A Savannah River Site (SRS) contractor and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) co-hosted a virtual forum as part of their ongoing commitment to hiring veteran-owned small businesses.
Office of Environmental Management
January 7, 2025
minute read time
AIKEN, S.C. — A Savannah River Site (SRS) contractor and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) co-hosted a virtual forum as part of their ongoing commitment to hiring veteran-owned small businesses.
Over 250 participants joined the forum, led by DOE Office of Environmental Management (EM) contractor Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS). Key speakers from DOE, SRNS, EM liquid waste contractor Savannah River Mission Completion and SRNS parent company Fluor provided insights into government contracting, compliance requirements and project scopes for fiscal year 2025, which began in October last year.
U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management contractor Savannah River Nuclear Solutions committed $798 million to small businesses in fiscal year 2024. That includes $141 million to service-disabled and veteran-owned small businesses.
The event demonstrated the alliance between SRNS and OSDBU in their mission to champion veteran-owned small businesses, contributing to national defense and economic growth.
“SRNS is proud of its longstanding partnership with OSDBU,” said Jay Johnson, SRNS deputy senior vice president of Business Services and former Air Force captain. “To advance our nation’s defense capabilities, we look for new, innovative businesses that bring fresh perspectives. Their success translates into greater value for DOE customers and unlocks new opportunities across the complex.”
Dave Dietz, SRNS procurement senior director and former Navy captain, shared the company’s record-breaking commitment of $798 million to small businesses in fiscal year 2024. That total included $141 million to service-disabled and veteran-owned small businesses.
“We encourage small businesses to contribute to our upcoming projects supporting DOE and the National Nuclear Security Administration, such as new building constructions and a decade-long expansion plan,” said Dietz. “Veteran business owners are often well equipped with leadership, logistical skills and operational experience, which are transferrable to industries such as contracting, construction and security.”
OSDBU Director Ron Pierce said the organization’s awards to small businesses jumped from $8 billion in fiscal year 2022 to over $12.2 billion in fiscal year 2024. He added that OSDBU is ready to meet ambitious goals for fiscal year 2025.
SRNS Small Business Liaison Officer Lisa Tanner introduced the company’s new portal designed for supplier self-registration and opportunity forecasting, set to launch this year. She also introduced a pilot platform aimed at improving supplier performance through qualitative and quantitative factors.
“We take pride in giving veteran-owned businesses another way to serve our nation, now as entrepreneurs,” said Tanner. “Their unique traits, like discipline and mission commitment, are invaluable to our industry and national security.”
-Contributor: Mackenzie McNabb
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