Fargo Navy Week To Feature Small Business Workshop

Written by: Fargo Inc

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Deven Leigh Ellis

Fargo Navy Week, which takes place July 23-29, is designed to give residents an opportunity to learn more about the Navy, its people and its importance to national security and prosperity. Fargo was one of only 14 cities selected to host a Navy Week this year.

Here are some of this year’s events:

  • The Blue Angels Flight Demonstraction Squadron
  • Navy Divers and Navy Explosive Ordinance Disposal teams
  • Navy Band musical performances
  • Visits to schools and youth organizations
  • And much more!

LT Mack Jamieson, Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO), Millington, TN, said the goal of Navy Week is to help the public understand what the Navy does for them.

“Fargo doesn’t get to see Sailors often due to being a land-locked state, but the impact these Sailors make are felt through the Fargo area in $464 million in annual exports area businesses conduct,” he said. “We want to help all Americans understand how their Navy works for them.”

“We can talk about our hardware and the platforms that make us the most powerful Navy in the world all day, but they are useless without the Sailors who operate and maintain them,” he added. “The Sailors come from places across the country just like Fargo, and we hope to bring their story home to this community.”

This year’s Fargo Navy Week will also feature a small business workshop designed to help small businesses obtain and execute contracts with the Navy and Marine Corps. It will cover how to find out about upcoming contracting opportunities and how small businesses can contribute to the warfighter mission.

Ms. Emily Harman, Director of the Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) for the Department of the Navy (DON), will conduct the workshop July 25th from 9-11 a.m. in the U.S. Federal Building/Post Office, 657 2nd Ave N, Room 319.

“Ms. Harman has been doing these workshops all over the country, and the feedback has been universally positive,” LT Jamieson said. “We’re excited to have the Navy Office of Small Business Programs involved in Navy Week and hope we can get as many interested small business owners at the event as possible.”

Click here for more information on Fargo Navy Week and to register for the small business workshop.

If you attend any of the Fargo Navy Week events, be sure to use the hashtag #NavyWeek in your social media posts.

Top Five Things To Keep In Mind When Contracting With The Navy And Marine Corps

Written by Emily Harman, CPCM, Director of Department of the Navy Office of Small Business Programs (Department of the Navy consists of the Navy and Marine Corps)

  1. Be procurement ready.
  2. Do your homework to find out which of the Department of the Navy’s 10 buying commands buys what your company is selling.
  3. Schedule a meeting with the small business professional at the buying command.
  4. Look for subcontracting opportunities as a way to get your foot in the door.
  5. Contact your local Procurement Technical Assistance Center for additional help/free resources.

Department Of The Navy Business Stats

  • In fiscal year 2017, the DON awarded more than $514,000 in contracts to small businesses in cities within 50 miles of Fargo.
  • Overall, the DON awarded more than $903,000 in contracts to businesses in North Dakota, including $886,000 for small businesses.

Top 10 industries where the DON awarded prime contracts:

  • Ship building and repairing
  • Engineering services
  • Aircraft manufacturing
  • Research and development in the physical, engineering and life sciences (except biotechnology)
  • Search, detection, navigation, guidance, aeronautical and nautical system and instrument manufacturing
  • Commercial and institutional building construction
  • Other aircraft parts and auxiliary equipment manufacturing
  • Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing
  • Aircraft engineer and engine parts manufacturing
  • Power boiler and heat exchanger manufacturing

Top vendors in Fargo who were awarded prime contracts from the DON:

  • Packet Digital
  • MDM Construction
  • MOOG, INC.
  • Border States Industries
  • AvSupport

About Ms. Emily Harman

Ms. Emily Harman is the Director, Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) for the Department of the Navy (DON) serving as chief advisor to the Secretary on all small business matters. She is responsible for small business acquisition policy and strategic initiatives.

Ms. Harman joined the Secretary of the Navy staff as member of the Senior Executive Service in August 2015 and has over 30 years of federal service. Prior to receiving this appointment, she served as associate director of the Naval Air Systems Command’s (NAVAIR) OSBP from November 2005 to August 2015.

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Brady Drake is the editor of Fargo INC!