Chemical Protective Textiles Challenge -
Industry Day
Industry Day
Join us on August 4, 2026
AFFOA, in partnership with the Capability Program Executive for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense (CPE CBRND), and SPARK, CPE CBRND’s Innovation Incubator, invites textile manufacturers, material innovators, and industry partners to participate in Industry Day for the Chemical Protective Textiles Challenge, sponsored by SPARK, CPE CBRND’s Innovation Incubator.
The objective of this challenge is to identify and validate commercially available or near-commercial innovative textile materials that deliver enhanced protection against hydrofluoric acid (HF), hydrogen fluoride gas (HF gas), and fuel hazards, while preserving operational durability, manufacturability, and potential for seamless integration into Warfighter protective clothing.
The objective of this challenge is to identify and validate commercially available or near-commercial innovative textile materials that deliver enhanced protection against hydrofluoric acid (HF), hydrogen fluoride gas (HF gas), and fuel hazards, while preserving operational durability, manufacturability, and potential for seamless integration into Warfighter protective clothing.
Location
Fayetteville Technical Community College
2201 Hull Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28303
2201 Hull Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28303
Date & Time
August 4, 2026
Start and End Times TBD
Start and End Times TBD
Attendance is free.
Registration Deadline
July 29, 2026
About the Industry Day
During this Industry Day, attendees will hear from stakeholders from multiple US Military divisions who will present mission needs, performance criteria, and validation pathways. Technical briefings will follow, detailing the scope of the Chemical Protective Textiles Challenge, the evaluation methods, and the milestones for down-selection.
Attendees will have dedicated Q&A sessions with subject-matter experts and program sponsors to clarify requirements and discuss potential approaches. The event will include networking opportunities with potential collaborators, material suppliers, manufacturers, and research partners.
After a brief lunch break, qualified companies will have the opportunity to individually and privately pitch their solutions to project stakeholders. These private presentations will be conducted for evaluation and consideration in the down-selection process, offering a direct pathway to potential support and funding.
Attendees will have dedicated Q&A sessions with subject-matter experts and program sponsors to clarify requirements and discuss potential approaches. The event will include networking opportunities with potential collaborators, material suppliers, manufacturers, and research partners.
After a brief lunch break, qualified companies will have the opportunity to individually and privately pitch their solutions to project stakeholders. These private presentations will be conducted for evaluation and consideration in the down-selection process, offering a direct pathway to potential support and funding.
Participating in the Individual, Private Pitch to Selection Committee
If your company has a solution or a near-market solution and you would like to be considered for this challenge, you will need to share and pitch your product to the selection committee.
Pitches are limited to 10 minutes, followed by a questions-and-answers session with the committee.
To request a Pitch Session for Industry Day, please complete this form by July 23.
To protect confidentiality, participants may not attend pitch sessions for other competitors.
If your organization has any non-disclosure or confidentiality requirements, please notify AFFOA by July 23.
The Challenge is also open to US organizations as well as organizations located outside the United States based on qualifying country provisions contained in DFARS 225.003 and the exception for chemical warfare protective clothing acquisitions contained in DFARS 225.7002-2(m)(2), which permits acquisitions of chemical warfare protective clothing and components thereof when the acquisition furthers an agreement with a qualifying country.
Pitches are limited to 10 minutes, followed by a questions-and-answers session with the committee.
To request a Pitch Session for Industry Day, please complete this form by July 23.
To protect confidentiality, participants may not attend pitch sessions for other competitors.
If your organization has any non-disclosure or confidentiality requirements, please notify AFFOA by July 23.
The Challenge is also open to US organizations as well as organizations located outside the United States based on qualifying country provisions contained in DFARS 225.003 and the exception for chemical warfare protective clothing acquisitions contained in DFARS 225.7002-2(m)(2), which permits acquisitions of chemical warfare protective clothing and components thereof when the acquisition furthers an agreement with a qualifying country.
Demo Tables and Networking
A limited number of demonstration tables are available for the Industry Day. You can reserve your demo table while registering for this event.
Why have a demo table?
Intimate, high-value environment:
This will be an intimate event and a great opportunity to forge meaningful connections—creating more opportunities to meet, learn, and grow your network.
Hands-on engagement:
Demo Tables ideal for giving attendees a tactile, experiential look at your technology, products, and capabilities as they relate to the challenge.
Showcase your achievements:
Highlight your latest innovations, case studies, and milestones with a dedicated space to communicate impact and potential applications.
Start conversations that matter:
Engage attendees in targeted discussions, answer questions in real time, and gather valuable feedback.
There is a limit of one table per company.
Industry Day Agenda (TBD)
8:30 AM (times not yet Final)
Registration
Check in at the registration desk and network with other attendees. If you reserved a demo table, this is when you would set it up.
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (times not yet Final)
Sponsor Info Sharing Sessions
Info to come.
1:30 PM - 5:00 PM (times not yet Final)
Individual, Private Pitch Session with Selection Committee
Info to come.
Location
Cumberland Hall Auditorium
2215 Hull Road, Fayetteville, NC 28303
2215 Hull Road, Fayetteville, NC 28303
Parking:
Fayetteville Technical Community College has ample parking.
Hotels:
There are several hotels within 3 miles of the event location.
We would like to thank the North Carolina Military Business Center for their assistance with this event.
Fayetteville Technical Community College has ample parking.
Hotels:
There are several hotels within 3 miles of the event location.
We would like to thank the North Carolina Military Business Center for their assistance with this event.
About the Chemical Protective Textile Challenge
Learn more about the Chemical Protective Textile Challenge, including how to submit materials, selection criteria, and download the challenge guidebook go to https://affoa.org/chemical-protective-textiles-challenge/
The Challenge is also open to organizations located outside the United States based on qualifying country provisions contained in DFARS 225.003 and the exception for chemical warfare protective clothing acquisitions contained in DFARS 225.7002-2(m)(2), which permits acquisitions of chemical warfare protective clothing and components thereof when the acquisition furthers an agreement with a qualifying country. As of February 2026, qualifying countries include Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. The Challenge Sponsor and Administrator reserve the right to update eligibility requirements and qualifying country determinations if applicable regulations or program requirements change.