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No-cost training and coaching to help small businesses compete as prime contractors with the Department of the Air Force.
For many small businesses, securing Department of the Air Force (DAF) contracts is a major growth milestone. But moving from subcontractor—or bidder—to prime contractor can feel complex, competitive, and difficult to navigate without the right guidance. If your company is pursuing DAF contracts and would benefit from hands-on support to better compete as a prime contractor, a new opportunity may be exactly what you need.
The Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) Advancing Small Business Competitiveness through Engagement & Development (ASCEND) program offers no-cost training and coaching designed to help small businesses strengthen their competitiveness as AFRL and DAF prime contractors. This program is specifically designed for companies with DAF contracting experience who have not yet secured prime-contractor work and are ready to take that next step.
ASCEND combines structured learning with individualized support. Participants will engage in three interactive virtual cohort sessions totaling nine hours of training. These sessions focus on helping businesses clearly identify the problems they solve, communicate their value effectively, navigate DAF acquisition pathways, and strengthen their overall readiness to compete as prime contractors. Beyond the cohort sessions, participants also receive one-on-one advising and access to subject-matter expertise tailored to their company’s goals, capabilities, and growth strategy.
The curriculum is practical and actionable, designed to produce real-world results—not just theory. Businesses leave the program with stronger positioning, clearer messaging, and a more strategic approach to pursuing prime contracting opportunities within the defense ecosystem. ASCEND will offer monthly virtual cohorts throughout 2026, with rolling applications. Participation is provided at no cost to selected businesses.
For small businesses serious about growing within the defense ecosystem and increasing their competitiveness as prime contractors, ASCEND offers a meaningful opportunity to build capacity and confidence.
You can learn more and apply for the AFRL ASCEND Program here. If you have questions about whether ASCEND is the right fit for your business, reach out to our team—we’re here to help you navigate your next stage of growth.
ASCEND is developed and delivered by the Entrepreneurs’ Center and the Academic Partnership Engagement Experiment (APEX), in partnership with the AFRL Small Business Office (AFRL/SB). APEX is managed by Parallax Advanced Research under a Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) with the Department of the Air Force.
