On March 20, 2007, Interior's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization held a very successful Information Technology Outreach Initiative for small businesses. This session, held at the Main Interior Building, is in accordance with the department’s strategy for enhancing contracting opportunities for small businesses.  

The purpose of the session was to provide small information technology firms useful resources and tips for marketing the department for procurement opportunities.  Mark Oliver, OSDBU director, was the moderator.  Pia Scott enlightened the audience about the department’s existing and upcoming strategic sourcing opportunities. 

Ed Meagher, Interior's Deputy Chief Information Officer; Rich Frazier, CIO for the Office of Surface Mining; Roy Morrison, deputy CIO, OSM; Matthew Stewart, deputy CIO, National Business Center, Nancy Sternberg, Small Business Administration's Business Gateway, Jackie Harris, contracting officer, OSM; and Beth Owen, business utilization development specialist, GovWorks, gave overviews of their missions, small business goals and accomplishments, procurement processes, and planned procurements.  The level of support that the OSDBU received from the Office of Surface Mining was outstanding!  

The audience was also encouraged to review the DOI Advanced Procurement Plan for forecasted opportunities.  The plan will help firms to identify planned procurements that are within their capabilities and to take the necessary actions to bid.  The attendees were also encouraged to view the synopses posted on the Federal Business Opportunities Web site (www.fbo.gov ).  

Before the formal presentations, the audience participated in an informal networking session which afforded them to connect with Interior program personnel and each other for possible teaming arrangements. More than 65 people attended and, judging by the feedback, the session met their expectations.  The attendees encouraged Interior to continue having such sessions in the future.  If you are interested in strengthening opportunities for small businesses, please visit our Web site at http://www.doi.gov/osdbu/ .