2003 award of excellence ...: goes to SDDC's Small Business Office for exceeding goals.

The Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command has received the 2003 Award of Excellence for Army Subcontracting for its success in assisting small businesses with contracting.

The award is a direct result of the work by the command's small business office composed of Nancy Small, associate director, and Karen Chin, procurement analyst of small business.

SDDC has the distinction of being the first command to receive the award--a part of the newly implemented U.S. Army Small Business Program.

The small business office staff, which reports directly to Bill Lucas, Deputy to the Commander, was enthusiastic about the award.

"We are absolutely delighted," said Small. "To receive an Army-wide award is outstanding.

"We are so proud of Acquisition's accomplishments and of their significant contributions to our command goals," continued Small, "We want to continue the winning tradition.

"We would like to commend the large businesses that we contracted for their support to our small business program."

Chin, a former transporter, said the award is a historical benchmark for SDDC.

"This demonstrates that working together as a team does make a great difference," said Chin. "We are extremely proud of Acquisition's accomplishments for this award."

The command awarded $76 million to small businesses in fiscal year 2003, which ended Sept. 30, 2003. In all, the command made a total of $690 million in awards in the fiscal year.

Lucas and Small received the award July 1 from Tracey Pinson, director, of the U.S. Army's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization.

"This award recognizes our Small Business Office, the Acquisition Directorate, and the Command," said Lucas. "I am very proud. All of SDDC can be proud of their work--which in turn supports our mission and that of the Army."

Saloumeh Amouhashem, Intern SDDC Headquarters