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Valor Defense Solutions is a woman-owned small business in southern Indiana. As an experienced defense contractor and trusted community partner, they focus on providing custom solutions for their vast range of government and commercial clients. Valor provides logistical, engineering, and cabling support for government agencies, refurbishes military-grade equipment for the DoD, and delivers high-end sandblasting, painting, and powder coating services for a wide array of customers.

Situation:

As a small business and defense contractor, Valor provides the highest quality products and services in support of the warfighter and the public sector. Seeking the necessary improvements to help open new doors and continue working with current defense contractors, Valor leadership connected with Purdue MEP and identified several areas within their organization needing assistance. Working with Valor, Purdue MEP outlined courses of action and timeframes for the completion of assessments and training in order to align the best solutions with the quickest timeframe. Three areas of improvement were identified: cybersecurity compliance, ISO 9001 audit, and workforce development.

Solution:

Starting with cybersecurity, Purdue MEP connected Valor with resources to work through a multi-step cybersecurity program including gap analysis, remediation to meet the new NIST SP 800-171 standard, testing, validation, and support. Based on the results of a cybersecurity assessment, Purdue MEP worked with Valor to fulfill cybersecurity and contract requirements that were found to be incomplete or non-sufficient. Valor implemented the necessary changes to ensure compliance with the cybersecurity requirements, securing their government contracts, resulting in increased sales and the addition of staff, not to mention the prospect of continued DoD contracts into the future.

The next focus for Valor was completing an ISO 9001 gap analysis and preliminary audit to ensure Valor is prepared for ISO 9001 certification. A Purdue MEP quality specialist analyzed Valor’s current quality management system compared to the ISO 9001 standard and identified conformance and areas of improvement as required. After the audit, Valor is fully confident they have the processes and procedures in place to pass the ISO 9001 certification when they are ready for that next step. They have been proceeding with new requirements and documentation to ensure when the time comes, they are ready.

Prior to connecting with Purdue MEP Valor had been searching for a resource for Geometric, Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) training. Finding options to be limited, Valor was considering an online resource but was concerned about the quality and effectiveness of that training. Purdue MEP was able to provide onsite training for the two-day course, saving Valor time and resources as employees were able to stay local to complete the training even during the uncertain times of COVID.

Recognizing these improvements were within the requirements of the Indiana Defense Industrial Base (DIB) Capability Accelerator Program (IDCAP), Purdue MEP assisted Valor in grant funding to offset a portion of the costs of these programs.

Results:

Valor implemented all recommended cybersecurity changes and now has a Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) score enabling them to bid for defense contracts, where they previously faced qualifications hurdles. As a result, they saw a 25-30% increase in contract awards and expanded the firm by two full-time positions to handle the new work. Working through the cybersecurity requirements was a huge relief for Valor’s leadership team and they are thrilled to have Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) compliance. The ISO 9001 audit prepared them for future certification and resulted in improved operating processes and procedures moving forward. GD&T training provided team members with a better understanding of the proper use of measurement devices and how to evaluate straightness, circularity, cylindricality, and other product characteristics and attributes. These individuals are now more equipped to properly care for, calibrate, and use specialized measurement equipment.

 

Results metrics:

• Increased sales – Approximately 25-30% increase in sales
• Increased jobs – 2 jobs created
• Cybersecurity protocols improved
• Training – Offset over $16,000 in training and auditing services through IDCAP grant

"Valor Defense Solutions, a woman owned small business, supporting Naval Weapons Support Center Crane in the areas of Protective Coatings for Radar Systems and Electronic Module and Cable Manufacturing would like to extend our extreme appreciation to Purdue University Extension Partnership (MEP) for their support.  They performed a GAP Analysis in preparation of a planned ISO 9001-2015 Quality Audit at Valor and aided with our Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) compliance.  The MEP Program at Purdue University is user friendly, the personnel supporting the program are outstanding, and the assistance we have received is very instrumental in Valor’s preparation for the future.  The cost assistance provided by this program is very helpful, much appreciated, and definitely helps ensure Valor Defense Solutions provides the best quality product to our military and the warfighter."

— Dr. Sue Davis, Chief Executive Officer, Valor Defense Solutions