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Rhea County small business adds jobs, lands contracts

Y-12 helps firm develop and compete

OAK RIDGE, TN – A little over a year into a mentor-protégé agreement, Rhea-county-based Hatfield Construction, LLC is competing with the big firms. “We just secured our first prime contract with the federal government,” says CEO Cindy Hatfield.

Not only is Hatfield Construction competing with larger firms - they are also becoming larger. The small business hired five employees - an almost 25% increase in staff - to handle the increased workload. Working through a mentor-protégé agreement with Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC, which operates Y-12 National Security Complex, has helped Hatfield develop the programs and processes required to compete for and win government contracts.


Guiding growth

From developing a website to justifying rental rates for unique concrete finishing equipment, CNS mentor Bill Hevrdeys has helped guide the firm’s growth. But the government gets something out of this relationship, too. “We get the skills and services we need while helping them grow their business,” notes Hevrdeys.

Developing compliant safety and quality management programs isn’t easy. For businesses like Hatfield’s with minimal support staff, the challenge can seem insurmountable. The goal, says Hevrdeys, is to make the programs compliant with U.S. Department of Energy regulations using a graded approach.


Success breeds success

The mentoring program is a success because Hatfield Construction is committed to the growth of their company and the safety and quality of their work. In fact, their concrete finishing work exceeded expectations.

Even success isn’t enough for the company - they are focused on improvement. The president of the company, Brian Hatfield, helped improve the concrete mix delivery process to achieve high quality floor finishes. With Hatfield Construction’s commitment and focus, it will be interesting to see what the second year of the agreement brings.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS) operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, under a single contract for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on the absolute priorities of safety, security, quality, mission delivery and cost efficiency. For more information on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Published April 3, 2020










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