Special Operations Forces (SOF) are renowned for their agility, innovation and relentless pursuit of mission success. As such, they seek to do business with like-minded companies. In other words, they want partners that can provide “SOF peculiar” solutions. But what does that mean and how can businesses, especially those with cutting-edge technologies, effectively engage with the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM)? At SOF Week, Mr. Bill Innes, Deputy Director Acquisition, at SOCOM’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics (AT&L) provided insights to help demystify SOCOM’s processes and to highlight the unique opportunities for industry partners.
Understanding SOF Peculiar: Heritage, Mission, and Authorities
In business, as in public speaking, the adage goes: first one must know one’s audience. Innes provided an important history lesson as a contextual layer to better understand SOF priorities.
A Legacy of Innovation and Urgency
SOF’s roots trace back to World War II’s Office of Strategic Services (OSS), where “creative thinking” and unconventional approaches were mission-critical. The failed 1980 Operation Eagle Claw rescue attempt in Iran exposed the need for a unified, agile SOF structure. This ultimately led to USSOCOM’s establishment in 1987.
As Innes noted, “We had the best Army, Navy and Air Force, but we didn’t have the best team. Congress stepped in “to fix what happened in 1980,” via the Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986 and subsequent legislation, particularly the Nunn-Cohen Amendment, which created SOCOM.
Mission & Priorities
The command’s acquisition arm exists to deliver rapid, focused technology and logistics support to SOF warfighters. Its priorities are clear: People | Win | Transform. “Speed is so important, especially when we’re talking about some of the key tech in terms of data, networks – everything driven by the commercial sector,” Innis said. “The threats are changing so fast these days. So speed is really important.”
Authorities & Responsibilities
USSOCOM leverages every possible acquisition authority. Title 10, Section 167 of U.S. Code vests the Commander with responsibility for Special Operations-peculiar equipment, meaning gear and technology tailored for SOF’s unique missions. This includes the authority to execute funds and act as a head of agency for acquisition, separate from the traditional military services. Innes explained, “If the services are buying it, it’s not SOF peculiar… but when we take a core aircraft and modify it for SOF missions, that’s when it becomes SOF peculiar.”
What Makes Something SOF Peculiar?
The distinction between SOF-peculiar and standard military equipment is nuanced, Innis explained. For example, the Army may procure a standard H-47 helicopter, but when USSOCOM modifies it by adding specialized fuel tanks, defensive systems and unique mission equipment, it then becomes the MH-47G, tailored for SOF needs. That’s SOF Peculiar.
Speed is also a defining factor. “Sometimes, it’s not just the unique capability, but how fast we can deliver it to the operator that sets us apart,” said Innes. SOF’s ability to rapidly identify, acquire and field new technologies is what keeps it ahead of adversaries.
“Speed is exactly what makes it SOF peculiar. You have a crisis response mission. We cannot wait on the services if they’re working. Speed is one of our key capabilities,” Innes stressed.
This is especially true in areas like Counter-UAS (C-UAS), where SOF’s ability to move quickly and field solutions ahead of the broader services can be mission-critical.
AT&L: Closing the Capabilities Gap
USSOCOM AT&L provides rapid and focused acquisition, technology and logistics support to SOF Warfighters. Its guiding principles include: speed (obviously worth repeating), user involvement, risk management and leveraging proven techniques.
Acquisition at the Speed of Global Operators
USSOCOM’s acquisition model is built for speed and flexibility. “Our acquisition is unique in that regard… If SOF operators need a new capability, it’s SOF AT&L’s responsibility and legal authority to provide it,” Innes explained.
The command’s $9.31 billion portfolio is managed by a lean, expert team-about 900 of the 6,000 total personnel-focused on delivering what operators need, when they need it.
USSOCOM doesn’t just support its own forces. Its international engagement continues to expand. Its Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and cooperation agreements have experienced significant growth. In 2024, USSOCOM hit a record $1.8 billion in small business contracts for these partners and continues to actively expand its international portfolio. “Working with our partners is more important than ever, especially in a volatile world,” Innes emphasized.
SOF Unique Logistics
SOF’s logistics ecosystem is also built for flexibility and resilience. The Special Operations Forces Support Activity (SOFSA) manages modifications, sustainment and rapid integration of new capabilities to ensure that SOF operators have what they need, when and where they need it. “We do a lot of work in manufacturing sustainment,” Innis noted.
AT&L Portfolio Overview: What SOF Needs
Innis’s organizational portfolio spans multi-domain operations-land, maritime, air, cyber and space. He noted that most maritime platforms are SOF peculiar, while other domains often require close collaboration with the services. Today’s focus remains on:
- Data, Networks, and Comms: Driven by industry, these are evolving rapidly and are critical for SOF’s mission success.
- Gen AI and Future Operators: USSOCOM is exploring generative AI and human-machine teaming. It envisions operators who seamlessly blend digital and physical capabilities.
- C-UAS: Counter-unmanned aerial systems are a prime example where SOF’s need for speed and unique requirements drive rapid acquisition and fielding.
Doing Business with USSOCOM: Pathways and Opportunities
Small businesses provide the lifeblood for SOF innovation. In FY24, USSOCOM awarded a record $1.8 billion in prime contracts to small businesses.
“Small business is a really big part of USSOCOM culture… it fits with us because of the smaller form factor, the smaller units, the nimble culture that we have,” Innis explained. “Small business is the engine of innovation in the nation.”
Engagement Mechanisms
SOCOM has multiple paths for those businesses to engage with it, including:
- SBIR/STTR Programs: These programs fund small business innovation, with three topic calls per year and phased funding up to $1.5 million for prototypes. “SBIR is a great opportunity to engage with us and see if you’ve got something that we could use,” Innes advised.
- Technical Experimentation (TE): TE events allow companies to put prototypes in operators’ hands and get direct feedback. “If you’ve got a piece of kit… and you want to try it out in an operational environment, these are for you,” said Innes.
- SOFWERX: A partnership intermediary that connects industry, academia and SOF, SOFWERX is a neutral, nonprofit interface for collaboration and rapid experimentation.
- VULCAN: USSOCOM’s “virtual front porch” for industry engagement, VULCAN consolidates proposal submissions and feedback into a single platform.
- Commercial Solutions Openings (CSOs): New avenues to onboard software and digital capabilities, CSOs streamline the engagement of non-traditional partners.
How Businesses Can Engage: Practical Steps
Innis essentially provided what amounts to an invaluable guide to businesses on exactly what they need to do, as a practical matter, to engage with USSOCOM:
- Understand SOF’s Mission and Needs: Read up on SOF’s unique requirements and priorities. Attend SOF Week and related industry days.
- Leverage Small Business Pathways: Explore SBIR/STTR, TE and SOFWERX for early-stage engagement.
- Engage Early and Often: Use VULCAN and attend roundtables, boot camps and TE events.
- Be Ready for Rapid Iteration: SOF values speed and adaptability. Be prepared to prototype, test and iterate quickly.
- Build for Integration: SOF needs solutions that work seamlessly with existing platforms and across domains.
- Think Internationally: If you have global partners or exportable solutions, explore FMS and international cooperation agreements.
- Stay Informed: Monitor socom.mil, sofwerx.org, and dodsibrsttr.mil for the latest opportunities.
Final Thoughts: Capability, Capability, Capability
Adaptability and innovation are critical if a business wants to work with SOF. Innis concluded by describing the SOF acquisition team’s relentlessly focal point: “It’s all about capability, capability, capability.” For businesses, the key to working with SOF is to understand its unique mission, move at their speed and be ready to deliver solutions that give operators the edge they need both today and into tomorrow.
Are you SOF peculiar? If you’re ready to innovate, collaborate, and deliver at the speed of the mission, USSOCOM wants to hear from you. Email: ashley.farrier@socom.mil | Web: socom.mil (Doing Business button), sofworx.org or dodsibrsttr.mil.
By: Dawn Zoldi (Colonel, USAF Ret.)