Congressman Bartlett said, "As the recipient of the Jeffrey's Award for my career contributions to aeronautical and aerospace medicine I am intimately aware that most innovations in America come from small business entrepreneurs. Before I was elected to Congress, I had experience both writing requests for proposals (RFPs) on behalf of the federal government, as well as competing to win RFPs as a small business owner. Adding my 20 years of experience working on federal government research and development programs and my eighteen years on the House Small Business Committee, I thoroughly understand the barriers that prevent small businesses from overcoming the gauntlet of the federal procurement process to win contracts. Procurement workshops like this one with the NSA are part of my commitment to break down those barriers. This conference will help small business owners understand both the needs of NSA as well as the NSA's procurement process to meet those needs. I am very excited to help small business owners help the government get better tools at the best value for taxpayers."