EM Hosts Business Opportunity Forum

EM News Flash | March 4, 2015

EM Acquisition and Project Management Deputy Assistant Secretary Jack Surash addresses participants in EM's Business Opportunity Forum. EM Hosts Business Opportunity Forum WASHINGTON, D.C. – More than 80 people gathered at a public forum today on EM’s federal procurement process and upcoming business opportunities in the legacy nuclear cleanup program.    EM Acquisition and Project Management Deputy Assistant Secretary Jack Surash led the third quarterly outreach event. Surash gave an overview of EM’s procurement process and the status of upcoming EM procurements. He stressed that EM provides as much acquisition information as possible while choosing proposals that represent the best value to taxpayers.    Throughout the forum, Surash answered numerous questions about previous contracts, upcoming procurements, and other topics of interest regarding the acquisition and contracting process at DOE.    Cathy Hickey, vice president of business development for the nuclear sector at CH2M HILL in Knoxville, Tenn., attended the forum. She said she believes the forums enable contractors to receive updates on EM’s procurements as well as the cleanup program’s expectations for contractors. The event presents an opportunity for communicating that helps both EM and contractors, she added.    “I think it’s a great opportunity for information sharing between the Department of Energy and contractors,” Hickey said. “The outreach and information sharing is an incredible step forward.” Forum participant Jim Fannon asks Surash a question.    The event was organized by EM’s Office of Acquisition and Project Management, which plans to continue hosting the forum approximately each quarter. Topics will focus on how DOE is improving its acquisition and contract management and the status of ongoing and upcoming procurement opportunities.      Additionally, Surash is scheduled to conduct one-on-one meetings on Thursday, March 5 with representatives of businesses interested in working with EM and DOE on future contracts. It is anticipated that these meetings will continue to be held in the future, occurring in conjunction with the quarterly Business Opportunity Forum.    “I’m devoting much of the day to one-on-ones. I’m offering the opportunity to meet with anyone out there,” Surash said during the forum, adding that he welcomes any ideas, thoughts, and recommendations for improvements.    “I’m really looking forward to the one-on-ones,” he said.    More information is available online at EM’s Office of Acquisition and Project Management page and FedBizOpps.gov.