Industrial Symposium

Session Summaries

November 18, 2025

Expanding Supply Chain and Workforce Opportunities in the Maritime and Shipbuilding Industrial Base. North Carolina’s maritime and defense industries are poised to play a pivotal role in the next era of American naval strength. This panel brings together leaders from the federal government, academia, and industry to explore how local businesses can engage with and benefit from the national push to revitalize the submarine industrial base. 

With the recent $950 million contract awarded to BlueForge Alliance, the U.S. Navy is investing in advanced manufacturing, workforce development, and supply chain resilience—areas where North Carolina’s boat building, maritime and supporting industrial suppliers can lead. From the mountains to the ocean, businesses across the state are uniquely positioned to support this mission. 

Whether you’re a boat builder, component supplier, logistics provider or workforce development resource, this session will provide actionable insights and connections to help your business thrive in the evolving defense landscape. 

November 19, 2025

Sustaining Ground Vehicles & Armament Systems: Business Opportunities & Procurement Dialogue. The sustainability of U.S. military ground vehicle programs relies on several key factors including funding, technological advancements, and strategic planning. This breakout session explores business opportunities and procurement challenges in sustaining military ground vehicles and armament systems. Representatives from key defense agencies and industry partners will discuss current and future sustainment needs, highlighting areas for innovation, parts obsolescence solutions, and lifecycle support strategies. Attendees will gain insights into how small and large businesses can align with Department of Defense priorities, navigate procurement pathways, and respond to evolving requirements. The session will also address common contracting obstacles, data rights, and technical documentation hurdles that impact readiness. This is a valuable forum for suppliers, OEMs, and logistics providers seeking to support ground combat capabilities. 

Developing & Growing Small Business Support to the Defense Industrial Base. As a small business owner, there’s always something more to learn. This session provided by the DLA Offices of Small Business Programs will equip you to grow your business with DLA. Topics include the new DLA Small Business Supplier Pathway Portal, manufacturing partnerships, cyber resources, best value, the Joint Certification process, Requests for Information & Sources Sought, and the 8(a) program. 

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Innovations to Boost and Strengthen the Defense Industrial Base. This session will explore DARPA’s latest initiatives and breakthrough technologies designed to strengthen and expand the U.S. Defense Industrial Base. Attendees will gain insights into how DARPA is accelerating innovation to address critical national security challenges—ranging from advanced manufacturing and supply chain resilience to emerging capabilities in artificial intelligence, autonomy, microelectronics, and energetics. The discussion will highlight DARPA’s role in bridging cutting-edge research with real-world defense applications, fostering public-private collaboration, and enabling small and non-traditional businesses to contribute to critical defense needs. Learn how these innovations are reshaping the future of defense readiness and industrial capacity. 

Sustaining Maritime Systems: Business Opportunities & Procurement Dialogue.  As global maritime dynamics shift, the U.S. Department of Defense faces increasing pressure to modernize its naval capabilities in the face of rising strategic competition – particularly China, whose maritime defense expansion is outpacing the U.S. both in scale and speed. This panel will explore how the U.S. can maintain maritime superiority through robust sustainment strategies, agile procurement, and innovative industry partnership. 

Join government, industry, and the acquisition community as they discuss the critical role of sustainment in ensuring fleet readiness, extending platform lifecycles, and supporting operational agility. This session will also highlight business opportunities across the sustainment enterprise and provide guidance on navigating DoD procurement pathways. 

Attendees will gain actionable insights into how their organizations can contribute to strengthening U.S. maritime dominance through lifecycle support, digital transformation, and resilient supply chain 

Defense Logistics Agency Defense Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS). The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS) is a web-based application that enables the supplier community to search for, view, and submit secure quotes on Request for Quotations (RFQs) for DLA items of supply. Through DIBBS, users can also search for, view, and upload proposals for Requests for Proposal (RFPs) and Invitations for Bid (IFB).  Additionally, suppliers can submit Post Award Requests (PAR) and view other procurement information related to DLA. Gain information and insight on DIBBS. This presentation will provide participants information on how to access and navigate the application highlighting key functionalities. 

Empowering the Future: Enhancing the DoD Industrial Workforce.  As global supply chains become more complex and contested, the Department of Defense must strengthen its logistics and supply chain workforce. This panel brings together leaders from government, industry, and academia to share innovative workforce development strategies. Panelists will address challenges in talent acquisition and retention, the effects of onshoring, and the value of cross-sector collaboration. Attendees will learn about impactful training programs, credentialing efforts, and tools shaping the future supply chain workforce. 

Whether you’re an educator, logistics expert, or industry partner, this session offers practical ideas and collaboration opportunities to help maintain the DoD’s workforce as a strategic edge. 

Sustaining Aerospace Systems: Business Opportunities & Procurement Dialogue. Leaders from DLA Aviation, AFSC, NAVAIR, AMCOM, and the U.S. Coast Guard will share sustainment priorities and evolving acquisition strategies in military aviation. Panelists will discuss aerospace system needs, supply chain challenges, and how industry can support readiness through MRO and parts procurement. 

Attendees will gain insight into procurement processes, sourcing priorities, and initiatives addressing obsolescence, digital transformation, and supply chain resilience. This session offers a valuable chance for businesses to connect with decision-makers and learn how to compete as agile, trusted partners in aerospace sustainment. 

Defense Logistics Agency: Source Approval, Reverse Engineering and Other Source Development Opportunities. This forum will cover reverse engineering and other source development opportunities, including the Replenishment Parts Purchase or Borrow Program (RPPOB), which allows a U.S. Domestic business to visually inspect, borrow, or purchase government owned material to reverse engineer the item to become an alternate source of supply via a Source Approval Request (SAR).  This forum will also discuss services provided through the DLA Casting & Forging Program which supports both government and industry partners, as well as addressing other Tech-Quality and Engineering topics such as Source Qualification and the DLA Warstopper Program raw material buffers. 

Technology and Innovation Showcase. Four select businesses will present their cutting-edge technologies to participating government representatives. Select businesses will have 10 minutes for presentation, followed by 10 minutes for feedback and Q&A from the government panel. The briefs aim to bridge the gap between innovative solutions and federal technology needs.  This session is a crucial opportunity for innovators to connect with federal technology needs and gain visibility among prime manufacturers and stakeholders in the defense sector. For consideration, submit a quad chart in this form by October 10, 2025, at 1700 EST.  Click here to download the quad chart template.  Quad charts will be accepted starting August 22, 2025.  If you have questions, contact Bob Burton at burtonr@ncmbc.us 

Target technologies include but are not limited to: Aerospace, Supply Chain, Land Vehicles, Maritime, Advanced Engineering Materials, Advanced Gas Turbine Engine Technologies, Advanced Manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Autonomous Systems and Robotics, Human-Machine Interfaces, and Hypersonics. 

Sustaining Department of Defense Organic Industrial Base: Business Opportunities & Procurement Dialogue. This breakout session will explore business opportunities and procurement challenges related to supporting and sustaining the Department of Defense’s Organic Industrial Base (OIB). As the backbone of military readiness, the OIB comprises critical maintenance depots, arsenals, and shipyards that ensure equipment availability and modernization. Representatives from government and industry will discuss current sustainment needs, recapitalization efforts, and how private sector partnerships can help strengthen infrastructure, workforce capacity, and supply chain resilience. Attendees will gain insights into navigating acquisition processes, leveraging contracting vehicles, and meeting evolving performance and cybersecurity standards. The session will also address challenges such as funding constraints, aging facilities, and long lead times for critical/sourcing obsolete parts. 

Defense Logistics Agency: Joint Certification Process (JCP) & Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS). This presentation will focus on two essential tools for defense contractors: the Joint Certification Process (JCP) and the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS). The JCP is a prerequisite for U.S. and Canadian companies to access unclassified technical data governed by export control regulations. Presenters will walk through the JCP application process, recent updates, and best practices to ensure timely certification and renewal. The session will also provide an overview of SPRS, the Department of Defense’s authoritative source for supplier risk assessments. Participants will learn how SPRS scores are calculated, how they influence procurement decisions, and what actions can improve performance metrics such as quality, delivery, and cybersecurity. Whether you are new to defense contracting or seeking to optimize your standing with DoD buyers, this session offers valuable insight into how these systems work together to support acquisition integrity, supply chain security, and contractor accountability across the defense industrial base. 

Building Your Business: Selling to the National Guard & Reserve — Domestic and Global Opportunities with the U.S. Department of Commerce. The National Guard and Reserve play a dual domestic and federal mission, supporting combat readiness while delivering crucial local services—such as disaster relief, mobile medical units, recruiting programs, training, and built environments—distinct from standard DLA-supported initiatives. This creates unique, accessible procurement channels for small businesses across sectors like mobile services, equipment manufacturing, civil infrastructure, and even promotional items. Guard units contract food services, construction, training support, administrative support, and more through IDIQ agreements or small-business RFQs, while the National Guard Office of Small Business Programs (NGB OSBP) actively seeks diverse, innovative partners. In FY ’25 alone, nearly $333 million in small-business contracts were awarded, with opportunities for  set aside such as women-, veteran-, HUBZone-, and disadvantaged-owned businesses.

The U.S. Department of Commerce adds a crucial opportunity for ambitious firms, helping businesses scale globally. Commerce will provide guidance on export support and ITAR best practices, ensuring that parts, systems, or services can be delivered safely to allied partners. Businesses will gain strategic insight and governance frameworks that mitigate risk across international contracts, customs, and compliance, allowing businesses to export goods and services with confidence. By leveraging Commerce resources and programs, companies can build long-term, resilient partnerships that can strengthen their brand in defense and commercial markets.ute to the readiness and resilience of America’s most adaptable forces.