Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) recently hosted the 2025 Small Business Fair on May 29 in Augusta, Georgia, bringing together 24 vendors and nearly 300 attendees from across the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA).

 The event fostered connections between a variety of small businesses, including veteran-owned, women-owned, or disadvantaged enterprises. Attendees gained valuable insight into upcoming contract opportunities and received guidance on conducting business with the Savannah River Site (SRS).

Rachel Boyd, SRNS Supply Chain Strategy, Small Business Programs, right, connects with Globalpundits Byron Bush and Gateway Grant Services Debra Tanksley during the 2025 SRNS Small Business Fair.

"We meticulously planned this event to maximize the benefits for attending suppliers and small businesses seeking partnerships and federal government subcontracting opportunities,” said Rachel Boyd, SRNS Supply Chain Strategy, Small Business Programs. “Our aim was to attract buyers not only from SRNS but also from local companies, to showcase the essential services provided by small businesses in the CSRA.”

Stratagon Senior Partner and Co-Founder Alex Moore emphasized the importance of their company’s three C’s—clients, colleagues and community.

"Our business is a full-service marketing and tech firm focused on digital transformation and communications," said Moore. "Supporting regional events like this is integral to our business development activities. As an SRNS partner, participating here is especially meaningful for us. We'll continue to meet and reengage with today’s connections to form valuable partnerships.”

During the information session, over 70 participants received guidance on navigating SRNS procurement opportunities, improving operational efficiencies, and interpreting SRNS specifications and statements of work.

Angela Brewer from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) highlighted the advantages of federal certification. “SBA aids small businesses in becoming certified to work with the federal government. With SRNS' contract with the Department of Energy, there are many missions to be delivered. I encourage many of my small businesses, especially new ones, to partner with SRNS to gain experience with a prime contractor. The training and information shared today helped connect small businesses to numerous opportunities in the area."

The Carolinas-Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council (CVMSDC) emphasized the economic impact of Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) during the forum, highlighting CVMSDC’s advocacy and certification programs. They noted that every 

dollar spent with an MBE yields a 1.7x impact in the community. 

SRNS discussed their Supplier Technical Assessment and Validation (STAV) Program and the collaborative effort with Manufacturing Extension Partnerships to improve supplier operations and efficiencies through Lean and Six Sigma process improvements. Attendees also learned about the successes of the SRNS Mentor Protégé Program, with current protégés offering services in construction, staff augmentation, and computer programming and design. 

Mary Gomez, Vice President of Crew Cable, Inc. and a newly registered SRNS Mentor Protégé, attended the event to connect with other small businesses in the area. 

"Our underground construction company has grown over 30 years and now specializes in horizontal drilling. Based in Aiken, we serve the entire CSRA and are eager to make those connections with local businesses in need of our services,” said Gomez. “The initial forum helped us understand how to do business with SRNS, complete essential forms, and identify key contacts. We're excited to explore how we can contribute to SRNS’ missions and expand our work scope through this mentorship.”

Lisa Tanner, SRNS Small Business Liaison Officer, highlighted SRNS’ ongoing commitment to the small business community since 2008. “Small businesses are the backbone of our community, offering employment opportunities, generating tax revenue, and driving local growth and prosperity,” said Tanner. “I hope attendees recognized the vast capabilities that small businesses offer and see them as a vital resource for our collective success.”

Jana Chavous, Lead Supply Chain Management Program Specialist, echoed this significance of community support. “SRS receives a huge amount of support from our community, and we give back by supporting small businesses through events like these. SRNS remains committed to leveraging diverse small businesses to drive economic growth while maintaining stringent quality and safety standards,” said Chavous.

To register to do business with SRNS, visit www.srnssupplierportal.com/.