Southwest Regional Maintenance Center (SWRMC) hosted its second annual Industry Day event at the Naval Base San Diego Theater Jan. 20.

The purpose of Industry Day is to promote small business participation in the SWRMC contracting process, and to disseminate information on policies affecting SWRMC's contracting process.

"SWRMC has done a Powerball of contracting last year, just over $1.3 billion," said Capt. Paul W Bieraugel, SWRMC executive officer. "Our goals today are to attract small business because we appreciate what small business can do for our ships and our maintenance organization, and to inform you so you can have the opportunity to work with SWRMC."

Speakers for the day included SWRMC contracting subject-matter experts who explained SWRMC's contracting processes; current and upcoming opportunities; lessons learned; and an open ask the expert session, which highlighted inclusion of small business in acquisition strategies at the prime and/or subcontracting levels, and market research strategies. Representatives from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and Commander Naval Regional Maintenance Center (CNRMC) also spoke to the group of contract hopefuls.

"Industry Day demonstrates SWRMC's support of small business programs," said Alice Watson, SWRMC deputy for small business. "Our Small Business Policy Statement signed August 2015 instructs all involved in the contracting process to strive to achieve small business goals established by Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). One way to achieve our small business goals is to have outreach events such as Industry Days.

"SWRMC received its FY16 small business goals from NAVSEA on 21 January," said Watson. "The goal is to give small businesses 8.97 percent, small disadvantaged businesses 3.04 percent, small disadvantaged veteran owned small businesses 0.50 percent, woman owned small businesses 0.13 percent, and HubZone 2.07 percent of contract dollars awarded by SWRMC."

Last year SWRMC provided small businesses 8.27 percent, small disadvantaged businesses 2.79 percent, service disabled veteran businesses .45 percent, women owned small businesses .12 percent, and HubZone 1.90 percent of contract dollars awarded by SWRMC. This equated to over $93 million awarded to small businesses.

SWRMC's mission is, "Our uniquely qualified team provides superior ship maintenance, modernization, technical support, and training for the Pacific Fleet."

For more information about SWRMC please visit http://www.swrmc.navy.mil/default.htm.

For more news from Southwest Regional Maintenance Center, visit www.navy.mil/.