AFWERX has collaborated with SpaceWERX to launch the 25.5 Release 9 Manufacturing Focused Open Topic Direct-to-Phase II, or D2P2, Solicitation, according to a LinkedIn post shared Friday.
Reinforcing the Defense Industrial Base
The Department of the Air Force’s innovation arm and Air Force Research Laboratory directorate said the initiative is designed to strengthen the defense industrial base through strategic partnerships with American small businesses. It utilizes the Small Business Innovation Research program to support advanced technologies from industry and academia while partnering with the AFRL Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, the Rapid Sustainment Office, the Defense Innovation Unit and other major stakeholders. These collaborations establish stringent qualifications and certifications to evaluate new manufacturing techniques.
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The Focused Open Topic solicitation started accepting submissions on June 4 and will be open to applicants until July 9. The submissions will be managed through the Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal, or DSIP. Applications are required to have a Government Engagement Memorandum confirming support from a valid Department of the Air Force customer. They must also align with any of the six focus areas, including:
- Engine production with advanced manufacturing
- Advanced composite structures
- Semiconductor production innovations
- Radiation-tolerant/hardened electronics
- System integration and interoperability
- Affordable energetics
“We will continue our strong partnership with innovative manufacturing companies. Our vision is to transform the American defense industrial base, leveraging the ingenuity of our private sector,” said Col. Elliott Leigh, AFWERX director and chief commercialization officer for the Department of the Air Force.
