Air Force Special Operations Command-2025-Special Air Warfare Symposium (SAWS)

Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) is seeking interested organizations to plan, coordinate, and execute the annual Special Air Warfare Symposium (SAWS) in calendar year 2025. AFSOC would like to keep the venue within 20 miles of Hurlburt Field. The symposium will focus on special operations airpower, focusing on the development of future SAWS capabilities in accordance with the National Security Strategic Guidance, National Defense Strategy, and AFSOC Strategic Guidance. The conference will at least be three days. SAWS 2025 is a unique event that will focus on the future operating environment of combat and the transformation needed to properly prepare, prevent, and prevail against pacing threats while remaining engaged in Counter-Violent Extremist Organization (C-VEO) efforts. The components of this service are hosting a multi-day symposium, bringing in keynote speakers, and arranging thought-provoking panels. The co-sponsor will recruit speakers, advertise, organize, plan, and run the event with government oversight, guidance, and approval. Planning, coordination, and execution services will be required in 2025, and the symposium will be hosted in the immediate area surrounding Hurlburt Field, FL, to allow for ease of travel for AFSOC personnel. Interested organizations will be responsible for the following but not limited to advertising, registration, collection of money, agenda with government input, scheduling of large plenary rooms, breakout discussion rooms, exhibit hall, food service for breakfast and lunch, lodging, SAWS 2025 website development, perform advertising and marketing operations, establish and execute online and on-site automated registration process, and coordinate with AFSOC and local law enforcement to ensure adequate security. There will be no contract signed between the organization/association and AFSOC. A Memorandum of Agreement will be established outlining the roles and responsibilities of each party. Interested organizations should use the following information to assist their understanding of the size, scope, and complexity of coordinating the 2025 SAWS: Attendees: Approximate capacity of 2,400 International Partners: Plan to have foreign country involvement. Exhibitors: Industry and Government booths Exhibit Hall: Approximately 32,000 sq ft indoor space (estimate of Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center); does not include surrounding hotel/other venue square footage that may be required). The Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center location is not required to be used and is being provided as a possible local option. AFSOC is interested in innovative and unique ideas on how to make SAWS 2025 events successful. AFSOC is requesting white papers that illustrate how interested organizations plan to execute SAWS 2025. Interested organizations will submit a white paper (15-page max) demonstrating their ability to accomplish SAWS 2025. Responses should be written using 12 font, Times New Roman, and indicate past performance references (name of conference, number of attendees, number of exhibitors, dates, and a point of contact with phone number and email address) of at least 4 conferences that your organization/association hosted in the last 5 years with the similar size, scope, and complexity of SAWS. Additionally, each submission should address the following key areas: Executive summary; Interested organization/association name and address; Point of contact with email address and phone number(s); Experience conducting conferences within and outside the Department of Defense similar to previous SAWS events; Description of proposed SAWS execution methodology; Estimated schedule with recommended dates, location, and critical milestones; Identification of multiple panels to discuss current US SAWS issues/challenges (white paper should provide recommendations and potential solutions with current and former SOF leaders and leaders (speakers) outside the SOF community; An industry component designed to expose the SAWS community to the latest technological innovations; Information or sessions addressing retirement, transition, and veteran programs for U.S. military personnel; A formal dinner; A keynote speaker for the dinner; Proposed topical areas for SAWS events; Recommendations for changes to streamline and enhance SAWS and/or its events and Additional elements to consider: Location - Lodging - Transportation - Any support required from AFSOC or direct costs to AFSOC - Total cost estimate - Marketing/communication plan - Registration plan - Sample agenda - Foodservice plan - Audiovisual plan - Web streaming plan - Badging plan - A plan for Government booths - A plan to support booth space for Small Businesses (with percentage planned) - Contingency plans for outside influences on the conference; for example, the ability to scale the conference between in-person, hybrid, and 100% virtual venues - Schedule to show milestones leading up to the 2025 conference based off an assigned month. All proposed submissions shall include clear, factual information demonstrating the organization's ability to conduct SAWS 2025, including scope and magnitude. White papers shall not include any proprietary markings or sensitive information. The intent of this request for information (RFI) is to assess potential qualified sources and explore interested organizations capabilities for arranging SAWS 2025. Responses to this RFI are for informational purposes only and may be used by AFSOC in developing the agenda, content, and parameters for subsequent agreements for SAWS Week going forward. Interested organizations may be invited to provide an oral presentation outlining their concept to support SAWS. All inquiries and responses concerning this action shall be sent in writing via email to kevin.miller.4@us.af.mil with the subject - SAWS 2025. Submit white papers to this email address, on the same subject, no later than 1600 CST on Friday, 19 April 2024.