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In a previous DID article, we noted National Defense Industrial Association President Lt. Gen. Lawrence P. Farrell’s (ret.) comment that the US defense industry had to swim against the national trends and strengthen its domestic manufacturing capabilities. With projects like the LPD-17, the DD (X), and the CVN-21 on its plate, the US Navy is awarding monies to help do just that.
Advanced Technology Institute in North Charleston, SC received a $10 million cost-plus-fixed fee, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for research and development (R&D) in support of the Next Generation Manufacturing Technologies program. As the award statement notes:
“Tasking will include basic R&D to address the common requirements of government agencies and U.S. Industry to accelerate development and implementation of next generation manufacturing technologies. The program will be directed at advancing the state-of-the-art and increasing knowledge and understanding in the following focus areas: develop a strategic investment plan for manufacturing; implement a national strategic investment plan; and transition manufacturing technology.”
Work will be performed in North Charleston, SC and is expected to be complete by November 2007.The contract was not competitively procured by The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division in Crane IN (N00164-06-D-6655).