Advanced Manufacturing Technologies

DLA seeks drastically lower unit costs of discrete-parts support through manufacturing revolutions that also have applicability to low and high volume production from commercial sales. This will result in an improvement in the affordability of these innovations to DLA and its customers and the development of cost effective methods to sustain existing defense systems while potentially impacting the next generation of defense systems. The proposals must include and will be judged, in part, on an economic analysis of the expected market impact of the technology proposed. This topic seeks a revolution in the reduction of unit cost metrics. Incremental advancements will receive very little consideration. DLA seeks herein only projects that are too risky for ordinary capital investment by the private sector. PHASE I: Determine, insofar as possible, the scientific, technical and commercial feasibility of the idea. Include a plan to demonstrate the innovative discrete-parts manufacturing process and address implementation approaches for near term insertion into the manufacture of Department of Defense (DoD) systems, subsystems, components or parts. PHASE II: Develop applicable and feasible prototype demonstrations for the approach described, and demonstrate a degree of commercial viability. Validate the feasibility of the innovative discrete-parts manufacturing process by demonstrating its use in the production, testing and integration of items for DLA. Validation would include, but not be limited to, system simulations, operation in test-beds, or operation in a demonstration system. A partnership with a current or potential supplier to DLA is highly desirable. Identify any commercial benefit or application opportunities of the innovation. Innovative processes should be developed with the intent to readily transition to production in support of DLA and its supply chains. PHASE III: Technology transition via successful demonstration of a new process technology. This demonstration should show near-term application to one or more Department of Defense systems, subsystems or components. This demonstration should also verify the potential for enhancement of quality, reliability, performance and/or reduction of unit cost or total ownership cost of the proposed subject. Private Sector Commercial Potential: Discrete-parts manufacturing improvements have a direct applicability to all defense system technologies. Discrete-parts manufacturing technologies, processes, and systems have wide applicability to the defense industry including air, ground, sea, and weapons technologies. Competitive discrete-parts manufacturing improvements should have leverage into private sector industries as well as civilian sector relevance. Many of the technologies under this topic would be directly applicable to other DoD agencies, NASA, and any commercial manufacturing venue. Advanced technologies for discrete-parts manufacturing would directly improve production in the commercial sector resulting in reduced cost and improved productivity.