Businessmen will learn how to bid on military contracts

With federal investments at Navy Lakehurst and its neighboring military bases expected to increase by more than $450 million over the next several years, the opportunities for local businesses to win government contracts are greater than ever.

To help business owners learn the nuances of working with the Department of Defense, the Ocean County Board of Freeholders is sponsoring a free "Doing Business with the Military" workshop to be held 6-8 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Toms River Branch of the Ocean County Library.

"We are all aware of the economic problems that are impacting businesses, not only in Ocean County but across the nation," Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari said. "This seminar is one way the Board of Freeholders is reaching out to the local business community in an effort to strengthen our local economy."

Vicari said leaders from the naval base will discuss the finer points of bidding on federal contracts and working within the military complex.

"Thanks to Congressmen Chris Smith and Jim Saxton, Washington has agreed to invest more than $450 million in new facilities and programs at Lakehurst, Fort Dix and McGuire Air Force Base over the next five years," Vicari said. "Military contracts will be awarded, and we want to make sure Ocean County businesses are ready to bid and be competitive."

While only representatives from Navy Lakehurst will attend the session, Vicari said the advice and lessons offered will apply to working with the Army and Air Force bases as well.

"The Department of Defense is well on its way to combining the three installations into a single joint military base that will offer even more economic benefits to Ocean County," Vicari said.

Among the speakers scheduled to attend are Kathy Donnelly, director of the SE and ALRE Engineering Department at Navy Lakehurst. Donnelly is the highest-ranking civilian on the base.

Joining her will be chief of the contracting office, Thomas Hill, and Mauricio Borrero, director of program management at the base.

All of the base representatives and members of their staffs will be available for small, informal sit-down sessions with business owners during the workshop.

Also speaking will be Emil Kaunitz, president of Specialty Systems Inc. Kaunitz's Toms River-based company has a long and successful history of working with Navy Lakehurst, according to a press release from Ocean County.

Among the types of companies the base regularly does business with are plumbers, electricians, heating and air conditioning installation and service, construction companies, auto parts dealers and auto mechanics, catering services and restaurants, copier and printing services, office cleaning and janitorial services, furniture dealers, snow plowing companies, private lumber companies and water delivery services.

Vicari said some smaller businesses might be hesitant to bid on federal government contracts because of the bureaucracy and strict regulations involved.

"This workshop is going to attempt to cut through some of that red tape and help our small businesses take that important first step in dealing with the military," he said.

Freeholder John P. Kelly, who serves on the Friends of Navy Lakehurst, said the workshop is the latest joint effort between the base and the county.

"This workshop is really valuable to everyone involved," Kelly said. "Our businesses benefit from the additional commerce. The military learns more about the talented companies and professionals located right outside of their gates.

"The Navy may find that they don't need to do business with corporations located halfway across the country. Much of what they need may be located right here."

Any Ocean County business owner or representative who wants to attend the free workshop, to be held in the Mancini Room of the Toms River Branch of the Ocean County Library, 101 Washington St., Toms River, is asked to register by calling the Ocean County Department of Public Affairs at 732-929-2000 by Oct. 10.