At a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on December 15, Ranking Member of the Small Business Committee Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) brought up the importance of of the SBIR program to a panel of high-level DOD nominees. Senator Shaheen pointed out the success that DOD has had in contracting and subcontracting with small businesses, and the role that innovative small businesses play via the SBIR program in developing innovative new technologies while also stimulating job growth.
During the hearing, Shaheen questioned the Honorable Patrick Murphy nominated to be the Under Secretary of the Army, Dr. Janine Anne Davidson, nominated to be Under Secretary of the Navy, and Honorable Lisa S. Disbrow nominated to be Under Secretary of the Air Force about the DOD’s utilization of small business, and SBIR companies in particular. All the nominees agreed that if confirmed they would continue efforts to improve DOD contracting with small businesses.
Senator Shaheen Questions Senior DOD Nominees on Contracting with Small Businesses
This is yet another example of Senator Shaheen’s enthusiastic support of the SBIR program, and of small business in general. She played a critical role in getting SBIR reauthorized in 2011, and was named a “Champion of Small Business Innovation” in 2012 by the SBTC for her efforts. As members of New Hampshire’s SBIR community, we think it’s important that you know that Senator Shaheen is a strong and passionate advocate for the SBIR program program.
The SBTC once again thanks Senator Shaheen for her continued support of the SBIR program, and of her efforts on behalf of high-tech and innovative technology in general. We look forward to working with her in the future during the upcoming SBIR reauthorization effort, where she will certainly play a key role once again as ranking member of the Senate Small Business & Entrepreneurship Committee.