Issues of Growth & Development Series

Column #42 — BRAC, Maryland Alliances, and Fort Detrick Business Development Office

This column is a continuation of my column two weeks ago. Now I will review the BRAC process, Maryland Military Alliances, and the new Fort Detrick Business Development Office.

BRAC

What is it?

“BRAC" is an acronym that stands for base realignment and closure.

What is the timeline for BRAC 2005?

Milestones for BRAC 2005 will include the Secretary of Defense making specific recommendations for base closures or realignment on May 16, 2005, and the President approving the report and sending it to Congress on September 23, 2005. At that point, the report's recommendations become law unless they are rejected by Congress.

Michael Hayes, Director of Maryland Military and Federal Facilities for the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, said that Maryland military bases have a $15 billion economic impact and employ approximately 100,000 employees. Frederick has three people on this Board: Mark Hoke, Rob Nickey, and Al Imhoff.

Has BRAC affected the Frederick Area?

Yes, remember Fort Ritchie closed in 1998 and this former Army Base of 638 acres is still struggling on how to expand into civilian economic development.

Could it affect Fort Detrick?

Not likely. Why? The Fort is a premier quad-services installation committed to excellence. It is currently home to the United States Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC), the National Cancer Institute (NCI-Frederick), and 37 other tenant organizations.

The Fort is in now building an important Biodefense campus adjoining the USAMRIID, with National Institute and Allergy and Infectious Diseases and HomeLand Security as new multimillion-dollar buildings on this campus. This is only the beginning because Fort Detrick had the foresight to expand in the logical direction of biotechnology, the forte of this fine base.

Maryland Military Alliances

Hayes said that BRAC 2005 would be the largest and final round of base closures and realignment. “Everything is on the table. The reduction target is 20 to 25% of the nation's military facilities. Opportunities include the defense focus on R&D and testing, current operational challenges, homeland defense, and increased public-private partnerships. Hmm, sounds like what we are doing in Fort Detrick.”

Fort Detrick has had an alliance since 2003. Others are: Southern Maryland Navy Alliance, Patuxent Partnership, Indian Head Defense Alliance (Charles County), Army Alliance (Aberdeen), Northeast Maryland Technology Alliance, Maritime Alliance, Maryland TEDCO (Technology Development Corporation), and soon at Fort Meade.

Fort Detrick Business Development Office (FDBDO)

This is an exciting venture. MGEN Martinez-Lopez has recently informed all 38 tenant activities that this will be a source for support in contracting. Local and area businesses can learn how to contract with the Federal government in ways they never considered.

We know the fence was a psychological barrier; it’s gone. It has now been broken down by the FDBDO close to the Fort, with many opportunities to learn how to do business without going through the gate!

Business that have not looked at the Fort Detrick website are missing unique opportunities that already exist — http://www.detrick.army.mil/ the Contracting Community — http://www.usamraa.army.mil/pages/FDCC/Pages/index.htm and Small Business Contracting Office — http://www.mrmc.smallbusopps.army.mil/. It’s all there, and with the FDBDO there will be better communications with the agencies in the Fort. It is to open in February or early March. Point of Contact for more information is Terry McCune — terry.mccune@amedd.army.mil or by phone — 301-619-2110.

I look on this office as a mini-Chamber of Commerce and economic development agency at the Fort. Some of the important things the FDBDO will do include:

· Physical One-Stop Shop to complement websites and phone lists.

· Single point of contact between Fort Detrick, Industry, Academia, Frederick City/County, and the state of Maryland.

· Government/Industry matchmaker.

· Source for Medical Research Grants.

It will serve as an Industry-Government Matchmaker:

· Coordinate meetings between Industry and designated Government POCs.

· Develop Government Organizational POCs for Technology Research.

· Provide external source of information for Government Activities (literature and POC list).

· Respond to Industry Inquiries.

There will be a technology transfer component and an Award up to $50,000 grants to companies demonstrating their ability to meet needs for medical technology.

For many years, I worked as a Navy consultant and wrote many proposals. FDBDO will help by training businesses to learn how to respond to government RFPs (Requests for Proposals) and learning how to write successful responses to these RFPs. This is basic communications and learning how to do this can be invaluable for all businesses in all marketing areas.

Summary

Will BRAC happen at Fort Detrick, not likely. Are there opportunities for business at Fort Detrick…absolutely! If you have any business you must visit the FDBDO soon. Moreover, the FDBDO will be there for all businesses to cut through the red tape and train business in how to do business, not only with the government but also with other businesses! Opportunities abound at Fort Detrick!