Southern University creates new Office of Governmental Contracting Services

Southern University and A&M College announced the creation of the Office of Governmental Contracting Services (OGCS), formally known as the Center for Energy and Environmental Studies (CEES).

OGCS and the Office of Sponsored Program are new divisions under the Southern University Office of Research and Strategic Initiatives (ORSI). The expansion is slated to extend the current federal contracting capacity of the university to include partnerships with every college and department at Southern. Currently the Center has been awarded over $25.2 million in contracts.

CEES is one of few centers at a HBCU to serve as a prime contractor on three federal Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and subcontractor on 50 plus contracts with agencies such as the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, NASA, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality and Department of Health and Hospitals.

"One of the main objectives is to assist the university in diversifying its revenue-generated sources," said Michael Stubblefield, Vice Chancellor for the Office of Research and Strategic Initiatives.

Stubblefield also mentioned that the Office of Sponsored Programs will add a new and more efficient process for internal federal contract routing. 

Dr. Samuel Washington will serve as the Director of the OGCS. Washington and his current staff have a wide range of experience, and past performance in the management and negotiation of federal contracts.

The creation and organization of the new offices will put Southern in a position to aggressively compete in the federal contracting arena. Emphases will be placed on collectively targeting federal dollars that have been set aside through the HBCU (Historically Black College and Universities) White House Initiative to include and encourage participation of HBCUs.

"The new process will ensure fast and effective university processing, at the speed of business," Stubblefield said. All federal contracting opportunities are submitted through the Office of Governmental Contracting Services. The routing process will be made available through the Office of Sponsored Programs. 

"We are committed to aggressively competing in this arena, and to the success and impact this office will have for the university," Stubblefield said.