Subject: Abt's Small Business Partners
From: KFlanagan <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 08 Jul 2015 14:56:20 +0000

Dear Colleagues:

As we celebrate our successes through the year, it is important to remember our small business partners who have helped us achieve our goals—both in terms of fulfilling our mission and growing our financial base.  These firms, along with the many other small businesses across the nation, are truly the backbone of the American economy—providing jobs for over half of the nation’s private workforce and paying nearly 45 percent of the total U.S. private payroll.

Since our founding in 1965, Abt has partnered with small businesses countrywide, not only to bolster economic growth among these companies but also because we have found many to be exceptional partners.  We have had the privilege of affiliating with all facets of the small business community, working with firms owned by women, able and disabled veterans, Alaska natives and Indian tribes, historically black universities and by companies which are classified as socially and economically disadvantaged businesses including HUBZone businesses. Over that time, Abt has partnered with 1,818 small businesses and consultants.

Our commitment to the small business community is one we take seriously.  That is why we recently hosted the second annual Abt Associates Small Business Opportunities Matchmaker event at our Bethesda headquarters. Fifty-four small businesses participated in 15-minute matchmaking sessions—discussing opportunities one-on-one with Abt’s key decision makers and project stakeholders.  Represented were sixteen practices within Abt’s Social and Economic Policy Division, U.S. and International Health Divisions, the Environment and Resources Division, and the International Economic Group. This Matchmaker was a huge success, where almost double the number of businesses attended from the first one, and confirmed by the feedback we received from participating small businesses expressing appreciation for being able to engage in dialogues with Abt’s decision makers.

Since our beginnings, we have steadfastly backed the Small Business Administration’s goal to build and expand contracting opportunities for these firms.  In FY 2015, we set a goal to increase Abt’s small business usage for the third straight year, and I am delighted to share that we have met that goal!  Our engagement of small firms over the last 3 years rose from 21.3 percent to 29.7 percent, an 8.4 percent increase over the last three years.

As a company leader, I want to remind you that Abt requires your cooperation with, and support of, the efforts of Kathy Echols, our Small Business Program Manager.  In the coming weeks and months, Kathy will continue to reach out to you to engage you in gathering new opportunities to source with small businesses, provide training, and will learn the status of your project’s small business performance.

I appreciate all the work you do and your commitment to the owners of small businesses. Together we are improving the wellbeing of people worldwide and making a difference at home as well.

Sincerely,

Kathleen L. Flanagan

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