America Makes announces DOD Organic Industrial Base Modernization Challenge

America Makes, in cooperation with Manufacturing Innovation Institutes (MII) and the OSD Manufacturing Technology Program (ManTech), announced the Department of Defense (DOD) Organic Industrial Base (OIB) Modernization Challenge Project Call addressing dual-use applications that are responsive to the specific needs of the DOD and the domestic manufacturing industry. The DOD expects to award up to $2.5 million in funding for this challenge with individual project budgets not to exceed $500,000.

From planes and tanks to Unmanned Aircraft Systems, MRAPs, and beyond, past wars were fought and won by surging the industrial base to meet unanticipated wartime requirements. In the future, wars will not just be won by how well we can manufacture materials and equipment, but by how efficiently we can modify and repair the equipment we have and return it to the battlefield. The key to enabling this critical capability lies in the OIB, our depots, arsenals, and shipyards, which in many instances are aging, inefficient, and face extreme challenges on their modernization journeys.

This project call is focused on a single Special Topic Area (STA) derived from the DOD OIB and contains 10 focus areas. Project teams can select one or more focus areas to address. It is important to note that the project lead and all project team members must be America Makes members in good standing as of November 29, 2023. Please inform Cole.Miller@ncdmm.org of your intent to submit a concept paper.

The DOD OIB Modernization Challenge request for proposal (RFP) has 10 focus areas:
1. Integrated hardware trackers
2. Improved technology to modernize manufacturing processes
3. Digitization to combat part-orphaning
4. Qualification/certification technology and processes for part production using data rather than testing
5. Digitization of the shop floor
6. Development of the workforce in pursuit of the “Virtual Artisan”

7. Novel disposal and/or recycling techniques/technologies to accommodate demilitarization of equipment and munitions
8. Manufacturing or automation equipment that can work in an intrinsically safe environment
9. Development of digital Technical Data Packages
10. Other: Proposers may submit a technology or process not addressed above if they deem it relevant to Organic Industrial Base modernization efforts.

Project call timeline:
• Launch: November 6, 2023
• Kickoff Webinar: November 9, 2023, from 2-3 p.m., EST. Registration is required. REGISTER HERE.

• Membership Eligibility Deadline: November 29, 2023
• Submission Deadline for Concept Papers and Quad Charts MII for Down-selection: November 29, 2023
• Invitations for Presentation Phase Released: January 12, 2024
• Submission Deadline for Presentations and Supporting Documents: February 1, 2024

Proposers for the project call are advised to reference the RFP for full details and guidelines.