Professionals from across the Army acquisition community were recognized during Small Business Training Week for their contributions to the small business mission. Individuals, teams, and organizations were honored for helping connect small businesses with Army requirements.
The Vanguard Awards
The Vanguard Awards recognize exceptional contributions by small business professionals and members of the acquisition community who have advanced small business participation across the Department. Established in 2015, the awards are among the Department of War’s highest honors for the small business workforce.
This year, Army Materiel Command (AMC) Office of Small Business Programs received the FY25 Verdure Award. The team was recognized for developing an abbreviated Justification and Approval process that simplified acquisition requirements, reduced administrative burden, and accelerated procurement timelines.
Their work expanded opportunities for Women-Owned, HUBZone, and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses while accelerating the delivery of critical capabilities to the warfighter. Through the team's "Did You Know" training campaign, more than 1,000 acquisition professionals and industry partners received training on FAR Part 19 authorities, increasing awareness of available contracting tools and removing barriers to small business participation. The recognition reflects the Army's continued leadership in developing innovative acquisition solutions that can be adopted across the Department of War.
Army Office of Small Business Programs Fiscal Year 2025 Awards
The Army Office of Small Business Programs recognized outstanding achievements from across the Army during its Fiscal Year 2025 Small Business Awards Ceremony. Awards were presented to honor individuals, teams, and organizations whose work strengthened the Army's small business program and expanded opportunities for small businesses.
Recipients were recognized for achievements in contracting, program management, and innovative approaches that strengthened the Army's small business community.
Fiscal Year 2025 Army Small Business Award recipients included:
- Small Business Professional of the Year: Ms. Ambre Wallitsch, U.S. Army Materiel Command, for supporting more than $1.68 billion in small business awards while strengthening the industrial base and supporting contingency operations.
- Contracting Professional of the Year: Ms. Polia Quiles, Army Contracting Command-New Jersey, for advancing the small business program through innovative acquisition planning, workforce training, and the command's first incentive payment under DFARS 252.226-7000.
- Challenger Award: Mr. Kinya "Roger" Minami, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, for his leadership, mentorship, and commitment to expanding opportunities for small businesses across the acquisition community.
- Command Socio-Economic Award: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Atlantic Division Wilmington District, for increasing small business participation during Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, and the U.S. Army Materiel Command Office of Small Business Programs, for obligating more than $12.86 billion through 40,748 small business contract actions during fiscal year 2025.
- Vigor Team Award: Army Materiel Command Office of Small Business Programs FAR Part 19 Development Team, for creating an innovative acquisition tool that simplified FAR Part 19 implementation and expanded opportunities for small businesses across the Army.
Behind every award is a commitment to improving the way the Army partners with small businesses. Whether supporting disaster response, modernizing acquisition processes, or creating new opportunities for industry, this year's recipients continue to strengthen the Army acquisition community and support mission success.
Congratulations to this year's recipients on this well-deserved recognition!
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