FEDTEX Session Summary: ​​​​​Unlocking Federal Contracting Opportunities

Discover how to tap into a wealth of free resources that can transform your approach to federal contracting and subcontracting. This informative session will guide you through essential tools such as the US Census Bureau’s NAICS website, Acquisition.gov, Federal Procurement Data System, USASpending.gov, DLA Internet Bid Board System, DLA Collaboration Folders, System for Award Management, SBA.gov, and SBA Dynamic Small Business Search. Learn how to effectively utilize these resources to craft strategic actions and plans, helping your business expand and thrive in the federal marketplace.

The Federal and Defense Textile and Tactical Equipment (FEDTEX) Summit, hosted by the Office of US Senator Thom Tillis, Office of Senator Ted Budd and the North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC), connects the US Department of Defense (DoD) and federal agency clothing and individual equipment buyers with US textile manufacturers, textile supply chain suppliers, cut and sew contractors, research and development (R&D) facilities, testing labs and academic resources.

When. May 19-20, 2026

Where. North Carolina State University, McKimmon Conference Center, 1101 Gorman Street, Raleigh NC, 27606

Who should attend – All prime textile manufacturers and textile supply chain manufacturers currently producing clothing, footwear, parachutes and textile-based tactical equipment for DoD, and producers of medical, PPE and related soldier systems. Any textile manufacturers that have interest in learning, understanding or possibly entering the DoD/federal marketplace should attend this Summit. The event is open to all United States and Puerto Rico based textile firms.

FEDTEX 26 objectives:

  • Engage with existing contractors and attract new capable businesses into the federal and defense clothing, textiles, and tactical equipment marketplace.
  • Engage existing textile supply chain suppliers and attract new capable businesses into the federal marketplace, and to connect these component suppliers with federal prime contractors.
  • Inform the industrial and academic R&D ecosystem about desired future military technology requirements, and likewise inform DoD agencies about emerging and future textile innovations.
  • Establish a productive and DIRECT dialogue between businesses, government, and academia around critical warfighter issues in the defense textile marketplace – including workforce, supply chain, inflation challenges, and barriers to entry.

Summit Partners:

Attendee and exhibitor registration is now open. Sponsorships are available. 

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