COLUMBUS, Ohio –
Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime has an office dedicated to providing training, advice, guidance and strategies to small businesses that are looking to do business with the government.
The office also focuses on developing and implementing strategies that increase business opportunities for the various socioeconomic categories: service-disabled veteran-owned, woman-owned, small disadvantaged and HUBZone small businesses.
“Supporting small businesses is crucial to maintaining a robust industrial base, price competition and for providing jobs in our communities,” said James Secrist, the DLA Land and Maritime Office of Small Business deputy director.
Additionally, the office offers training to suppliers and Procurement Technical Assistance Center specialists.
PTACs are located in nearly every state and are funded by DLA and local governments to help vendors market their products and services to local, state and federal government agencies. PTACs and Small Business Offices both provide tools to help small businesses be more successful in government contracting.
DLA Land and Maritime and its detachments attend PTACs small business events throughout the year to educate businesses on DLA’s acquisition process and information about free training is offered.
The free Training, Knowledge and Opportunities class – known as a TKO – is offered through the DLA Land and Maritime Small Business Office in Columbus, Ohio, and is designed to teach suppliers new to federal government contracting how to be successful.
“I believe the TKO is a great opportunity for vendors to learn from the ground up on how to do business with DLA,” said DLA Land and Maritime Small Business Specialist Earl Madison. “It gives them the perfect opportunity to get their questions answered by the right people.”
DLA Land and Maritime manages the supply chain for ground-based and maritime weapons systems repair parts, small arms parts and fluid-handling systems.
Businesses looking for more information on selling to DLA should visit the DLA Small Business Office webpage where several educational resources are posted.