1. How can companies and researchers do business with the DoD ManTech Programs?
Companies and researchers can engage with the DoD ManTech Programs by participating in the government-only call for proposals released annually by the Army, Navy, Air Force, Defense Logistics Agency, and Office of the Secretary of Defense Manufacturing Technology Programs. These projects are executed by engineers and scientists across the DoD Lab Enterprise, with contracts managed by the project team's Command. The best way to participate is to be engaged with the labs, Arsenals, and Warfare Centers within the DoD research and development network, as these organizations identify emerging technologies and manufacturing challenges. For more information on the proposal process and how to engage with each DoD ManTech Service and Agency, visit their respective DoD ManTech pages.
2. How can industry, government, academia, and nonprofits network with the DoD ManTech community?
To network with the DoD ManTech community, you can participate in the annual Defense Manufacturing Conference (DMC). This conference brings together over 1,700 participants from 790 top government and industry organizations to communicate and collaborate on policies, strategic direction, best practices, funding opportunities, and the latest innovations in support of defense manufacturing priorities. The event offers great networking opportunities, with attendees ranging from CEOs and Flag Officers/Senior Executive Service-level officials to working-level manufacturing-oriented engineers, scientists, and business practice/policy makers. Over 160 exhibits showcasing government and industry manufacturing initiatives are also displayed at the conference.
3. How can industry, government, academia, nonprofits, and students engage with the DoD Manufacturing Innovation Institutes?
To engage with the DoD Manufacturing Innovation Institutes, interested parties can take advantage of the individual public-private partnerships established by each MII. These institutes bring together large and small domestic manufacturers and designers to pool their risk and advance manufacturing technologies, with cost-sharing by the Federal Government. The goal is to accelerate the delivery of defense-relevant and commercially-promising technologies. Each MII provides access to world-class pilot manufacturing facilities, education, and workforce development activities to foster a robust and sustainable innovation ecosystem in specific technology areas. For more information on each MII and how to get involved, visit the respective pages for each institute.