Idaho National Laboratory creates opportunities for Idaho businesses

Idaho National Laboratory http://inl.org awarded more than $122 million to Idaho-based businesses in 2008.
Even in slow economic times, INL expects to spend $290 million for goods and services. Nearly $87 million of that will be spent with Idaho-based businesses in 2009. INL specifically targets purchases of product and service to Idaho-based businesses as a part of its commitment to both the U.S. Department of Energy and the state of Idaho.

In recent years, the lab has continued to increase the dollars spent in Idaho. In fact, more than 40 percent of the total purchases were from Idaho-based businesses in 2008. INL measures Idaho-based businesses as any company with offices within the state of Idaho. This includes small and other-than-small businesses in the state. The other-than-small businesses category takes into account nonprofit organizations and large businesses.

"The vision of Idaho National Laboratory is to target, shape and retain Idaho small businesses for work at the laboratory,” said Dana Storms, INL Small Business Program manager. “We want to keep our state and regional economies strong. This ensures we can continue to bring world-class products and services to the laboratory in order meet program requirements and ultimately our customer’s expectations.”
In 2008, INL awarded significant contracts to Idaho businesses in support of various programs throughout the laboratory.

Here are examples:

Eagle Rock Timber http://www.eaglerocktimber.com/ was competitively awarded almost $9 million in construction subcontracts at INL, notably the radiochemistry laboratory at the Materials and Fuels Complex. The certified small, disadvantaged business is in Idaho Falls.

CRI Advantage http://www.criadvantage.com/ provides $4 million in information technology services to the lab. The INL help desk and information technology field support services subcontracts were awarded to this small business in Boise.

Homeland Builders is performing $4 million in general construction work for INL, including upgrade projects to facilities in Idaho Falls. The service-disabled, veteran-owned small business is in Blackfoot.

C&H Construction http://www.chcontractors.com/company/testimonials.asp is managing $3.9 million for the Advanced Test Reactor Complex common support building construction. This is a small business in Idaho Falls.

Cedar Mountain Supply http://www.cedarmountainsupply.com/ will distribute $1.8 million in scientific laboratory supplies though a blanket purchase order with the lab. The small, HubZone business is in Coeur d’Alene.

The impact of contracts like these is felt across the state.

INL plans to spend no less than 30 percent of its budget for products and services with Idaho-based businesses in 2009.

Misty Benjamin, 208-526-5940, [email protected]