Federal Agencies Release Information on Manufacturing Institutes, Manufacturing Partnership

Last week, the Obama administration announced that it would commit $200 million to establish three new manufacturing innovation institutions in 2013 (see the May 8, 2013 issue of the digest). The announcement was followed by the release of a funding announcement for the first of those proposed institutes — the Department of Energy-administered Clean Energy Manufacturing Innovation Institute. The Department of Defense released requests for information on the two proposed institutes focused on digital manufacturing and design and lightweight and modern metals manufacturing. The Economic Development Administration (EDA) also released a funding announcement for the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (see the April 24, 2013 issue of the Digest).

The Department of Energy's (DOE) Clean Manufacturing Innovation Institute will focus on wide bandgap (WBG) semiconductors for power electronic devices, highly efficient and reliable semiconductors that can produce low-cost, better performing electronics to increase energy efficiency. The DOE intends to make one award of up to $14 million in 2013 with a potential $70 million in total funding over five years. A required letter of intent is due July 11, 2013, and full applications are due August 29. More information is avaialble at: http://www.eda.gov/pdf/imcp.pdf

The Department of Defense (DOD) released two requests for information (RFIs) intended to help DOD address issues related to the proposed manufacturing institutes on digital manufacturing and design and lightweight and modern metals. Administered by the Army Contracting Command, the proposed digital manufacturing and design institute would support R&D that addresses the life cycle of digital data interchanged among myriad design, engineering, manufacturing/maintenance systems and across a networked supply chain. Public comments are due June 6 for the digital manufacturing and design institute. The lightweight and modern metals institute would accelerate the introduction and expand the use of more affordable products made with high strength-to-weight alloys that improve performance and reduce energy consumption. Public comments for this RFI are due June 3.

Last week, the EDA also released a solicitation for the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP), a multi-agency initiative that will award up to $4 million to support the development of up to 25 regional implementation-ready strategies to attract and expand private investment in the manufacturing sector and increasing international trade and exports. Each region will receive up to $200,000 in funding to develop their plan. Applications must be received by June 13. Read the announcement...