Small Business Engagement on the Rise at NSWC Indian Head’s Annual Industry Day

Small Business Engagement on the Rise at NSWC Indian Head's Annual Industry Day

By NSWC Indian Head Public Affairs Office

Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD) welcomed 247 small businesses interested in working with the warfare center at its annual Industry Day at the College of Southern Maryland's Velocity Center in Indian Head, Maryland, April 26.

"We need to expand and modernize our capacity for a higher level of readiness," NSWC IHD Deputy Technical Director Steve Anthony said in his opening remarks. "[This event] is a great example of how partnerships with industry are growing."

Department of the Navy (DON) Office of Small Business Programs Director Arveice Washington said there's been more than an 11% increase in small business participation and an additional $35 million obligated to small businesses at NSWC IHD over the previous fiscal year. According to Washington, the DON has already awarded $7.5 billion to small businesses in FY24.

"The Department of the Navy has been in the business of small business for nearly a decade," Washington said. "We value what small businesses bring to the table. They are crucial allies in our mission."

Command capabilities were highlighted by leaders of the energetics manufacturing; systems engineering; explosive ordnance disposal; research, development, test and evaluation; contracts; customer advocate and corporate operations departments. Following the brief, attendees networked with representatives from each NSWC IHD department to learn more about how to do business with the command.

"We have more small businesses interested and engaging with us than ever before," said NSWC IHD's Deputy Director for Small Business Jennifer Barnidge. "I've already received fantastic feedback on the quality of the event and the level of information exchange, and I'm excited to expand our small business portfolio and highlight the success of our small business program."

The command's annual Industry Day is closely tied to the Navy's Energetics Comprehensive Modernization Plan (ECMP), a $2.7 billion, 15-year modernization plan to bolster the Navy's Energetics Organic Defense Industrial Base. Being central to the effort of increasing the country's munitions production, NSWC IHD has more than 500 infrastructure projects planned before 2032.

"Being the Navy's public arsenal is especially important for the audience right now - this is truly a team effort," Anthony said. "It's an all-hands-on-deck philosophy."

NSWC IHD - a field activity of the Naval Sea Systems Command and part of the Navy's Science and Engineering Establishment - is the leader in ordnance, energetics, and EOD solutions. The Division focuses on energetics research, development, testing, evaluation, in-service support, manufacturing and disposal; and provides warfighters solutions to detect, locate, access, identify, render safe, recover, exploit and dispose of explosive ordnance threats.

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