WASHINGTON, DC –The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced it will host its 9th Annual Small Business Conference, Exposition & Matchmaking Forum, June 24-26, 2008, at the Grand Hyatt in San Antonio, Texas.  DOE is the largest civilian contracting agency within the federal government, annually procuring over $22 billion in goods and services. Conference participants will be afforded an opportunity to directly engage DOE officials and representatives of the Department’s major site and facility management contractors to explore current and future DOE business opportunities, including over $1 billion in potential subcontracting opportunities. This announcement comes on the heels of President Bush’s declaration of this week as “Small Business Week.”

“The conference is a great opportunity for small businesses to learn more about doing business with DOE by talking to federal procurement officials and networking with our prime contractors from across the country,” Theresa Speake, Director of DOE’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, said.  “This is a tremendous marketing opportunity for any small business interested in working with DOE.”

The conference, titled “Small Business, Big Ideas: Think Clean Energy,” will have sessions on contracting opportunities, teaming and small business innovative research, as well as federal certification booths, networking receptions and a one-on-one Matchmaking Forum.

Co-sponsored by The Veterans Corporation, this year’s conference is charged with creating and enhancing entrepreneurial business opportunities with a special emphasis on veterans, including those who are service-disabled.  The spirit of this co-sponsorship supports Executive Order 13360 of October 20, 2004, where the President asked for greater federal contracting and sub-contracting opportunity for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses.  The Veterans Corporation is a 501(c) (3) organization.

The Department expects approximately 1500 businesses to participate.  To register for the 9th Annual Small Business Conference, Exposition & Matchmaking Forum, call (888) 246-2460.

Media contact(s):
Kristin Brown, (202) 586-4940