Programs

Acquisition & Sustainment remains committed to enabling the delivery and sustainment of capability to our Warfighters. The Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy hosts a number of resources, from reports outlining the importance of manufacturing and the industrial base to national security to funding opportunities for businesses. The Department of Defense (DoD) maximizes opportunities for small businesses to compete for DoD prime contracts and subcontracts. A Defense Acquisition toolkit has been designed for the purpose of encouraging small businesses to maximize shared interests.

The Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is based at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The National Program Office (NIST MEP) provides the federal government funding for the MEP National Network^™. The MEP National Network comprises the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership, the 51 MEP Centers located in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, the MEP Advisory Board, MEP Center boards, and the Foundation for Manufacturing Excellence, as well as over 1,440 trusted advisors and experts at approximately 460 MEP service locations. The MEP National Network's strength is in its partnerships. Through its collaborations at the federal, state and local level, MEP Centers work with manufacturers to develop new products and customers, expand and diversify markets, adopt new technology, and enhance value within supply chains. The MEP Program serves as a bridge to other organizations and federal research labs that share a passion for enhancing the manufacturing community. 

The US DOE Industrial Training and Assessment Centers (ITACs) can help small and medium sized US manufacturers save energy, improve productivity, and reduce waste by providing no-cost technical assessments conducted by university based teams of engineering students and faculty.

After the site visit, the ITAC team provides a comprehensive report with specific details on all opportunities for improving competitiveness identified, including applicable rebates and incentives.

The MEP National Network^TM is a unique public-private partnership that delivers comprehensive, proven solutions to U.S. manufacturers, fueling growth and advancing U.S. manufacturing.  The Network comprises the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership, the 51 MEP Centers located in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, the MEP Advisory Board, MEP Center boards, and the Foundation for Manufacturing Excellence, as well as over 1,440 trusted advisors and experts at approximately 460 MEP service locations. MEP Centers tailor services ranging from process improvement and workforce development to specialized business practices, including supply chain integration and technology transfer. Centers connect manufacturers with government agencies, trade associations, universities, research laboratories, state and federal initiatives, and other resources.

The Manufacturing Innovation Institutes (DoD MIIs) seek to revitalize the U.S.’s domestic manufacturing capability through domestic public-private partnerships that enhance America’s strategic competitiveness while enabling the military of tomorrow. This is achieved through three primary activities hosted by the institutes: Advancing research and development (R&D), growing manufacturing ecosystems to enhance the Nation’s competitiveness, and furthering education and workforce development to train Americans.

The ability of the military to respond to an emergency depends on our Nation’s ability to produce needed parts and systems, healthy and secure supply chains, and a skilled U.S. workforce.

The NIST Office of Advanced Manufacturing (OAM) serves as the headquarters for the interagency Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office to coordinate Manufacturing USA, a network of manufacturing innovation institutes across the country that brings together industry, academia, and the public sector to advance American manufacturing. OAM is also responsible for the NIST-sponsored manufacturing innovation institute, NIIMBL, and other NIST-funded awards to Manufacturing USA.

The Office of International Trade's mission is to enhance the ability of small businesses to compete in the global marketplace. As the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA’s) office for the support of small business international trade development, the Office of International Trade works in cooperation with other federal agencies and public- and private-sector groups to encourage small business exports and to assist small businesses seeking to export. Through U.S. Export Assistance Centers, SBA district offices and a variety of service-provider partners, we direct and coordinate SBA's ongoing export initiatives in an effort to encourage small businesses going global.

The Small Business Administration's (SBA) Regional Innovation Cluster (RIC) Initiative supports innovative small businesses and entrepreneur support organizations across the country. RICs build business support networks to help small businesses start and grow. RICs can provide services like accelerators, incubators, market research, and government and commercial contracting assistance.