WASHINGTON – United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., and Chair of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, today, sent a letter to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta thanking the Department of Defense for their support of small business federal contracting.

“I was particularly heartened to see your support this year as the Department has traditionally faced challenges in meeting small business goals.” Senator Landrieu wrote. “I am offering to you my full support in your endeavor to meet – and even exceed – the Department–wide small business contracting goal of 22.3% for FY2011. Likewise, I encourage you and your staff to keep small business in mind as you develop policies that will surely influence how acquisition professionals and program managers identify sources and engage with defense contractors.”

Last week, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta sent a memorandum to Secretaries of the military departments, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Directors of the Defense Agencies, and Directors of DoD Field Activities regarding the Department-wide small business contracting goal. For FY 2011, the Department of Defense was tasked to reach a goal of 22.3 percent small business federal contracting. With only five weeks left, the Department is falling short of their goal and is reaching out to those involved in the acquisition process to identify small business contracting opportunities.

To see a copy of Senator Landrieu’s letter, please click here.

To see a copy of Defense Secretary Panetta’s Memorandum, please click here.