Helping small businesses connect with the Laboratory and thrive

The Regional Development Corporation (RDC) and Los Alamos National Laboratory hosted the "Partners in Progress: Doing Business with LANL" event earlier this year, showcasing the Lab's commitment to supporting and collaborating with local small businesses. 

Held at the Santa Claran Event Center in Española, the event provided a range of information on how small businesses can secure contracts to supply goods and services to the Laboratory. The event also included regional partners who offer information and services to support small business development. 

“The Laboratory partners with the RDC and a range of chambers of commerce, small business resource partners, and economic development organizations,” says Patrick Duran from the Laboratory’s Community Partnerships Office. “We want to increase the capabilities of local companies and show them how to do business with the Lab. Through cross-sector collaboration we can drive economic vitality in our region.”

In 2024, the Laboratory spent $636 million on goods and services with New Mexico small businesses. The nonprofit Regional Development Corporation is funded in part by Laboratory operator Triad National Security, as part of Triad’s Community Commitment Plan.

Benefits of partnership

In his keynote address, Deputy Laboratory Director for Operations Mark Davis emphasized the importance of community engagement to the Lab's mission. "The benefits of our partnership relations build on themselves," Davis said. "The Lab puts energy into the community, which strengthens the capacity of small businesses, who are then able to better assist us in protecting the nation."

The event highlighted the role of the Laboratory’s Small Business Program (SBP) in identifying and supporting qualified local suppliers.  "Bringing our suppliers and community partners together face-to-face creates the kind of alignment, trust and momentum to help drive us forward," says Yvonne Gonzales, SBP Manager.

A supplier panel discussion, moderated by Laboratory Acquisition Services Management Director Brooks Baldwin, provided insights from small business owners on building successful working relationships with the Lab. The panelists included representatives from Frank's Supply Company, Holmans USA, Performance Maintenance, Inc. (PMI), RG Construction Services, and Westwind Computer Products.

In addition, Lab staff provided information on how to enrol to become a registered supplier, a crucial step in the process of doing business with the Laboratory.

Attendees from the businesses, tribal, economic development and local government communities also heard presentations from the RDC, NM APEX Accelerator, NM Economic Development Department, and NM Department of Workforce Solutions/America’s Job Center. 

Awards and agreements

The event featured the signing of new mentor-protégé agreements with Citrine, LLC and JREV Enterprises, LLC. Through the program, the Laboratory mentors small businesses to help them strengthen their capabilities and competitiveness. Participants gain access to institutional knowledge, technical guidance, and opportunities to pursue Laboratory contracts, positioning them for long-term success. 

Española-based JREV Enterprises is a small machine shop specializing in metal fabrication and machining. In 2023 and 2025 they received support from the RDC’s Technology and Manufacturing (TEAM) Fund. Colorado-based Citrine is an engineering and infrastructure firm with experience in civil, mechanical, and environmental projects. Their work aligns closely with the Laboratory’s facility and infrastructure needs.

An awards ceremony also recognized five outstanding current Laboratory suppliers: Frank's Supply Company, Holmans USA, Management Solutions, LLC (named DOE Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year for 2024), RG Construction Services, and Westwind Computer Products.

“It was a privilege and honor to host the Partners in Progress event along with LANL,” said RDC Executive Director Pat Vanderpool. “We were excited that there were so many small businesses from the region there to see how others have been able to take advantage of the opportunities to provide products and services to the Lab and to learn how they, too, could be part of it.”