Welcome to the Virginia National Defense Industrial Authority
The Virginia National Defense Industrial Authority (VNDIA) was established during the 2005 Session of the Virginia General Assembly recognizing that
"a need exists for the provision of technical assistance and coordination between the Commonwealth, its political subdivisions and the United States military..."
VNDIA provides full-time, long-term, state-sponsored monitoring of and insight regarding military and defense issues impacting Virginia. Department of Defense (DoD) spending in the Commonwealth now exceeds $57 billion annually ($5,000 for each Virginian) and accounts for 15.6% of the Gross State Product and 18.9% of jobs in Virginia. DoD remains Virginia’s number one direct employer (187,000 jobs) and indirectly supports more than 900,000 Virginia jobs.
VNDIA exists in the Code of Virginia, ensuring that the Authority’s work transcends administrations and provides non-partisan continuity for the Commonwealth to identify and respond to military and defense issues and opportunities in Virginia. VNDIA’s existence is a statement to the DoD and any future Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission that Virginia is engaged with, and values greatly, its relationship with defense partners.
Prior to the 2005 BRAC process, this function simply did not exist. Virginia now has a ‘ready response’ process in place with updated analyses of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats on hand. “Post-BRAC”, impending cuts in defense spending require ever-vigilant attention and careful analysis to support negotiations and mitigate potential adverse impacts on the Virginia economy. The Authority’s ongoing work is an essential component of the Commonwealth’s competition for future defense dollars.
VNDIA is governed by an eighteen member board of directors appointed by the Governor (12), the Speaker of the House of Delegates (4), and the Senate Rules Committee (2). VNDIA board members provide pro bono, critical executive level work in support of the Commonwealth representing hundreds of hours since inception. VNDIA’s board-developed strategic plan to serve Virginia is carried out through the work and oversight of three standing committees:
Seeks military operational gains for Virginia through new missions and realignments, and provides the annual strategic work plan for the authority.
Committee Chairman: The Honorable Cord A. Sterling
Since inception, VNDIA’s Local Coordination, Support and Communication Committee has coordinated a robust schedule of installation tours and visits to receive briefings by top commanding officers (76 visits to date). The high level briefings given to VNDIA’s committee members and staff during these briefings allows VNDIA to maintain the most current and comprehensive catalogue of data on defense assets available to policymakers in the Commonwealth. VNDIA has become a respected source of intelligence and information regarding the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats inherent in the Commonwealth’s defense industry.
Committee Chairman: Rear Admiral Robert R. Fountain, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
VNDIA has administered the $67.0 million Military Strategic Response Fund since inception in FY 2007 with exemplary audit reviews. VNDIA has established policies and procedures to award funding from the “request for proposal” phase to project completion. Grant funding has supported the sustainment or expansion at fifteen Virginia installations and the retention or creation of 175,000 jobs.
Committee Chairman: Mr. William L. Welch, Jr.