by Ed Mickley
Tobyhanna Army Depot
TOBYHANNA ARMY DEPOT, Pa. — Small business gained new insight on partnering with federal
and state governments during a contracting symposium held recently at the Monroe campus of
Northampton County Community College.
The Northeast Pennsylvania Alliance (NEPA) organized the showcase that drew more than 100
attendees and businesses from the region.
NEPA Alliance Chief Executive Officer Jeff Box opened the event, stating that this past year a
partnership between NEPA’s Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), the Department of
Defense, the state and the depot helped small business secure more than $70 million in government
contracts.
Greentown resident Judy Haff, chief of the Army Contracting Command (ACC) at Tobyhanna,
discussed present and emerging opportunities at the depot. Last year ACC and the depot awarded
more than $22 million in local contracts for products and services.
With the electronics world moving in new directions, Tobyhanna is positioned to take advantage of
these emerging opportunities and is looking for partners to help meet the demand.
“There are a lot of opportunities for small business contracts at the depot,” Haff said. “We’re looking
for vendors that can provide products and services to support the depot’s mission — anything from
cable and wire to construction to test equipment to hard-to-find parts for production.”
Partnering with local business is essential for the depot. Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines rely
on Tobyhanna to have the radios, computers, radars, robots and weapons systems ready to go
whenever and wherever they need them, anywhere around the globe.
“Our engagement with business partners, surrounding communities and educational institutions
ensures we will always fulfill our mission,” said Col. Gerhard P.R. Schröter, depot commander.
“We’re here to help guide them through the process because they’re going to help Tobyhanna,”
Haff added.
Small Business Specialist David Kern (a resident of Dupont) and Management Analyst Jenny
Croughn (a resident of White Haven) manned the depot’s exhibit and conferred with a constant
stream of eager business owners and entrepreneurs pursuing best practices for contracting.
“The line never stopped,” said Kern. “I met a lot of people and answered many questions. It was a
good opportunity to interact with the business community.”
With additional construction and production requirements coming down the road, business owners
and entrepreneurs can look to ACC for ways to move forward. The Tobyhanna team routinely guides
participants through the in-depth process to land successful contracts with the depot.
“There are a lot of layers to government contracting.” Haff said. “It’s very complex. We’ll do what we
can and with PTAC, help them get started and be successful.”
For more information, call the small business office, 570-615-8733.
Tobyhanna Army Depot is a recognized leader in providing world-class logistics support for
command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance
systems across the Department of Defense. Tobyhanna’s Corporate Philosophy, dedicated work
force and electronics expertise ensure the depot is the Joint C4ISR provider of choice for all branches
of the Armed Forces and industry partners.
Tobyhanna’s unparalleled capabilities include full-spectrum logistics support for sustainment,
overhaul and repair, fabrication and manufacturing, engineering design and development, systems
integration, post production software support, technology insertion, modification, foreign military sales
and global field support to our Joint Warfighters.
About 3,100 personnel are employed at Tobyhanna, which is located in the Pocono Mountains of
northeastern Pennsylvania. Tobyhanna Army Depot is part of the U.S. Army Communications-
Electronics Command. Headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, the command’s
mission is to research, develop, acquire, field and sustain communications, command, control
computer, intelligence, electronic warfare and sensors capabilities for the Armed Forces.
Judy Haff, chief of the Army Contracting Command at Tobyhanna Army Depot, discusses present
and emerging opportunities during a contracting symposium that drew more than 100 attendees and
businesses. (U.S. Army photo by Ed Mickley)
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