FORT BELVOIR, Va. –
Defense Logistics Agency Research and Development's 7th Annual Industry Collider Day takes place September 9. The full-day collaborative event provides commercial partners, academic leaders, and innovators the opportunity to engage directly with program managers and explore new contracting avenues. Discussions will center on strategically aligning the defense industrial base to better meet critical military sustainment needs.
Leadership Perspective: "This event is the front door for those new to the DLA ecosystem, and we are eager to open it as wide as possible," said DLA R&D Deputy Director Martina Johnson, noting that over 700 first-time attendees have registered this year.
Morning Agenda & Live SBIR Awards: Kicks off with insights from top DLA leadership and an expert panel featuring government, industry, and academic voices. Highlights include a live awards ceremony where select small businesses may be awarded on-the-spot contracts based on recent Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) submissions.
Focus Areas: Accelerating the transition from early-stage R&D to mission-ready solutions in priority fields, including AI-assisted cybersecurity accreditation, strengthening defensive cyber operations through Agentic AI, and AI-enabled mission planning.
Afternoon Breakout Tracks & Academic Features: Participants can choose from five tailored breakout tracks designed to dive into specific strategies, alongside new academic integrations:
Five Targeted Sessions: "Scaling with SBIR Phase III," "Cross-Sector Supply Chain Pain," "Agentic AI and Automation Frontier," "Government and Academia Alliances," and "Cross-Service R&D Priorities."
New Features: An Academic Fireside Chat with Darryl K. Williams, President of Hampton University, and a brand-new track focused on career opportunities in government and academia.
Session Goals: "Our goal for the breakout sessions is to demystify the R&D process and provide a clear roadmap for partnership," Johnson said. "We want attendees to leave with actionable insights they can use to align their innovative capabilities with the warfighter’s most urgent needs."
Engagement Ecosystem & Direct Networking: Throughout the day, attendees can visit the Knowledge Lounge to interact with representatives from DLA major subordinate commands and program managers. The event will also facilitate direct matchmaker meetings, pairing small businesses with R&D subject matter experts to discuss specific technological needs.
Strategic Alignment & Theme: Anchored by the 2026 theme, "Collide to Create: Unlocking Opportunities Through Partnerships and Innovation," the gathering underscores the vital role commercial and academic enterprises play in fortifying the defense supply chain.
Targeted Hurdles: Overcoming slow contracting methods, bridging the gap between innovative ideas and deployed capabilities, and solving contested logistics challenges.
Strategic Impact: "At its core, this event is about forging powerful connections," Johnson said. "When we bring the brilliance of industry and academia together with DLA’s mission, we don't just solve problems—we create a strategic advantage for the nation."
Next Steps / Registration: Participation is free, but advance registration is required. Attendees are encouraged to register online to secure their spot, access the complete agenda, and receive details for livestreaming the morning sessions if participating virtually. For further details, please contact the R&D team or visit the ICD website.