The Secretary of the Army Award for Small Business Utilization for Fiscal Year 2024 was awarded to Mrs. Tracy Lawton of the California National Guard. During a visit to the California National Guard Contracting Enterprise team, Army Office of Small Business Programs Director Ms. Kimberly Buehler, presented the award and met with acquisition professionals to discuss the critical role small businesses play in strengthening the Army’s mission.
Under Mrs. Lawton’s leadership in 2024, the California National Guard awarded 401 contracts totaling $73 million to small businesses, accounting for 88.6% of total obligated dollars. Her team exceeded five Department of War small business goals, including surpassing the Women-Owned Small Business goal by 50%. These results reflect a deliberate, mission-focused strategy that expanded industry engagement while delivering real capability to the force.
Beyond the numbers, Mrs. Lawton built a culture of proactive outreach and collaboration. By aligning contracting priorities with operational requirements, she ensured the California National Guard remained positioned to access innovative and scalable solutions that support readiness, agility, and deterrence. Her work strengthened both the Defense Industrial Base and the communities that support it.
During the award presentation, members of the Contracting Enterprise team shared their appreciation for the leadership message delivered. One contracting officer noted, “I learned a lot and was inspired by Ms. Buehler’s and Ms. Williams’ words.” The visit reinforced the importance of disciplined acquisition, partnership with industry, and accountability in delivering results for the warfighter.
AOSBP remains committed to empowering acquisition professionals and industry partners who drive measurable impact and ensure the Army is prepared to meet evolving threats.
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