Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast awarded a $946,635 contract Sept. 24 to Tejas Premier Building Contractor, Inc., an 8(a) business out of San Antonio, Texas, for runway lighting repairs at Naval Air Station (NAS) Kingsville, Texas.

"This project will enhance airfield safety by improving guidance to student pilots through upgraded mandatory and directional signage," said Capt. Christopher Misner, commanding officer of NAS Kingsville.

Work for this project will include installation/replacement of approximately 33 signs that serve to mark the runway hold locations at the most frequently used sites for taxiing by pilots.

Directional signage will also be provided at what was determined to be the most beneficial to improve situational awareness for pilots, reducing air traffic control workload.

Work will be performed in Kingsville and is expected to be completed by May 2016.

Small businesses, which includes 8(a) firms, play a vital role in the American economy by employing half of the country's workforce, creating nearly two out of every three new American jobs and often being the source of the next great American innovation. NAVFAC Southeast strives to meet its goals building on its success by providing contract opportunities to these businesses.

"Businesses that fall under the Small Business category continues to be our first option when fulfilling our requirements," said NAVFAC Southeast Small Business Deputy Nelson Smith. "NAVFAC Southeast continues to seek maximum practicable opportunities for this group in all of our procurements."

Each year NAVFAC establishes target goals for Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Zone Small Business, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, and Women-Owned Small Business categories. Smith explained that the maximum practicable utilization of small business concerns is a matter of national interest with both social and economic benefits.

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