Explore highlights from the two-day event in Minneapolis hosted by the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization.
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
June 13, 2024
minute read time
On June 4-5, 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE’s) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) hosted the 2024 DOE Small Business Forum & Expo in Minneapolis. With over 1,000 attendees, the two-day conference connected small and disadvantaged businesses with the Department’s program offices, power marketing administrations, laboratory and technology centers, and prime contractors. The theme of the conference was American clean energy powered by small businesses and the agenda covered resources, best practices for success, and a wide range of opportunities to support DOE's mission. Check out four highlights from the conference below:
1. Welcome Messages, Keynote, and Fireside Chat
The Honorable Jennifer M. Granholm, Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy, provided a pre-recorded video welcome message on the Administration's accomplishments through President Biden's Investing in America agenda and the pivotal role that DOE and small businesses are playing in powering the clean energy economy. Secretary Granholm highlighted the DOE's small business achievements, including notable increases in awards to small businesses from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds. Following Secretary Granholm's welcome message, OSDBU Director Ron Pierce provided opening remarks on DOE small business initiatives, a preview of the conference agenda, and an introduction to the keynote speaker: Dr. Malik Yoba, an acclaimed actor, musician, author, entrepreneur, educator, philanthropist, and social justice warrior.
Last year, the Department of Energy awarded more than $12 billion in contracts and subcontracts to small businesses. We blew way past our goal!
Dr. Malik Yoba's keynote covered the importance of protecting our environment, entrepreneurship, and giving back to the community. The keynote touched upon the mission of Yoba Development, the real estate, education, and media company he founded to build human capacity through education while simultaneously pursuing sustainable and affordable mixed-use development projects in transitioning neighborhoods. After the keynote, Director Pierce joined Dr. Yoba for a Fireside Chat to field a wide range of questions from the audience, including tips for small businesses to grow and partner with DOE on clean energy initiatives.
2. OTT EPIC Pitch Competition (aka Purple Pitch)
The conference featured the return of the Office of Technology Transitions (OTT) Energy Program for Innovation Clusters (EPIC) Pitch Competition, one of the most popular features of the 2023 DOE Small Business Forum & Expo in New Orleans. To tie in with the Minneapolis cultural setting, the OTT EPIC Pitch Competition was also known as the “Purple Pitch in Minneapolis,” and included a special presentation by OSDBU Director Ron Pierce. As with the previous year's competition, it was a collaboration between OTT, OSDBU, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Before the competition began in earnest, there was a screening of a video showcasing the achievements of the previous year’s winners. Six cutting-edge clean tech startups then pitched their unique ideas for a clean energy breakthrough to a panel of expert judges. The startups featured in the competition were nominated by incubators who have successfully participated in the EPIC program.
OTT and OSDBU awarded the winners (four startups and one incubator) over $160,000 in cash prizes for their groundbreaking energy technologies. Hertha Metals from Conroe, TX received the first place prize of $100,000 for its pitch on environmentally responsible steel. Their technology reduces steelmaking process emissions by 95% with advanced solutions using existing infrastructure for a scalable economy. As the incubator nominating the first- place startup, Greentown Labs from Houston, TX won $25,000. Rounding out the second- and third-place awards were Sensatek Propulsion Technology, Inc. from Daytona Beach, FL and Torev Motors from Arlington, VA. In addition to first-, second-, and third-place awards, a $5,000 Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Prize was awarded by OSDBU to NitroCat Energies, located in Fort Collins, CO.
3. Reverse Auctions, APEX Help Center, and Breakout Sessions
As a new joint initiative, the OSDBU, Office of Environmental Management, and National Nuclear Security Administration held Live Reverse Auctions during the conference for various commodities and services at the Portsmouth/Paducah Project Office (PPPO) and Sandia National Laboratories sites to support DOE's mission. Awarded as Small Business Set Asides, the five auctions made up a total dollar value of over $318,000 and resulted in cost savings of nearly $50,000. The auction process was completely anonymous for the competitors and viewers, as the system allowed for the identification of the offerors to be masked for public display. Moving forward, the OSDBU will continue to explore ways to expand the utilization of reverse auctions and appropriate acquisitions as part of the auction process in support of the mission to put money directly into the small business pipeline.
Also brand new to the conference was a help center with the Small Business Administration and Minnesota APEX Accelerator representatives to answer questions and provide guidance on a multitude of topics. In addition, the agenda included various educational workshops known as breakout sessions and panel discussions covering upcoming procurement opportunities, initiatives at the Department, and doing business with the various program offices, laboratories, and sites. Topics included best practices shared by Federal agencies, DOE prime contractors, and small business owners with prior experience doing business with the Department. Additional topics covered partnerships in the DOE's Mentor Protégé Program, strategic sourcing opportunities with DOE’s Integrated Contractor Procurement Team, the Supply Chain Management Center, and opportunities to work with DOE through loans and financial assistance.
4. Matchmaking, Small Business Awards Ceremony, and Exhibit Hall
Expanding upon the previous year's conference networking opportunities, the 2024 DOE Small Business & Expo featured new 3-on-1 matchmaking, in addition to 1-on-1 matchmaking, that was extended for double the hours. The increased matchmaking provided small businesses a unique opportunity to meet with DOE program offices, laboratories, sites, and large company buyers in special, pre-scheduled meetings.
With over 115 vendors and service providers, the Exhibit Hall offered small businesses the chance to network for opportunities with DOE and its partners. The OSDBU also held an awards ceremony to honor and recognize the outstanding achievements of the many small businesses and internal DOE stakeholders during Fiscal Year 2023 to help promote and expand the utilization of small businesses.
A big thanks to the OSDBU staff for hosting this event and to partnering DOE offices, leadership, contract support, attendees, speakers, and moderators! Special thanks as well to exhibitors and sponsors for making this such a memorable event and for your continued support!
Please check back for updates on the 2025 DOE Small Business Forum & Expo and other small business developments on the OSDBU website.
