NATIONAL NANO-BIO MANUFACTURING INSTITUTE FOR INNOVATION OF FLEXIBLE DEVICES FOR DEFENSE AREOSPACE (NBMI)

The contract outlines the establishment of the National Nano-Bio Manufacturing Institute (NBMI), aimed at boosting the competitiveness and impact of U.S. manufacturers and the defense industry by providing integrated risk assessments of emerging materials, manufacturing, and device concepts. The NBMI will initially operate as a virtual institute where members collaborate to evaluate the materials-technology-manufacturing trade space, develop community-driven developmental roadmaps, and tackle significant challenges through joint projects utilizing their existing infrastructure. This collaborative framework fosters innovation in the manufacture of highly customized devices by integrating diverse print-based fabrication technologies in a foundry-like environment. While the initial phase is virtual, there is potential for NBMI to expand into a centralized physical facility in the future. The initiative is backed by a federal contribution of up to $2.5 million, with additional matching funds expected from other sources. The contract is managed by the Department of Defense through the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, focusing on innovation in flexible devices for defense aerospace. Points of contact include contracting and program managers who support the execution and coordination of the virtual institute’s activities. This public announcement addresses the pre-solicitation phase for NBMI and emphasizes the foundational role of this integrated virtual platform in advancing nano-bio manufacturing technologies critical to national defense capabilities.