Partnership and cooperation are at the heart of the mission of the NavalX Pacific Northwest Tech Bridge (PNWTB).
Our relationships with Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Keyport, Pacific Northwest Mission Acceleration Center (PNW MAC), and countless other organizations allow us to help nontraditional technologists navigate the Naval innovation ecosystem.
One such partnership is the NUWC Keyport Small Business Program. We sat down with Deputy Director for Small Business, Dave Walz, to discuss his partnership with the PNWTB and how his office can help those interested in Navy contracting.
Can you give us a summary of what your office does?
Deputy Walz: I work for NUWC Keyport running their small business program. We help small businesses with established products or technology navigate their way through government contracting.
How has your office partnered with PNWTB? How has that been beneficial to your clients?
Deputy Walz: Both NUWC Small Business Program and PNWTB work to help small businesses navigate a way to get their tech into the system to solve Navy and Department of Defense problems. Whereas Pacific Northwest Tech Bridge specializes in companies who have little to no previous government contracting experience, my office works with more established companies who are ready to apply for contracts now.
We do a lot of referring companies to one another based on their readiness level. PNWTB is a frequent guest at my Wednesdays with the Deputy for Small Business events. There’s always one or two companies in attendance that are just starting the process and it’s a great chance for them to get advice from Tech Bridge on how to get started.
Can you talk more about Wednesdays with the Deputy for Small Business?
Deputy Walz: Sure. Throughout the year I hold monthly open meetings where business can bring questions about the government contracting process. Regular Wednesdays with the Deputy for Small Business will start up again in September. These hybrid meetings are held on the last Wednesday of the month online and in person at Vibe Coworks in Poulsbo, WA.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Deputy Walz: The NUWC Keyport Small Business Program office is just one of five other offices here in the Puget Sound region. Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) has 20 different buying commands within our system alone.
The collaboration between offices means that if NUWC Keyport does specialize in a company’s technology, someone else does. We can connect business with our wider command to find the right fit. Or get them connected to PNWTB if they’re new to government contracting. I’m always happy to meet new companies and see how we can involve them in our ecosystem.
Companies interested in more information can reach out to Deputy Dave Walz at [email protected] or 360-315-6791.
To get connected with NavalX Pacific Northwest Tech Bridge, fill out our Request Assistance form to set up a no-cost, one on one meeting with our advisors.