Supporting small business, good business sense

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Aaron J. Jenne
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  For the second consecutive year, the 4th Contracting Squadron led Air Combat Command by awarding 97.13 percent of all contract dollars to small businesses.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) mandates at least 23 percent of all prime contracts for the base be awarded to small businesses each year. The Air Force raised the bar, as did ACC, setting a goal of 90 percent for fiscal year 2013.

"Since I've been here, about six years, we've done very well with the small business program," said Kyle Donah, 4th CONS installation small business specialist. "The last couple of years we've done exceptionally well through the hard work of the buyers and the contracting officers at the 4th CONS, who make sure that we not only comply with the law, but our decisions make good business sense as well."

Last year, the 4th Fighter Wing received the Secretary of the Air Force Small Business Special Achievement Award for having the highest overall small business percentage in the Air Force, an award they are once again in the running for.

"I am extremely proud of the members of my squadron involved with this achievement," said Maj. Shaun Hunt, 4th CONS commander. "The SBA and ACC have lofty goals and the fact that we have not only met, but exceeded those goals is a testimony to their outstanding work and persistence. Even more importantly, the positive impact of exceeding our goals is mostly felt by small businesses, the backbone of our economy."

The results of the SECAF Small Business Special Achievement Award are expected to be released in Jan., 2014. The members of 4th CONS are hopeful that 4th FW will win again this year.