Advance Manufacturing Applied Research & Technology Development Center…

In accordance with National, Department of War (DoW), and Army Advanced Manufacturing (AdvM) Strategies as well as recent DoW and Army policies and directives, the Army seeks to establish an Advanced Manufacturing Applied Research & Technology Development Center (referred to as “Applied Research Center” or “Research Center”). While AdvM research and development is being conducted by many universities and institutes across the country, this new Army Applied AdvM Research Center would act as a strategic partner and coordinate research internally and from external sources to align to Army and DoW strategies. Responsibilities would also include working with and transitioning technologies to the Manufacturing Innovation Institutes, Organic Industrial Base (OIB), Defense Industrial Base (DIB) as well as Army and Joint Service stakeholders.  The Army is seeking college and university laboratories and university-affiliated non-profits that have the core competencies and required capabilities listed herein:  A central hub for advanced manufacturing research, development, and engineering (RD&E) to unify, de-conflict, and integrate ongoing efforts and align them with strategic objectives such as contested logistics, distributed manufacturing, and industrial base flexibility.  The foundational tools, common standards, and rapid qualification pathways that will enable the OIB and DIB to function as an agile and responsive network.  A neutral, strategic partner to facilitate the deep collaboration required to integrate AdvM technologies into functional OIB, DIB solutions or a National Civil Reserve Manufacturing Network.  Applied research and development activities focused on how to best scale up key systems-of-systems technologies—like robotic automation for munitions and new AI-driven manufacturing methods—from laboratory concepts to field-ready production lines.  The government intends to award a single FAR-based indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract (cost plus fixed fee & firm-fixed-price) with a 12-month base period and four (4) 12-month option periods. The estimated combined ceiling for the base and option periods is not to exceed $100,000,000 funded by task orders for the direct procurement of solutions that are determined to meet the government's requirements.