Boeing

The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today honored the small businesses that support its NASA Checkout, Assembly and Payload Processing Services (CAPPS) contract during a recognition event in Cape Canaveral, Fla.

Small businesses recognized by Boeing Space Exploration leaders for their support of the CAPPS contract include CNI/All Points Logistics, Inc., Creative Management Technology, Inc., Indyne and Yang Enterprises, Inc.

"Boeing thanks this community for their exceptional small business performance. Our success and future competitiveness depend on them to execute the intricate work we do for the nation's space program," said John Elbon, Boeing Space Exploration vice president and Constellation program manager and Florida site executive.

NASA, in support of federal government contract agreements, requires prime contractors to place a specified percentage of their contracted effort with small businesses.

"Our small business teammates at Kennedy Space Center have enabled us to perform in an excellent manner, manage our costs and exceed our NASA customer requirement of 19 percent small business participation for the past five years," said Mark Jager, Boeing program manager for NASA's Checkout, Assembly and Payload Processing Services contract.

Boeing is employing similar strategies with other space-based efforts, including the competition for the Ares I upper stage production and instrument unit avionics contracts. For example, NASA's proposal requirement for the Ares I crew launch vehicle, the first human-rated launch vehicle since the space shuttle, stipulates that 17.3 percent of the contract work go to small businesses.

"Partnerships with small business form a key part of the strong supply chain we are offering for the Ares 1 upper stage production. We exceed 17.3 percent not because it's a requirement, but because it makes good business sense. Boeing has already proven we can exceed this level based on our CAPPS contract performance," said Jim Chilton, vice president of Boeing Exploration Launch Systems, who is leading the Ares I team.

Boeing is committed to identifying opportunities for small businesses and works with the local chambers of commerce and economic development commissions to locate additional resources.

"The Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast enjoys a strong partnership with Boeing in supporting the many small business endeavors in our community," said Lynda Weatherman, president and CEO, Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast.