NASA Joins with Four States to Provide Opportunities for Small Businesses

Dan Bowerman.
Ohio Development Services Agency.

What: Reaching High – Aerospace Business Matchmaker
When: July 17-18
Where: Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
Details and Registration: AerospaceMatchmaker.com

Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and West Virginia have joined forces with NASA to bring new contracting opportunities to small businesses in the four states. “Reaching High – Aerospace Business Matchmaker,” is scheduled for July 17-18 at Ohio University, Athens, Ohio.

It is the first time NASA has partnered with the Procurement Technical Assistance Centers in the four states to offer this opportunity, and it is a one-time event.

On Tuesday, July 17, participants will hear from NASA officials about the goods and services NASA needs and how small businesses can qualify to be vendors for the space agency.

On Wednesday, July 18, the matchmaker portion of the event provides an opportunity for businesses, contractors, and universities to be part of aerospace industry services and contractors. The event will allow small business representatives to meet one-on-one with NASA centers and prime contractors for millions of dollars’ worth of contracting opportunities.

The program is sponsored by the Procurement Technical Assistance Centers of Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and West Virginia in tandem with the Ohio Development Services Agency and Ohio University. It is intended for:

• Small business representatives who want to do business with NASA and other aerospace and defense-industry agencies and contractors.
• Representatives of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) who want to do business with NASA.
• Small business representatives who want to secure government contracts with other federal state and local agencies.
• Large contractors who want to team with small businesses.

A website, AerospaceMatchmaker.com, has been launched, and registration is open. Early-bird registration for buyers and suppliers continues until May 31 and costs $110 per person. Beginning June 1, registration costs $160, with online registration ending July 6. Registration for exhibitors is $300 for two people.

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