April 27, 2005

Marta Metelko/Doc Milerson 
Headquarters, Washington 
(Phone: 202/358-1642/1600)

RELEASE: 05-107

NASA HONORED BY SMALL BUSINESS ADMINSTRATION

NASA's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization was 
presented with the prestigious Frances Perkins Vanguard Award at a 
luncheon hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration yesterday 
afternoon. The award was presented to NASA for excelling in its 
utilization of women-owned small businesses. 

The Frances Perkins Vanguard Award honors government agencies, 
government officials and corporations in the private sector that use 
women-owned small businesses as prime contractors, subcontractors and 
suppliers. 

"This was a well-deserved award," said Ralph Thomas, NASA's Assistant 
Administrator for the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business 
Utilization. "Our entire agency has worked hard to involve 
outstanding women-owned businesses in every facet of NASA's mission 
-- the proof is in the pudding," he added.

During FY 2004, NASA awarded a total of $847 million to women owned 
small businesses; $323 million in prime contracting and $524 million 
in subcontracting, setting agency records in both categories. This 
amount is nearly a $200 million increase over dollars awarded to 
women-owned firms in FY 2003. It also represents NASA's highest total 
dollars ever awarded to women owned small businesses. 

For information about NASA's Small Business Office on the Internet, 
visit: 

http://www.osdbu.nasa.gov 

For information about NASA and agency programs on the Internet, visit: 


http://www.nasa.gov 

	
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