Pictured are representatives from six small businesses recently recognized by UCOR for exceptional support to the cleanup contractor and the EM cleanup mission at Oak Ridge.
Pictured are representatives from six small businesses recently recognized by UCOR for exceptional support to the cleanup contractor and the EM cleanup mission at Oak Ridge.

OAK RIDGE, Tenn.Oak Ridge cleanup contractor UCOR recognized six small businesses at a recent ceremony for exceptional support to EM’s cleanup mission at the site.

“UCOR has consistently shown it understands the importance of its small business partners,” said Laura Wilkerson, acting manager of the Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management. “This event is a great way to highlight the exceptional work conducted by small businesses and showcase how each of them is helping advance cleanup.”

Watch this video to learn more about this year’s winners in UCOR’s ninth-annual recognition program.

Through its partnerships with small business subcontractors, UCOR has been able to complete cleanup of the East Tennessee Technology Park ahead of schedule and under budget, and begin the next era of cleanup at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Y-12 National Security Complex.

“The work that UCOR performs under its prime contract is dynamic and diverse. To accomplish this work, UCOR depends heavily on subcontracted goods and services,” said Kari Schwenkner, UCOR’s supply chain manager. “The vast majority of these procurements are provided by small businesses. This annual breakfast is a way for us to spotlight the performance and versatility of our small business partners.”

UCOR consistently exceeds small business subcontracting goals set by EM. Since 2011, UCOR has subcontracted $1.4 billion, or 82% of the value of its subcontracts, to small businesses.

“This commitment to small business is part of our larger commitment to the community, so we appreciate the role our small business partners play in that, and we look forward to continuing that relationship,” said Scott Anderson, UCOR project and service support manager.

UCOR is able to be a more diverse and innovative team by partnering with small businesses, Anderson added.

Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management Acting Manager Laura Wilkerson addresses UCOR’s small business partners at the 9th Annual Small Business Awards Breakfast. The format for this year’s event allowed participants to attend in person or virtually.
Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management Acting Manager Laura Wilkerson addresses UCOR’s small business partners at the 9th Annual Small Business Awards Breakfast. The format for this year’s event allowed participants to attend in person or virtually.

UCOR honored the small businesses with the following awards:

  • Small Business of the Year: Slate Safety, an Atlanta-based company offering industrial and first responder safety solutions, provides real-time monitoring of core body temperatures during potential heat-stress conditions.
  • Small Disadvantaged Business of the Year: ARS Aleut Remediation, an Oak Ridge-based company tasked with refurbishing a roof on the Graphite Reactor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
  • HUBZone Small Business of the Year: Container Technologies Industries, a Helenwood, Tennessee-based business that provided a broad range of materials and fabrication services, such as large waste containers and components for the legacy cleanup of the Molten Salt Reactor Experiment Continuous Purge System. HUBZone stands for Historically Underutilized Business Zone.
  • Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year: Turnkey Technical Services, an Oak Ridge-based, woman-owned transportation services company providing a broad fleet of equipment and driver resources.
  • Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year: Premier Contracting & Technical Services, an Oak Ridge-based business that supplies difficult-to-find large equipment as well as industrial and office supplies.
  • Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year: Government and Commercial Services, an Oak Ridge-based business that provides construction supply products and leasing services to UCOR.