# Small Businesses receive answers to questions during event

/ Published July 19, 2019
COLUMBUS, Ohio, 
Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime detachment at Puget Sound participated in the “Meet the Buyers” small business outreach event in Bremerton, Washington, July 17.

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility plays an important part in the DLA Maritime family by serving as the primary advocate for PSNS and IMF supply support in Washington.

                Supervisory Purchasing Agent Jessica Reichard and Contract Specialist and Bangor Team Lead Andrea Hart spoke to small businesses about Defense Logistics Agency Maritime - Puget Sound focusing on how suppliers can do business with DLA during a July 17 “Meet the Buyers” event in Bremerton, Washington.                            “Meet the Buyers” Small Business Event                            Supervisory Purchasing Agent Jessica Reichard and Contract Specialist and Bangor Team Lead Andrea Hart spoke to small businesses about Defense Logistics Agency Maritime - Puget Sound focusing on how suppliers can do business with DLA during a July 17 “Meet the Buyers” event in Bremerton, Washington.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: DLA Maritime Puget SoundVIRIN: 190717-D-D0441-1001Supervisory Purchasing Agent Jessica Reichard and Contract Specialist and Bangor Team Lead Andrea Hart hosted a session for attendees discussing the shipyard, what it procures and how suppliers can do business with DLA. After the presentation, participants visited the DLA booth for a question and answer session, allowing one-on-one personalized interaction with each.

“Every time we attend an event like this, one of the key takeaways is an increased vendor pool across every socioeconomic category,” Hart said. “New vendors are able to learn about the many resources available to them, and how to successfully supply correct information when quoting DLA requirements. This provides immeasurable intrinsic value in ensuring DLA Maritime – Puget Sound is able to maximize contract award dollars to small business concerns.”

The socioeconomic categories include service-disabled veteran-owned, woman-owned, small disadvantaged and HUBZone small businesses.

The event was hosted by Olympic College and allowed small business representatives to speak directly with buyers, contractors and presenters from Washington Procurement Technical Assistance Center and Kitsap Economic Development Alliance. Additional presenters included local and statewide Department of Defense agencies, procurement specialist and prime contractors looking for small business partners.

                “Meet the Buyers” small business participants take a group photo during the July 17 event in Bremerton, Washington. Pictured l-r: Tiffany Scroggs with the Washington – Procurement Technical Assistance Center, Jessica Reichard with DLA Maritime – Puget Sound, Kathy Cocus with Kitsap Economic Development Alliance, Andrea Hart with DLA Maritime – Puget Sound and Mona Carlson with Small Business Liaison Office.                            “Meet the Buyers” Small Business Event                            “Meet the Buyers” small business participants take a group photo during the July 17 event in Bremerton, Washington. Pictured l-r: Tiffany Scroggs with the Washington – Procurement Technical Assistance Center, Jessica Reichard with DLA Maritime – Puget Sound, Kathy Cocus with Kitsap Economic Development Alliance, Andrea Hart with DLA Maritime – Puget Sound and Mona Carlson with Small Business Liaison Office.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: DLA Maritime Puget SoundVIRIN: 190717-D-D0441-202Throughout the year, DLA Maritime – Puget Sound Strategic Acquisition Division attends events across Washington focused on assisting small businesses with marketing to the government, solicitations, drawings and other areas related to selling to the government as part of their outreach efforts to ensure small businesses have the resources and answers they need to do business with DLA.

Businesses looking for more information on selling to DLA should visit the DLA Small Business Office webpage where several educational resources are posted. The available resources provide assistance to train and counsel suppliers on doing business with DLA.

These free opportunities include immersive two-day Training, Knowledge and Opportunities Seminars known as TKOs, webinar training presented by DLA Land and Maritime subject matter experts as well as vendor outreach opportunities at symposiums, fairs and conferences across the country.