ONR Seeks Big Opportunities at Small Business Conference

By Katherine H. Crawford, Office of Naval Research Corporate Communications

ARLINGTON, Va. (NNS) -- The Office of Naval Research (ONR) will share partnership possibilities with members of the small business community at the 23rd Annual Navy Gold Coast Small Business Opportunity Conference, being held Aug. 23-24 in San Diego.

"This conference allows us to identify potential program participants from among the 1,500 attendees," said Brenda Pickett, who oversees ONR's Office of Small Business Programs. "The event is a great way to connect small business and Department of the Navy professionals to develop partnerships that may result in important scientific advances and new technologies."

The conference provides a forum to educate, guide and assist primarily small businesses in working with the government, particularly the Department of Defense. The objective is to reach the mutually beneficial goal of identifying relevant research and technology for military use.

ONR strives to ensure underrepresented businesses have access to the information they need to compete and participate throughout the federal acquisition process. ONR's small business programs are specifically aimed at businesses that are disadvantaged, women-owned, service-disabled veteran- and veteran-owned and in historically underutilized business zones, as well as historically black colleges and universities, and minority institutions.

This year's event is at the San Diego Convention Center and will include more than 250 exhibitors. ONR's booth, no. 751, will be open from 2-5 p.m. on Aug. 23 and 1:15-4:10 p.m. on Aug. 24.

The conference is co-sponsored by the National Defense Industrial Association's San Diego chapter and Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR). The event is co-hosted on a rotating basis among the Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, SPAWAR, Naval Supply Systems Command, Naval Air Systems Command and the U.S. Marine Corps.

ONR provides the science and technology necessary to maintain the Navy and Marine Corps' technological advantage. Through its affiliates, ONR is a leader in science and technology with engagement in 50 states, 70 countries, 1,035 institutions of higher learning and 914 industry partners. ONR employs approximately 1,400 people, comprising uniformed, civilian and contract personnel, with additional employees at the Naval Research Lab in Washington, D.C.