NREL Small Business Commitment Spotlights US Department of Energy Program Success

Mentor-Protégé Program Helps Startups Secure Federal Contracts and Grow Capabilities
for Expanding Energy Security and Resilience Market

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is always looking for new ways to
support veteran-owned businesses and disadvantaged communities across the United States.
Fostering a strong commitment to small business is central to the laboratory’s mission
of delivering solutions for a clean energy economy.

In fact, each year over 50% of all NREL subcontracts, approximately $60–$75 million,
are awarded to small businesses, and the laboratory regularly invites small, disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, veteran-owned, and disabled-veteran-owned businesses to collaborate on short-term
and long-term projects.

In the United States today, small businesses employ approximately 61.7 million Americans, nearly 47% of all private-sector employees,
and represent a major part of the nation’s economy. They also often have the experience
and skills that make them great potential partners for the U.S. Department of Energy
(DOE) and NREL. This is one reason why NREL regularly participates in outreach and
educational opportunities with the U.S. Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) and DOE.

One of the most effective ways for NREL to support small businesses has been through
a multitude of mentorship programs, such as the DOE Mentor Protégé Program (MPP). The MPP has allowed NREL to share its research and technical knowledge on renewable
energy and advise participants on a vast array of topics, including project management,
information technology, business equipment, and workspaces.

In June 2024, program participant and NREL mentee Converge Strategies (CSL) achieved
two big milestones that are already changing the trajectory of its business. In addition
to graduating from the MPP, CSL received the Protégé of the Year award from the OSDBU
Annual Small Business Awards Program. This program celebrates the outstanding performance
of people and organizations that promote and expand the partnerships that DOE has
with small businesses. Due to their partnership with NREL, CSL was a great example
of a business that was able to expand its capabilities and collaborate with federal
laboratories and DOE.

With NREL as its mentor, CSL received a variety of assistance, including in developing
business partnerships with national laboratories and agencies, access to world-class
research, and strategy development to ensure their team could more effectively respond
to opportunities from other national laboratories and federal organizations. CSL is
now on track to exceed its revenue projection for 2023 and is growing in both revenue
and staff. Through NREL mentorship, CSL has effectively responded to project opportunities
from other national laboratories, creating new avenues for business growth and supporting
its business mission.

CSL may be one of the latest laboratory partners, but they are not the only one. NREL
is always looking for new vendors and subcontractors that can meet the laboratory’s
continuing requirements for goods, services, research and development, construction,
and other laboratory needs.

If you are interested in learning more about partnering directly with NREL, visit
our Small Business Commitment page or complete the Small Business Registration form.

To learn more about the DOE Mentor Protégé Program, see the OSDBU info page. NREL looks forward to hearing from you.