The Pentagon awarded an estimated $53 billion worth of prime contracts to small businesses in fiscal year 2014, or 23 percent of all prime contracts â surpassing the 21.35 percent goal for the year, Claudette Roulo reported for DoD Tuesday.
Gudger said the department has been turning to small businesses as “mission enablers” due to their agility and adaptability to new and emerging threats, technologies and capabilities.
“[DoD] is very interested in technology innovation capability and traditionally small business is the hub for innovation in technology,” he said, adding that they also help foster competition and affordability.
Government efforts to boost its small business programs is focused on strengthening its relationship with businesses and driving efficiencies amid tight budgets, Gudger said.
He noted that DoD has also exceeded its 3-percent goal for contracts to small businesses owned by service-disabled veterans and is close to outdoing the overall goal across government.