HUNTSVILLE, Ala., March 24, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NASA Administrator Charles Bolden participated in an event Thursday to highlight the contributions of small businesses to the agency's mission and the national economy at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. The meeting of the Marshall Small Business Alliance provided networking opportunities and encouragement for businesses to compete for procurement and subcontracting opportunities.

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During the meeting, Bolden presented Marshall with an agency award for managing the most effective small business program. It was the second time in three years Marshall has earned NASA's Small Business Administrator's Cup.

"Small business is crucial not only to NASA, but to the nation," NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said. "Federal procurement opportunities for women, minority and veteran-owned small businesses are critical to the economy and to sustaining economic development.  Marshall's commitment to the small business community along with its broad and diverse portfolio is why the center is being recognized."

Glenn Delgado, assistant administrator of NASA's Office of Small Business Programs in Washington, joined Bolden in presenting the award to Marshall Center Director Robert Lightfoot.

"I am extremely proud of the Marshall small business team, and its dedication to nurturing the small business partners and enterprises that are key to the success of our programs and projects," Lightfoot said. "To be recognized twice in three years for that dedication reflects the strength of our small business program, and our commitment to creating and maintaining the kind of mutually rewarding partnerships that will carry on NASA's mission into the next era of space exploration and discovery."

Sponsored by the NASA Office of Small Business Programs, the award recognizes the winning center's implementation of successful, innovative practices that promote the participation of small businesses in helping NASA achieve its mission. It also honors the significant contributions of that center's senior management, procurement office and program and technical personnel to the agency's small business programs.

For more information about the NASA Small Business Administrator's Cup Award and NASA's Office of Small Business Programs, visit:

http://www.osbp.nasa.gov  

SOURCE NASA

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