SBIR@Connect: Exploring Small Business Opportunities with NAVWAR
Through a partnership with the Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, NIWC Pac, SBIR@Connect hopes to promote economic growth in our region by fostering connections between government, industry, and academia.
The purpose of this workshop is to familiarize small businesses with various avenues for collaboration with Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR). Featured speakers, Shadi Azoum and Kim Reidy, who lead small business efforts at NAVWAR, will share their extensive insights into small business participation. Kim Reidy, the Director of the Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) at NAVWAR, will discuss small business programs, contracting opportunities, and provide valuable advice and guidelines. Shadi Azoum, NAVWAR's SBIR/STTR Program Manager, will address the opportunities offered by the Navy's SBIR/STTR program for the small business community. Topics include any Navy SBIR/STTR updates post the program's reauthorization, the program's mission, and guidance on how to become involved.
The Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Program aims to bring non-dilutive funding to eligible companies to help address government research and development needs, while striving for innovation and the commercialization of products/efforts. Although there are multiple agencies that participate in the SBIR/STTR Program, the DoD makes up a large percentage of participation. SBIR @ Connect’s partnership focuses on the Navy, specifically, the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, NAVWAR. To boost interactions and promote collaboration, SBIR @ Connect is developing a set of workshops introducing the various programs and offices at NAVWAR.
We look forward to your participation in this event, and future ones! For more information, please visit our website connect.org/sbir
Learning Objectives:
Learn about NAVWAR’s Small Business Programs and Opportunities
Understand the SBIR/STTR Program
Navy SBIR/STTR updates
Speakers:
Shadi Azoum
Position: NAVWAR SBIR/STTR Program Manager
Mr. Shadi Azoum is the current Program Manager for the NAVWAR Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR), and Rapid Innovation Fund (RIF) Program Management Offices. He has served in this position since June 2016. Prior to this position, Mr. Azoum led the Science and Technology (S&T) portfolio for PEO C4I, PMW 130 (Information Assurance and Cyber Security Program Office) as the Assistant Program Manager (APM) for Science and Technology (S&T) since May 2011. Mr. Azoum has a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science and Master of Science (MS) in Information Security from Florida State University.
Kim Reidy
Position: Director of the Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) for the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR).
In February 2023, Ms. Kimberly (Kim) Reidy assumed duties as Director of the Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) for the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR). She is responsible for overseeing NAVWAR small business acquisition, strengthening NAVWAR and industry partnerships and fostering opportunities to leverage small businesses as strategic advantage for the benefit to the warfighter.
Since January 2020, Ms. Reidy served as the Contracting Branch Head for the Networks Branch. She was charged with oversight and support of all NAVWAR HQ contracting actions for the Program Executive Officer (PEO) Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I), Tactical Networks Program Office (PMW 160), Cybersecurity Program Office (PMW 130) and PEO Undersea Warfare Systems (UWS), Maritime Surveillance Systems Program Office (PMS 485).
From March 2018 through January 2020, Ms. Reidy served the Contracting Branch Head for the Fleet Readiness and Space Branch. She was responsible for overseeing all NAVWAR HQ contracts supporting the Fleet Readiness Directorate, PEO Space Systems, Navy Communications Satellite Program Office (PMW 146), and the PEO C4I, the Shore and Expeditionary Integration Program Office (PMW 790).
Previously, she served as an Unlimited Warranted Contracting Officer for a total of 8 years for Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) and Navy Engineering Logistics Office (NELO). She began her contracting career at the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) in 1992 and has over 27 years’ experience in Navy Procurement of Major Systems Acquisition.
During her federal career, Ms. Reidy received the Navy Civilian Service Commendation Medal (NAVWAR, 2022) and the David Packard Award for Acquisition Excellence (NSSN Program, 1996). She graduated from the Leadership for a Democratic Society (LDS) from the Federal Executive Institute (FEI) in 2021. Ms. Reidy received her bachelor’s degree in Biology/General Science Education form West Liberty University in 1990 (Cum Laude). She held a Contracting Officer Certified (Unlimited) Warrant for NAVWAR since 2014, holds a DAWIA Level III Certification in Contracting (2000), and has been a member of the Acquisition Professional Community (APC) since 2005.
Gretel von Son
Position: Connect SBIR/STTR Director
Gretel von Son is the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Director at Connect, a position created to support the SBIR/STTR Program by helping make connections between government, industry and academia, more accessible. Gretel previously supported the NAVWAR SBIR/STTR Program Office, and has experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. She has published work in Advanced Materials, ACS Nano and Nature Communications. Gretel has earned a Bachelor’s in Chemistry, and a Master’s in Business Administration.