WASHINGTON, D.C. –
The Department of Navy Office of Small Business Programs (DON OSBP) earned the prestigious
Vanguard Award, for the second consecutive year, and third time in the last four years recognizing it as one of the Department of Defense (DoD) components that best exemplified a commitment to strengthening small business participation and industrial competitiveness across the defense acquisition landscape.
“The 2024 award was a moment of immense pride, demonstrating the tangible results of initiatives that increase small business participation, streamline procurement processes, and expand collaboration across industry sectors,” said L. Nicole Perry, Department of Navy, Office of Small Business Programs, Acting Deputy Director. “This recognition belongs to every individual who believes in the power of small business. To our team at DON OSBP, Small Business Professionals throughout our 10 major buying activities, DoD partners, and to every entrepreneur who dares to innovate for the future of defense – we share this honor.”
The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) supports DON OSBP’s mission through collaboration, partnerships, and technology transition initiatives creating opportunities for small businesses to contribute to national defense priorities.
In fiscal year 2024, NRL exceeded all
Office of Naval Research (ONR) and command-level small business contracting goals, reinforcing its commitment to supporting diverse and underrepresented enterprises. Small businesses received 55.88% of total prime-contract awarded dollars, well above the command-level goal of 44%. NRL awarded 11.47% to Small Disadvantaged Businesses, surpassing the 8% target. Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses received 5.12%, exceeding the 5.10% goal. Women-Owned Small Businesses were awarded 3.12%, outpacing the 2.40% benchmark. Additionally, 1.04% was awarded to Historically Underutilized Business Zone, or HUBZone, businesses – more than double the 0.40% goal. These achievements underscore NRL’s ongoing efforts to forge innovation and economic opportunity through strategic small business partnerships.
“Thanks to the efforts of our requirements owners, contracting professionals, and the Office of Small Business Programs, the Office of Naval Research and the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory are out front in exceeding all small business goals,” said NRL Associate Director of Research for Business Operations Dr. Lisa Swan, SES. “This award reflects the power of partnership, and the critical role small businesses play in national security.”
Presented annually, the Vanguard Award is part of the DoD Small Business Vanguard Awards Program, which honors members of the defense acquisition workforce who go above and beyond in promoting small business involvement in national defense priorities. The DON OSBP was acknowledged for its leadership in fostering inclusive procurement practices and empowering small businesses to thrive in the defense industrial base.
“The DoD Small Business Vanguard Awards recognize the exemplary contributions of the defense acquisition workforce that influence small business procurement,” Swan said. “These efforts are foundational to maintaining a resilient and innovative supply chain.”
The DON OSBP’s recognition underscores its ongoing efforts to integrate small businesses into the Department’s acquisition processes, helping ensure the Navy and Marine Corps maintain access to warfighter-focused technologies, streamlined solutions, and competitive sourcing.
Swan credited the award to a collaborative, enterprise-wide commitment to small business advocacy.
Established in 2015, the Vanguard Awards program is overseen by the Director of the DoD Office of Small Business Programs on behalf of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. The program spotlights professionals and teams within the Department who drive measurable outcomes in small business participation across all socioeconomic categories.
The award reinforces the Department of the Navy’s strong track record in small business engagement and highlights the operational value these partnerships bring to naval readiness and modernization.
Andrew Chappell, ONR Office of Small Business Programs Acting Director, applauded this year’s commands for setting the standard in federal acquisition excellence.
“The recipients selected for the awards demonstrated excellence and significantly contributed to the small business mission during the period of Fiscal Year 2024,” Chappell said. “They represent the best of what public service and acquisition leadership look like when paired with an unwavering dedication to inclusion and mission success. Small businesses are recognized as vital partners in national defense – delivering innovation, agility, and critical capabilities that support warfighters and advance technological superiority.”
DON OSBP works across the Navy and Marine Corps to ensure these businesses have meaningful opportunities to compete for contracts, develop solutions, and scale to meet the Department’s evolving needs.
About the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
NRL is a scientific and engineering command dedicated to research that drives innovative advances for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps from the seafloor to space and in the information domain. NRL is located in Washington, D.C. with major field sites in Stennis Space Center, Mississippi; Key West, Florida; and Monterey, California. NRL employs approximately 3,000 civilian scientists, engineers and support personnel.
For more information, contact NRL Corporate Communications at (202) 480-3746 or nrlpao@us.navy.mil.
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