Danny Lloyd, (left to right) JLab's purchasing and small business manager, poses for a photo with Wildflower International, Ltd. business owner and manager Kimberly deCastro and Department of Energy Site Office contracting officer, Wayne Skinner, after the award presentation.
Today the Department of Energy's Jefferson Lab recognized Wildflower International, Ltd. as its top small disadvantaged business supplier for fiscal year 2002.
The Santa Fe, New Mexico-based business is owned and managed by Kimberly deCastro.
In a reception held August 25 at Jefferson Lab, located in Newport News, Va., and including DOE officials, senior Jefferson Lab management and procurement specialists, deCastro was recognized as the Southeastern Universities Research Association/Jefferson Lab Outstanding Small Disadvantaged Business Subcontractor for fiscal year 2002. Jefferson Lab Director, Christoph Leemann, presented the award to deCastro.
Jefferson Lab purchases Dell computer systems from Wildflower International. The company, a provider of technology, was formed in 1991 and is both HUBZone and 8(a) certified.
The company's first purchase order came from Danny Lloyd, Jefferson Lab's purchasing and small business manager. "I remember this company first coming to me in the early 1990s and asking for an opportunity to 'quote' some of our requirements," Lloyd said. "That opportunity has proven over the years to be very beneficial to both their company and our Lab."
From that supportive beginning, Wildflower has successfully developed its core business with other DOE facilities and national laboratories, according to the company. Wildflower's projected sales for 2003 is $40 million, with more than 85 percent of this business being with DOE management contractors.
In addition to its business headquarters in Santa Fe, the company also staffs a sales office in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.