Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center (NAVSUP FLC) Norfolk announced on Oct. 15 that the command completed its strongest small business finish on record in fiscal year 2015.

The Office of Small Business exceeded goals in all categories and surpassed their overall small business goal by five percent, while awarding $611 million in contracts to small businesses.

According NAVSUP FLC Norfolk Assistant Deputy Director, Office of Small Business Programs Leah Baker, this was the first time the command surpassed every goal in a fiscal year, while setting a command record for most money awarded to small business.

"We have come close in the past to achieving all of our small business goals, but usually fell short in one or two categories," she said. "The Small Business Office and the Contracting Department made a concerted effort to maximize small business opportunities where possible and the results are outstanding."

Baker added that throughout the year, the NAVSUP FLC Norfolk Contracting Department and small business specialists worked with NAVSUP headquarters on market research efforts designed to increase small business awards. She cited the example of an effort by Gerald Furey, the small business specialist in NAVSUP FLC Norfolk's Philadelphia office called "8 for 8," where small business 8(a) firms were invited to present briefs on their companies to the Contracting Department.

"This forum allowed these firms to present their capabilities first-hand to the audience," explained Furey.

Baker says these small business successes reflect the Navy's overall emphasis on small business programs.

"Small business and a competitive, healthy small business industrial base are vital to the long term success and affordability of the Department of the Navy as well as to our national security," said Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition) in a memo earlier this year. "The evidence is overwhelming that where affordability is paramount, a strategy that includes small business creates more affordable outcomes and promotes innovation and technical advancement."

Baker explained that the overall increased awareness of the Small Business Programs has helped break barriers in the procurement process, allowing the Small Business Office to collaborate on the requirements sooner to assess the potential for small business opportunities.

"The success is truly a joint effort - the acquisition personnel rose to the challenge and focused on finding small businesses that could meet their requirements," she concluded.

NAVSUP FLC Norfolk, one of eight fleet logistics centers under NAVSUP Global Logistics Support (GLS), provides operational logistics, business and support services to fleet, shore and industrial commands with 37 separate locations in three Navy regions. Connect with NAVSUP FLC Norfolk at https://www.facebook.com/NAVSUP-Fleet-Logistics-Center-Norfolk-1434046346807412/timeline/.

NAVSUP GLS provides global logistics for a global Navy. The organization is made up of more than 6,500 military and civilian logistics professionals operating from 105 locations worldwide providing an extensive array of integrated global logistics and contracting services to Navy, Marine Corps, joint operational units, and allied forces across all warfare enterprises.

Visit https://www.navsup.navy.mil/navsup/ourteam/navsupgls/news for more NAVSUP GLS news. Connect with NAVSUP GLS on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/navsupgls

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