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AFRL Small Business Summit: A Significant Step Toward Future Growth

Overview

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio (AFRL) – The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is making substantial progress in its efforts towards small business engagement, with expectations to meet or even surpass its small business performance metrics from the last fiscal year. This information was shared by Brian McJilton, the director of the AFRL Small Business Office, during the recent enterprise-wide Small Business Summit held at Dayton Tech Town, located in the heart of Dayton, Ohio.

Collaborating with Small Businesses

AFRL’s commitment to working with both emerging and established small businesses is aimed at fast-tracking their innovative ideas and talented resources from mere concepts into actionable capabilities. Recent reports indicate an uptick in engagement levels with small business partners compared to fiscal year 2023. When small businesses collaborate with AFRL, they are positioned to win significant contracts that not only foster company growth but also spur innovation. Additionally, these partnerships provide support programs that enhance their customer base and reinforce their positioning in the market. Such support can often lead to ongoing expansion or even acquisition opportunities from larger corporations.

Celebrating Achievements Together

Timothy Sakulich, the executive director of AFRL, underscored the vital nature of collaboration during the summit. “I think this is a wonderful practice to bring us all together… but also to reassert our commitment to our core objectives,” he commented, reflecting on the summit’s impact. As he praised the community for its efforts over the last year, he highlighted the need for foresight to navigate future challenges. Quoting philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, Sakulich articulated, “Talent hits a target no one else can hit; genius hits a target no one else can see.” This remark serves to illustrate AFRL’s intention to discern and target the emerging needs that lie ahead.

A Commitment to Innovation

Brian McJilton added that the Small Business Program within AFRL is experiencing promising activity. “We’re currently ahead of last year’s small business figures. If this trend continues, we will likely exceed last year’s numbers.” He further elaborated that it’s not just about the number of contracts awarded but the financial value being directed toward small businesses. The annual summit reflects the AFRL’s determination to foster outreach and collaborative connections, with a primary focus on bringing people together and exploring innovative collaborative solutions.

Tackling Challenges in the Industry

Dr. Tim Bunning, AFRL’s Chief Technology Officer, discussed the indispensable role that small businesses play in driving innovation forward. “I would contend that, from an innovation perspective, the small business community will outperform our classic tier-one or tier-two investment partners,” he asserted. He emphasized the importance of establishing a collaborative and integrated relationship with small business stakeholders.

Moreover, Bunning applauded the AFRL Small Business Office for its proactive approach in addressing challenges from the past year, stating that two primary goals have been set: to enhance relations with small businesses and to cultivate their growth within the organization.

Seeking Progressive Solutions to Modern Challenges

In addressing the challenges this sector faces, McJilton’s team is actively exploring additional ways to reach small businesses, particularly in regions where engagement numbers are lagging. There’s keen interest in employing advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) to boost efficiency in processes. The AFRL Small Business Office is also engaged in sharpening its outreach strategies to connect with businesses whose capabilities align with AFRL’s requirements. “Our objective is to utilize resources efficiently and establish connections with businesses that meet our operational goals,” McJilton noted.

AI legalese decoder can play an essential role in demystifying complex legal language and contract terms, enabling small businesses to better navigate the procurement processes with the Department of Defense (DoD). By simplifying legal jargon and clarifying the obligations and rights within contracts, small businesses can present themselves more effectively and make informed strategic decisions.

Understanding Needs for Better Engagement

Mike Graniero from AFRL’s Information Directorate emphasized the necessity for small businesses to know their audience in order to tailor their pitches and presentations accordingly. “Each technical directorate possesses its own mission and technology focus,” he explained. Understanding this can be the difference between a successful partnership and missed opportunities.

He added that establishing strong working relationships is essential. “Trust takes time to build,” Graniero reminded attendees. “It’s critical to invest time and effort into cultivating these relationships.” In this pursuit, Shanel Fultz, deputy director of the AFRL Small Business Office, advised prospective partners to comprehend the AFRL’s needs thoroughly. Fultz emphasized that being well-prepared for discussions and understanding key points of contact within the organization can be paramount in forming successful partnerships.

Forward Momentum

Despite the promising trends in contract values, McJilton raised concerns over the overall 33% decline in small businesses partnering with the DoD in recent years. This alarming trend remains a primary focus for the AFRL Small Business Office, which is working diligently to change this trajectory by educating small businesses on effective collaboration strategies with the DoD. “While this hasn’t affected us drastically yet, it has the potential for future implications,” he cautioned.

As the AFRL Small Business Office looks ahead, gathering feedback from the small business community becomes increasingly important. McJilton affirmed that despite ongoing challenges, his office remains steadfast in its mission to prepare small businesses for successful interactions with AFRL.

Concluding Thoughts and Future Outlook

Damon Oakes, an analyst at the Air Force Materiel Command, pointed out that while the number of small businesses might be dwindling, funding levels for them are on the rise. This rise in financial support indicates that even as the total number of small businesses decreases, the funding per business is increasing, reflecting broader goals of the AFRL Small Business Office.

The office aims to establish actionable priorities for future initiatives. “Our goal is to leverage internal expertise to better support small businesses,” said McJilton. With success in engaging over 2,000 small businesses through various platforms since last year, the AFRL Small Business Office is committed to connecting small businesses with the latest technologies and essential resources.

As the discussion for fostering innovation moves forward, the AFRL recognizes the vital role played by platforms like AFWERX, driving collaboration between small businesses and the Air Force to bring state-of-the-art solutions into military operations. For those small businesses keen on partnering with AFRL, additional resources can be found at AFRL Small Business Hub and AFResearchLab.com. Opportunities related to contracts and grants are available at SAM.gov and Grants.gov.

About AFRL

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) stands as the primary research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays a pivotal role in pioneering the discovery, development, and integration of transformative and cost-effective warfighting technologies to support our air, space, and cyberspace forces. With a robust workforce of over 12,500 spanning across nine technology areas and 40 global operations, AFRL is dedicated to providing a diverse science and technology portfolio that ranges from fundamental research to advanced technology development. For further information, visit AFRL Official Website.

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