Networking opportunity in the prefunction area.

Registration desks available to get printed badges, holders and lanyards, event bags, and event information.

Registration desks available to get printed badges, holders and lanyards, event bags, and event information.

Learn how to be a creative leader–someone who is confident and competent at thinking differently when it comes to problem solving and idea generation. Creativity encourages you to seek out fresh perspectives from yourself and others, and through that diversity of idea sharing is where your next big win can come from! This style of innovative leadership reflects the diversity of your team, perspective sharing, and establishes a psychologically safe environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing ideas.

PEO - SOF Support Activity’s (SOFSA) mission is to manage the capability development, modification, and integration of SOF-peculiar equipment on a variety of SOF rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft as well as ground vehicles and maritime vessels. SOFSA provides responsive, tailored contractor logistic support worldwide to Special Operations Forces Component Commands and Theater SOCs to enhance Theater Combatant Commander (COCOM) readiness and warfighting capabilities. PEO SOFSA supervises execution of a multiyear contract (max. of 10 years) valued at $8 billion. These briefings address key areas that the SOF GLSS [Global Logistics Support Services] prime contractor desires from industry. The briefing also informs industry of expeditionary logistics capability development requirements. These requirements will be executed by PM Expeditionary Support within PEO SOFSA.

PEO-Maritime session for industry visitors who did not get an opportunity to schedule 1v1 to talk to the Program Executive Officer and Program Managers face to face about future innovation of Maritime technology.

Program Executive Office for Fixed Wing (PEO-FW), relentlessly develops, delivers and adapts Special Operations (SO)-peculiar manned and unmanned fixed-wing solutions to effectively enable airpower capabilities for Special Operations Forces (SOF). PEO-FW collaborates with SOF end-users, Research & Development activities, Academia, and Industry Partners to synchronize acquisition efforts resulting in the development, testing, procurement and fielding of an array of capabilities. These include a wide range of SOF-specific fixed wing platforms and associated advanced technology sensors, weapon systems, defensive countermeasures, advanced avionics, and mission-training systems.

USSOCOM’s manned and unmanned fixed-wing aircraft provide the backbone for SOF airborne capabilities such as aerial refueling support, airborne precision engagement, and aerial intelligence, surveillance, & reconnaissance (ISR). These provide SOF with the global ability to infiltrate, exfiltrate, and resupply in hostile denied environments leveraging air assets such as the MC-130J Talon III and CV-22 Osprey. PEO-FW portfolio also includes the AC-130J Ghostrider and the upcoming OA-1K Sky Warden, which provide critical precision engagement and close-air support using both service-common weapons and SO-peculiar Stand-off Precision Guided Munitions to engage a variety of targets.
 

The final components of the PEO-FW portfolio are the Airborne ISR (AISR) systems which include the U-28A aircraft, JAVAMAN, MC-12 Liberty, MQ-1C, and MQ-9. PEO-FW is also the lead for Air Force Special Operations Command’s priority Adaptive Airborne Enterprise (A2E), which will evolve the MQ-9 based AFSOC AISR operations into a family of systems meeting SOF mission needs. These manned and unmanned systems deliver real-time Global ISR support to Combatant Commanders. To accomplish this mission, the PEO-FW acquisition team also includes Detachment 1, an independent and dedicated development test team located at Eglin Air Force Base, and leverages extensive collaboration with Combat Acquisition Detachments and Service Program Offices around the country. This extensive teaming enables the innovation and support required to achieve the high operational tempo of these aircraft while empowering relentless adaptation to incorporate capability and sustainment improvements to meet the demands from the nation’s quiet professionals in the SOF community.

The Program Executive Office for Special Operations Forces Digital Applications (PEO SDA) is responsible for executing software-centric programs that enable USSOCOM to make data-driven decisions. By leveraging trusted solutions across Industry and Government, PEO-SDA digital transformation efforts prioritize making data more accessible and usable to the SOF Warfighter. PEO-SDA's portfolio consists of Mission Command Systems, Mission Planning and Execution, Intelligence Support, SOF Digital Ecosystem, and Unmanned Systems Autonomy. Our focus areas includes:

• Open Systems Architecture
• Infrastructure as a Service
• Platform as a Service
• Enterprise Data-Centricity
• Applications (AI/ML) from Cloud to Edge
• Ops/Intel Fusion (COP/CIP)

PEO SOF Digital Applications mission is to deliver innovative, relevant, and dependable Special Operations-peculiar software and data capabilities for the SOF warfighter to achieve information dominance and win in a complex environment.

The Program Executive Office for Rotary Wing (PEO-RW) is responsible for providing rapid and focused acquisition, research and development, and life cycle logistics support to the operators of the US Army Special Operations Aviation Command and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, which provides SOF rotary-wing capability to the joint force. PEO-RW provides the most advanced rotary-wing aircraft, mission equipment, and training systems available to the U.S. military by continuing to focus on technologies that ensure operators have a comparative advantage against all potential threats. PEO-RW accomplishes this critical mission with a three-part strategy focused on readiness, recapitalization, and investments in lethality and survivability. The rotary-wing fleet consists of the MH-47G Chinook, MH-60M Black Hawk, and the A/MH-6M Little Bird.

The Program Executive Office for Special Operations Forces Warrior (PEO-SW) is a diverse organization which provides rapid and focused acquisition of Special Operations-Peculiar capabilities to USSOCOM operators conducting global, decisive Special Operations Forces (SOF) activities. PEO-SW comprises 10 Joint Program Management Offices and over 300 military, civilian, and contractor personnel. By cultivating an aggressive, risk-taking culture, they dutifully and dependably execute every dollar appropriated to develop, acquire, and field critical warfighting capabilities in support of USSOCOM’s five Component Commands. PEO-SW is a decisive enabler to SOF AT&L’s no-fail mission to provide effective, wide-ranging, time-sensitive capabilities to widely dispersed and often isolated SOF in several unique commodity areas. PEO-SW manages a more than $1 billion investment portfolio that includes over 500 efforts across programs, projects, Middle Tiers of Acquisition, Combat Evaluations, Studies, and CRADAs. The diverse portfolio includes six primary warfighting focus areas:

• Ground Mobility
• Operator Target Acquisition & Visual Augmentation Systems
• Operator Weapon Systems & Accessories
• Operator Ammunition/Demolition /Loitering & other Munitions
• Operator Equipment, Protection, and Survival
• Operator First Aid Kits, Medic Kits, and Casualty Evacuation

The Science & Technology Directorate focuses on integrating S&T efforts across the SOF enterprise. This includes ensuring that technology opportunities are aligned with technology enablers and developers, ongoing efforts are integrated with transition partners, additional innovation that is required to address S&T opportunities is identified, and disruptive technology solutions are assessed for their impact and potential benefit to the SOF mission set and SOF operator of the future. S&T priorities are aligned with the USSOCOM Commander’s Capabilities and Programming Guidance (CPG). S&T is focusing its efforts on the six technology thrusts: Warfighter Performance; Hyper Enabled Force; Multi-Domain Communications and Computing; Scalable Precision Effects; Emplacement and Access; and Battlespace Awareness.

The Program Executive Office for Services (PEO-SV) platform, “Building Future Capacity for the SOF Enterprise”, supports the organizations responsibility for planning, policy, execution oversight and management of USSOCOM service acquisitions awarded in accordance with the contracting authority of USSOCOM’s Acquisition Executive. PEO-SV supports the requirements of the USSOCOM Component Commands, Theater Special Operations Commands, USSOCOM Joint Directorates, Special Staff and Functional Activities. PEO-Services ensures the cost-effective acquisition of manpower augmentation and professional capabilities to efficiently provide Stability, Agility, and Reach in support of the diverse requirements of the USSOCOM Enterprise. Some of the required services categories include:

• Subject matter expertise
• Knowledge-based services
• Professional Services
• Logistical Services
• Medical Services

IT Services PEO Services leverages contract vehicles throughout the Department of Defense and Federal Government, as well as SOF specific contracts to provide the most responsive support possible to the USSOCOM mission. After contract award, PEO Services provides expertise during and after the transition from requirements into programs of record. These activities include requirement development, acquisition strategy development, evaluation source selection support and program management oversight after contract award.

The speakers will provide an overview of DoD-sponsored internships for active-duty SOF personnel, as well as updates on the policies and processes to obtain them.

USSOCOM Warrior Care and POTFF leaders will provide an overview of their programs, priorities, and challenges.

Rapid SOF RDT&E mission, organization overview, & International SOF Bilat program highlights.

Each year 56,000 veterans are diagnosed and treated for cancer, and special operations personnel are not immune. This session will include experts in the prevalence of cancer diagnoses among veterans, the latest in early detection protocols, and new and promising treatments.

In the high-stakes realm of international SOF, servicemembers often encounter situations that challenge their moral frameworks and leave lasting psychological impacts. This panel discussion will illuminate the complex landscape of moral injury and trauma experienced by these elite forces and the role that recognition of these experiences can play in building trust with partners and allies.

Our panel will delve into the multifaceted nature of these experiences, exploring how they differ across cultures, missions, and individual backgrounds. Panelists will demonstrate how recognizing trauma in host nations enhances cultural intelligence, fortifying SOF's ability to engage respectfully and build international partnerships. By addressing historical and generational trauma, SOF will better equip itself to engage in empathetic interactions, fostering trust and effective communication. Techniques for trauma-informed approaches will improve capabilities for navigating complexity, ensuring successful partnerships and mission outcomes.

This panel will also outline the differential impact and experiences of men and women in special operations, with an eye for the evolving role of women in combat and special operations roles. It will also address the unique challenges both men and women face and the way that gender influences the perception, processing, and aftermath of morally injurious events and traumatic experiences.
 

The session will further highlight innovations and services for support and recovery, offering pathways towards healing and resilience. This dialogue is essential for shaping policies and practices that effectively address the holistic health needs of all special operations personnel, according to their distinct needs. Therefore, this session is open to and encouraged for all servicemembers, veterans, civilians, and family members in an effort to educate and empower the global special operations forces community. 

 

The People and Culture Cell (PCC) is responsible for infusing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) ...

The Directorate Enterprise Information Systems (EIS) manages the development, acquisition, fielding, new equipment training, and sustainment of Garrison C4 and MISO [Military Information Support Information] systems. The portfolio includes two primary capability areas – Enterprise Networks & MISO Systems. Enterprise Information Systems will continue to integrate new or emerging technologies as part of its systems’ life cycle refresh, and in parallel, will leverage other government agencies and offices to transform SOF C4 and MISO capabilities. The focus is to enable a culture of connectivity; provide access to required resources from anywhere on the globe; and ensure interoperability with all military, interagency, and international partners.

The Program Executive Office for Tactical Information Systems (PEO-TIS) directs the rapid development, fielding, new equipment training, and sustainment of state-of-the-art sensors and associated C2, emplacement, recovery, and tactical communication systems across all domains to enable total situational awareness for the SOF warfighter. PEO-TIS’ capability portfolio includes Tagging, Tracking, and Locating Systems; Blue Force Tracking; Sensor Systems; Biometrics and Forensics Systems; Joint Threat Warning System; Group 1-3 Unmanned Aerial Systems; and Tactical Communications and Computing. The focus is to provide situational awareness for SOF Warfighters and interoperability with US Military and International Partners.

Learn the keys to a successful SBIR/STTR journey and Phase III success. A Q&A session where Department of Defense (DoD) components SBIR/STTR leads will provide small businesses with the opportunity to learn about SBIR/STTR Phase III (Commercialization). The objective of Phase III is for the small business to pursue the objectives resulting from the Phase I/II R/R&D activities.

Ms. Melissa Johnson, the Acquisition Executive for USSOCOM, will provide opening comments on the following topics below then request feedback, perspective, and/or questions from the audience. The topics will be:

• How is SOCOM thinking about its market research and scanning?
• How is SOCOM thinking about program money and aligning to urgent needs?
• How does SOCOM leverage nontraditional startups and scaleups?
• What kind of value does SOCOM see in commercial technology vs partnership with industry?

This session is closed to media and invitation only.

The "Non-Profit Round Robin" event provides SOF community non-profits with a platform to showcase th ...

Registration desks available to get printed badges, holders and lanyards, event bags, and event information.

Join us for an exclusive Ask Me Anything session at the Army SBIR and xTech Booth in Room 112 on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 from 1:00 – 2:00 PM, hosted by the U.S. Army xTech and SBIR programs, featuring representatives from the 1st Special Forces Command. You’ll have an opportunity to dive into the details of these programs and gain insights into the upcoming xTech Special Forces competition set to launch in early May 2024. The xTechSpecial Forces competition is seeking novel technology solutions that can support Special Operations mission needs and will be awarding up to $470,000 in cash prizes and up to $10,000,000 in follow on SBIR contract awards, as well as provide accelerator programming to the finalist offering education, mentorship and strategic exposure. Firms selected for a Direct to Phase II or Phase II follow-on award under the SBIR program, will have the opportunity to participate in an experimentation event, providing a platform for their prototypes to be evaluated by end-users. Join us to understand how you can participate in these programs and engage directly with our panel of subject matter experts, who will be on hand to address your questions. Check out the xTech website for more details: www.xtech.army.mil.

Cadet Briefs/Presentations