Programs & Services >> Defense Opportunities >> Programs

Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages Program (DMSMS)
DMSMS refers to the loss or impending loss of parts manufacturers or materials suppliers used by the Department of Defense. DMSMS is an increasing concern for the DoD as the service lives of weapon systems are extended and the length of the life cycle of high-tech components decreases. In response to this concern, Automation Alley has compiled a comprehensive database, VisCom, of parts manufacturers and materials suppliers across the United States who have been verified as being financially stable and capable of addressing the shortages caused by these losses.

In addition to identifying alternate suppliers of parts or materials, Automation Alley addresses impending losses by reverse engineering parts when technical data is unavailable and conducting industrial base studies to anticipate shortages by identifying larger manufacturing trends. In 2011, the Automation Alley Defense Team completed a reverse engineering project for the U.S. Army on a portable pump system used for fuel storage management in the field. The team was able to recreate the system and produce a technical data package and fully functioning prototype.

If you would to include your company’s information in VisCom, click here.

Sustainment Engineering Risk Assessment (SERA)
A SERA is a detailed study of all parts that can be repaired or replaced on a defense system, such as a vehicle or a weapon. SERAs includes many data fields on each part, including maintenance records, system usage data, ordering demand history, procurement history and manufacturer financial information. Automation Alley has been commissioned to provide several SERAs for its defense partners, including a SERA on the Abrams family of tanks, which have more than 20,000 discrete parts. While information about each part may exist in other locations, SERAs add value by consolidating the data about each part into a single database.

Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR)
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a highly competitive program that encourages domestic small businesses to engage in federal research/research and development (R&D) that has the potential for commercialization. Through a competitive awards-based program, SBIR enables small businesses to explore their technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from its commercialization. By including qualified small businesses in the nation's R&D arena, high-tech innovation is stimulated and the United States gains entrepreneurial spirit as it meets its specific research and development needs.

SBIR funding is administered by the Small Business Association. To be eligible for funding, projects must fulfill an R&D need identified by the DoD and have the potential to be developed into a product or service for commercial or defense markets.

For more information on SBIR, visit www.sbir.gov or contact the Automation Alley Resource Center at 800-427-5100 or email info@automationalley.com. For assistance in applying for SBIR funding, contact Biotechnology Business Consultants.

National Automotive Center (NAC)
A division of the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC), NAC is the DoD and Army focal point for collaborative ground vehicle research and development (R&D). NAC serves as a catalyst, linking industry, academia and government agencies in the development and exchange of automotive technologies. NAC leverages government, industry and academia R&D investments and initiates shared automotive technology programs. Its primary focus is to benefit current and future military ground vehicle systems through performance improvements, service life extensions and reduction in ground vehicle design, manufacturing, production, operation and support costs. NAC employs several mechanisms to leverage investments in automotive technology R&D and to initiate shared technology programs, including SBIR contracts and Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs). Automation Alley operates under a formal CRADA with TARDEC.

Businesses can meet with representatives from NAC to discuss partnership opportunities. To request a meeting, contact the Automation Alley Resource Center at 800-427-5100 or email info@automationalley.com.