Organic Industrial Base Tech & Workforce Project Call
This Project Call is available only to ARM Members and will not be made publicly available. ARM Members can download detailed information about this Project Call in the ARM Member Community. Email [email protected] for assistance using the Community.
White paper submissions, the first step in this Project Call process are due on March 2. If you are interested in participating in this Project Call and are not a Member, email us at [email protected] to get started.
The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) is working with the ARM Institute and our fellow Manufacturing Innovation Institutes to assemble concepts that address the modernization needs of the Organic Industrial Base (OIB) network. The OIB produces and sustains existing supply chains for critical military technology and non-consumer goods such as munitions, transportation vehicles, and other warfighter needs. Equipment at these facilities is often antiquated and poorly integrated, and is generally considered “last generation” capability, hampering the ability to consistently conduct production operations with great efficiency and repeatable quality.
This Project Call seeks to modernize these operations both through technical innovations and workforce solutions in these special topic areas (STAs) further defined in the Project Call Document and reviewed in the webinar:
- Digital operations technology
- Real-time manufacturing sensors for robotics
- AI robotic process planning
- In-situ quality checks
- Reduced operator exposure
- Reduce cost of operations
- Pilot line of non-traditional OIB products
- Mobile and large surface automation
Given this focus on modernization and prototype delivery, it is expected that the funding for selected projects will likely exceed that available for past ARM Institute projects. Because step two will require a letter of commitment from an OIB leader, the most successful project teams are most likely to be those who have existing relationships / have worked with an OIB facility.
A Note on Technical White Papers: Any submitted technical white paper MUST propose a concept that would result in a real prototype being deployed in an OIB facility.. Successful project teams are most likely to be those who already have relationships with or have done work with an OIB facility. It is highly recommended to put forth solutions that have been proven to some degree with the ability to point to successful use cases/impact.
A Note on Workforce White Papers: Workforce white papers should center on preparing the OIB workforce for technology changes. Strong workforce concepts are likely to be those that have prior proven impact that can be called out for the OIB / military. Where possible, it is encouraged that teams be built to submit joint technical and workforce proposals.
We will host a webinar on February 19 at 3 PM ET in support of this effort. During this webinar, we will answer questions, detail the Project Call content/submission process, and outline the many different aspects in this Project Call. We highly encourage you to register for our webinar if you are interested in this funding opportunity. ARM Members can register in the ARM Member Community or email us at [email protected] for help.
Access the ARM Member Community Here
What is Different About this Organic Industrial Base Modernization Project Call
Please read the Project Call in its entirety. Below are several critical points that you should consider when deciding whether to submit a white paper:
- Increased Emphasis on Proven Solutions & Impact: This Project Call is focused on providing direct value to the OIB. We strongly recommend proposing solutions that have been proven to some degree and will build on the success of a proven approach while reducing risk for the OIB.
- Military Service/OIB Commitment: All projects MUST be accompanied by a commitment from a Military Service or OIB site to both sponsor a specific endeavor as well as support a successful technology transition and integration. The letter of commitment must be endorsed by the OIB site Commander or, if approved at a higher headquarters for an enterprise solution, then not lower than a General Officer/Flag Officer or Senior Executive Service member. This letter will be due in step two of the process if you are selected to move forward. Because step two will require a letter of commitment from an OIB leader, the most successful project teams are likely to be those who have existing relationships with / have worked with an OIB facility.
- Tech & Education/Workforce: This is call for Technology and a Education/Workforce Development concepts. Teams may also blend proposals; for example, teams are encouraged to include a training component in a technical concept.
- Education/Workforce Concepts: Interested education/workforce partners are encouraged to submit white papers centered on training the workforce on technology changes within the OIB. The ARM Institute may match strong education/workforce concepts to technical concepts; learn more about team formations in the following bullet point.
- Team Formations in Step Two: After the ARM Institute reviews all submitted white papers, we may elect to combine your ideas to create the most impactful concepts to form the strongest proposals possible.
- Funding amount: The requested funds should consider what you need to develop your concept into a pilot production stage at one or more OIB sites. Therefore, the requested amount can be higher than past funded ARM Institute projects.
- Period of Performance: The period of performance for projects shall not exceed 24 months.
- Cost-Share: All projects submissions require cost-share to the highest degree possible. Project cost-share amount will be a factor in the evaluation of proposals
- Project Start Date: Target date is October 1, 2026; however, it is possible that funding may be available sooner, so please consider the possibility of an earlier start date as you develop your white papers.
