Last month’s Navy Opportunity Forum showcased current SBIR programs, including several from the training realm. A brief overview of three training SBIR projects I noted during my visit was included in the July 2010 MT2 e-nnouncement. These and other community programs are the result of successes in the nation’s small businesses. Innovation is alive and well at these venues, which are developing programs and products across the live, virtual and constructive, and gaming domains. Therein lies the challenge for Congress and DoD—to continue supporting small businesses, and in particular those in this industry, which remain centers of excellence for fielding next generation technologies.
Small businesses and their larger siblings were present in force at last month’s TSIS in Orlando. I had the opportunity to meet with many of you at the symposium and listen to interesting presentations from the services’ teams. Of particular note, there are a number of common areas of interest among the services—including their vision for developing serious games for learning in an expeditious manner. These common requirements offer great opportunities for partnering among the department/industry team members.
Here’s one question I submit for thought and your feedback. Given DoD’s move toward increased jointness, its support of irregular warfare missions and other developments, is the current DoD M&S policy model outdated? If so, how do we more quickly, effectively and efficiently respond to these dynamic future M&S requirements?
As always I look forward to your comments.
