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For Suppliers

Small Business Liaison Office

APL is committed to fulfilling its small business goals as well as giving every supplier a fair and reasonable opportunity. We believe in working with a set of suppliers that deliver value, fresh perspectives, and nimble thinking. This includes:

  • Small Businesses (SBs)
  • Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDBs)
  • Woman-Owned Small Businesses (WOSBs)
  • Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone)
  • Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSBs)
  • Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs)
  • Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
  • Minority Institutions (MIs)
  • Alaskan Native Corporations (ANCs)
  • Indian Tribes

We actively seek to expand relationships with these types of suppliers, which we view as an often-untapped source of talent.

Our Commitment

The APL Small Business Liaison Office (SBLO) was established to support small businesses in APL’s procurements and achieve its small business program goals. It is committed to doing so by:

  • Being an advocate for small businesses. As the first point of contact, the SBLO provides counseling to potential small business suppliers on procurement opportunities and how to do business with APL.
  • Fostering the growth and continued success of small business programs.
  • Partnering with APL’s procurement and contracts teams and technical departments. The SBLO assists these departments in identifying potential suppliers for the acquisition of goods and services.
  • Directing and participating in outreach activities. These activities identify and encourage the use by APL of goods and services from qualified small businesses.

Interested in Potential Opportunities with APL’s SBLO?

If you are interested in doing business with APL, learn about APL and our mission areas. APL is a not-for-profit university affiliated research center (UARC) that solves complex research, engineering, and analytical problems that present critical challenges to our nation. Our scientists, engineers, and analysts serve as trusted advisors and technical experts to the government, ensuring the reliability of complex technologies that safeguard our nation’s security and advance the frontiers of space. We also maintain independent research and development programs that pioneer and explore emerging technologies and concepts to address future national priorities.

Prospective suppliers may contact us at PartnerandSupplierResources@jhuapl.edu. Please include the following information:

  • Company name, brief overview, and website address
  • Business size (e.g., small business) and classification
  • Capabilities documentation and/or line card to capture product/service offerings and key competencies
  • Whether you are a current or previous supplier for APL. If you are a current supplier, also identify the purchase order/subcontract number.
  • Any unique information you would like APL to know about your company and your products/services
  • Contact information

If APL is interested in partnering with you as a supplier, you will receive an invitation to register on APL’s Supplier Portal.

If you represent a small business, please review our cybersecurity resource page. We also welcome you to speak with one of our experienced cybersecurity experts at smb-cyber@jhuapl.edu.

APL’s Supplier Portal

The Supplier Portal is APL’s main tool for suppliers to self-manage their compliance documents, including annual representations and certifications, payment/banking information, and business classification. All steps must be completed to become an APL supplier.

A Supplier User Guide will be available on the homepage of the portal to assist you.

To begin the process, follow the instructions in the “Interested in Potential Opportunities with APL’s SBLO?” section above. If APL is interested in partnering with you as a supplier, you will receive an invitation to register on the Supplier Portal.

Note: Registering on the Supplier Portal does not mean you are registered as a supplier with APL. You will need to complete the registration questionnaire and it will need to be approved before you are considered registered with APL.

How to Become a Registered Supplier

Step 1

Receive an invitation from APL to register on the Supplier Portal

Step 2

Create a new account on the Supplier Portal or log in with an existing account

Step 3

Complete and submit the Supplier Portal registration questionnaire

Step 4

APL will review your answers to the registration questionnaire and provide approval (may require follow-up)

Ongoing

Maintain your questionnaire and update it as requested

Tips for Small Businesses Who Want to Do Business with APL

Next Steps

For APL, developing and maintaining relationships with small businesses is not only imperative, it is simply good business. The SBLO is committed to small business development.

Once the vetting process has been completed, if your company is identified as having the capabilities for (a) our government contracts or (b) building, maintaining, or operating APL’s campus infrastructure, we will contact you for further information.

APL’s SBLO Contacts

Contact the Small Business Liaison Office

The SBLO is managed by two small business program managers. For assistance/guidance with APL’s Supplier Outreach Program, please contact:

  • Lisa M. Righter, Small Business Liaison Officer and Outreach Manager
  • Orlando D. Stevenson Sr., Small Business Liaison Officer

Contact the SBLO Team

PartnerandSupplierResources@jhuapl.edu

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