Michigan Print Shop Wins NRC Contract After SBA Expo Encounter
A family-owned Kalamazoo printer landed a federal contract with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission after a chance meeting at an SBA matchmaking event in Detroit.
A father-and-son printing business in Kalamazoo, Michigan, secured a procurement award from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission after connecting with agency officials at the Small Business Administration's Supplier Matchmaking Expo in Detroit, the SBA announced. RJ's Printing will supply event signage, visual displays, and supply chain materials to support the NRC's external engagement program.
The contract emerged from a conversation at the NRC's expo booth, where the owners approached agency officials with samples of their work and explained how their design and printing capabilities contribute to domestic manufacturing in Michigan. Anthony Briggs, the NRC's Chief Sourcing Officer for Small Business and Supply Chain Optimization, said the business owners were candid about one thing: they had never considered the federal government as a potential customer because they were unaware the NRC existed as an agency. Briggs called that admission a compelling argument for why industry outreach events matter.
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The NRC's immediate need stemmed from a recent rebranding. After launching a new agency logo, officials needed to replace outdated engagement materials and procure duplicate sets to support representatives attending simultaneous events at different locations. The purchase covers table throws, display banners highlighting procurement opportunities and regulatory assistance, QR-code stickers for business card holders, and design services. The agency said the award could lead to additional orders as new initiatives are developed.
Briggs credited the expo format with compressing what would have been days of vendor research, capability vetting, and scheduling into a few focused hours. In 2026, SBA hosted four Supplier Matchmaking Expos — in Charlotte, Detroit, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C. — drawing more than 2,600 attendees and facilitating over 1,400 individual matchmaking meetings. The NRC participated as a buyer at three of those four events.
The SBA frames the expos as a tool for strengthening domestic supply chains and increasing economic resilience, particularly as demand for qualified manufacturers in specialized sectors is expected to outpace supply. Briggs noted the added value of identifying small businesses working to bridge the gap between existing quality certifications and the more stringent nuclear-sector standards. Continue reading at Small Business Administration.
