Virtual SOFIC Program Begins

The National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) and U.S. Special Operations Command are hosting a virtual Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (vSOFIC) online, May 11-15.

Image credit: NDIA

After canceling this year's annual SOFIC event in Tampa,Florida, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, NDIA and SOCOM developed a newonline platform to enable special operations professionals and industrypartners to learn, network and collaborate on the initiatives and capabilitiesneeded in the future.

“We understand the importance of the collaboration amongindustry, the government and academia to solve those most difficult challengesour warfighters face,” said Hawk Carlisle, NDIA’s president and CEO. “We lookforward to bringing together, virtually, special operations throughout thecountry for this significant event that continues our collaboration withSOCOM.”

The virtual conference will include remarks, presentationsand Q&A sessions with SOCOM leaders and acquisition, science, technologyand logistics professionals. This year's conference theme is “Expanding theCompetitive Space.”

“During this time, having an opportunity to explain ourcapability needs and give industry leaders a chance to tell us what they haveto offer may be more important than ever,” said SOCOM Acquisition Executive JimSmith. “We’re especially excited that an online format will not only meet theneeds of our current, valued industry partners but may also attract new teammatesfrom the digital and cyber tech base.”

SOCOM has opportunities for industry innovation in manyareas, including next-generation intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance,next-generation mobility, precision fires and effects, hyper-enabling the operator,and biotechnologies. Additionally, innovation opportunities in data andnetworks exist for emerging requirements in software, artificial intelligence,machine learning and data analytics in web-based information operations,mission command systems and more.

SOCOM also has opportunities to collaborate in a new DigitalEngineering Lab unveiled in September. The lab facilitates development, testingand employment of new technical approaches to modernizing warfightingdecision-making.

For additional information on the virtual conference and registration instructions, visit www.vSOFIC.org. To find out what’s happening on the SOFIC exhibit floor and more, view SOFICTV – the official network for the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference.