About the Competition
NCMS, through the Commercial Technologies for Maintenance Activities (CTMA) Program, continues to align its efforts with the priorities of the National Defense Strategy by identifying, accelerating, and transitioning innovative maintenance and sustainment solutions that directly enhance warfighter readiness. A key component of this effort is the CTMA Technology Competition, which serves as a structured pathway to surface high-impact technologies from across industry, academia, and government. The competition is designed to highlight capabilities that improve the agility, effectiveness, efficiency, and affordability of maintenance operations across the Department of War (DoW), while also demonstrating dual-use value to the broader industrial base.
Participants are given a unique platform to present cutting-edge approaches that address real-world sustainment challenges, ranging from advanced manufacturing and repair technologies to predictive maintenance, digital engineering, corrosion mitigation, and supply chain resilience. Submissions are evaluated through a rigorous review process led by senior Department of War maintenance and sustainment leaders, ensuring that selected technologies are not only innovative, but also relevant and aligned with current and future operational needs. This direct engagement with decision-makers provides applicants with meaningful visibility and the potential to transition their solutions into operational environments through follow-on CTMA projects or other partnership mechanisms.
Following the evaluation process, the top three finalists are selected and invited to present their technologies in person at the upcoming CTMA Partners Meeting, taking place September 22–24, 2026, in Jacksonville, Florida. This venue brings together key stakeholders from across the defense sustainment enterprise, offering finalists the opportunity to showcase their capabilities in front of an audience that includes government leadership, program offices, and industry/academia partners. After these presentations, one finalist is selected as the Overall Winner, recognized for delivering the most impactful and mission-relevant solution. Beyond recognition, the competition positions participants for continued collaboration with NCMS and DoW partners, helping to accelerate the transition of innovative technologies from concept to capability.
The online submission process involves only a 300-500 word abstract, graphic and video. Submissions are encouraged from the government, academia, and industry. The submission period is now open; the deadline for entering is June 22, 2026.
Prizes
NCMS makes available up to $100,000 in support funding to be provided toward a future CTMA project, providing a pathway to transitioning proven capabilities to the warfighter.
The funding is provided in alignment with CTMA cooperative agreement and is structured to support activities such as prototype development, testing, data collection, integration, and evaluation in collaboration with DoW stakeholders. It also serves as a catalyst to attract additional government or industry investment, positioning the effort for follow-on funding and broader implementation. Ultimately, this effort reinforces the CTMA model of “try it before you buy it,” giving the government an opportunity to assess emerging capabilities while providing performers with a clear path toward adoption and scale.
