Booz Allen Receives a Nunn-Perry Award

The Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization has awarded Booz Allen Hamilton a 2005 Nunn-Perry Award in recognition of its successful mentor relationship with the protégé firm Artech Information Systems. Booz Allen Vice President Carl Salzano and Senior Associate Art Lucia accepted the award on behalf of the firm at the March 17, 2005, OSD Mentor-Protégé Conference held in Orlando, Florida.

"What we see today is the result of bringing small businesses into the forefront," said Frank M. Ramos, Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization. "We are here to recognize these Mentor-Protégé teams whose extraordinary efforts have exceeded their developmental plan and helped transform the DoD acquisition process."

Booz Allen has participated in DoD-sponsored mentor-protégé programs for over ten years, with a primary focus on the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Pilot Mentor-Protégé Program. The goal of the DISA program is to promote, support, and enhance the IT and telecommunications industrial base by building and supporting the core competencies of protégé firms that can technically sustain and advance DISA and DoD. As a mentor, Booz Allen helps protégé firms like Artech develop their capabilities, expertise, resources, business skills, infrastructure, and access to new markets.

Artech is a small, disadvantaged, women-owned and managed firm certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in the 8(a) program that provides project management and software consulting services. After graduating from the DISA Mentor-Protégé Program in June 2004, Artech was named to Deloitte & Touche's list of the 50 fastest growing technology companies in New Jersey. In 2003, Artech was named the Small Business Administration's Region 2 Regional Subcontractor of the Year.

"Booz Allen recognizes the increasing importance placed on mentor-protégé programs by the federal government," said Lucia. "In response, the firm is increasing its involvement in programs across the Department of Defense and civilian agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, Department of the Treasury, Air Force, and the Missile Defense Agency."

story posted March 31, 2005