Chemical Protective Textiles Challenge - Industry Day
Join us on August 6, 2026 (New Date)
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, research organizations, industry, government partners, and end users 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 high technology readiness level (TRL) innovative textile materials that deliver enhanced protection against hydrofluoric acid (HF), and fuel hazards (jet and rocket), while maintaining operationally relevant durability, manufacturability, and potential for seamless integration into Warfighter protective clothing and systems.
The objective of this Challenge is to identify and validate commercially available or high technology readiness level (TRL) innovative textile materials that deliver enhanced protection against hydrofluoric acid (HF), and fuel hazards (jet and rocket), while maintaining operationally relevant durability, manufacturability, and potential for seamless integration into Warfighter protective clothing and systems.
Location
Tony Rand Center
Fayetteville Technical Community College
2220 Hull Road
Fayetteville, NC 28303
Fayetteville Technical Community College
2220 Hull Road
Fayetteville, NC 28303
Date & Time
Thursday, August 6, 2026
(New Date)
8:30AM-5PM
(Start and End Times TBD)
(New Date)
8:30AM-5PM
(Start and End Times TBD)
Attendance is free.
Registration Deadline
July 29, 2026
About the Industry Day
During this Industry Day, attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the Challenge scope and logistics, showcase material innovations, network with innovators, government stakeholders and operational end users and private pitch advanced material solutions.
Briefings
The Industry Day will include briefings from AFFOA, CPE CBRND stakeholders and operational end users who will share more about the mission need, operational challenges, technical performance objectives, and evaluation criteria. Ample time will be provided for Q&A.
Networking Session and Demo Tables
The briefings will be followed by a networking session where attendees will have the opportunity to sign up for a Demo Table to showcase material developments and capabilities.
Private Pitch Sessions
After a brief lunch break, qualified companies will have the opportunity to individually and privately pitch their material solutions to the Challenge evaluation panel, providing direct access to and increasing awareness and visibility with key challenge stakeholders.
The Industry Day is designed to provide prospective participants with a deeper understanding of the challenge while creating opportunities for direct engagement with key users and partners. Participation in Industry Day is strongly encouraged but not required to compete in the Challenge.
Briefings
The Industry Day will include briefings from AFFOA, CPE CBRND stakeholders and operational end users who will share more about the mission need, operational challenges, technical performance objectives, and evaluation criteria. Ample time will be provided for Q&A.
Networking Session and Demo Tables
The briefings will be followed by a networking session where attendees will have the opportunity to sign up for a Demo Table to showcase material developments and capabilities.
Private Pitch Sessions
After a brief lunch break, qualified companies will have the opportunity to individually and privately pitch their material solutions to the Challenge evaluation panel, providing direct access to and increasing awareness and visibility with key challenge stakeholders.
The Industry Day is designed to provide prospective participants with a deeper understanding of the challenge while creating opportunities for direct engagement with key users and partners. Participation in Industry Day is strongly encouraged but not required to compete in the Challenge.
Participating in the Individual, Private Pitch to Selection Committee
If your company has a commercially available or a high technology readiness level (TRL) material solution and you are interested in learning more or participating in this challenge, then pitching your technology solution at Industry Day is a great opportunity to increase awareness and get initial feedback from the Challenge evaluation panel.
In order to lock in a pitch session slot, you must submit a request via the form below by July 24, 2026.
In order to lock in a pitch session slot, you must submit a request via the form below by July 24, 2026.
All pitch participants must also register for the Industry Day.
Pitches are limited to 10 minutes, followed by a Q&A session with the evaluation panel.
AFFOA will confirm Pitch Session availability and scheduling as soon as possible and provide a template to guide the conversation. In general, pitch participants should be prepared to share material samples and discuss their solution(s) technical capabilities, performance characteristics, manufacturing readiness, operational relevance, and potential advantages over existing solutions.
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 open to U.S. organizations as well as organizations located outside the U.S. 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). 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.
Pitches are limited to 10 minutes, followed by a Q&A session with the evaluation panel.
AFFOA will confirm Pitch Session availability and scheduling as soon as possible and provide a template to guide the conversation. In general, pitch participants should be prepared to share material samples and discuss their solution(s) technical capabilities, performance characteristics, manufacturing readiness, operational relevance, and potential advantages over existing solutions.
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 open to U.S. organizations as well as organizations located outside the U.S. 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). 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.
Demo Tables and Networking
A limited number of Demo Tables are available for the Industry Day to highlight textile technologies and material samples relevant to the Challenge. You can reserve your demo table while registering for this event.
Why have a demo table?
Network in an Intimate, high-value environment:
This will be an intimate event and a great opportunity to increase awareness and network with key stakeholders and end users in the CBRN space.
Showcase your Capabilities and Innovations:
Demo Tables provide a great opportunity for participants to showcase textile and material samples and attendees to gain a tactile, experiential look at your technologies, products, and capabilities related to the challenge.
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)
Challenge Briefings & Networking Session
Info to come.
1:30 PM - 5:00 PM (times not yet Final)
Individual, Private Pitch Sessions with Evaluation Committee
Info to come.
Speakers
Emmanuel Kumfa
Individual Protection Capability Portfolio Manager
JPM CBRND SOF -CPE CBRND
Over two decades of military and civilian experience in the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Defense field with roles spanning program management, strategic acquisitions, and international partner engagements. Currently serving as Capability Portfolio Manager (CPM) for Individual Protection at the Joint Program Executive Office for CBRN Defense (JPEO-CBRND), Join Program Manager, CBRN SOF office. Career Retired 740A CBRN Warrant Officer (CW3) with 21 years of U.S. Army Service.
Location
Tony Rand Center
Fayetteville Technical Community College
2220 Hull Road, Fayetteville, NC 28303
Fayetteville Technical Community College
2220 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. These are just a few:
Tru by Hilton Fayetteville Fort Bragg
507 N McPherson Church Rd., Fayetteville, North Carolina, 28303
Candlewood Suites by IHG
4108 Legend Avenue Fayetteville, North Carolina, 28303
Homewood Suites by Hilton Fayetteville
4028 Legend Avenue, Fayetteville, North Carolina, 28303
We would like to extend a special thank you 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. These are just a few:
Tru by Hilton Fayetteville Fort Bragg
507 N McPherson Church Rd., Fayetteville, North Carolina, 28303
Candlewood Suites by IHG
4108 Legend Avenue Fayetteville, North Carolina, 28303
Homewood Suites by Hilton Fayetteville
4028 Legend Avenue, Fayetteville, North Carolina, 28303
We would like to extend a special thank you the North Carolina Military Business Center for their assistance with this event.
About the Chemical Protective Textile Challenge
To learn more about the Chemical Protective Textile Challenge, including deadlines, submission requirements and details, selection criteria, and download the challenge guidebook, go to: https://affoa.org/chemical-protective-textiles-challenge/
Please reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions about the Challenge or Industry Day.
Challenge Eligibility
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.