Bill Roper, executive vice president of Science Applications International Corp., was the first board chairman of Acción San Diego, which was launched in 1994. (photo/alandeckerphoto.com)

San Diego-based Science Applications International Corp., a research and engineering firm with more than 44,000 employees worldwide, was a small business itself when it was launched in 1969 by Dr. J. Robert Beyster and a small group of scientists. “Our company works with dozens of small businesses,” says executive vice president Bill Roper. The company has an active subcontracting program, which is encouraged and required by its government customers. Roper says Beyster remembers what it was like starting out, “and we need to help people when we can.”

SAIC has a number of programs designed to help small businesses grow and prosper. The company participates in the U.S. Department of Defense Mentor Protégé program in which prime contractors are matched with small businesses, usually women- or minority-owned firms, says Rochelle Lowe, small business compliance manager. SAIC advises the smaller businesses in areas where they want to improve, whether it is making more effective bids, improving their human relations operations or other business issues.

In order to participate, the companies sign nondisclosure agreements to discourage the release of proprietary information. The company also works with the National Defense Industry Association, providing speakers at conferences and panel discussions, which are attended by small business owners, Lowe says.

SAIC belongs to organizations such as the Asian Business Association so that small business owners can interact directly with SAIC executives. The company has won the Nunn-Perry Award for its involvement in the Mentor Protégé program, and the Frances Perkins Vanguard Award from the Small Business Administration for exemplary use of women-owned businesses.