This notice of funding availability constitutes a competitive mechanism by which to evaluate and select proposals for award, including a merit-based competition, as described in the Department of Defense Grants and Agreements Regulations (DoDGARS), 32 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) §2 2. 315

credit:

for the selection of proposals to be awarded a TIA and for the competitive process for the award of OTs.

A formal Request for Proposals (RFP) or any other type of solicitation regarding this program will not be issued.ACC-APG RTP Division is soliciting concept papers and proposals, on the endeavor described herein.The Government encourages businesses of all size, as well as institutions of higher education, to participate through teaming arrangements with the lead organization.

Applicants must reflect the appropriate teaming structure and eligibility requirements as identified in this announcement.

Applicants are responsible for reviewing and addressing, as necessary, any amendment to this FOA, to include but not limited to any adjustment on submission dates or times or other submission requirements.The topics in Section I.A are intended to help ARL execute manufacturing technology (ManTech) programs to address the highest priority needs of the US Army.

The goal of these programs is to demonstrate and ultimately transition improved and cost-effective manufacturing solutions for Army platforms and Warfighter systems.

Strong transition planning is essential to program success and requires a clear path to implementation.

Program stakeholders typically include proponents from the acquisition community, technology managers, manufacturing facilities, and industry.

Program investment areas are aligned with Department of Defense (DoD) directives, and currently include technologies oriented towards:
1) future platforms, 2) legacy platforms, and 3) the organic industrial base.

Alignment to the Army Modernization Priorities is also required, and these priorities are:
1) Long-Range Precision Fires, 2) Next Generation Combat Vehicle, 3) Future Vertical Lift, 4) Army Network, 5) Air and Missile Defense, and 6) Soldier Lethality.CCDC ARL seeks proposals to develop and demonstrate manufacturing and/ or repair improvements for Army materiel, which includes items and materials associated with combat vehicles, armaments, vehicle and personal protection systems, etc.

These manufacturing and repair improvements should provide cost, schedule, and risk reduction benefits compared to current baseline processes.

Detailed descriptions of topics of interest are included below.