INL expands partnerships with Idaho, small businesses

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INL News Release 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nov. 3, 2015

NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS:

Lori McNamara, 208-520-6066, lori.mcnamara@inl.gov 

Laura Scheele, 219-381-8672, laura.scheele@inl.gov 

INL expands partnerships with Idaho, small businesses

Note to editors: A graphic depiction of the funds awarded throughout Idaho is attached for your use.

In the past fiscal year, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory spent nearly $130 million with businesses in Idaho. This achievement highlights INL’s ability to find qualified Idaho businesses to support its mission and leverage the capabilities of these businesses to help them grow and prosper.

In total, INL spent $195 million for goods and services provided to the lab, surpassing Idaho and small business goals by over 15 percent.

INL recently reported its fiscal year 2015 small business numbers to the Department of Energy showing its ongoing commitment to working with small businesses.

Small businesses are the economic engine of the nation and INL relies on them to provide a wide range of materials and services. They supply consumable items such as office supplies, fuels and information technology equipment, as well as construction services and highly skilled expertise in very key areas of research.

“The ability of small businesses to meet our ever-changing needs allows us to expand partnerships in support of the lab’s missions,” said Stacey Francis, INL’s Small Business program manager.

Battelle Energy Alliance’s small business goals are part of the contract with the Department of Energy. Each year, the goals are negotiated with DOE to determine the percentage of its procurement volume that is set aside for small business.

“We very much value our working relationships with so many innovative Idaho businesses,” said Dennis Newby, INL chief financial officer. “We are fortunate to work with high-caliber businesses that can support our needs right here in Idaho.”

BEA’s contract highlights the importance of supporting small business, especially Women-Owned, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, Small Disadvantaged Business and Historically Underutilized Business Zone companies. Attaining all of the goals in FY-15 exemplifies the exceptional collaboration with the greater business community to target, shape and retain businesses matching the lab’s needs.

“I am proud of INL’s commitment to work with small business,” Francis said. “As the lab continues to grow, small business will continue to play a big part in our success.”

INL is part of DOE’s complex of national laboratories. The laboratory performs work in each of DOE’s strategic goal areas: energy, national security, science and environment. INL is the nation’s leading center for nuclear energy research and development. Day-to-day management and operation of the laboratory is the responsibility of Battelle Energy Alliance.

See more INL news at www.inl.gov. Follow @INL on Twitter or visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/IdahoNationalLaboratory.

—INL-15-021—

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