Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) recently supported the Savannah River Federal Business Opportunities Forum, a two-day event held in North Augusta, South Carolina. Business from multiple states attended the conference, which held sessions explaining the diverse and sometimes complex procurement needs found at the Savannah River Site (SRS). 

According to Elizabeth Harm, Executive Director of the Energy, Technology and Environmental Business Association (ETEBA), after seven years in the making, the forum definitely met its goal.

“Everyone here is very interested in doing business with SRS. And ETEBA’s mission is to connect businesses with opportunities,” said Harm. “Today’s regional meeting was packed with nearly 300 attendees. And that’s because of the work SRNS and the other Site contractors are doing. People want to be a part of it.”

SRNS is quickly growing in multiple areas and rapidly hiring personnel for their expanding missions.

“To help meet the many procurement challenges presented by a vast increase in work scope, we knew financially supporting and heavily participating in this forum would be of great benefit for us,” said Lisa Tanner, SRNS Senior Manager, Supply Chain Excellence, Small Business Liaison Officer. “At the same time, we genuinely desire to reach out and help those with whom we do business--especially small and minority-owned businesses. Most of those participating in this conference are from small businesses. They are the backbone of our economy, and we put a high value on what they contribute.”

Tanner also noted that this event offered the opportunity for face-to-face communication and the building of strong, long-term buyer/supplier relationships. The forum helped SRNS identify areas of expertise among the participants.

“ETEBA helps meet the procurement needs of our organization and the needs of a wide range subcontractors. They act as a liaison to bring us all proactively together. Without them, it would be difficult to hold this type of event,” said Tanner. 

“SRNS gets it,” said Harm. “Several of their top executives served on panels during the forum whose collective experience is impressive, and they were our Diamond sponsor. They understand the potential impact of our mission and, for the last six years, have partnered with us for the benefit of numerous businesses, locally and throughout the nation. This forum was founded at their request and will now be an annual opportunity for all.” 

Savannah River Mission Completion Chief Administrative Officer Mark Barth and Small Business Program Manager Ashley Hannah presented to ETEBA’s attendees as well, providing insights on how to do business with their liquid waste mission at SRS.