Innovative ‘Match Game’ returns at I/ITSEC 2022

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WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio (AFLCMC) -- For the second year in a row, Air Force training units looking for new, innovative solutions to meet their training needs may find their answer in a game designed by the Simulators Division Innovation team for the Industry/Interservice Training Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC).
 
Following a game show format, the Innovation Match Game will pair up vendors who are vying to provide innovative solutions with actual real world Air Force needs.
 
The deadline to apply is September 9th.  The Match Game event will be at I/ITSEC in Orlando, Florida the last week of November. 
 
Training units that apply will identify a specific training concern for which they are seeking an innovative solution and will then receive pitches from 3 vendors with potential solutions. After presentations and a Q&A session, the audience will vote and select the best match to solve the Unit’s problem.
 
Requests for an application or any questions should be directed to the Sims Innovation Team at AFLCMC.WNS.Sims_Innovate@us.af.mil
 
The Simulators Division is the part of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center charged with enhancing Air Force training with innovative technology.
 
Like the television inspiration, the Sims innovation team matched each Unit up with three applications that were received from vendors who had previous successful contracts with the government. There were 30 vendors who applied and met the Match Game entry criteria but we only had time to showcase 9 of those vendors and their innovative technologies.
 
Match Game 2021 was kicked off by Col. John Kurian, then-Senior Materiel Leader, Simulators Division and Lt. Col. Andrew Frazier, Materiel Leader, Operational Training Infrastructure.  Following the leadership introduction, Margaret Merkle, the Innovation Program Manager, took over as the Master of Ceremonies.
 
“I think that one of the biggest outcomes from this event will be to generate conversations between small technology companies and our big vendors,” Merkle said. “In this country we have so many really innovative people that are out there building fantastic things. And they’re just not big enough to get noticed sometimes, or not big enough to deal with the bureaucracy of working for the government. So I think one of the most exciting things about pitch days in general, and about these transitions, is the opportunity that some of our big prime contractors have to see these things and potentially partner with these small businesses to continue this work and to continue to build the American economy.”
 
The units that participated in Match Game 2021 were:
-- The 9th Airlift Squadron represented by Master Sgt. Brandon Vazquez, Chief Technology Officer, 436th Airlift Wing
-- Air Combat Control A3J and A3T from their training unit represented by Bruce Munger, Deputy, Personnel Recovery and Joint Integration Division (A3J)
-- The 76th Propulsion Maintenance Group/MXDEKA represented by Glen Drebes, Repair and Technologies Development, Engineering Branch Chief
-- The 89th Operations Support Squadron represented by Maj. Ross Jardis C-37A/B Pilot, 89th Operations Support Squadron Chief, Executive Airlift Formal Training Unit (EA FTU).
 
The Match Game was very popular as evidence by comments from some of the participants:
 
"The 2021 Match Game was a really positive experience for SoarTech.  We had a great time during the session, and we were able to talk to multiple potential collaborators and end users of our LinGo system during the booth demonstration time.  People recognized us from the Match game throughout the conference! I would absolutely participate again when we have another eligible program." - Amanda Bond, SoarTech
 
"The Match Game at I/ITSEC 2021 was an amazing opportunity for us to put ourselves in front of a huge audience of military end-users and showcase revolutionary technologies that are changing the way people prepare for any scenario or situation. Meeting like-minded technology enthusiasts and talking with everyone after the event was a networking opportunity like no other."  -Cody Louviere, Founder/CEO of King Crow Studios
 
"There are so few events that are creative, fun, and lead to a meaningful outcome. But last year's Match Game hit all three. It was an incredible experience to be involved in this creative approach. We've had several new interactions with Air Force customers and have further developed our product that the Air Force is currently using." - Specular Theory Founder/CEO Morris May.
 
"We were honored to be a part of this event and very impressed with the pedigree of companies, Air Force stakeholders, and the audience who attended. As a result of this event, Specular Theory was able to reach a wider audience and form new key relationships that have directly translated into sales and partnerships. Hats off to the Sims Innovation team for organizing such a great event. It's a fun way to engage industry and Air Force, and we look forward to Match Game 2022" - Ryan Pulliam, Co-Founder Specular Theory.
 
“The Quantum Interface experience with MG was excellent - it gave us the opportunity to demonstrate our technology on the stage and share at all levels of the DoD, while making new contacts with fellow industry experts. It was one of the major highlights of ITSEC, and the buzz from this event lasted for weeks, and is one of those things that you can always refer back to as a major milestone for any company. The MG staff was amazing and accommodating, and high energy - we are so thankful for their work and making this event happen, and grateful for the opportunity they have created through this event.” - Jonathan Josephson, Quantum Interface
 
"The Match Game directly connected ASTi with end-users at a MAJCOM training wing, and the experience provided immediate win-win effects. ASTi gained deep insight into a previously unknown problem space. And the Air Force had the opportunity to inform and influence ASTi's IR&D roadmap, enabling us to innovate even more relevant AI-based simulation products." - Charles McCullough, ASTi director of business development
 
“Match Game 2021 was a great opportunity to be acquainted with a new squadron and tasked to solve a unique problem – all of this combined with the friendly competition to generate the best solution. This drove us to think outside of the box – and gave a glimpse of how creative the other tech partners could be.” - Zack Green, Project Manager, 3DMedia
 
“We thoroughly enjoyed participating in the 2021 I/ITSEC Match Game.  It was a lot of fun, and also a fantastic opportunity to collide with potential customers and partners.  We're looking forward to the MG again this year!” -Chris Verret, President, HTX Labs
 
The Match Game is a public relations event to showcase innovative technology and an outreach for vendors. All of the leg work for this event will be done in the months prior and no actual awards will be given at the event. Once again there are no contracts awarded as part of this event. The Units have not committed funding to participate and any future awards are separate actions.  The participation by the MAJCOM unit does not imply commitment to any future participation.
 
The goal is to transition from prototype to deployment. This showcases training technologies ready for transition and targets successful SBIR Phase II tech, but not limited to SBIRs. The game is to match vendors with units ready to deploy ideas and provides expertise from Sims Innovation toward getting on contract.