Pre- and Post-Conference Sessions
These 4 sessions require separate registration. Add them when you register for Capital Week.
Already registered for Capital Week? Email registration@same.org to request that a session be added to your registration.
IGE Summit #1: AI in the Federal A/E/C Sector
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 | 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Registration Fee: $99 Industry Member | $129 Industry Non-Member | $0 Government Member | $29 Government Non-Member
SAME will convene subject matter experts for an IGE Session on how the federal A/E/C sector is adopting artificial intelligence and progressing through lessons learned over the last couple of years. SAME initiated a National IGE Project in 2024 that was conceived to examine the state of AI and where industry and government were positioned to leverage its revolutionary capabilities, while ensuring infrastructure readiness remained of primary focus. Discussion will cover recent examples of AI implementation on federal projects and how it is being utilized within the acquisition process. Additionally, the session will explore opportunities as well as challenges to implementation of AI, and how government and industry can ensure technology advancement with AI is beneficial while reducing risks that could arise from integration. The emerging threats around cyber security, proprietary technology concerns, and other interrelated factors generate a highly fluid marketplace; the maturation of AI adoption will be influential to how the nation maintains global competitiveness, but the road ahead will require dynamic leadership and collaboration.
IGE Summit #1: NDAA & Procurement: Change is Coming
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 | 1:00-4:00 p.m.Registration Fee: $99 Industry Member | $129 Industry Non-Member | $0 Government Member | $29 Government Non-Member
This IGE Session will provide an in-depth examination of the current federal acquisition environment. The recently signed 2026 NDAA (December 2025) paves for the way for significant changes to the Federal Acquisition Regulation, with the overall goals of increasing innovation, accelerating new capabilities, widening competition, and reducing barriers for small businesses and non-traditional contractors. Among the many new or expanded authorities within the 2026 NDAA, the Defense Department can accelerate the usage of design-build and progressive design-build. It is expected there will be an increased emphasis on utilizing multi-year contracting for certain military construction projects to generate cost savings and more effective long-term planning benefits. The defense enterprise also is looking at accelerating innovation and getting technology into the field faster. As the A/E/C sector moves forward, the defense agencies will aggressively be looking for ways to pursue Other Contracting Authority, increase speed of delivery, advance innovation, and expand competition. This will require strong partnerships across industry and transparent lines of communication with government and project owners.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
- Understand the strategic implications of the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act and how recent acquisition reforms expand authorities to accelerate readiness and infrastructure delivery across the Joint Force.
- Evaluate the full legal and operational use of progressive design build authorities, including lessons from public sector success and how acquisition teams can confidently apply these tools under current statute.
- Translate acquisition reform into execution by integrating Defense Acquisition University (DAU) insights, training, and best practices to enable teams to implement new authorities consistently and effectively.
- Assess the role of industrialized construction and alternative building methods in delivering cost effective, scalable infrastructure solutions at speed to support modern operational demands.
The Road to Ukraine Reconstruction
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 | 1:30-4:00 p.m.
Registration Fee: $99 Industry Member | $129 Industry Non-Member | $0 Government Member | $29 Government Non-Member
In 2022, SAME established a Ukraine Reconstruction Working Group, which took on the responsibility of informing the membership (individuals, agencies and corporate firms) about the pressing magnitude of the eventual rebuilding effort following the war with Russia and the importance of advanced planning. Many involved in the working group knew first-hand what to expect from prior reconstruction experiences in post-conflict areas. The lesson learned is that planning and coordination between government and industry before peace is reached is essential to mission success. While the Ukrainian government has shown remarkable resiliency, the volume and extent of infrastructure damage would tax the capabilities and capacity of any nation to fully recover on its own. As stated during a panel session on the Ukraine Rebuild at the 2025 SAME Federal Small Business Conference in Phoenix, “nobody has ever rebuilt a country by themselves; it takes a community.” This panel session will further the partnership between government and industry, including members of the Ukraine State Special Transport Service, identifying key areas for cross-collaboration, planning, and preparation. This mission-critical relationship is forging a path toward preparedness in future peace and stability. During 2025, SAME also established a new Field Chapter in Ukraine, directly contributing to the readiness of the engineering community in supporting the country.
Advancing the Sentinel Mega Series Program
Tuesday, March 26, 2026 | 12:30-4:00 p.m. includes lunch
Registration Fee: $149 Industry Member | $199 Industry Non-Member | $0 Government Member | $49 Government Non-Member
Through the Sentinel Program, the Air Force is modernizing the U.S. land-based leg of the nuclear triad, launching one of the largest infrastructure programs in recent history. The Sentinel will replace the Minuteman III nuclear deterrent, presenting a unique, once-in-a-generation effort that requires full collaboration between the A/E/C industry and government. As stated by Northrup Grumman, the lead contractor responsible for developing the system: Sentinel includes "a new missile, a vast command, control, and communications capability, and hundreds of infrastructure projects, including hardened facilities spread across thousands of miles in five states." Sentinel is expected to be in operation, once completed, through 2075. SAME has established a multi-part IGE Series on Sentinel, bringing leading decision-makers and industry stakeholders together to help ensure that private industry is informed of opportunities, timelines and expectations for this $100 billion-plus decades-long investment. This session will continue the conversation that has gathered several senior leaders across the defense community, including agency representatives overseeing the scope and planning of Sentinel's infrastructure support.