Acquisition Services Management Division Leader Doug McCrary, second from left holding a plaque, and members of LANL’s Small Business Program: Chris Fresquez, far left, Jim Carrigan, center, and James Kloeppel, far right, are shown with John McKinstry of RG Construction Services, second from right. Courtesy/LANL
- Successful mentoring partnership recognized
Los Alamos National Laboratory and RG Construction Services LLC in Rio Rancho received the fiscal year 2015 Mentor of the Year and Protégé of the Year awards, respectively, from the Department of Energy.
The awards were announced recently at DOE’s Small Business Forum and Expo in Atlanta. The awards recognize the Lab and Los Alamos National Security, LLC’s contributions toward DOE’s mission and small business goals.
Additionally, Jim Carrigan of the Small Business Program Office received a Distinguished Performance Award for formalizing the Los Alamos Mentor-Protégé Program in 2013.
“The LANL Small Business Program will continue to seek opportunities to mentor other viable suppliers and work to create the next success story,” says LANL Small Business Program Manager Chris Fresquez.
RG Construction Services provides subcontract construction services for the Laboratory. U.S. Army veteran John McKinstry started the company in 2004; the company was accepted into the Mentor-Protégé Program in 2014. McKinstry said he recommends the program to other small businesses. “The Laboratory is willing to answer our questions. You just have to be willing to ask,” he said. “I want to ensure our company has the skills and knowledge to do the work well.”
About the Mentor-Protégé Program
The Laboratory’s Mentor-Protégé Program is a DOE initiative designed to encourage and assist small and disadvantaged businesses; the mentor typically works with one business at a time for two years. Businesses are selected as protégés through a competitive application process. The mentor signs an agreement with the protégé, committing to enhance the company’s capabilities and ability to compete in any market.
Protégés learn how to perform contracts and subcontracts for federal projects, giving them visibility within the DOE complex. In turn, Los Alamos gains more procurement options as it strives to meet its small business goals, set each year with DOE’s National Nuclear Security Administration. The Mentor-Protégé Program also contributes toward DOE’s mission and small business goals, and it helps local businesses grow and expand, contributing to regional economic development.
Learn more about LANL’s Small Business Program.
