Significant contract increases for NCDMM and America Makes to boost defence manufacturing
November 20, 2023
The United State’s National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM) and America Makes have announced that both have received substantial ceiling increases on their major government contracts.
It was reported that America Makes, driven by NCDMM, has received a $256 million ceiling increase on its third Cooperative Agreement (CA3) with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). Initiated in November 2019, the seven-year CA3 government contract’s ceiling value is now $483 million.
As it stands, America Makes and its members have already carried out an applied research portfolio exceeding $400 million. These public and private funds are invested in promoting the adoption of Additive Manufacturing to enhance US competitiveness, resilience, and security. With further funding, the Institute plans to continue advancing the technology within the industry, develop the workforce, and expand the AM ecosystem.
“America Makes is thrilled to learn of the increased ceiling limit as this directly impacts the success of our membership, the growth of the industry, and most importantly our warfighter,” stated John Wilczynski, Executive Director of America Makes. “The additional funding signifies continued confidence by AFRL in our work and our mission. We are excited by what the future holds for the Institute and our stakeholders.”
IDIQ contract funding ceiling at over $246 million
It was also announced that the US Army and the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center (DEVCOM AvMC) at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, USA, had increased NCDMM’s Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract funding ceiling by $176 million to over $246 million. The original five-year contract was awarded at $69 million.
An IDIQ contract allows the Department of Defense and other government organisations to utilise the advanced manufacturing expertise and services of NCDMM and its alliance partner network. They oversee projects nationwide, focusing on manufacturing technology, assessments, process analysis, development and demonstration, and the implementation of manufacturing solutions. This is the fourth such contract awarded to NCDMM since its inception in 2003.
“We are honoured to receive this enhanced award from the United States Army,” noted Gary Fleegle, President and CEO of NCDMM. “Our team is dedicated to providing unbiased advanced manufacturing technology to give our warfighters the upper hand. This contract is a testament to the success we have achieved under previous IDIQ contracts, and we are eager to work with our Army partners to position our armed forces and the US for success.”
Download Metal AM magazine
