SRNS Achieves Sixth Industry Award in Two Years for Excellence in Supplier Engagement and Innovation

AIKEN, S.C. – (November 21, 2024) On Nov. 7, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) received the ‘Champion Award’ from the National Veteran Small Business Coalition (NVSBC) for meeting or exceeding goals established for subcontracting to service-disabled and/or veteran owned small businesses (SD/VOSBs) in fiscal year (FY) 2023.

Scott Jensen, NVSBC Executive Director; Candyse Edwards, SRNS Procurement; Lisa Tanner, SRNS Supply Chain Small Business Liaison Officer; and Robert Better, NVSBC Board President, during the third annual Veteran Small Business Advocate Awards Gala in Falls Church, Virginia.

“This recognition marks the sixth prestigious award in the past two years for exemplary procurement practices and commitment to small business,” said Jay Johnson, SRNS Deputy Senior Vice President of Business Services. “This would not be possible without the great leadership and outreach efforts from our small business programs to secure high performing small businesses.”

 

For over a decade, the NVSBC award has recognized federal agencies and large business prime contractors who have met or exceeded SD/VOSB and/or VOSB contract award goals. Recently, goals were increased from 3 to 5%.

“Our veterans have made profound sacrifices in defense of our nation,” continued Johnson. “At SRNS we are deeply honored to provide them with the opportunity to serve our country once again, this time as business owners. The discipline, operational excellence, and commitment to mission success that they developed in uniform are invaluable assets to our workforce and our national security.”

SRNS Supply Chain Small Business Liaison Officer Lisa Tanner and SRNS Procurement Candyse Edwards accepted the award on behalf of SRNS during the third annual Veteran Small Business Advocate Awards Gala in Falls Church, Virginia.

“The opening remarks of the ceremony— veterans mean business— truly struck a chord with me,” said Edwards, who awarded nearly $29 million in procurement to VOSBs in FY24. “It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of a team that can harness the exceptional talent of veteran-owned businesses to drive our missions forward.”

SRNS continues to assist small businesses navigating contract award processes to ensure they were considered for subcontracting opportunities supporting the National Nuclear Security Administration and the Department of Energy (DOE). As a result, $141 million of SRNS’ contracted dollars – over 8.7% more than the FY goal – went to SD/VOSBs in FY24.

According to Tanner, SRNS has increased the number of small businesses enrolled in the DOE Mentor- Protégé Program— increasing overall investment from $400,000 to $41 million since 2015.

“The SRNS Small Business team and subcontractor technical representatives across SRS invest time and resources in the development of veteran-owned small businesses enrolled in the Mentor-Protégé Program. After performing a gap analysis on each business, training is offered in all areas to improve efficiency, marketing, and safety,” said Tanner.

US&S Facility Services, one the graduating protégés and a Veteran-owned business, said the program provided invaluable mentorship, resources and industry insight.

“This experience significantly enhancing our capabilities and competitiveness as a growing and diverse business,” said Euleta Alston, US&S President and Owner. “The collaboration with SRNS has not only accelerated our growth but strengthened our contributions to DOE missions.” Tanner added, “In FY25, SRNS will sustain this momentum, meeting our mission needs while tapping into the exceptional talent of our veteran suppliers— an unbeatable combination for success.”

 

Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a semi-autonomous agency within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science. NNSA maintains and enhances the safety, security, and effectiveness of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile; works to reduce the global danger from weapons of mass destruction; provides the U.S. Navy with safe and militarily effective nuclear propulsion; and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the U.S. and abroad.

 

Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, a Fluor and HII partnership company, is responsible for the management and operations of the Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site, located near Aiken, South Carolina.