The Air Force awarded millions of dollars in contracts to Dayton-area small businesses last year. And with a bevy of projects on the horizon, local firms will have the chance to earn millions more.
In fiscal year 2019, the Air Force Research Laboratory, headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force, doled out nearly $226 million to small businesses. Of the top 25 small business contractors on AFRL's 2019 list, eight were Dayton-area businesses.
Expanded further, the Air Force performed almost $552 million in work with small businesses in Ohio last fiscal year. Across the country, that number reached $3.2 billion.
Additionally, AFRL has partnered with two local organizations — Wright State Research Institute and Wright Brothers Institute — to further support area small businesses. Between local partnerships and contract awards, the Air Force has upped its game when it comes to working with local companies.
Luke Schultz, director of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center's Small Business Office, said the rest of this fiscal year will be busy as the department rushes to get requirements on contract. They will then look to the next round of contracts in fiscal year 2021.
"It looks like we're going to have another strong year," Schultz said of 2020 contract awards.
Current and future opportunities available to local small businesses can be found in the areas of advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, automation and robotics, augmented and virtual reality, IT, professional engineering and big data.
Here's a breakdown of the resources available to area small businesses, upcoming events and partnerships the Air Force has formed to accelerate engagement with academia and the private sector.
Base Resources
Beta.SAM
Beta.SAM.gov is the main website companies can use to access opportunities and connect with the Air Force.
The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center - Small Business Office
AFLCMC/SB has a vision and mission to lean on small businesses to find "agile, innovative, cost-effective solutions" to continue the strength of the Air Force.
Website: https://www.aflcmc.af.mil/SBO/
Contact: Director, Luke Schultz
Phone: 937-904-5999
Email: aflcmc.sb.org.mailbox@us.af.mil
Air Force Research Laboratory - Small Business Office
AFRL/SB strives to increase the use of small businesses as a source for "innovative, cost-effective, customer-focused solutions to warfighter requirements and Air Force missions." The office has several programs for the development and integration of technology to the warfighter or the commercial market.
Website: https://www.wpafb.af.mil/afrl/
Contact: Director, Bill Harrison
Phone: 937-656-9171
Air Force Research Laboratory - Small Business Hub at 444
The Small Business Hub was created in 2014 by AFRL and Wright Brothers Institute as place for entrepreneurs, businesses, industry and governmental organizations to come together in "support of tech-driven business growth, strengthening the Air Force industrial base and commercializing technologies for new market opportunities."
Website: https://afrlsbhub.com/
Contact: Director, Jim Masonbrink
Phone: 937-689-0889
Air Force Material Command - Small Business Office
AFMC/SB also aims to "create and deliver strategies that bring innovative, agile and efficient small business solutions to the Air Force to fly, fight and win in air, space and cyberspace."
Website: https://www.afmc.af.mil/About-Us/Small-Business/
Contact: afmc.sb.workflow@us.af.mil
Phone: 937-257-3211
Ohio Business Matchmaker
Ohio Business Matchmaker is an opportunity for small businesses to meet one-on-one with federal, state and local government buyers who represent billions of dollars in upcoming contracts. The next matchmaker event will be held April 28-29 at the Nutter Center at Wright State University.
Website: https://www.ohiobusinessmatchmaker.com/
Contact: matchmaker@development.ohio.gov
Defense Studies Institute
Defense Studies Institute is a professional education institution that promotes understanding of the defense industry, national security issues, and the defense contracting and acquisition process. DSI also provides insight and guidance to individuals seeking employment with the Federal civil service at military bases and with Department of Defense agencies.
Contact: President, Colonel John D. Thomas (retired)
Phone: 912-275-7836
Events
AFLCMC calendar and Air Force SBIR/STTR Pitch Days
Link: https://afrlsbhub.com/aflcmcsbo
Partnerships
APEX at Wright State Research Institute: Air Force Academic Partnership and Engagement Experiment (APEX) program. The five-year, $49 million APEX project will focus on enhancing academic engagement nationwide in support of the Air Force Small Business program, National Defense Strategy and the Air Force’s 2030 Strategy.
Wright Brothers Institute (WBI): WBI operates the 444 facility as part of the AFRL Small Business hub. It is a cutting-edge center for innovation and technology commercialization. WBI provides breakthrough solutions to US Air Force's most complex initiatives by leveraging resident experts, unique facilities, disruptive innovation processes and extensive networks.
The Air Force Small Business Office, on behalf of AFRL, also works with groups such as Dayton Defense; the Dayton Development Coalition; The Entrepreneurs Center; and the Dayton chapters of Women in Defense and AFCEA.