AFRL establishes one-stop shop for partnerships
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFRL) — The Air Force Research Laboratory established a new Strategic Partnering Directorate, or AFRL/SP, to achieve greater alignment, effectiveness and efficiencies in supporting partnership priorities across the Department of the Air Force’s science and technology, or S&T, enterprise. The Air Force Manpower and Personnel Directorate signed an organizational change request Dec. 22, 2022, after approval from the commander of the Air Force Materiel Command.
“AFRL has a long, successful history of engaging in collaborative partnerships, but today’s dynamic environment requires a more unified approach to increase the impact of our S&T,” said AFRL Commander Maj. Gen. Heather Pringle. “Creating a one-stop shop for partnerships will scale best practices and deliver efficiencies across the enterprise.”
From left: Dr. Nick Glavin, Dr. Ajit Roy and Dr. Michael McConney stand with a nanomaterial deposition chamber at the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Materials and Manufacturing Directorate at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Sept. 24, 2021. The trio are increasing the availability of nano materials by building stronger ties with industry, government and academia in India. The Air Force Research Laboratory established a new Strategic Partnering Directorate, or AFRL/SP, to achieve greater alignment, effectiveness and efficiencies in supporting partnership priorities across the Department of the Air Force’s science and technology enterprise. AFRL/SP will now manage international partnerships for the laboratory. (U.S. Air Force photo/Patrick Foose)
Personnel from AFRL’s Small Business Directorate and Plans and Programs Partnerships division, or XPP, are now part of the new AFRL Strategic Partnering Directorate.
“We are bringing together two incredible teams, Small Business and XPP, with long track records of partnering,” Pringle said. “I’m excited to see them learn from each other, consolidate their successes and increase momentum in partnering across AFRL.”
According to XPP Division Chief Gus Vu, most of the 2,250-plus partnership agreements are currently established at the subject matter expert, or SME, level.
AFRL’s Chief Technology Officer Dr. Tim Bunning said one AFRL directorate will help unify individual research needs with the technological focus areas of the AFRL enterprise and the DAF. The goal is to capitalize on external S&T innovations, ultimately leading toward future capabilities addressing warfighter challenges.
U.S. Navy Capt. Michael Farmer, left, chief, Office of Defense Cooperation, New Delhi, shakes hands with Indian air force Air Vice Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, right, assistant chief of Air Staff for Plans, after Tiwari countersigns an agreement to co-develop air-launched unmanned aerial vehicles under the U.S.-India Defense Technology and Trade Initiative, at Indian Air Force headquarters in New Delhi, India, July 30, 2021. The Air Force Research Laboratory established a new Strategic Partnering Directorate, or AFRL/SP, to achieve greater alignment, effectiveness and efficiencies in supporting partnership priorities across the Department of the Air Force’s science and technology enterprise. AFRL/SP will now manage international partnerships for the laboratory. (U.S. Air Force photo)
“In order to accelerate S&T, AFRL partnerships must move beyond the current paradigm of simply enabling SME to SME collaborations,” Bunning said. “In today’s environment, there is an increased need to shift to an integrated approach that leverages and evaluates S&T needs across the entire enterprise. A more holistic approach to partnerships will accelerate the advancement of S&T for both the Air Force and the Space Force.”
The new SP Directorate also aims to simplify accessibility to partnership opportunities for external entities, streamline internal workforce training and increase awareness of key technological areas of interest, said Brian McJilton, director of AFRL’s Small Business Directorate.
The AFRL commander made the decision to create a new directorate, which was then integrated into the High Performing Headquarters initiative led by AFRL Executive Director Timothy Sakulich.
“Partnerships are simply core to AFRL’s mission effectiveness,” Sakulich said. “The new directorate will support the strategic focus and delivery of streamlined partnering tools we need in order to create and deliver technological advantage for Airmen and Guardians now and in the future.”
Col. Tory Woodard, center, commander, U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, talks to Erik Christensen, right, director of business operations and military affairs, Soin Medical Center; and Daniel Tryon, president of Soin Medical Center and Kettering Health Greene Memorial, during the official opening of the Enlisted Critical Care Course at the Soin Medical Center April 13, 2022, in Beavercreek, Ohio. USAFSAM is one of two mission units in the 711th Human Performance Wing, part of the Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL. AFRL and Kettering Health Network partnered to create a training wing at Soin Medical Center. AFRL established a new Strategic Partnering Directorate, or AFRL/SP, achieve greater alignment, effectiveness and efficiencies in supporting partnership priorities across the Department of the Air Force’s science and technology enterprise. (U.S. Air Force photo / Richard Eldridge)
A new SP director at the DR-V level will be hired via a competitive announcement on USAJOBS.
About AFRL
The Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace force. With a workforce of more than 11,500 across nine technology areas and 40 other operations across the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more information, visit: www.afresearchlab.com.