Bridget Passatore (Center), US Army Corps of Engineers District contracts in Nashville, maintains contracts with small businesses at the Bizgové Connect event with the state University of Tennessee on May 20, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn., Asison Abernathy (on the left), also a contract with the District, Line. (Us Army Corps of Engineers Photo by Noe Gonzalez)
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Andrew Roth, responsible for US Army Corps of Engineers District contracts in Nashville, welcomes a small business owner during the Bizgov Connect event at the Tennessee State University, May 20, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn., While Peyton Abernathy, Civil Engineer of the Nashville District. (Photo Usace by Noe Gonzalez)
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Nashville, Tennessee (May 20, 2025) – Small businesses of the whole state gathered on Tuesday at Tennessee State University for Bizgov Connect, a networking event designed to help entrepreneurs enter into government contracts.
The sponsors of the event included the Tennessee Valley Post of the Society of American Military Engineers (even), the Tennessee Apex Accelerator and the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC). It brought together a wide range of federal, state and local supply agencies, as well as the main leaders in industry.
Eulanda Scott-Shingleton, assistant to small businesses with the US Army Corps of Engineers District in Nashville, is expressed to entrepreneurs during the Bizgov Connect event at the State University of Tennessee in Nashville, Tenn., On May 20, 2025. (Photo Usace by Noe Gonzalez)
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The US Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District, known for its critical civil work, infrastructure and environmental projects, was a key participant. The district organized a session in small groups, provided direct access to contractual agents and shared updates on the requests to come.
“The USACE Nashville district remains deeply committed to establishing and maintaining solid partnerships in our local community,” said Eulanda Scott-Sheningleton, assistant to small businesses. “We are proud of the collaborative relations that we have established with Apex, TSBDC and the same.
From 11 a.m. to noon, the district organized a session in small groups focused on the way small businesses can look for federal contract opportunities. The district contracting agents answered the questions and shared the current requests listed on Sam.govThe official website of the federal government for contract opportunities.
EULANDA Scott-SHINGLETON, MP for small businesses with the US Army Corps of Engineers District in Nashville, runs a break-up session alongside the USACE contractual officers during the Bizgov Connect event at Tennessee State University in Nashville, tenn., May 20, 2025.
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“As a contractors’ officer, I know how important it is to go to the owners of small businesses,” said Bridget Passatore, a contractors in the Nashville district. “Small businesses are the backbone of our country. In many cases, I am the link that helps them put a foot in the door. This is why I am grateful for events like Bizgov Connect. ”
The participants left with more than simple brochures – many have acquired usable measures to government contracts.
More than 20 organizations have participated, notably the US Small Business Administration, Metro Nashville procurement, Nashville International Airport Authority, Fort Campbell, Turner Construction, Messer Construction, La Tennessee Valley Authority and the supply office of the University of Tennessee.
Each stand offered potential partnerships and key information. In a neighboring auditorium, representatives of the participating agencies provided advice and information on navigation in the government’s supply process.
Bridget Passatore, responsible for US Army Corps of Engineers District contracts in Nashville, welcomes Debbie Barber, Apex councilor for the state of Tennessee, as Alison Abernathy, a contractors in the Nashville district, examined. (Photo Usace by Noe Gonzalez)
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“According to the law, 23% of all dollars in the federal contract are reserved for small businesses,” said Susan Liza, representative of Tennessee for SBA. “In this area, specific percentages are reserved for programs such as small businesses belonging to women (WOSB), Hubzone and small businesses belonging to veterans (SDVOSB).
Did not attend? Here’s how to start:
1. Explore current opportunities to Sam.gov.
2. Save your business on Sam.gov become eligible for contracts.
3. Contact your local APEX or Office SBA accelerator for advice.
The public can get news, updates and information from the US Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District on the District website in https://www.lrd.usace.army.mil/about/districs/nashville-district/on facebook at www.facebook.com/nashvilleCorps and on X (formerly Twitter) on www.x.com/nashvilleCorps. Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest employment and contract opportunities for the Nashville district in https://www.linkedin.com/company/us-army-corps-of-engenneers-nashville-district.