Photo By Airman 1st Class Patrick Njuguna | U.S. Air Force Col. Jun Oh, 316th Wing commander and installation commander, welcomes...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. — Local small businesses, contracting professionals, and community leaders gathered at Joint Base Andrews on May 30 for the 2025 Small Business Summit, an annual event aimed at building lasting relationships between small businesses and the installation.
Hosted by the 316th Contracting Squadron, the summit provided attendees with insights, tools, and face-to-face access to help them navigate the federal acquisition process and compete for government contracts.
“Today isn’t just a summit; it’s the forging of partnerships that will shape the future of Joint Base Andrews and the surrounding community,” said Col. Jun S. Oh, 316th Wing commander and installation commander. “Small businesses are absolutely essential to our success at America’s Airfield.”
Col. Oh emphasized that in fiscal year 2024 alone, the 316th Contracting Squadron awarded nearly $100 million in contracts to small businesses.
The day-long summit featured remarks from senior leadership, breakout sessions on construction and service requirements, and presentations from key partners, including the Maryland APEX Accelerator, Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce, and Maryland Department of Commerce’s Office of Military and Federal Affairs.
1st Lt. Gabe Downing, infrastructure flight officer in charge and event lead, said the summit’s primary goals were to “educate, connect, and empower.”
“By awarding contracts to small businesses, we’re often investing directly in the livelihoods of families and entrepreneurs surrounding Joint Base Andrews,” Downing said. “We want every attendee to leave today feeling more confident and equipped to engage with the federal acquisition process.”
Attendees learned how to register in SAM.gov—the official website to do business with the U.S. government, explored current and future contracting opportunities, and received targeted guidance from subject matter experts across sectors.
“Partnering with Joint Base Andrews gives businesses a rare opportunity to work with one of the most reputable customers, the U.S. government,” said Downing. “But we know the process can be overwhelming, especially for first timers. This summit is our way of breaking down those barriers.”
Speakers included Tara Scott from the Maryland APEX Accelerator, who highlighted the importance of pre- and post-award support, and Amy Duray from the Maryland Department of Commerce, who spoke on the role of small businesses in defense innovation and economic resilience.
The summit also featured a mission brief, networking sessions, and resource booths staffed by contracting officers and acquisition professionals.
“We are actively seeking new vendors to provide everything from construction and custodial work to medical equipment and IT support,” Col. Oh said. “We want to see more local businesses participating in our mission.”
The most common contracts awarded at Andrews cover construction, engineering, environmental services, professional support, education, food services, and radio/TV equipment installation.
Col. Oh closed the event by encouraging attendees to connect with Andrews contracting teams and make use of resources like the Maryland APEX Accelerator, Small Business Administration programs, and government contracting mentorship opportunities.
“Our goal is to make sure everyone leaves here with the knowledge and relationships they need to succeed,” Oh said. “Together, we can build a stronger community and a more resilient base.”
| Date Taken: | 05.30.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 06.05.2025 16:29 |
| Story ID: | 499771 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MARYLAND, US |
| Web Views: | 87 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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