Chapter 5:

The Air Force Outreach Program Office Advocates for Small Business

Established in May 1998 by the Honorable F. Whitten Peters, then Acting Secretary of the Air Force, the Air Force Outreach Program Office (AFOPO) was chartered to assist in developing an Air Force outreach strategy that ensures small business participation in fulfilling Air Force requirements. Originally created with a five year sunset provision, after the 36 month "value added determination" performance dictated the AFOPO be granted permanent organizational status.

CREATED TO ASSIST

• AF Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
• AF Small Business Specialists/Command Directors
• AF Acquisition Personnel
• Internal AF Customers
• Small Businesses

Training and outreach are key elements to raise the level of small business awareness, available tools and contracting opportunities. AFOPO develops interactive computer based small business training programs, conducted distance learning via satellite, and participates in numerous training events at AF installations across the U.S. Unprecedented, the AFOPO initiated joint training with SAF/AQC to put greater Small Business knowledge into the hands of those who could make a difference in AF contract award statistics.

Charts below indicate the monumental training accomplishments in the 3+ years of AFOPO's existence, as well as percentage of training for different targeted recipients.

CONTINUED EXCELLENCE

Realizing partnerships increase an organization's effectiveness, the AFOPO established teaming agreements with government entities, academia and businesses whose responsibilities encompass small business advocacy - to include the Small Business Administration, several municipalities including the City of San Antonio and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company.

In addition to its robust training program, the AFOPO staff provides assistance in the following areas:

• Program management of the congressionally-mandated Manufacturing Technical Assistance Pilot Program (MTAPP) currently in acquisition cycle for additional 5 year follow-on to continue providing state of the art training and competitive enhancement to the vital small business manufacturers supporting our national defense initiatives
• Production of two distinctive televised small business advocacy forums which are broadcasted in more than 30 markets nationwide, with a potential viewership of over 7 million
• Development of late-breaking educational tools for use by Air Force acquisition personnel and the small business community utilizing the full spectrum of information technology to include CD-Rom training modules, interactive website delivery, print material and videotapes
• Hispanic small business outreach and outreach assistance to other DoD organizations
• Federal HUBZone program AF oversight - the AFOPO deserves great credit for their actions in growing the HUBZone program from zero certified firms in FY-99 to more than 8,000 firms and to a total of $278 million awarded AF dollars in FY-02. The AFOPO conducted HUBZone awareness training for over 2500 individuals and businesses since program inception.

PUSHING THE ENVELOPE

Trying to reverse the downward trend in the percentage of contracts awarded by the AF to small businesses, the AFOPO serves as a field unit involved in conducting national outreach. External targeted outreach support for events scheduled by AF personnel across the nation have included outreach activities in 31 states (as shown below) and acquisition professional training at 28 AF bases. Twenty two states can also thank the AFOPO and the MTAPP program for increased competitiveness of their SB manufacturers.

The AFOPO strives to provide dynamic, proactive programs and initiatives to help satisfy AF mission requirements by serving as a resource for AF commanders, AF small business personnel, acquisition professionals and community small business organizations in support of fulfilling AF contract requirements. Its involvement gives focus and continuity to the AF small business outreach initiative.