Every year, large corporations are trying to work with small businesses across the country -- whether for direct purchases or in seeking help to engage in various projects through subcontracting and teaming. Recently, FedGov.News was able to interview General Dynamics IT -- consistently among the top government contractors in the country -- about their outreach to small businesses. We had the privilege to speak with Ludmilla Parnell, Director of Small Business Partnerships for General Dynamics Information Technology. We asked some straight to the point questions and received some fantastic answers that provide in-depth information for small businesses looking to partner with the contracting giant.

1. The government obviously puts certain regulations on larger firms to subcontract out to small businesses certain percentages -- what type of internal processes does General Dynamics IT utilize to meet (and maybe exceed) those standards?

General Dynamics Information Technology (IT) has several mechanisms in place to ensure small businesses are considered and included on many of the contract opportunities we bid on each year. From an organizational standpoint, General Dynamics IT has a team who focuses on developing relationships with small businesses, ensuring proper compliance and supporting teaming opportunities. This team works directly with the small business community and industry associations such as the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association, through sponsorships and various speaking events throughout the year.

Internally, we have a series of tools, databases and defined processes that allow our team to find small business teaming partners. These include the General Dynamics Enterprise Supplier Registration Portal (ESRP), as well as a separate portal containing resources that help employees find and team with small businesses. Additionally, we leverage external resources such as the Procurement Technical Assistance Centers to help identify qualified small businesses.

2. Looking at last year, about how much did General Dynamics IT engage with small businesses?

On average, each year over 1,000 small businesses work with General Dynamics IT to help support our customers. These small businesses support General Dynamics IT in a variety of roles including: providing various information technologies; engineering and technical services that support enterprise IT systems; life-cycle services; and mission-critical programs.

We strongly encourage small businesses interested in working with us to register online at www.gdit.com/sb.

3. What future goals does General Dynamics IT have to enhance its outreach to small businesses? Are there any events General Dynamics IT is involved with pertaining to small businesses?

General Dynamics IT participates and sponsors many small business events throughout the year, including:

• Annual Veterans in Business Conference in March
• Annual Government SB Procurement Conference in April
• Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Symposium (VETS) in June
• Navy Gold Coast Small Business Conference in August
• Annual National HUBZone Conference in October
• National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) Conference in October
• National Veterans Small Business Engagement (NVSBE) in November

General Dynamics IT also reaches out to the HUBZone community to support higher levels of involvement on contracts and to support HUBZone outreach events and conferences. Additionally, outreach to the veteran small business community continues to be a high priority for the company. Visit our website (http://gdit.com/partner-with-us/register-your-company/) and the ESRP registration page to view our list of upcoming events and outreach initiatives.

4. What kind of goods and services does General Dynamics IT have an immediate need for and is looking to small businesses to fulfill those needs?

General Dynamics IT teams with small businesses to provide a range of IT services that support federal, state, local, commercial and international customers in areas such as:

• Data analytics
• Cybersecurity
• Logistics support
• Systems integration
• Operations and maintenance of IT systems
• Operational and task analysis including expertise in analysis, documentation and technical support of mission critical systems
• Intelligence Community IT support
• Portfolio management
• IT Governance
• Enterprise architecture solutions
• Help desk and call center support
• Health IT
• Training
• Simulation

General Dynamics IT is proud of our outstanding record working with small businesses to support Government program requirements. Since 2012, we have been recognized annually by the National Veteran Small Business Coalition for our subcontracting achievements in working with veteran and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses.

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As a trusted systems integrator for more than 50 years, General Dynamics Information Technology provides information technology (IT), systems engineering, professional services and simulation and training to customers in the defense, federal civilian government, health, homeland security, intelligence, state and local government and commercial sectors. Headquartered in Fairfax, Va., with major offices worldwide, the company delivers IT enterprise solutions, manages large-scale, mission-critical IT programs and provides mission support services.

Along with Mission Systems, General Dynamics IT forms the Information Systems and Technology (IS&T) business group. IS&T and the Aerospace, Combat Systems and Marine Systems groups make up General Dynamics Corp.