Frances Perkins VanGuard Award
Story by SPC Charles Ames - Photos by SPC Charles Ames & LTC Pat Klein
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U.S. Congressman Norm Dicks of Washington, Ms. Gretchen Sorensen, Regional Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and Major General Greg Barlow, Washington National Guard Adjutant General, presented the Frances Perkins VanGuard Award for Excellence to two employees of the U.S. Property & Fiscal Office (USPFO) of the Washington National Guard in a ceremony held recently on Camp Murray.
The USPFO's Purchasing and Contracting Division provides contracting support for all Washington Army and Air National Guard organizations in the acquisition of construction, Architect-Engineer services, and other supplies and services.
The Frances Perkins VanGuard Award for Excellence recognizes buying activities and individuals in both the Government and Industry for their excellence in utilizing women-owned small businesses as prime contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers. This is the first year this particular award has been presented, but it is also the first time that an award in this category has been presented to a government purchasing organization.
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The award, named for the first woman ever to hold a Cabinet position, was presented to Chief Warrant Officer Rick Thibeault and Sergeant First Class Joan Dobesh. The USPFO Officer for Washington, COL Curt Pintler, presided over the ceremony.
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SBA Regional Administrator, Gretchen Sorensen, indicates that 40% of all companies in America are owned by women. Their businesses pour 3.6 trillion dollars into the economy. By next year, women and people of color will own over 50% of all businesses. She notes that the USPFO increased its contracts to women-owned businesses 1000% in a one-year period, from 4% to 42%!
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Congressman Dicks pointed out that 200 billion dollars is awarded overall in government contracts. He also commended the degree to which the USPFO's Purchasing and Contracting Division has utilized electronic commerce in the conduct of business, making announcements and bids a more equitable process for all business owners.
The award will be on display at the USPFO on Camp Murray, near Tacoma WA.
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