By Jim Jenkins
Aging Aircraft Public Affairs

The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) is hosting the Small Business Aviation Technology Conference Nov. 29-30 at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center in California, Md.

NAVAIR’s Office of Small Business Programs and Small Business Innovation Research Program is launching the event in an effort to increase opportunities for small business participation in NAVAIR contracts as prime and subcontractors. Small businesses will get the opportunity to learn how the NAVAIR organization operates, to describe their capabilities and network with NAVAIR’s technical community and large prime contactors to gain insight into doing business with NAVAIR as prime and subcontractors. Key speakers will be NAVAIR Commander Vice Adm. Wally Massenburg and other senior leaders at NAVAIR describing the various programs and organizations within NAVAIR.

After learning the basic structure of NAVAIR, attendees will get the opportunity to have one-on-one meetings with NAVAIR technical personnel and prime contractors, attend panel discussions, break-out sessions, and hear NAVAIR and Maryland state officials explain how to get started and be successful at doing business with NAVAIR.

On day two conference attendees will be briefed on exactly what is needed and expected for a small business to start and operate a contract with NAVAIR. Rear Adm. Tim Heely, Program Executive Officer for Strike Weapons and Unmanned Aviation, will open day two introducing speakers from both the Navy’s small business office and NAVAIR’s small business office. Audience members will hear overviews on NAVAIR contracting, SBIR contracting and Seaport e-contracting. There will also be a panel group discussion concerning small businesses working with large business. In the afternoon of day two attendees can expect more one-on-one sessions, panel discussions and detailed information for small business to get started working with NAVAIR and large business.

This event is open to interested small business concerns. Small Businesses providing supplies and services in the following area should attend this conference: Logistics Maintenance and Planning, Aviation Training and Training Systems, Simulation, Ship Integration, Ranges and Testing, Manufacturing, Avionics, Electronic Warfare, Corrosion and Materials, Non Destructive Inspection, Electrical Power and Wiring, Propulsion, Support Equipment, Crew Systems, Weapons Systems and Program Support Services.

Conference details and public registration are available online at: http://www.navair.navy.mil/osbp/atc