Call for Proposals to Create Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute

The federal government issued on May 9, 2012, a solicitation for proposals from teams led by non-profit organizations or universities to establish an Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute, which would serve as a pilot—or proof-of-concept prototype—for President Obama's proposed National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI).

Deposited layer by layer, metal powder can be used to create parts of different shapes and sizes. NIST research projects focus on characterizing the material properties of the powders used for additive manufacturing and the resulting products and improving the performance of additive manufacturing equipment and processes. Credit: Young\NIST View hi-resolution image

According to the Broad Agency Announcement* issued by the Department of Defense (DOD), the government anticipates awarding a total of $30 million over 30 months, with at least an equivalent cost-share contribution by the winning applicant. The pilot institute award and management will be a cross-agency effort, but will primarily be led by the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manufacturing and Industrial Base Policy, executed through the Air Force Research Laboratory.

Partnering with the DOD are the Department of Commerce (DOC), the Department of Energy (DOE), NASA and the National Science Foundation. After the awardee is selected, DOC’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will provide an additional $5 million.

Additive manufacturing, sometimes called “3D printing,” is a group of new technologies that build up objects by adding materials, usually by laying down many thin layers. It is so called to distinguish it from traditional machining that creates objects by cutting material away. The solicitation seeks proposals, including technical and business plans, detailing steps to accelerate research, development, and demonstration in additive manufacturing and transition technology to manufacturing enterprises within the United States.

The goal of the pilot institute is to increase the successful transition of additive manufacturing technology through advanced manufacturing innovation create an adaptive workforce capable of meeting industry needs, further increasing domestic competitiveness; and meet DOD, DOE and other participating civilian agency requirements.

The detailed solicitation is at number BAA-12-17-PKM at FedBizOps.gov. See https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=2bbada5cae4ab97438dc3f57fed050d0. The deadline for proposals is 3:00 pm, June 14, 2012, Eastern time.

* For more details, see the announcement “Government Seeks Proposals for Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute” at Manufacturing.gov: http://manufacturing.gov/amp/news-050912.html.