Small Business Opportunities In Defense Seminar Held At University Of Minnesota

St. Paul, 10 September, 2007 – The Defense Alliance held its quarterly meeting today at the University of Minnesota’s Continuing Education Conference Center on the St. Paul campus. 75 people representing more than 50 defense businesses and organizations attended the event which was co-hosted by the University’s Center for Continuing Education (CCE).

Following an overview of the Defense Alliance and the new Midwest Center for Defense Sustainment, the meeting featured various opportunities for small businesses to participate in defense contracting work presented by representatives of the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) from the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane, Indiana. The Crane Depot employs more than 3,500 people who contribute to a myriad of technology and service needs for the nation’s warfighters of all services. Two technology assistance programs of the Department of Defense (DoD) were also presented during the morning session, the TechLink and MilTech programs.

The seminar’s afternoon session featured a discussion of current DoD partnership with academic institutions – and the potential for more future partnerships, including with the University of Minnesota. The Defense Alliance has consistently advocated increased collaborations with DoD as a way to help the University achieve its stated goal of being among the top three research institutions in the world.

The Roundtable was sponsored by Gradient Technology, Hysitron and SAIC. Monday’s seminar was the latest in a series of quarterly events organized by the Defense Alliance of Minnesota, the region’s network for the defense and homeland security industry.

The Defense Alliance is an independent organization whose mission is to network and expand Minnesota ’s defense and homeland security industries, to create and retain high quality jobs, and to further promote the state’s important contributions to our men and women of the armed forces. Information on ongoing issues and future events can be found at the Alliance website, www.defensealliance.com.