AIKEN, S.C., –  David W. Hepner, Sr., Community Affairs/Small Business Program Manager for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Savannah River Operations Office (SR) was recently honored as the Federal Small Business Manager of the Year for his dedication and high achievement to encourage small business participation in Fiscal Year 2006.  Winners of DOE’s 2006 Secretarial Small Business Awards were presented during a recent ceremony for the Department’s 8th Annual Small Business Conference in Washington , DC . 

 Nominated by DOE-Headquarters Office of Environmental Management, Mr. Hepner was recognized for his efforts in furthering DOE’s commitment to President Bush’s Small Business Agenda for increasing small business participation in federal contracting. 

 In coordination with the Small Business Administration, Mr. Hepner conducted an in-depth review of potential contracting opportunities for small businesses within the scope of work of the DOE-SR Facilities Management Contracts (mainly Management and Operating contracts) at the Savannah River Site (SRS) in Aiken , SC.   Five functional areas for mission accomplishment were selected to be offered as small business contracts.

 Mr. Hepner meets regularly with suppliers and provides guidance, counseling, and assistance to both small business and DOE-SR contracting personnel to ensure full participation in the small business program.

 DOE’s Small Business Awards program was established to recognize the performance by departmental offices, facility management contractors, and small business joint ventures on an annual basis.

SR-07-06

DOE