MSET Hosts 2011 Stennis Industry Day
On November 16 and 17, The Mississippi Enterprise for Technology hosted the first Annual Stennis Industry Day. Over 250 attendees from all over the country converged on the Northshore Harbor Center in Slidell, LA. "The world knows that Stennis Space Center is the premier site for testing rocket engines, yet folks a few miles from the gate are often not aware of the industrial and environmental diversity of the center," remarked Representative Mark Formby of Mississippi. "Industry Day provides an opportunity for Stennis residents and potential residents to come together. What's good for Stennis is good for Mississippi, Louisiana, and the Country!"
During Thursday’s program, NASA Associate Director and keynote lunch speaker Ken Human presented Stennis’ 50th Anniversary video. Fifty years ago, it was said that however America traveled to the moon, it had to go through south Mississippi. Fifty years later, the same is being said once more – regardless of destination in space, the path leads through Stennis Space Center. The Mississippi facility tested all of the engines used on 11 manned Apollo missions, including six missions that landed on the moon. The facility then re-tooled to test all main engines used on 135 space shuttle missions. “Stennis has a proud history in America’s Space Program and we will continue to play a crucial role in the future of space exploration as NASA sets its sights beyond earth orbit,” stated the Associate Director. “Just recently, NASA Stennis was recognized as one of the best places to work in the entire federal government. Stennis is truly a unique federal city, and we look forward to years of growth in partnership with the contractors, resident agencies, and stakeholders that help to make Stennis such a great place to work. Today, Stennis has begun testing on the upper stage that will be used on the Space Launch System, which will take humans deeper into space than ever before.”
NASA’s largest tenant at Stennis is the U.S. Navy. Rear Admiral Jonathan W. White, Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (CNMOC), updated the audience on the Navy’s role and missions at Stennis. When asked about Stennis Industry Day, Admiral White stated, "It was an honor to be able to share the great things that Naval Oceanography and the Navy at Stennis Space Center are doing for our Nation. Our industry partners are a large part of our successes to date and we look forward to many more in the coming months and years ahead." CNMOC is responsible for command and management of the Naval Oceanography Program, utilizing meteorology and oceanography, GI&S, and precise time and astrometry, to leverage the environment to enable successful strategic, tactical and operational battle space utilization across the continuum of campaigning and at all levels of war – strategic, operational and tactical.
Stennis Industry Day was hosted by the Mississippi Enterprise for Technology (MSET) after months of coordination with the agencies and contractors making up the Stennis Business Consortium. On Thursday morning, the attendees were officially welcomed by Charlie Beasley, President and CEO of MSET at Stennis Space Center, State Representative Mark Formby of Mississippi, State Senator A.G. Crowe of Louisiana, and Mayor Freddie Drennan of the City of Slidell.
“Stennis Industry Day gave businesses the opportunity to meet and network with procurement and technical representatives from Federal Agencies, service providers, Stennis contractors and commercial companies to discuss contract opportunities, network, and establish new business relationships,” states Beasley, “and was a diverse team effort. This was evidenced by our sponsors: Mississippi Development Authority, Raytheon, Ingall’s Shipbuilding, and Hancock Bank. The Gulf Coast Government Contractor’s Association (GCGCA) played a key role and hosted Wednesday’s evening reception.
"It was very encouraging to see the greater Slidell area and Stennis (Hancock County) gather together recently at the Northshore Harbor Center for Stennis Industry Day. Together, we can make this region a technology corridor that would produce meaningful, high-tech jobs and opportunities," stated Sen. Crowe.
Wednesday afternoon’s program focused on small businesses, featuring matchmaking and training opportunities. The Small Business Administration (SBA) held training sessions, provided by Jo Ann Lawrence, Supervisory Business Development Specialist with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Regional Office. The training focused on changes to small business programs for government and prime contractors and the SBA’s small business programs, including those supporting woman-owned, HUB Zone, and 8(a) businesses.
Another feature of Wednesday’s activities was informal business matchmaking. Small Business Specialists from Stennis government agencies and prime contractors stationed in the exhibit hall responded to questions from small companies looking to do business at Stennis. Information was provided such as upcoming opportunities, vendor databases in which to register, and types of small businesses being sought to fulfill contract goals.
Government agencies participating in the matchmaking included NASA and the Naval Oceanographic Office. Prime contractors included those holding major contracts at Stennis, including ASRC Research and Technology Solutions (NASA’s Information Technology Services Contract); Computer Sciences Corporation (NASA’s Shared Services Center Contract); Jacobs Technology (NASA’s Facilities Operating Services Contract); Lockheed Martin (NASA’s Test Operations Contract); QinetiQ North America (contracts with the Navy and the National Data Buoy Center); Science Applications International Corporation (National Data Buoy Center Contract and others with the Navy). Also participating were Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Services (recent awardee of the NASA Agency Consolidated End-User Services national contract); Ingall’s Shipbuilding, and Raytheon Technical Services.
Various nonprofit organizations were also on hand to assist small company representatives in their efforts to identify business at Stennis and in the surrounding region. Participating was host Mississippi Enterprise for Technology, the Small Business Administration, the Louisiana Technology Transfer Office the Louisiana Procurement Technical Assistance Center, the South Mississippi Contract Procurement Center, Mississippi Federal and State Technology Program, the Gulf Coast Government Contractor’s Association, NISH and MBDC. Training continued the next day with additional presentations from the SBA, the National Industries for the Severely Handicapped (NISH), the Minority Business Development Centers (MBDC), and the General Services Administration (GSA).
