NCDMM seeks responses for metal manufacturing RFIs

The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), Innovation Capability and Modernization (ICAM) Office, in collaboration with the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM), is currently soliciting technical white papers for two Requests for Information (RFIs):

1) Metal Manufacturing Vendor Qualification Support

2) Automated Trades Optimized for Metal Manufacturing

The RFI for Metal Manufacturing Vendor Qualification Support seeks technical White Papers supporting the need for qualification of suppliers to produce cast and forged (C&F) products, wire and powder consumables, and advanced/hybrid manufactured products for the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). C&F parts are critical to nearly every platform, weapon system, and weapon operated by the DOD. As such, the DOD desires assured access to adequate capacity to produce these products, and their adjacent consumables used in part fabrication, to equip and sustain its current force and modernize critical capabilities. This RFI intends to identify critical gaps in areas such as, but not limited to, equipment, facilities, technology, manufacturing and qualification processes, and workforce, which may inhibit vendors’ ability to either enter the defense industrial base or meet the needs of specific defense customers.

The RFI for Automated Trades Optimized for Metal Manufacturing seeks technical White Papers focusing on transitioning the metals manufacturing, sustainment, and repair sectors to Industry 4.0/5.0 and convergent manufacturing by applying digital technologies to improve productivity, safety, and efficiency in casting, forging, welding, and other metals manufacturing operations. Digital technologies include (but are not limited to) automation, in-situ sensing, machine learning, and real-time data processing. Submissions should detail solutions that integrate physical operations with digital technologies to drive innovation, streamline processes, and enhance overall performance.

“Both vendor qualification and automation play pivotal roles in driving the future of metal manufacturing, serving as fundamental pillars of a robust defense industrial base," said Matthew Draper, Technical Director – Metallurgy and Manufacturing, ICAM. "Their significance spans every aspect of production—from safeguarding product integrity to optimizing supply chains and boosting the agility of manufacturing processes. Emerging technologies in automation have the unique capability of both maximizing production capacity while increasing product quality and consistency. Adjacent to this, our qualification processes provide the assurance required that materials and components entering the manufacturing process meet the highest standards to equip and protect our warfighters. But the cost of qualification has become a barrier to entry particularly for small businesses. We intend to alleviate this barrier for the foundational C&F sector and the wider emerging advanced metals manufacturing community. Together, these form the backbone of a resilient, future-focused manufacturing operation.”

White Papers submitted in response to the RFIs must demonstrate viable technical approaches to address/mitigate gaps associated with the objectives outlined above. Submitters must indicate any technology required to support infrastructure improvement. At the start of the technical approach, identified technologies must be at least Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 or higher. Multiple submittals for different qualification events are permissible.

The deadline to submit responses is 5 p.m. EST on Friday, December 20, 2024. The OSD ICAM office and NCDMM will only consider submitted topics addressing the objectives outlined in each RFI. The OSD ICAM office and the Government reserve the right to issue no awards, or multiple awards, of varied scale and scope, against the information received within White Paper submittals.

An additional RFI related to alloy and metalworking process development is expected to be announced in early November. More details will be forthcoming and posted on the NCDMM website at https://www.ncdmm.org/