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3-to-1 matchmaking transforms supplier outreach at Sandia and beyond

BY HILARY ZWAHLEN

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2025

BETTER MATCHMAKING — From left, Sandia’s Small Business Forum team members Brandi Abousleman, Royina Lopez, Marie Simms, Desiree Garcia, Zach Mikelson, Patricia Brown, Leo Valencia and Megan Weaver. (Photo by Bret Latter)
BETTER MATCHMAKING — From left, Sandia’s Small Business Forum team members Brandi Abousleman, Royina Lopez, Marie Simms, Desiree Garcia, Zach Mikelson, Patricia Brown, Leo Valencia and Megan Weaver. (Photo by Bret Latter)

Sandia’s Small Business Outreach team is enhancing connections between suppliers and potential buyers through innovative 3-to-1 matchmaking sessions. This model is being adopted by other DOE national laboratories.

Out with the old, in with the efficient

Historically, outreach sessions were one-on-one meetings, which, while valuable, were time-consuming and limited the number of meaningful connections that could be made with small-business suppliers. Recognizing the need for a more efficient approach, Patricia Brown and Megan Weaver from the Small Business Outreach team revamped the matchmaking process to maximize impact for small-business owners while being mindful of buyer bandwidth.

Image of innovation-logo

The main challenge of the one-on-one model was that participants had limited time for matchmaking sessions. Patricia and Megan solved this by combining multiple suppliers with a single buyer in each session. The new format features 15-minute sessions with three suppliers and one buyer. This setup allows buyers to introduce themselves and their mission, while suppliers can ask questions, discuss capabilities and explore collaborations.

Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Suppliers appreciated meeting peers and discussing opportunities to work together, alleviating awkward networking pauses and fostering partnerships.

Future matches

With the success of the initial sessions, Sandia plans to continue the 3-to-1 format. This approach enhances the efficiency of supplier outreach and strengthens collaboration that is essential to achieving Sandia’s mission.

Sandians can read more about the innovations of Mission Services.

Pushing the envelope

DOE Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Director Ron Pierce
DOE Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Director Ron Pierce

In June, DOE Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Director Ron Pierce praised Sandia for coming up with the idea for reaching more small businesses through the 3-to-1 matchmaking sessions. At the DOE Small Business Forum & Expo, Director Pierce said, “Sandia is always pushing the envelope and thinking outside the box.”

A comprehensive program

NNSA Small Business Program Manager Gary Lyttek
NNSA Small Business Program Manager Gary Lyttek

In addition to 3-to-1 matchmaking, the Sandia Mentor Protégé Program is setting the standard for how the nuclear security complex works with small businesses.

At the expo, NNSA Small Business Program Manager Gary Lyttek expounded on Sandia’s creativity and implementation. “They added structure and made it a win for everyone. It is now being looked at by the DOE to see if they can take the best of the Sandia program and make it theirs.”