Laboratory creates Small Business Program External Review Committee

Contact: Steve Sandoval, steves@lanl.gov, (505) 665-9206 (02-009)

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LOS ALAMOS, N.M., Jan. 30, 2002 -- John Browne, director of the Department of Energy’s Los Alamos National Laboratory, on Wednesday announced the formation of a Small Business Program External Review committee to review and assess the Small Business Program Office at the Laboratory.

The committee will make recommendations to the Laboratory regarding the quality of the program and its effectiveness in meeting Department of Energy and business community expectations.

"The committee will advise me on which initiatives are effective and which we need to develop or improve," said Browne. "It is important for us to understand the views of business leaders and be aware of practices or activities that may need improvement so that we create the best possible opportunities for small businesses to participate in Laboratory procurements,” said Browne.

The committee's charter includes advising the Laboratory on the effectiveness of its procurement policies and procedures as well as Laboratory actions needed to improve its relationship with the business community.

"I want a diverse and well-qualified group to review the many areas of our small business program," Browne said. "What we do at the Laboratory impacts not only the small business person, but also has an affect on many segments of the community. I want to ensure they all are represented in this assessment," added Browne.

The committee will be composed of eight business and regional community leaders and chaired by Anna Muller, president of NEDA Business Consultants and a well-known small business advocate. The vice chairperson will be former New Mexico Gov. Toney Anaya, president of the Anaya Law Firm.

Also serving on the Small Business Program External Review committee are Perry Martinez, former governor of San Ildefonso Pueblo; Lillian Montoya-Rael, executive director, Regional Development Corp.; Priscilla Trujillo, vice president, Northern New Mexico Community College in Española; Kevin Holsapple, co-director, Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corp.; J.R. Trujillo, president, Northern New Mexico Supplier Alliance and president of Quic Fix, Española; and Leo Miranda, a business consultant from Albuquerque.

It is expected that the committee's assignment will be completed by April 30. The report will include findings and recommendations.

For additional information about Laboratory small business outreach efforts, call 667-4410 or write to sbo@lanl.gov by electronic mail or go to http://buynorthern.lanl.gov/ on the World Wide Web.

Los Alamos National Laboratory is operated by the University of California for the National Nuclear Security Administration of the U.S. Department of Energy and works in partnership with NNSA's Sandia and Lawrence Livermore national laboratories to support NNSA in its mission.

Los Alamos enhances global security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile, developing technical solutions to reduce the threat of weapons of mass destruction and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health and national security concerns.