James “Hondo” Geurts, assistant secretary for research, development and acquisition at the U.S. Navy and a 2020 Wash100 Award winner, said the service is increasing the number of technology collaboration centers to 12 to create networks, facilitate collaboration and award contracts to nontraditional defense contractors and small businesses, FedScoop reported Tuesday.
“This is not the end, I see expanding this further,” Geurts said of the Tech Bridges program during a virtual press conference held Tuesday.
Tech Bridges are collaboration spaces organized through the Naval Expeditions Agility Office and allow the Navy to work with the private sector and academic institutions to address challenges facing the service. The military branch has six Tech Bridges and plans to establish six additional centers across the country.
Machine learning, advanced data analytics, high-powered computing and other emerging technologies are some of the focus areas of the Tech Bridges program.
