The Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Aquisition Sean Stackley issued a memo this week ordering every Head of Contracts Activity (HCA) and Program Executive Office (PEO) to formulate strategies for 2015 and 2016 to incorporate more small businesses into prime contracting and subcontracting at the Navy. The memo praises the effectiveness of small business programs and says that offices that utilize small businesses in their contracting are more successful in achieving their program requirements.
Sec. Stackley also highlights SBIR and STTR as programs that require “unique consideration”, and makes clear that SBIR/STTR Phase III contracts can be issued as sole source awards, and are exempted from competition requirements. This is a terrific memo that once again shows the Navy, perhaps more than any other branch or agency, fully understands how the SBIR program should be utilized for the greatest benefit of both the small business and government. We encourage everyone to read this memo, in particular companies that do business with the Navy.
Navy Assistant Secretary Stackley Small Business Memo