emphasized the importance of small businesses to the Department of Defense.

“Small businesses provide agility, innovation and responsiveness, and we’re always looking for that as we deliver products to the warfighter,” said Harman. “The large [businesses] can’t do it all … so they rely on small [businesses] to do that as well. That’s why there’s opportunities for small businesses to support us as prime and subcontractors.”

The relationship between DoD and small businesses also benefits the community.

“The DoD is a good, reliable partner,” said Iacocca. “For small businesses to have those defense contracts, it’s good for the business, it’s good for the local economy, it provides more jobs for in the state of Kentucky, and secures small businesses in the state of Kentucky.”

In the end, the workshop served to help the Navy connect with Kentucky businesses.

“We like to see more Navy activity down here,” said Darrall Henderson, director of the Kentucky PTAC. “For us it’s nice to get our resource partners to help small businesses break into government contracts.”

For more information about the Office of Small Business Programs, visit www.smallbusiness.navy.mil or follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NAVYOSBP.

The Navy Office of Community Outreach uses the Navy Week program to bring Navy Sailors, equipment and displays to approximately 14 American cities each year for a week-long schedule of outreach engagements designed for Americans to experience firsthand how the U.S. Navy is the Navy the nation needs.