The Hanscom Air Force Base Small Business Programs office will host a free Small Business Panel, March 11, from 9 to 11 a.m., at the Boston Marriott Newton hotel in Newton, Massachusetts.
During the event, attendees will hear from Hanscom AFB-based organizations, including senior leadership from the following directorates: Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence and Networks; Digital; Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications Integration; and Contracting; along with personnel from Hanscom’s Small Business Programs office. Representatives from the General Services Administration and the U.S. Small Business Administration Area 1 are also scheduled to participate.
While the panel is open to all, Hanscom AFB officials note it would probably be most beneficial for those from small and nontraditional businesses.
“This panel is one of the few local events that include the Hanscom AFB organizations, SBA and GSA,” said Andrea Panagoulias, director of Small Business Programs here. “We bring these groups together so industry can understand how we collaborate to achieve smart acquisition solutions that support our missions.”
Along those lines, the program directorate leadership will speak about how they consider and utilize small businesses to execute their mission. Additional topics planned include recent SBA legislation and how SBA can support small business, unique features of the GSA federal supply schedules and strategies created to maximize small business participation, and insights on innovative contracting strategies, including information about the government’s Small Business Innovative Research, or SBIR, program.
Registration is available at https://www.afcealexcon.org/hanscom-afb-small-business-panel, and is open online until Feb. 26. Officials recommend attendees submit questions for the panel when registering, as the panel members will only take additional questions if time allows.
“We look forward to this event each year as it’s an opportunity for the panelists to hear what’s at the top of mind for industry,” said Panagoulias. “We had a packed room last year and look forward to the same this year, so we highly encourage those interested in attending to register as soon as possible to reserve a seat.”
There will not be a virtual option for the panel, and the event is separate from the AFCEA New Horizons event taking place March 11-13 at the same location.
For additional information or questions about the panel, contact Panagoulias at andrea.panagoulias@us.af.mil or Amy MacDonough at amy.macdonough@us.af.mil.