DoD OIB Modernization Challenge – November 2023
America Makes, in cooperation with our fellow Manufacturing Innovation Institutes (MII) and OSD ManTech, is proud to announce 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.
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 (see below). Multiple submissions from a lead proposer addressing different challenges within the STA are permitted.
The DoD expects to award up to $2.5M in funding for this challenge with individual project budgets not to exceed $500K. Note: Project lead and all project team members must be America Makes members in good standing as of November 29, 2023.
Project Call Areas of Focus
10 Focus Areas
A successful solution conveys a technical approach or methodology that demonstrates an advanced manufacturing technology that could address one or more of the focus areas:
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- Integrated hardware trackers
- Improved technology to modernize manufacturing processes
- Digitization to combat “part-orphaning”
- Qualification/certification technology and processes for part production using data rather than testing
- Digitization of the “shop floor”
- Development of the workforce in pursuit of the “Virtual Artisan”
- Novel disposal and/or recycling techniques/technologies to accommodate demilitarization of equipment and munitions
- Manufacturing or automation equipment that can work in an intrinsically safe environment
- Development of digital Technical Data Packages
- Other: Proposers may submit a technology or process not addressed above if relevant to OIB modernization efforts.
Two-Step Proposal Process
Step 1: Concept paper and quad chart submission. These are due, as outlined in the RFP, by 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. Please inform Cole.Miller@ncdmm.org of your intent to submit a concept paper.
Step 2: Presentation submission (by invitation only). Team presentation and supporting document submission. Due as outlined in the RFP by 5:00 pm ET on Thursday, February 1, 2024.
Resources
- Kick-off Webinar 11/9/23 @ 2 p.m. Registration Required
- Kick-Off Webinar (Recording)
- Kick-off Webinar Slide Deck
- Questions & Answers
- Concept Quad Chart Template
- OIB Modernization Challenge Score Sheet
- NEW! Proposal Submission Process
- NCDMM NDA Agreement
- DoD Integrated Roadmap
- America Makes CORE (Digital Storefront)
- AM Sub-Recipient Agreement
- Frequently Asked Questions
Please note the new submission process. All proposals must be submitted electronically via the “Submit Proposal Here” button. Submissions will be acknowledged upon receipt with an electronic email confirmation from NCDMM within 24 hours. If a confirmation is not received within 24 hours, email projectcall@americamakes.us.
NCDMM is not responsible for system malfunctions or undeliverable submissions. It is the proposer’s responsibility to ensure that the submission has been received.
Questions? Please email Cole Miller, Program Analyst.
Membership Eligibility
- The lead proposer/organization and all project team members must be current America Makes members in good standing by Wednesday, November 29, 2023.
- To achieve a good standing status a non-member organization must establish a new America Makes membership and provide a cash payment or enter into an @Program MOU to satisfy the membership fee obligation for the first year of membership. Cost share provided during the period of performance of the project will be applied to the first renewal cycle of your membership. Information on how to join America Makes is available on the membership page.
- Membership Request Form
- Membership Project Call Q&A
- Need additional information or clarification? Contact Zane Ross, Engagement Manager.
Dates/Deadlines:
Project Call Announcement and Posting
11/6/2023
Project Call Webinar | Registration Required | Add to My Calendar
11/9/2023
Deadline for Return to MII for Down-selection; Concept Papers and Quad Charts Due
11/29/2023
Invitations for Presentation Phase Released (approximate)
1/12/2024
Submission Deadline for Presentations and Supporting Docs
2/1/2024
Team Presentations
2/7/2024
Final Selections Released; Subaward Negotiations Begin (approximate)
2/29/2024
Target Project Start Date
6/3/2024
Project Completion Date
12/15/2024
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
All participants must be America Makes members.
Yes, teams may submit more than one Project Proposal. Multiple submissions from a lead proposer addressing different challenges within the STA are permitted.
Questions should be emailed to projectcall@americamakes.us. Questions will be posted to the America Makes website according to the schedule. Questions asked AFTER the scheduled Q&A session will NOT be addressed.
If a project will manage export-controlled information or restricted material, Foreign Nationals will not be permitted to perform work under this project at lead proposer or any subrecipient facilities, remotely, or otherwise. As used in this provision, the term “Foreign National” means any natural person who is not a lawful permanent resident as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is not a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). It also means any foreign corporation, business association, partnership, trust, society or any other entity or group that is not incorporated or organized to do business in the United States.
Proposals are reviewed by evaluators who are independent of teams submitting proposals and operate under a confidentiality agreement. Proposers are encouraged to seek legal counsel prior to submitting any response to this Project Call where there is a question regarding a possibility of future patent applications or the patentability of proposal concepts.
The owning organization should list anything that they are leveraging that is not going to be made available to the membership at the completion of the project. This could be a patent number or a description of the background IP that is being leveraged.
Background IP should be declared in Exhibit I. All (foreground) IP produced on the project is subject to the terms of the membership agreement (please review details in RFP).
