For the eighth consecutive year, the Defense Department achieved an “A” rating for performance against its small business procurement goals. Released on July 26, the annual U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) scorecard puts into context the critical role small businesses play in fulfilling the department’s mission.

During a virtual press event announcing the scorecard’s release, Dr. William A. LaPlante, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, highlighted the contributions of the American workforce and small businesses throughout Fiscal Year 2021 alongside agency heads from the Departments of Transportation and Homeland Security as well as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

“Small businesses play a vital role in the American economy, and they are essential to the mission of the Department of Defense, enabling us to develop, deliver and sustain critical capabilities to our Warfighter,” LaPlante said. “DoD achieved our small business prime contracting goal for eight consecutive years. This

The regional administrator of the Small Business Administration has spent the past two days in North Texas meeting with Chambers of Commerce and city leaders about issues facing small businesses and options currently available for those struggling. South Central Regional Administrator Ted James says the visit aimed to increase awareness about the Community Navigator Pilot Program.

The pilot program offers funding to local and state governments, non-profits, and other organizations to provide financial assistance, marketing, and industry-specific training for small businesses.

The program targets communities considered underserved. On Thursday, Ted James met with city leaders from Balch Springs, Cedar Hill, DeSoto, Duncanville, Glenn Heights, Hutchins, Lancaster, Ovila, and Wilmer.

“We have been trying to be a lot more aggressive. A lot of small businesses don’t know the good things happening at the SBA,” James said. “Our community navigators are a brand new initiative by way of the American Rescue Plan,