Michigan Print Shop Wins NRC Contract After SBA Expo Meeting
A Detroit matchmaking event connected RJ's Printing of Kalamazoo with federal buyers, landing the family business a U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission contract.
A chance encounter at a federal procurement expo in Detroit has translated into a government contract for RJ's Printing, a family-owned printing and design firm based in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission awarded the company a contract to produce event signage, visual displays, and supply chain materials to support the agency's external engagement operations, according to the Small Business Administration.
The connection came through SBA's Supplier Matchmaking Expo series, which held four events in 2026 across Charlotte, Detroit, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C. The events collectively drew more than 2,600 attendees and facilitated over 1,400 individual matchmaking meetings between suppliers and federal buyers. Each expo pairs an exhibit floor with targeted one-on-one sessions designed to align supplier capabilities with specific agency procurement needs.
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Anthony Briggs, Chief Sourcing Officer for Small Business and Supply Chain Optimization at the NRC, encountered RJ's Printing when the father-and-son ownership team approached the agency's booth. The father had previously worked at the company as an employee before acquiring it outright. Briggs cited their competitive pricing, delivery speed, and candid admission — that they had never considered the NRC a potential customer because they were unaware the agency existed — as pivotal factors in his decision to pursue the relationship.
The NRC's procurement need arose from a rebranding effort following the rollout of a new agency logo, compounded by growing demand for duplicate materials at simultaneous events in multiple cities. The contract covers table throws, display panels, QR-coded business card holder stickers, and design services, with the potential for follow-on orders as new initiatives develop. Briggs noted the expo compressed what would have been days of vendor research and vetting into a few focused hours.
The NRC participated as a buyer at the Detroit, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C., expos to address both immediate procurement needs and longer-term goals of strengthening the domestic nuclear supply chain at a time when demand for qualified manufacturers is expected to significantly outpace supply. Continue reading at Small Business Administration.
