HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., was honored July 11 when NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, visiting from Washington, presented center leaders with the Small Business Administrator’s Cup — an agency award for managing the most effective small business program.
It is the third time in five years Marshall has earned the prize. The award honors innovative practices that promote small business participation in a variety of NASA initiatives, and recognizes significant contributions to the agency’s small business programs by the winning center’s senior management, procurement office and program and technical personnel.
“Small business is essential to NASA’s mission, and the Marshall Space Flight Center has demonstrated excellence and commitment in this crucial area,” Bolden said. “I’m proud of the hard-working Marshall employees who continue to make the center’s small business program a critical part of NASA’s future.”
NASA’s Office of Small Business Programs sponsors the award, which the Marshall Center previously won for its work in fiscal years 2008 and 2010. Glenn Delgado, associate administrator of NASA’s Office of Small Business Programs in Washington, joined Bolden to present the latest award to Marshall Center Associate Director Robin Henderson.
“I am incredibly proud to see Marshall’s small business team recognized once again with this prestigious award,” Henderson said. “This team remains tirelessly dedicated to our small business partners, and to the mutually beneficial relationships that strengthen us all and help NASA accomplish the work of the nation.”
Marshall small business specialist David Brock credited the center’s winning program to a number of factors, including strong support from center management and two on-site organizations: the Marshall Prime Contractor Supplier Council, which includes representatives of 50 large businesses; and the Marshall Small Business Executive Leadership Team, comprised of representatives of 30 small businesses. Most participate in the Marshall Small Business Alliance. Founded in 2007, the alliance is a vital resource for thousands of small businesses, serving as a regional conduit to help them pursue NASA procurement and subcontracting opportunities.
Marshall’s large business prime contractors also aid in that pursuit, Brock said. In fiscal 2012, those large prime contractors helped provide approximately $250 million in total subcontracting awards to small businesses.
“The success achieved over the past several fiscal years by the Marshall Center Small Business Program is a result of a total team effort,” Brock said. “Participation by our senior managers at Marshall Small Business Alliance meetings and regional business forums, and outstanding support by Marshall’s acquisition, technical and contractor communities have helped lay a solid foundation on which to grow and expand our programs.”
For more information about the NASA Small Business Administrator’s Cup Award and NASA’s Office of Small Business Programs, visit:
To learn more about doing business with the Marshall Center, visit:
https://www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/about/business.html
Angela Storey
Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.
256-544-0632
angela.d.storey@nasa.gov