National Contract Management Association (NCMA), Jacksonville Chapter teamed with Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Jacksonville to sponsor the third annual Small Business Outreach Training (SBOT) at the University of North Florida April 21.

The SBOT event is an all in one educational opportunity for Government and Industry personnel to interact and exchange current information on program management, logistics and acquisition through mentoring, workshops and training classes.

The event began with the Naval Air Station Jacksonville Color Guard's presentation of Colors followed by the National Anthem, sung by Linda Nelson, a NAVSUP FLC Jacksonville Office of Small Business Programs Procurement Analyst.

Joint welcoming remarks were delivered by Capt. Re Bynum, NAVSUP FLC Jacksonville commanding officer and Capt. Drew Hascall, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast (NAVFAC SE) executive officer discussing the important relationship between the U.S. Navy and small businesses partnering to support the Warfighter.

The SBOT offered training classes from government agencies including U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. General Services Administration, and NAVFAC SE.

Several state and local government agencies also provided information on during business with the state of Florida, Duval County and the Jacksonville Transit Authority.

Panel discussions and workshops were offered on many subjects including government acquisition, Federal Labor, and Acquisition Regulations.

Small business owners and entrepreneurs provided advice from the small business owner's perspective.

According to Caretha Brown-Griffin, NAVSUP FLC Jacksonville director, Office of Small Business Programs, the SBOT is highly recommended for any small business owner and entrepreneur.

"By the end of the day, I had received at least 12 phone calls and four email messages from attendees. They are motivated and interested in learning more about business opportunities with NAVSUP FLC Jacksonville and the U.S. Navy," said Brown-Griffin.

The event wrapped up with matchmaking sessions with industry professionals mentoring small business participants, strengthening the positive relationship of small businesses and government contracting.

NAVSUP FLC Jacksonville, 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 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.

NAVSUP GLS provides global logistics for a global Navy. The organization is made up of approximately 6,300 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.

For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy.

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