US seeks proposals for additive manufacturing institute

The US federal government has issued a solicitation for proposals for nonprofit organizations or universities to establish an Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute as a pilot or proof-of-concept prototype for the proposed National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI).

Within the President's announced fiscal 2013 budget is a proposed $1 billion National Network for Manufacturing Innovation to catalyze a network of up to fifteen "Institutes for Manufacturing Innovation," bringing together efforts from industry, education, and federal and state governments. The first creation in this initiative, a Pilot Institute for Manufacturing Innovation, will launch with an initial focus on additive manufacturing. The goals of the pilot institute are to accelerate transition of additive manufacturing technology, create an adaptive workforce, and further increase domestic competitiveness, while also meeting federal and civilian agency requirements.

According to the Department of Defense's (DoD) Broad Agency Announcement, the government anticipates awarding $30 million over 30 months, with the winning applicant expected to at least match that amount; the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will kick in an additional $5 million as well. The award and management will technically be a cross-agency effort (involving the Departments of Commerce and Energy, NASA, and the National Science Foundation), led by the Manufacturing & Industrial Base Policy and executed through the Air Force Research Laboratory.

The deadline for proposals is 3:00 pm EST on June 14, 2012. Those interested in submitting a proposal may attend a Proposer's Day on May 16, 2012 in Arlington, VA, though attendance is not a prerequisite. For specific questions regarding the pilot Institute, contact: [email protected].