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 Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute, a Manufacturing USA Institute, strengthens U.S. manufacturing through innovations in advanced manufacturing technology, particularly robotics and artificial intelligence, and prepares the workforce to work alongside these technologies. We foster collaboration between those who can create and maintain robotics and those who can leverage it for maximum economic impact. Working across industry, government, and academia, we leverage a robust ecosystem to fulfill our vision and mission. The ARM Institute, with its national consortium and support from the U.S. federal Government, empowers the full U.S. manufacturing ecosystem. The ARM Institute bridges the gap between funding and impact, identifying problems and spurring solutions.

Bioindustrial Manufacturing and Design Ecosystem (BioMADE), a Manufacturing USA Institute,  is building a sustainable, domestic, end-to-end bioindustrial manufacturing ecosystem. BioMADE has the mission and flexibility to propel new biotechnology products from the laboratory to the commercial market.  In addition to supporting the development of technologies to strengthen American competitiveness, BioMADE is building the workforce of the future by partnering with K-12 schools, community colleges, universities, and professional development organizations. 

The Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III office is committed to ensuring resilient, robust domestic supply chains to reduce reliance on foreign manufacturing and correct domestic shortfalls in the defense industrial base. The DPA Title III office works in partnership with the Uniformed services, other government agencies, and industry to identify areas where critical industrial capacity is insufficient to meet U.S. defense and commercial needs. The office partners with U.S. private industry to mitigate gaps in the domestic supply chain using grants, purchase commitments, loans, or loan guarantees. The DPA Title III office is comprised of subject matter experts across a wide variety of investment areas, acquisition professionals, skilled program managers, and data analytics and audit professionals.

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 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.

Manufacturing USA was created in 2014 to secure U.S. global leadership in advanced manufacturing by connecting people, ideas, and technology. Manufacturing USA institutes convene business competitors, academic institutions, and other stakeholders to test applications of new technology, create new products, reduce cost and risk, and enable the manufacturing workforce with the skills of the future.

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 U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation furthers the priorities of the National Defense Strategy by supporting the readiness and resiliency of military installations and defense communities across the country. Many states, territories and communities across the country support the mission of the DoD. Some are home to military bases, while others manufacture the products and provide the services necessary for national defense. Various programs are available through the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation.

The Textiles, Consumer Goods, and Materials (TCGM) strives to advance the global competitiveness of our assigned industries through the development and execution of international trade and investment policies and promotion strategies. TCGM is comprised of four industry offices: the Office of Consumer Goods, the Office of Textiles and Apparel, the Office of Material Industries, and the Office of Critical Minerals and Metals.