Governor Doyle Recognizes Federal Procurement Award Winners

For Immediate Release: April 9, 2008
Contact: Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce, 608-267-9661

MADISON - Governor Jim Doyle today announced the winners of the annual Governor's Procurement Awards. These annual awards recognize state firms particularly successful in federal procurement.

"Between 2000-2006, the number of Wisconsin companies winning federal contracts increased more than fivefold," Governor Doyle said. "Nearly 4,000 Wisconsin companies are winning these contracts and building our state's job and investment base. I'd like to especially congratulate the winners of this year's Governor's Procurement Awards for the excellence of their products and their diligence, persistence, and commitment."

"Wisconsin's federal contracting community has shown significant growth and development both in the number of contractors and contract dollars," said John Rogers, Chairman of the Wisconsin Procurement Institute Board. "Under the continuing efforts of our congressional delegation and leadership of our Governor, we anticipate this trend to continue."

The awards are as follows:

• Governor's Award - Federal Procurement - Small Business: Spectrum Industries, Inc. Chippewa Falls, Chippewa County. Spectrum Industries is a leading manufacturer of computer and office furniture, store displays and fixtures. Founded in 1968, Spectrum has designed and manufactured more than 3,000 products for office, plant, educational, governmental and retail environments. Spectrum's products can be found in over 10,000 facilities across the United States. Spectrum's federal sales have shown major growth over the last 5 years.
• Governor's Award - Federal Procurement - Large Business: Derco Aerospace, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County. Derco has been supporting the C-130 transport aircraft and other transport and fighter aircraft platforms for more than two decades. Founded in 1979, Derco Aerospace, Inc. is a world leader in providing aircraft spares, services, and solutions and a full-service logistics and solutions provider, supporting military and commercial fleets in more than 65 countries.
• Governor's Award - Federal Procurement - New Contractor: Val-Fab, Inc., Neenah, Winnebago County. Val-Fab is a metal parts fabricator founded in 1984 by a father and son team. Val-Fab is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business (SDVOB) that initially supported Wisconsin's paper industry and then followed market opportunity to develop the federal government sector of their business.

The Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI) annually hosts the Governor's Procurement Awards Dinner. Established in 1987, WPI helps state companies sell products and services to federal, state, local agencies and prime contractors; navigates government procurement process for small firms; and helps firms develop competitive processes and technical capabilities to earn federal contracts. For further information, contact Aina Vilumsons, WPI, 414/270-3600.

-30-