The Savannah River Site (SRS) and the Energy, Technology, and Environmental Business Association (ETEBA) have recently partnered for the Federal Business Operations Forum, an event held in North Augusta. This is a SRNS sponsored forum.
ETEBA is a non-profit trade association that represents over 250 small, medium, and large companies and members in providing environmental, technology, energy, engineering, construction, and other related services to government and commercial clients.
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SRNS sponsored forum in CSRA
Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) led businesses from multiple states in learning about the diverse and complex procurement needs found within the Department of Energy (DOE) Environmental Management complex.
“SRNS supports the ETEBA forum each year to bring together federal agencies, prime contractors, and our supply base for a meaningful exchange of ideas and business opportunities,” said Dennis Carr, SRNS president and executive officer. “It is an incredible time to do business with SRNS and contribute to our national security and clean-up missions.”
Over 350 attendees participated in this year’s forum. SRNS continues to grow in multiple areas, and they are still hiring personnel for their increasing missions.
“I am confident in saying this was our best forum yet,” said Elizabeth Harm, ETEBA executive director. “There was such an incredible ‘buzz’ this year about the new opportunities moving ahead at SRS, and I witnessed that excitement across all in attendance. Everyone here is interested in doing business with SRS and meeting infrastructure needs.”
Buyer/Supplier relationships formed during forum
ETEBA provides different opportunities for suppliers, technical leaders, and procurement professionals to meet and exchange ideas to help DOE missions.
“ETEBA delivered a great forum for our SRNS leadership team to share the significant infrastructure needs at SRS to prospective subcontractors,” said Jay Johnson, SRNS deputy vice president of contracts and supply chain management. “Supplier participation was the highest since bringing this forum to the Southeast region of the United States.”
“We are always looking for ways to create strong, long-term buyer/supplier relationships, especially with small and minority-owned businesses,” said Lisa Tanner, SRNS senior manager, supply chain excellence, small business liaison officer. “SRNS will continue to rely on industry partners—large and small—to meet our procurement needs as we progress in our transition from Environmental Management to National Nuclear Security Administration landlordship.”
SRNS successful in their efforts to connect with suppliers
At the end of the forum, SRNS sponsored a “matchmaking” event, where suppliers could meet SRNS buyers and Site services managers.
“The ‘matchmaking’ event connected our team with 75 potential suppliers with many specializing in construction,” said Tanner. “Out of the 75, we’ve pinpointed 15 new suppliers that are extremely strong candidates for future contracts.”
Panel discussions were led by the following groups: SRNS, Battelle Savannah River Alliance, Savannah River National Laboratory, and Savannah River Mission Completion. SRNS Pit Production Operations and Programs and Fluor Federal Services provided updates and opportunities related to the pit production mission at SRS.
“The numerous infrastructure improvements and projects underway on-site show that SRS is a critical component of the nation’s national security complex and will be an essential part of the community and nation for decades to come,” said Michael Mikolanis, NNSA Savannah River field office manager, during the Site overview presentation. “ETEBA plays an important role meeting this need.”
