The Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Norfolk Office of Small Business was presented the Sarkis Tatigian Award during a ceremony at the Pentagon, Nov. 17.

According to Leah Baker, one of two small business specialists at NAVSUP FLC Norfolk, the award recognizes the accomplishments of the entire NAVSUP FLC Norfolk team and is attributed to a high level of collaboration between the contracting department and the small business team.

"This award recognizes our role in developing and implementing a market research process that engages high-profile, geographically-dispersed customers early in the procurement cycle," she explained.

The award recognizes outstanding performance by a field activity in creating an organizational climate resulting in the advancement of small business opportunity through exceptionally managed small business programs and challenging initiatives, as well as making significant contributions to the command and the Department of the Navy Small Business Program.

Baker said that the NAVSUP FLC Norfolk Office of Small Business stays visible in the small business community by engaging in several small business events throughout the area of responsibility, and by counseling several industry representatives via telephone, face-to-face meetings, or at local outreach events.

Through engagement, the office hears vendor capabilities presentations, shares ideas with vendors on ways to improve marketing skills, guides vendors to various small business resources, and networks to grow the NAVSUP FLC Norfolk small business supplier base.

Baker added that they were also lauded for the implementation of the updated Small Business Coordination Record web tool. Their success has resulted in the Navy now mandating the tool's use Navy-wide.

Another highlight contributing to the award was the "8 for 8" event at NAVSUP FLC Norfolk Office of Small Business's Philadelphia office, where specialist Gerald Furey invited eight local 8(a) firms to address the entire contracting workforce.

The 8(a) Business Development Program is a business assistance program for small disadvantaged businesses, which offers a broad scope of assistance to firms that are owned and controlled at least 51 percent by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.

This event brought awareness to the benefits of the 8(a) program and led to opportunities that otherwise may not have become available to 8(a) small business firms.

"It is an honor to be selected for this award," said Furey. "There are many hard-working and deserving teams for this award, and to be singled out from all of the other nominees is a bit overwhelming."

NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center 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 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 more than 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.

Visit http://www.navsup.navy.mil/navsup/ourteam/navsupgls/news for more NAVSUP GLS news.

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A component of the Naval Supply Systems Command headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, NAVSUP GLS is part of a worldwide logistics network of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel providing combat capability through logistics.

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