The Impact of the Joint Interagency Field Experimentation Program on Small Business Success

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of the Joint Interagency Field Experimentation (JIFX) program at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) on the success of small businesses within the Department of Defense (DoD) innovation ecosystem. JIFX provides a collaborative, real-world experimentation environment for companies to test emerging technologies, refine capabilities, and engage with government stakeholders. Through a mixed-methods approach including quantitative data analysis and interviews with repeat and first-time JIFX participants, this study identifies how JIFX participation contributes to technological development, strategic business positioning, and long-term outcomes such as funding, acquisitions, and follow-on contracts. The research finds that JIFX serves as a strategic entry point into the defense market and fosters a resource-based competitive advantage for its participants. Recommendations are provided for enhancing the JIFX program’s visibility, collaboration mechanisms, and integration with downstream acquisition pathways. These insights support policy and program development to better connect early-stage innovators with DoD operational needs.