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# Virtual conference sustains communication between DLA Disposition Services and small business  

By Jeff Landenberger

                BATTLE CREEK, Mich.  –              
“Coffee and Contracting” is a monthly event hosted by the Southwest Michigan Procurement Technical Assistance Center bringing government buyers and small business leaders together to talk, learn from each other.

Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services Director of Contracting Tracy Hart and several members of her team took part in a virtual December session due to the pandemic.

**Taking part in the Southwest Michigan Procurement Technical Assistance Center’s “Coffee and Contracting” virtual meeting for DLA Disposition Services are, front row, Roger Lonoza, contract oversight and support division chief, Matt Wonch, acting operational contracting division chief, back row, Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services Director of Contracting Tracy Hart and Bernie Solovey, hazardous waste disposal contracting division chief.                            Meeting                            Taking part in the Southwest Michigan Procurement Technical Assistance Center’s “Coffee and Contracting” virtual meeting for DLA Disposition Services are, front row, Roger Lonoza, contract oversight and support division chief, Matt Wonch, acting operational contracting division chief, back row, Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services Director of Contracting Tracy Hart and Bernie Solovey, hazardous waste disposal contracting division chief.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Jeff LandenbergerVIRIN: 201125-D-YU183-007**Hart said her team has a long relationship with PTAC. She explained that PTAC represents the Small Business Association, advocating for small businesses to maximize contract opportunities at the federal, state and local level.

“This is the first time we have done a virtual conference with the PTAC,” Hart said noting that this was also the first time that members of the command’s public sales office took part in the conversation. “It’s a creative and safe way for them to try to keep that connectivity going in the time of COVID-19.”

Public sales joined the contracting directorate about a year ago. Introducing the team into the conversation will maximize opportunities for small business and potentially bring in more competition, Hart said. 

“Now more than ever, contract opportunities are needed by small businesses due to the economy, and they really are our backbone of the American economy,” Hart said

Noting that some of the small business on the call do not offer goods or services that apply to the DLA Disposition Services mission, but their information would be forwarded on to other agency activities that might.

Hart stated that DLA as a whole has about 12,000 suppliers and 80% of them are small businesses. 

If you are a small business looking to work with DLA, check out our “How to do business with DLA”  page.

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