U. S. Army (Natick) Soldier Systems Center

U. S. Army (Natick) Soldier Systems Center Seminar - January 12, 2006

Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur addresses the audience at the U. S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center Seminar

In January 2006, Dave Beck, Executive Vice President, EISC & Director, CIFT Programs,reached out to a colleague with a food background, Gerald Darsch, Director - DOD Combat Feeding Directorate, at the U. S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center (SSC) and with the help of Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur issued formal invitations to individuals and various companies and organizations within the 9th Congressional district, as well as the surrounding areas. The informational workshop introduced important opportunities for local companies to develop and provide "high tech" products to the U.S. military that would create high paying, high quality job opportunities for the next generation workforce in the local area.

The SSC's top program managers outlined their areas of interest in terms of non-lethal soldier needs. More specifically, the SSC is responsible for the technology, development and engineering, fielding, and sustainment of our military's food, clothing, shelters, airdrop systems, and soldier support items that protect and sustain America's military forces. Philip Brandler, Director - U. S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center, provided the overview of the event that focused on the scientific and technical areas of interest to the future military. The SSC manages over 1000 individual items with 500 civilian employees and an annual budget of over $300 million.

CIFT was able to bring together about 60 companies, universities, and economic development professionals and over 100 individuals to meet with SSC leadership. Of the companies in attendance, 16 produced white papers with CIFT assistance that were submitted to the US Army. Then, with assistance from the Ohio Department of Development, CIFT followed up to achieve closure for the companies involved. Significantly, an additional nine companies have been identified that have an interest in working with the armed services. Thus, in total, CIFT is engaged in working with 25 opportunities that could involve military contracts.

One project with AmmunoMed (a Toledo company) has evolved to a proposal pending with the US Army that would fund Kent State University to complete a performance study that would establish the efficacy of a whey protein supplement on soldier performance. Harry Ewert, the Chief Operating Officer of AmmunoMed indicated that he, "thought that the event was excellent and offers a great opportunity for the companies that can meet the needs that have been outlined by Natick".

Additional Resources...

Seminar Presentation Slides:

U. S. Army (Natick) Soldier Systems Center Links:

• U. S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development & Engineering Center

• Soldier Systems Center Fact Sheet

• Doing Business with Us

• Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)

• BAA - Condensed

• Small Business Innovation Research Solicitation