New Horizons to explore agile acquisition, collaborative opportunities

  • Published
  • By Patty Welsh
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs

The Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association New Horizons event will take place March 5-6 at the Marriott Hotel in Newton, Massachusetts.


This year’s New Horizons will address the timely topic of meeting warfighters’ requirements more efficiently by offering sessions focusing on rapid acquisition, both from an industry and government perspective.

Attendees will have an opportunity to hear from Hanscom’s program executive offices about ongoing and upcoming work, including projects where agile acquisition is playing a key role. Brig. Gen. Michael Schmidt, PEO for Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence and Networks, and Scott Hardiman, Deputy PEO for Nuclear Command, Control and Communications, will present on the first day, while Steve Wert, PEO for Digital, is scheduled for day two.

Organizers from the Lexington-Concord Chapter of the AFCEA who run the event say it promotes meaningful engagement between government and industry.


“Our agenda reflects today’s dynamic environment and includes a broad look at near-term opportunities while retaining the important interchange between government and industry partners,” said Gretchen Stewart, New Horizons industry lead. “It allows solution providers of innovative technologies the chance to network and discuss opportunities to meet our nation’s critical requirements with key decision makers.”

Organizers anticipate that several senior leaders within the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition will give keynote addresses and cover current topics of interest to the Air Force acquisition community.

On March 5, Hanscom’s Cyber Resiliency Office for Weapons Systems director and Engineering and Technical Management associate director Joseph Bradley will moderate a panel on “Sourcing Innovative Technology from Non-Traditional Suppliers.” Other participants are from Techstars, Defense Innovation Unit, MD5 National Security Technology Accelerator, AFWERX and the Massachusetts Innovation Bridge. Following the panel, 15 minutes have been set aside for innovative startups to do short technology pitches.

A keynote on day two will be by a representative from the office of the assistant secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. A presentation on Multi Domain Command and Control will also take place that day. In addition, the Air Force Research Laboratory and General Services Administration will brief. A full agenda is available on the chapter’s website at www.afceaboston.com/nh19.html.

For active duty military and government civilians, there is no cost to attend. However, they must register through the AFCEA website. There is also an opportunity to earn continuous learning points in accordance with the guidance on symposia/conference attendance or presentations. Information about CLPs is available on the Air Force portal.

“Personnel attending New Horizons will hear about the current set of challenges facing the Air Force and Department of Defense and it will give them an opportunity to be part of the dialogue on solutions to address these concerns,” said Marco Zompetti, New Horizons government liaison.

Organizers anticipate a large turn-out, so they recommend registering early, as registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Telephone registrations are not accepted. Additional information about the conference, including cost for industry attendees, is also available on the AFCEA website. The cut-off date for registration is Feb. 18.

Following the conclusion of New Horizons, a separate Air Force Life Cycle Management Center-Hanscom Small Business Panel will take place. Representatives from Hanscom’s Small Business Office, Contracting Directorate and the acquisition directorates plan to participate. More information about this event will be forthcoming on the FedBizOpps website at www.fbo.gov.

For additional information about New Horizons, contact Claire Goulet at 617-281-4129.