Sources Sought for Organization with Capabilities for Advanced Manufacturing Research and Development

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

SOURCES SOUGHT NUMBER: W912CG-26-S-AdvMSSN

This is a Sources Sought Notice (SSN), to gain knowledge of interest and capabilities. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION FOR PROPOSALS. The U.S. Government DOES NOT intend to award a contract on the basis of the responses to this SSN.

TITLE: Sources Sought for Organization with Capabilities for Advanced Manufacturing Research and Development

BACKGROUND

US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command – Soldier Center (DEVCOM SC) on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Research and Technology) (DASA(R&T)) is conducting market research to identify potential college and university laboratories capable of providing, research, development, engineering, and modeling supporting advanced manufacturing (AdvM) technologies, systems, and techniques.

Based on guidance from the National Security Strategy, Secretary of Defense, and the National Strategy for Advanced Manufacturing (Oct 2022), the Army seeks to select a civilian institution of higher education that has a proven course curriculum and existing research functions focused on AdvM processes, composite research, additive manufacturing (AM) and design for additive manufacturing (DfAM) as well as an established network with other academic institutions and partnerships with industry to enhance these functions.  The institution should have the requisite facilities, security protocols, and faculty to support the Army’s research needs immediately. 

SOURCES SOUGHT

The Army is seeking college and university laboratories and university-affiliated non-profits that have the core competencies and required capabilities listed herein.

This Sources Sought notice is for information and planning purposes only and shall NOT be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the Government.  This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in the response.  The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate.  Any concern responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the concern’s qualifications to perform the work.

Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted.  After a review of the responses received, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation MAY be published in Contract Opportunities on SAM.gov.  However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.

The Government will NOT accept requests for meetings or briefings. No phone solicitations or email with regard to the status of the Sources Sought Notice will be accepted prior to its release.  Information and materials submitted in response to this notice will not be returned.

As a result of this notice, the Government may issue a Request for Proposal (RFP). There is no solicitation currently available; however, should such a requirement materialize, no basis for claims against the Government will arise because of a response to this Sources Sought Notice, nor the Government’s use of such information as either part of our evaluation process, nor in developing specifications for any subsequent requirement.

Confidentiality: Your response should not include any proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information.  The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation.

CORE COMPETENCIES

The Government is seeking information and evidence from college and university laboratories regarding their ability to meet the desired core competencies listed below:

Advanced Manufacturing (AdvM) Processes:

• Expertise in processes that can support large scales, large volumes, adaptive and additive techniques (for both air and ground domain system applications).
• Expertise in both conventional (subtractive) and next-generation (additive) manufacturing techniques as well as hybrid manufacturing which combines both techniques.  
• AdvM processes that enable composites to function at high operating temperatures (which enables lightweighting, weight shifting, and management of dynamic strains).
• AdvM process modeling and simulation.    

Composite Research in support of AdvM

• Through-thickness composite research to increase understanding of the properties and behaviors of layered materials.
• Design and development of new materials (for example advanced composites, functionally graded materials, high entropy alloys).
• In-depth understanding of microstructure-property relationships in manufactured parts.
• High temperature resins that allow materials with differing thermal expansion coefficients to be paired together in system design.
• Improved modeling and material characterization to better determine failure modes of composite parts (polymer-matrixed / metal-matrixed / ceramic-matrixed / carbon-matrixed).

Additive Manufacturing (AM) Technologies:

• Proficiency in metal, polymer, composite and novel AM processes (for example powder bed fusion, directed energy deposition, binder jetting, material extrusion).
• Materials characterization and qualification for AM feedstock (metals, ceramics, polymers, composites).
• Development and optimization of AM process parameters.
• Low cost additively manufactured tooling approaches for composite material systems.
• Integration of AdvM technologies with traditional manufacturing technologies/facilities for enhanced manufacturing capacity
• Analytical tools for characterization of multi-mode AdvM processes integration. 

Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM):

• Generative design and topology optimization.
• Lightweighting and part consolidation strategies.
• Development of computer-aided drafting tools and standards tailored to AM.
• Methods for accurate modeling and predictive performance analysis of complex geometry composite material structures.
• Methods for in-situ inspection and/or real-time quality characterization.

REQUIRED CAPABILITIES

Organizations responding should also demonstrate the following capabilities:

Core Research & Development Capabilities

• Independent and unbiased research analysis
• Systems engineering for complex systems
• Advanced prototyping and technology demonstration
• Modeling and simulation
• Technology transition from research to operational deployment
• Test and evaluation methodologies

Specialized Infrastructure and Facilities

• Requisite facilities to conduct state-of-the-art AdvM research and development
• Collaborative robotics capability
• Digital manufacturing and digital twin capability

Personnel and Expertise

• Ph.D.-level scientists and engineers with specializations relevant to the core competencies
• Experience with Army and DoD program requirements
• Understanding of operational employment concepts and doctrine

Business Relationships

• Technical advisory services to Army and/or DoD agencies
• Research partnerships with other colleges or universities
• Partnerships with industry

INFORMATION REQUESTED

1. Organization Overview

• Legal name, address, and organizational structure
• Tax-exempt status and university affiliations
• Status of UARC designation or equivalent research center
• Years of AdvM-related research experience
• Annual research volume in AdvM-related areas
• List of Accreditations
• Security facility clearance level (FCL) and expiration

1. Technical Capabilities

• Detailed description of research areas and expertise related to Core Competencies
• Detailed description of current and projected industrial facilities to include
  • Specialized AdvM facilities and capabilities
  • Floor space
  • Environmental controls
  • Industrial delivery access
  • Industrial material handling capabilities
  • Industrial utilities availability
  • HAZMAT materials processing capabilities.
• Description of manufacturing engineering or AdvM education and training programs
• Experience with Army and DoD AdvM programs and investments
• Any unique geographic or geological opportunities inherent to your location that enhance the ability to conduct AdvM research and development.

1. Relevant Past Performance

• Major relevant Army and DoD contracts or cooperative agreements (last 5 years)
• Key agency customers in the AdvM community
• Examples of successful AdvM technology development and transition
• Relationships with industrial partners
• Publications and patents in fields related to the core competencies

1. Personnel and Resources

• Number of Ph.D. scientists and engineers with expertise in Core Competency areas
• Security cleared personnel capabilities (Secret, TS, TS/SCI)
• Qualifications of key personnel in AdvM-related fields
• Relationships with broader academic AdvM research community
• Access to Army and DoD operational expertise

1. Business Information

• DUNS number and CAGE code
• NAICS Code
• SAM registration status and expiration date
• Socioeconomic status and certifications
• ITAR registration and compliance procedures

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Response Deadline: 28 January 2026

Page Limit: Maximum 10 pages (excluding cover page)

Format: Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF file less than 20MB via email to Primary POC

Subject Line: “Sources Sought Response – AdvM R&D Capabilities”

Security Classification: UNCLASSIFIED only

Contact Information

Primary Contact: Chad Haering

Email: contact@example.gov

Secondary Contact: Kia Mccormick contact@example.gov

DISCLAIMER AND NOTES

• This sources sought does not constitute a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or award a contract
• The Government reserves the right to use information provided for market research purposes
• Responses may be used to develop acquisition strategies
• Organizations may be contacted for follow-up discussions regarding submission
• Proprietary information should be clearly marked; however, the Government cannot guarantee protection of proprietary information
• Materials submitted in response to this notice will not be returned
• The Government will NOT accept requests for meetings or briefings            

                                                             “Approved for Public Release”