Project Announcement: Enhancing Condenser Tube Cleaning Through Innovative Technology
08-21-2019 The U.S. Navy is partnering with industry and academia to develop and demonstrate condenser cleaning systems with automatic feeding and positioning systems that meet the space and interference requirements of shipboard work for both commercial and naval vessels. To learn more about this project contact Dana Ellis at danae@ncms.org or call 360-782-1370. We encourage the participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), including Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women’sRead More
Project Announcement: Shipyard Industrial Analysis
08-21-2019 In this ongoing project, the U.S. Navy is partnering with industry and academia to create Department of Defense (DoD) Form 1391 - Budget Request Documents built around the various phases of digital modeling and simulation of the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility. This is a requirement fulfillment for the larger scope of the Naval Shipyard modernization effort. To learn more about this project contact Michael Deheer at michaeld@ncms.org or call 734-205-5963.Read More
Project Announcement: Inventory Management Capability Initiative
08-21-2019 The U.S. Marine Corps is partnering with industry and academia to assess the capability of a data analytics and machine learning platform to support weapons systems maintenance and ultimately readiness requirements. To learn more about this project contact Marc Sharp at marcs@ncms.org or call 734-995-7051. We encourage the participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), including Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women’s Business EnterprisesRead More
Project Announcement: Highly Electrified Vehicles and Infrastructure Connectivity with Common Micro-Grids - Phase II
08-21-2019 The U.S. Army is partnering with industry and academia that assesses the viability of using electrified vehicle components to generate electricity for forward operating bases. Specifically, Phase II will investigate electrified vehicle components and two-man lift-able networkable, cyber secure, and micro grids to support electrical requirements in an enterprise setting for world-wide deployment and inherent capabilities to work in disconnected environments. To learn more about this projectRead More
Project Announcement: Bradley Fighting Vehicle System Common Software Library (CSL)
08-21-2019 The U.S. Army is partnering with industry and academia to identify, explore, and test those evolving software technologies that can address the Army’s and the public’s education and distance learning challenges and apply those to the training and certification process. The primary objective of this software initiative is to advance the state of the art in e-learning, cloud based training, and networked training capabilities that can be re-purposed for the public good as the nation continues toRead More
Project Announcement: Improved Hardware Sustainment through Solid State Additive Manufacturing Development
08-21-2019 The U.S. Armed Forces are partnering with industry and academia to expand the understanding of the capabilities of Cold Spray to repair more parts for the aerospace and ground vehicle industry. This is expected to lead to an overall improvement in part quality by expanding the range of material properties and increasing the overall robustness of the aerospace and ground vehicle markets. To learn more about this project contact Mike Deheer at MichaelD@ncms.org or call 734-205-5963. WeRead More
Project Announcement: F/A-18 E/F Rhino Recovery Plan Integrated Business Planning Initiative – Phase II
08-15-2019 The U.S. Navy is continuing to partner with industry and academia on a project to investigate new processes to coordinate demand and supply signals, establish and encourage efficient organizational synergies, and boost commercial best practices within the maintenance and supply communities. By evaluating a system that can simplify and anticipate equipment maintenance requirements, while at the same time integrating and aligning these requirements within the supply chain, the U.S. Navy can haveRead More
Project Announcement: MK 122 Mod 0 Warhead Section for Sustainable Re-Introduction into an Advanced Lightweight Torpedo Capability - Phase IV
08-15-2019 The U.S. Navy is partnering with industry and academia to continue investigating the re-introduction of the MK 122 Mod 0 warhead into a lightweight torpedo. This phase of the project will explore the warhead’s electro-mechanical fuze system and its components to refine the materials/components to be used and identify the manufacturing process for those materials. To learn more about this ongoing project contact Marc Sharp at marcs@ncms.org or call 734-995-7051. We encourage the participationRead More
Project Announcement: Metal 3D Printing for Improved Sustainment at Naval Shipyards
08-15-2019 The U.S. Navy is partnering with industry and academia to identify and evaluate technology capable of improving uptime for the fleet, increasing throughput of ship maintenance and repair as well as the productivity of the workforce, and decreasing manufacturing costs using industrial metal 3D printing technology. To learn more about this project contact Marc Sharp at marcs@ncms.org or call 734-995-7072. We encourage the participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), includingRead More
Project Announcement: Direct Digital Manufacturing for Expeditionary Applications
08-15-2019 The U.S. Army is partnering with industry and academia to demonstrate the capabilities of additive manufacturing using multi-material, multi-process printing in a CONEX box. This project will demonstrate that parts can be successfully printed from a complex digital file in potentially austere environments. To learn more about this project contact Debbie Lilu at debral@ncms.org or call 734-262-0758. We encourage the participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), includingRead More
Project Announcement: Common Implementation Framework for Large Scale CBM+
08-15-2019 The U.S. Army is partnering with industry and academia to support the development and definition of a system concept with operational requirements, system requirements, and infrastructure for a very large scale Condition Based Maintenance Plus (CBM+) system intended to improve the readiness of a large, heterogeneous platform fleet. To learn more about this project contact John Keippala at johnk@ncms.org or call 734-995-2195. We encourage the participation of Disadvantaged BusinessRead More
Project Announcement: Augmented Reality for Streamlined Equipment Maintenance
08-15-2019 The U.S. Marine Corps is partnering with industry and academia to assess the benefits of utilizing the T-Glass augmented reality lightweight wearable computer systems with transparent display for hands-free work. The following objectives of this project are to: streamline inspection and maintenance processes gather and analyze equipment data pulled from an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, specifically, the Marine Corps Global Combat Support System (MC-GCSS), to improve theRead More
Project Announcement: Elimination of Hexavalent Chromium/Cadmium for Sustainment
08-12-2019 The U.S. Army is partnering with industry and academia to evaluate Zinc Nickel (ZnNi) as a replacement for cadmium plating with hexavalent chromium for fasteners. This project aims to mitigate the amount of hexavalent chromium and cadmium in the Army maintenance and sustainment environment. To learn more about this project contact Debbie Lilu at debral@ncms.org or call 734-262-0758. We encourage participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), including Minority BusinessRead More
Project Announcement: Electronic Component Risk Mitigation for Vehicle Programs
08-12-2019 The U.S. Army is partnering with industry and academia to explore a process for obsolescence resistant design improvements of advanced computing processor assemblies. The aim is that the results may be applied commonly across Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) requiring general purpose processing, fire control, sensor fusion, video management and remote/autonomous operation. To learn more about this project contact Susan Shaw at susans@ncms.org or call 734-995-1365. We encourage participation ofRead More
Project Announcement: Cyber Workforce Artificial Intelligence Assessment
08-12-2019 The Program Executive Office is partnering with industry and academia to test a single expansive platform for cyber network maintenance and sustainment organizations to identify incoming and existing security workforce needs, requirements and capabilities. To learn more about this project contact project contact Debbie Lilu at debral@ncms.org or call 734-262-0758. We encourage participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), including Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) andRead More
Project Announcement: Wireless Communications for Improved Operations and Maintenance Phase II
08-08-2019 The U.S. Army is partnering with industry and academia to continue evaluating the capabilities, life cycle costs, integration burdens, security and maintenance implications of the down-selected seven (7) commercially-available wireless communication systems previously assessed in a lab environment. The desired outcomes of this project are to create greater efficiency, increase productivity, and provide access to real-time data. To learn more about this multi-phased project contact JohnRead More
Project Announcement: Turbine Compressor Blade Evaluation
07-25-2019 The U.S. Army is partnering with industry and academia on a multiphase project that investigates the operating conditions, vibration characteristics, and component life of AGT 1500 compressor blades (specifically Low Pressure Compressor [LPC] stage 4) subject to erosion degradation, erosion preventive coating, and composite material substitution. The evaluation will determine if coated blades provide an extended life for scavenge fans versus uncoated blades. To learn more about this projectRead More
Project Announcement: Total Army Operation Mobilization – Replacements Integration, Sustainment and Synchronization
07-25-2019 The U.S. Army is partnering with industry and academia on a second phase of a project that is exploring ways to upgrade and optimize digital platforms to better monitor resource utilization and expenditures. This software evaluation will include building tools to evaluate and prioritize potential resource deficit solutions then track solution implementation and calculate the eventual impact of the solution on mission accomplishment. To learn more about this project contact Lisa Stobierski atRead More
Project Announcement: Functional Coatings for Vehicle Autonomy
07-25-2019 The U.S. Army is partnering with industry and academia on a multi-phase project developing easy-to-clean coatings for small robotic systems to shed mud and dirt and maintain operations. Specifically, this project will develop and evaluate coatings for lenses and housings of sensor systems for large platforms to maintain sensor performance and demonstrate the best performing coatings. To learn more about this project contact John Keippala at Johnk@ncms.org or call 734-995-2195. We encourageRead More
Project Announcement: Automated Test Equipment for Vehicle Maintenance Programs
07-25-2019 The U.S. Army is partnering with industry and academia to develop a new testing procedure and the hardware and software for testing redesigned Line Replaceable Units/Shop Replaceable Units resulting in long-term successes supporting multiple vehicle systems. Additionally, validation of the manufacturing processes is a critical aspect of the project to greatly reduce excessive lead times, improve efficiencies, production costs, maintenance activities, and spares replacement. To learn moreRead More
Project Announcement: Thermoplastic Forming of Lightweight Vehicle Structures
07-23-2019 The U.S. Army is partnering with industry and academia to demonstrate the benefits of forming thick thermoplastic composite vehicle structures using a low-cost manufacturing process. This project will evaluate the benefits that include: Improved cycle times for induction heating process compared to traditional autoclave heating. Reduced capital equipment and tooling costs due to the lower material consolidation pressures. Reduced fuel consumption due to the development of lightweightRead More
Project Announcement: Lightweighting Material Solutions for Maintenance & Sustainment
07-23-2019 The U.S. Army is partnering with industry and academia to develop lightweight components that can be commercialized by leveraging recent breakthroughs in the production of low-cost raw material for carbon fiber. By using representative parts from the transportation industry, this project will demonstrate the feasibility to cost-effectively reduce overall vehicle weight, as well as demonstrate a reduction in maintenance costs while increasing the service life of vehicle components. One specificRead More
Project Announcement: Optimization of Aerospace Complex Assemblies
07-15-2019 The U.S. Army is partnering with industry and academia to demonstrate innovative avionics maintenance and sustainment solutions that utilize the latest technology to help improve capability, safety, readiness, and efficiency. This will be accomplished through engineering analysis, optimization, and evaluation support to the U.S. Army’s CH-47 helicopter fleet (and applied to other platforms as necessary) through the identification and design of a universal fuselage Antenna system (TESS B-Kit)Read More
Project Announcement: Electronic Component Risk Mitigation for Vehicle Programs
07-12-2019 The U.S. Army is partnering with industry and academia to identify design improvements for advanced computing processor assemblies that will lead to lower maintenance and sustainment costs. The project will specifically explore a process for obsolescence resistant design improvements for advanced computing processor assemblies. The process would be applied commonly across Line-Replaceable Units requiring general purpose processing, fire control, sensor fusion, video management andRead More
Project Announcement: Evaluating Software to Maximize Maintenance Operations
07-12-2019 The U.S. Navy is partnering with industry and academia to demonstrate that the transition from legacy IT tools/systems to Single Page Applications (SPA) that can greatly improve maintenance, sustainment and production processes across a wide variety of organizations within the Navy. This project will analyze the current toolsets and workflows of U.S. Navy, Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic (COMSUBLANT) and Commander, Submarine Force Pacific (COMSUBPAC) maintenance activities and evaluate aRead More
Project Announcement: Supply Item Logistics Capability Initiative – Phase III
07-12-2019 The U.S. Navy is partnering with industry and academia on the third phase on an ongoing project to upgrade select business functions. This initiative will assess the capability of a Platform-as-a-Service/Software-as-a-Service (PaaS/SaaS) environment to support requirements in an enterprise setting for worldwide deployment and inherent capabilities to work in disconnected environments. To learn more about this project contact Frank Schuster at franks@ncms.org or call 734-995-3904. WeRead More
Project Announcement: Corrosion Detection Under Coatings – Phase II
07-09-2019 The U.S. Army is partnering with industry and academia to continue a project that identifies current and emerging technologies employed in Non-Destructive Evaluation of coated surfaces. Phase II will benchmark performances with respect to detection limits and resolution and evaluate one or more techniques in the field and/or laboratory environments. To learn more about this project contact John Keippala at johnk@ncms.org or call 734-995-2195. We encourage the participation of DisadvantagedRead More
Project Announcement: Supply Chain Management of Real-Time Data
06-13-2019 The U.S. Navy is partnering with industry and academia to identify a process and methodology to gain insight into the supply chain for the critical subsystems and components within both the Aviation Data Management and Control System and the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System. With this understanding, critical information management and launch systems will be more resilient, reliable and secure. To learn more about this project contact Debbie Lilu at debral@ncms.org or call 734-262-0758.Read More
Project Announcement: Maintenance, Sustainment, and Fund Management Process and Technology Reform
06-13-2019 The U.S. Armed Forces are partnering with industry and academia to demonstrate methods to improve the agility, efficiency, and effectiveness of financial and sustainment business practices for a global enterprise that will create cost savings and improve mission success. To learn more about this project contact Marc Sharp at marcs@ncms.org or call 734-995-7051. We encourage participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), including Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women’sRead More
Project Announcement: Additive Manufacturing Processes for Design, Maintenance and Sustainment - Phase II
06-12-2019 The U.S. Army is partnering with industry and academia to demonstrate how AM can improve efficiency and lower costs of traditional manufacturing processes by incorporating design for AM principles and time-of-need manufacture. This multi-phased project will leverage lessons learned from commercial industry in the areas of design and fabricating parts, especially for additive manufacturing production. To learn more about this project contact Cosima Boswell-Koller at boswell-kollerc@ncms.orgRead More
Project Announcement: CBM+ Data Characterization for AI-Based Predictive Maintenance Analysis
06-12-2019 The Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC) is partnering with industry and academia to develop a solution that provides a replicable, standard process to support the assessment and characterization of sensor and maintenance event data for a given aircraft (health-ready) component or subsystem. The goal is to determine if the data is sufficient to support AI-driven predictions of appropriate maintenance actions. To learn more about this project contact Debbie Lilu at debral@ncms.org orRead More
Project Announcement: Radiator Manufacturing Process Innovation
06-11-2019 The U.S. Army is partnering with industry and academia to implement manufacturing process innovations for copper-brass radiators. This project will evaluate and validate product reliability due to limited low production repeatability, increased medium flow rates, energy reduction, and recycling advancements. To learn more about this project contact John Keippala at johnk@ncms.org or call 734-995-2195. We encourage participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), includingRead More
Project Announcement: Ground Vehicle Maintenance Trainer
06-11-2019 The U.S. Army is partnering with industry and academia to advance the state of e-learning, cloud-based training, and networked training capabilities. The initiative is to develop a prototype Bradley tank Hands On Turret Trainer and Part Task Trainer. Accompanying lessons and exercises for various student skill levels of the Military Occupational Safety will enable the Army to assess the capability of a more advanced, complete and upgradeable training system. To learn more about this projectRead More
Project Announcement: Additive Manufacturing Contracting Guidebook – Phase II
06-11-2019 The U.S. Navy is partnering with industry and academia on a multi-phase project to create a singular comprehensive and organized document to lay out the various business models, contractual strategies, and methods of acquisition for obtaining additive manufactured parts. To learn more about this project contact Debbie Lilu at debral@ncms.org or call 734-262-0758. We encourage participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), including Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) andRead More
Project Announcement: Digital Manufacturing Integration for Supply Chain
06-10-2019 The U.S. Army and Marine Corps are partnering with industry and academia to assess the capability of an innovative Campfire design environment using digital manufacturing and Additive Manufacturing to support requirements in an enterprise setting for worldwide deployment and inherent capabilities to work in disconnected environments. To learn more about this project contact Susan Shaw at susans@ncms.org or call 734-995-1365. We encourage participation of Disadvantaged Business EnterprisesRead More
Project Announcement: Aviation Maintenance & Supply Ontology
06-10-2019 The U.S. Armed Forces are partnering with industry and academia to understand the relationships between existing representative databases which are very large, containing complex and potentially sensitive information, and prepare the data environment for AI and Data analytic capabilities. To learn more about this project contact Phil Callihan at philc@ncms.org or call 734-995-2046. We encourage participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), including Minority BusinessRead More
Project Announcement: Advanced Coatings for Edge Protection
06-10-2019 The U.S. Army is partnering with industry and academia to identify corrosion protection coatings that provide superior corrosion protection at the edges of materials. This will increase the life span of metal products and reduce overall maintenance and sustainment costs. To learn more about this project contact Susan Shaw at susans@ncms.org or call 734-995-1365. We encourage participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), including Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) andRead More
Project Announcement: N-Methyl Pyrrolidine (NMP)-Free Lithium Ion Electrodes for Battery Manufacturing – Phase III
06-10-2019 The U.S. Army is partnering with industry and academia on the third phase of an ongoing project. The scope of this project is to evaluate materials that enhance overall energy capacity and improve the safety of lithium-ion batteries. To learn more about this project contact Susan Shaw at susans@ncms.org or call 734-995-1365. We encourage participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), including Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women’s Business EnterprisesRead More
Project Announcement: Advancing Additive Repair Technologies and Cold Spray for Sustainment of Shipping Assets
06-07-2019 The U.S. Navy is partnering with industry and academia to speed the development of advanced additive technologies, such as cold spray, enabling the strategic goals of timely, affordable repair and restoration of critical assets to support fleets. Additionally, technologies for fabricating components in-theater or shipboard will be investigated, as will the digital architecture to uniformly implement sustainment technologies decreasing costs and cycle times for Navy assets. To learn moreRead More
Project Announcement: Automatic Fire Extinguishing System (AFES) Improves Vehicle Readiness
06-07-2019 The U.S. Army is partnering with industry and academia to identify design improvements on AFES systems for Opposing Forces Surrogate and Main Battle Tank vehicles ensuring they become safer, more productive, and have a faster fire suppression system leading to lower maintenance and sustainment costs. To learn more about this project contact Susan Shaw at susans@ncms.org or call 734-995-1365. We encourage participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), including Minority BusinessRead More
Project Announcement: Shipyard Industrial Analysis - Phase III
06-07-2019 The U.S. Navy is partnering with industry and academia on the third phase of an ongoing project. Phase III will create the budget request documents to build the financial analysis needed and identify the resource requirements to implement the modeling and simulation element of shipyard modernization efforts. The project will leverage the digital design considerations generated from earlier phase efforts. To learn more about this project contact Dana Ellis at danae@ncms.org or callRead More
Project Announcement: Security Enhanced Maintenance Support Device (SE MSD) & Cybersecurity Improvements
06-07-2019 The U.S. Army is partnering with industry and academia to add Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM) capability to the existing mechanic’s MSD and incorporate comprehensive security features to protect the device from cyber-attack. To learn more about this project contact Lisa Stobierski at lisas@ncms.org or call 734-995-5636. We encourage participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), including Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women’s Business EnterprisesRead More
Project Announcement: Structural Thermoplastics for Vehicles
06-07-2019 The U.S. Army is partnering with industry and academia to demonstrate the numerous benefits of lightweight thermoplastic composite materials to both the manufacturing, performance, and maintainability of ground vehicles. To learn more about this project contact Lisa Stobierski at lisas@ncms.org or call 734-995-5636. We encourage participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), including Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women’s Business EnterprisesRead More
Project Announcement: Integrated Program Process (IP3) Phase II
06-04-2019 The U.S. Army is partnering with industry and academia in an ongoing project to capture and model a process framework to improve the manner in which Integrated Master Schedules (IMS) are generated (structured, consistent, repeatable), and improve the way resources are planned and utilized across projects. To learn more about this project contact John Keippala at johnk@ncms.org or call 734-995-2195. We encourage participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), including MinorityRead More
Project Announcement: Maintenance and Sustainment Implementation
06-04-2019 The U.S. Air Force is partnering with industry and academia to explore alternative options of maintenance and sustainment strategies in order to increase capabilities, reduce costs, and minimize reliance on OEMs and third-party suppliers for the C-17 platform. To learn more about this project contact Frank Schuster at franks@ncms.org or call 734-995-3904. We encourage participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), including Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women’sRead More
Project Announcement: Vehicle Operator Control Handle Improvements for Maintenance and Sustainment
06-04-2019 The U.S. Army is partnering with industry and academia to adapt modern commercial best-in-class controllers to various systems on equipment to assess the benefits of replacing aging/last-generation controllers with today’s more universal technology. To learn more about this project contact John Keippala at Johnk@ncms.org or call 734-995-2195. We encourage participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), including Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women’s BusinessRead More
Project Announcement: Total Army Operation Mobilization—Replacements Integration, Sustainment and Synchronization – Phase II
06-04-2019 The U.S. Army is partnering with industry and academia in a Phase II focused on resource automation tools enabling the Army to sustain its formations during a contingency operation overcoming any resource deficits. To learn more about this project contact Lisa Stobierski at lisas@ncms.org or call 734-995-5636. We encourage participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), including Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women’s Business EnterprisesRead More
Project Announcement: Manpower Analytics
05-21-2019 The U.S. Marine Corps is partnering with industry and academia to gain access to cognitive technology and services that can analyze enterprise data to uncover relevant relationships and metrics. This pilot will create a manpower retention dashboard and decision tool to assist maintenance and sustainment leadership with capacity, operational and throughput decisions. The pilot program team will develop tools that demonstrate the capability to identify, forecast, and predict key retention factorsRead More
Project Announcement: Development of Computer-Based Training for Maintenance and Sustainment Phase IV
04-24-2019 The U.S. Marine Corps is partnering with industry and academia in an on-going project that pilots a Just-In-Time Learning (JITL) model available online 24/7 via a secure network that offers high-quality training, specifically tailored to smaller segments of job tasks. Phase IV will establish the sustainment routines and methodology with lessons learned from Initial Cut Over Training and develop a new methodology to apply to “Trailing –and Emerging User Groups” that were generated by newRead More
Project Announcement: A Technology, Strategy, and Integration Approach to Life Cycle Management and Modernization
04-23-2019 The F-35 Joint Program Office is partnering with industry and academia to produce leadership-level, impactful, and actionable strategic analysis and planning processes. These processes will drive enhanced capability and logistics support, modernize life cycle management, and improve the aviation industry’s ability to analyze the initial operating capability produce, deliver, maintain and sustain the next generation aircraft efficiently and affordability. To learn more about this projectRead More
Project Announcement: Enhanced Life Cycle Management via Business Transformation Acceleration Initiative
04-22-2019 The U.S. Navy is partnering with industry and academia to implement/improve life cycle focused business methodologies, investment strategies, and IT systems rationalization. The specific objectives are to: Rationalize the Department of the Navy’s (DON’s) defense business system portfolio; Develop strategic communications and promote collaboration and information sharing across DON Office and the Department of the Chief Management Officer through SharePoint; Assist in developingRead More
Project Announcement: Advancing Processes for Legacy Component Recycling and Re-Introduction During System Modernization During Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul – Phase III
04-22-2019 The U.S. Navy is partnering with industry and academia in an ongoing project to demonstrate the advantages of recycling and reuse as a viable sustainment option for assets and systems. Technical solutions will be engineered for maintaining and sustaining the MK 122 Mod 0 warheads that have been relegated to storage. To learn more about this project contact Marc Sharp at marcs@ncms.org or call 734-995-7051. We encourage participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), includingRead More
Project Announcement: Battery Cell Deactivation for Improved Safety
04-22-2019 The Department of Defense is partnering with industry and academia to identify battery failure mechanisms, which could occur in-use or in storage, leading to cell failure. Once the failure mechanisms have been identified, techniques to mitigate the occurrence or severity of a failure event will be evaluated. Viability from a cost perspective, weighing maintenance and sustainment cost savings into the analysis, will be determined. To learn more about this project contact Lisa Stobierski atRead More
Project Announcement: Advanced Real-Time Weld Assessment
04-22-2019 The U.S. Navy is partnering with industry and academia to demonstrate a real-time weld quality monitoring approach that can reliably identify when a defect is forming in a weld. Acoustic sensors with narrow band optical sensors will gather data to improve weld diagnostic capability accuracy. To learn more about this project contact Marc Sharp at marcs@ncms.org or call 734-995-7051. We encourage participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), including Minority BusinessRead More
Project Announcement: Enhanced Environmental Performance for Safety Glass Phase IV
04-18-2019 The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Ground Vehicle Systems Center is partnering with industry and academia to eliminate the source of safety glass delamination. This ongoing project will evaluate technologies that reduce the need to repair or replace transparent armor. To learn more about this project contact Nicholas Brown at nicholasb@ncms.org. We encourage the participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), including Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) andRead More
Project Announcement: Improving Supply Availability & Organic Industrial Base (OIB) Performance through Management
04-18-2019 The U.S. Army Materiel Command is partnering with industry and academia to demonstrate the value of adapting and applying a combination of leading industry practices in strategy, performance management, supply chain management, and organizational governance to drive improvements in maintenance and sustainment. Achievement of the project objectives will support far-reaching impacts for supply chains across government and commercial entities worldwide. To learn more about this project contactRead More
Project Announcement: Innovative Radiator Material Durability and Sustainment
04-18-2019 The U.S. Army is partnering with industry and academia to identify design improvements on repairs that will ensure enhanced performance and readiness rates for mission quality and safety, thus reducing costs in comparison to currently fielded systems. Improvements on current repair procedures will be documented in the Technical Manuals as well as in the Technical Data Packages. To learn more about this project contact John Keippala at johnk@ncms.org or call 734-995-2195. We encourageRead More
Project Announcement: Airless Tire Technology
04-17-2019 The U.S. Army Ground Vehicle Systems Center is partnering with industry and academia to demonstrate and validate airless tire technology solutions on a Light Tactical All-Terrain vehicle system which can be scaled to other vehicle systems in the future. To learn more about this project contact Susan Shaw at susans@ncms.org or call 734-995-1365. We encourage participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), including Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women’s BusinessRead More
Project Announcement: Maintenance, Sustainment, and Fund Management Process and Technology Reform
04-17-2019 The U.S. Navy is partnering with industry and academia to demonstrate methods to improve the agility, efficiency, and effectiveness of a global enterprise’s financial and sustainment business and improve mission success through improved end to end processes through maintenance and sustainment. To learn more about this project contact Debbie Lilu at debral@ncms.org or call 734-262-0758. We encourage participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), including Minority BusinessRead More
Project Announcement: Shipyard Industrial Analysis Phase II
04-17-2019 The U.S. Navy is partnering with industry and academia to develop a model and simulation of the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard as part of a modernization effort. Phase II will specifically address the requirement to produce budget request documentation (DD1391) for Congress to justify funding of a Dry Dock Production Facility. To learn more about this project contact Dana Ellis at danae@ncms.org or call 360-782-1370. We encourage the participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs),Read More
Project Announcement: Vehicle Spare Tire Carrier
04-12-2019 The U.S. Army is working with industry and academia to develop a spare tire fielding solution for key replacement on Infantry Carrier Vehicle Dragoon (ICVD) variants, that could be a surrogate for implementation by private industry for maintenance and sustainment operations. To learn more about this project contact John Keippala at johnk@ncms.org or call 734-995-2195. We encourage participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), including Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) andRead More
Project Announcement: Transportation Systems Condition Based Maintenance Plus (CBM+)
04-12-2019 The U.S. Army Program Executive Office (PEO) Combat Support and Combat Service Support (CS&CSS) is working with industry and academia to demonstrate the ability of CBM+ enabled activities to improve the readiness of the Tactical Wheeled Vehicle fleet focusing on: Predictive Analysis, End-to End Data Migration, Improved Efficiencies in Performing Maintenance Tasks, and Visualization of Serialized Asset Management Data. For more information contact Frank Schuster at franks@ncms.org. WeRead More
Project Announcement: Expansion of a Cross-Operational ERP for the Maintenance and Security of Personnel Data
04-12-2019 The Army National Guard is partnering with industry and academia to develop a secure cross-platform ERP system-of-systems that captures and provides real-time data for performance analysis and planning across organizations. This will enable efficient utilization of services and programs across industry and governments that has far-reaching implications. For more information contact Lisa Stobierski at Lisas@ncms.org or call 734-995-5636. We encourage participation of Disadvantaged BusinessRead More
Project Announcement: High Speed Metal 3D Printing for Improved Sustainment
04-12-2019 The U.S. Marine Corps is partnering with industry and academia to assess the capability of specific Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) metal 3D printing technology to support maintenance and sustainment requirements with reliable, repeatable and timely repair parts. For more information contact Frank Schuster at franks@ncms.org. We encourage participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), including Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women’s Business EnterprisesRead More
Project Announcement: Fuel Cell Integration to Support System Durability and Reliability Advancements
03-28-2019 The U.S. Army is working with industry and academia to demonstrate the integration of a commercially available fuel cell and evaluate potential use of conformable hydrogen storage technology on off-road vehicle platforms to help advance fuel cell and hydrogen storage reliability, durability and overall ruggedness. To learn more about this project contact Frank Schuster at franks@ncms.org or call 734-995-3904. We encourage participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), includingRead More
Project Announcement: Confined Space Monitoring for Operations Safety and Efficiency
03-27-2019 The U.S. Navy is working with industry and academia to develop a Confined Space Monitoring System (CSMS) platform that is suitable for technology insertion into confined space working environments within shipyards, primarily relating to conducting maintenance and sustainment activities. Specifically, the initiative is intended to: Produce an extended system design specification to meet U.S. Navy shipyard requirements. Produce a prototype system build that meets the extended systemRead More
Project Announcement: 3D Virtual Industrial Maintenance Planning Optimization
03-27-2019 The U.S. Navy is working with industry and academia to develop a 3D Virtual Environment (3DVE) where Navy ship/submarine and shore infrastructure maintainers and fleet stakeholders have ready access to 3D model files, technical information, and facility component information. It will also provide a capability where users have ready access to accurate geo-enabled virtual 3D representations of industrial shipyard environments, validated 3D model files, technical information, training, and sharedRead More
Project Announcement: Adoption of Emerging Commercial Technologies
03-11-2019 The U.S. Marine Corps is partnering with industry and academia to assess the capability of and understanding of proactively addressing the challenges associated with embracing evolving technologies and how they can be applied to the challenges faced by Marine Corps Command, Control, Computers, and Communication and private industry. To learn more contact Marc Sharp at marcs@ncms.org or call 734-995-7051. We encourage participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), includingRead More
Project Announcement: Telematics and CBM for Logistics and Sustainment
03-08-2019 U.S. Army is partnering with industry and academia on a project investigating telematics for specific ground vehicles. The Army does not currently employ telematics on its ground vehicles to synchronize vehicle information with the CBM system. This initiative will focus on evaluating the utility, feasibility, and maintainability of utilizing vehicle telematics devices in the Army’s fleet of Caterpillar T5 Dozers and JCB High Mobility Engineer Excavator Type I. To learn more about thisRead More
Project Announcement: Industrial Business Reform
03-08-2019 The U.S. Army is partnering with industry and academia to reform the industrial business environment by developing innovative solutions for a logistics and depot maintenance driven business that can take full advantage of new technology capabilities. To learn more about this project contact Frank Schuster at Franks@ncms.org or call 734-995-3904. We encourage participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), including Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women’s BusinessRead More
Project Announcement: Wireless Communications for Improved Operations and Maintenance
03-08-2019 The U.S. Army is partnering with industry and academia to assess the capabilities, life cycle costs, integration burdens, security and maintenance implications of various commercially-available wireless communication systems. To learn more contact John Keippala at johnk@ncms.org or 734-995-2195. We encourage participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), including Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women’s Business EnterprisesRead More
Project Announcement: Integrated Planning Process (IP3)
03-05-2019 NCMS is partnering with the U.S. Army, industry and academia to capture and model a process framework that will improve the way Integrated Master Schedules are generated (structured, consistent, repeatable), improve the way resources are planned and utilized across projects, leverage common processes that will drive consistency, rigor, and discipline in project execution across the acquisition lifecycle with an emphasis on sustainment. To learn more contact Lisa Stobierski lisas@ncms.org orRead More
Project Announcement: Mobile pRFID Phase II
02-25-2019 The U.S. Navy is partnering with industry and academia for the second phase of the mobile pRFID initiative, which is established to purchase the software licenses needed for the vehicle-mounted tablets that capture and upload the data to the CribMaster server. This initiative’s overall purpose is to install a passive RFID system on warehouse/shop vehicles at four Naval shipyards, combining the geo-positioning advantages of fixed point readers and the mobility advantages of vehicle-mountedRead More
Project Announcement: JOE2 Maintenance Planning Tool
01-14-2019 The U.S. Marine Corps is partnering with industry and academia on a project to evaluate fuel consumption. Understanding sustainment demand, particularly fuel, is a critical factor in managing logistics requirements in the future. Having a full picture of this demand is necessary for decision makers to reduce supply chain demand without increasing risk. To learn more about this project contact Debbie Lilu at debral@ncms.org or call 734-262-0758 by January 25, 2019. We encourage participationRead More
Project Announcement: Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard Industrial Analysis
01-11-2019 The U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) is partnering with industry and academia to complete a pilot project to model and simulate the shipyard operations and define optimal shipyard plant layout and configuration at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility. To learn more about this project contact Debbie Lilu at debral@ncms.org or call 734-262-0758 by January 25, 2019. We encourage participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), includingRead More
Project Announcement: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program Office Digital War Room
01-11-2019 The F-35 Joint Program Office is partnering with industry and academia on an on-going project that develops a program-wide Proof of Concept (POC) that provide holistic views of program production, performance, and capability at the Program Executive Officer (PEO) level. For more information about this on-going project contact Marc Sharp at marcs@ncms.org or call 734-995-7051 by January 25, 2019. We encourage participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), including MinorityRead More
Project Announcement: F-35 Technology Analysis and Integration
01-11-2019 The U.S. Department of Defense is partnering with industry and academia to evaluate a total lifecycle management approach to costs pertaining to the F-35 aircraft. The Technology, Analysis and Integration Strategy pilot will establish leadership-level, impactful, and actionable strategic analysis and planning recommendations that drive enhanced capability and logistics support, modernizes life cycle management and improves the ability to develop, deliver, maintain and sustain the nextRead More
Project Announcement: Telematics and CBM for Improved Logistics
01-11-2019 Commercial fleet managers face a daily challenge of maintaining their fleet readiness as well as reducing the cost of operations, providing services to customers at the lowest cost and highest quality, providing additional jobs, and supporting the well-being of the American public. To achieve this, commercial telematics have been employed across many fleets via different vendors. The intent of this project is to explore the use of multiple vendors’ telematics offerings for their respectiveRead More
Project Announcement: Track Pad Maintenance and Sustainment Improvements
01-11-2019 The U.S. Army is partnering with industry and academia to support and investigate the development and certification of new rubber compounds for the track pads of various tactical ground vehicles. New rubber formulations with higher load capacities and better wear characteristics will ultimately improve readiness and reliability. For more information on this project contact John Keippala at johnk@ncms.org or 734-995-2195 by January 28, 2019. We encourage participation of DisadvantagedRead More
Project Announcement: Vehicle Health Management System (VHMS)
01-11-2019 Currently, the U.S. Army faces an obstacle in collecting, integrating, and displaying all of the data generated on a single platform, which limits their ability to implement Condition Based Maintenance (CBM+). Any organization that depends on mechanized operations, be it automobiles, planes, trucks, or even automated systems, needs to consider the costs of maintenance. Reactive activities result in reactive productivity. Having vital assets down for repair, cost the organization valuable time,Read More
Project Announcement: Air Force Energy and Water Resilience
01-11-2019 The U.S. Air Force is partnering with industry and academia to explore a more comprehensive approach to address energy and water challenges by looking across diverse missions, geographic boundaries, and systems to ensure it understands where critical nodes are and to invest appropriately in those nodes and the network of supporting systems. For more information on this project contact Debbie Lilu at debral@ncms.org by January 25, 2019. We encourage participation of Disadvantaged BusinessRead More
Project Announcement: Improved Training Curriculum for Maintenance Planning
12-12-2018 The U.S. Navy is partnering with industry and academia to develop and provide course training materials for PSA and LORA pilot workshops and then evaluate their efficacy in shaping future maintenance and sustainment planners. For more information contact Phil Callihan philc@ncms.org or call 734-995-2046 by December 26, 2018. We encourage participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), including Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women’s Business EnterprisesRead More
Project Announcement: Highly Electrified Vehicles and Infrastructure Connectivity with Common Electrical Micro-Grids
12-12-2018 The U.S. Army TARDEC is partnering with industry and academia to assess electrified vehicle components and two-man lift-able, networkable, cybersecure, and microgrids supporting enterprise electrical requirements for worldwide deployment with inherent capabilities to work in disconnected environments. By integrating these components into vehicles and exporting the power from the vehicles, the traditional generators for spot loads can reduce the maintenance/sustainment requirements. For moreRead More
Project Announcement: United States Marine Corps Maintenance, Logistics, Sustainment, Improvement Initiatives Phase II
12-06-2018 The U.S. Marine Corps is evaluating Ground Equipment Maintenance Program (GEMP) activities required to meet Department of Defense (DoD) and Marine Corps readiness, logistics, and sustainability objectives. Central to this is the need for roadmaps to guide future strategy and policy changes, particularly as they concern ground ordnance and Marine Corps capability gaps. These roadmaps will be created through the formation of advisory groups and through face-to-face meetings with subject matterRead More
Project Announcement: Computer Based Training Maintenance and Sustainment Phase III
11-12-2018 The Marine Corp is collaborating with industry and academia on an on-going project that evaluates the benefits for Just-In-Time training videos. The project is to develop and demonstrate a new training methodology that is dynamic enough to serve the worldwide population of the Marine Corps and nimble enough to provide training to cover system updates, fixes, knowledge-based articles and other training requirements in a dynamic effective way that reduces training time and increases trainingRead More
Project Announcement: Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE) Sustainment Vision 2020
11-12-2018 The U.S. Navy is partnering with industry and academia on a multi-phased project that will evaluate systems that support the needs of the Naval Aviation Enterprise’s Sustainment Vision 2020. The project will integrate and align ongoing initiatives with new solutions to ensure the NAE approaches readiness recovery and sustainment modernization operations as a single unified Enterprise. The strategy sought will be data-driven and predictive capitalizing on data with veracity and velocity toRead More
Project Announcement: Cybersecurity and Risk Management Framework – Phase III
11-08-2018 There are few imminent and continuous threats today that present – to both the public and commercial sectors – such high risk as cyber-attacks in the form of data breaches, including attacks across the Software Development Life Cycle or against the development environment. Software Assurance (SwA) is becoming increasingly critical, especially as the Department of Defense leverages commercial industry advancements in cloud computing and developmental platforms like Platform as a Service toRead More
Project Announcement: MK 122 Mod 0 Warhead Section for Sustainable Re-Introduction into an Advanced Lightweight Torpedo Capability
10-29-2018 The U.S. Navy is partnering with industry and academia to re-engineer and reuse the explosive components of the MK 50 lightweight torpedo into the MK 122 Mod 0 warhead. The objective is to engineer sound technical solutions for maintaining and sustaining the MK 122 Mod 0 warheads (relegated to storage after removal from service) for the purposes of extending their life and utilizing these warheads in future lightweight torpedoes. To learn more about this project contact Marc Sharp atRead More
Project Announcement: Air Force Mission Assurance through Energy Assurance Programmatic Integration
10-22-2018 The Air Force is partnering with industry and academia to synthesize currently disparate energy assurance efforts into a cohesive framework. Ensuring energy assurance is effectively integrated into mission assurance and evaluated with lifecycle sustainment requirements will be recommended to spearhead policy changes. Exercises (actual and tabletop) will be used to inform energy resilience requirements in a manner that allows industry to propose best-fit solutions. To learn more about thisRead More
Project Announcement: Depot and Arsenal Executive Leader Program
10-22-2018 U.S. Navy Fleet Readiness Center-East is partnering with industry and academia to participate in a leadership training program that will share maintenance and sustainment best practices as it relates to aviation platform readiness. Senior leaders will actively participate in an executive-level program that integrates leadership development and business management concepts to assist Defense Organic Industrial Base leaders manage their large organizations effectively. It is envisioned that thisRead More
Project Announcement: Minotaur Common Solution
10-22-2018 U.S. Navy NAVAIR is partnering with industry and academia to identify an implementable strategic vision and strategy to integrate a software system onto multiple federal and defense intelligence gathering, processing, and execution nodes. The effort would form a comprehensive Common Operating Picture optimized for affordability, interoperability, and the capability of meeting the need for battlespace awareness to synchronize actions necessary for maritime Full Spectrum Superiority. To learnRead More
Project Announcement: Development of Computer-Based Training for Maintenance and Supply – Phase III
10-22-2018 The U.S. Marine Corps is partnering with industry and academia to test a Just-in-Time Learning model. The goal is to develop new training and sustainment programs for operational functionality. It will include Warehouse Management, Logistics Command, and Systems Command training support while sustaining the core curriculum for the divisional supply and maintenance functions. Phase III will introduce a new learning management system and delivery technologies. To learn more about thisRead More
Project Announcement: AMC Supply Chain Strategy Phase III
10-04-2018 The Army Materiel Command (AMC) is seeking to investigate a supply chain strategy and an outcome-focused performance management capability. The foundation of this capability lies in establishing a metrics framework supported by decision-support tools. The initiative seeks to optimize Supply Availability and OIB operations to support Army maintenance and sustainment. Outcomes will enable AMC to better understand, manage and communicate its performance. To learn more, contact Marc SharpRead More
Project Announcement: Light-Weighting Materials
10-04-2018 The U.S. Army TARDEC desires to develop a Metal Matrix Composite (MMC)-based rotor, with an applicable friction material solution, to meet the requirements of at least one dual-use Army/commercial vehicle platform. The initiative will evaluate and analyze other potential MMC applications that may be able to support integration with MMC material properties allowing for other potential applications. To learn more, please contact Lisa Stobierski at lisas@ncms.org or call 734-995-5636. NCMSRead More
Project Announcement: Enterprise Maintenance and Sustainment Strategic Transformation
10-03-2018 The U.S. Navy is seeking support to develop and execute a strategic transformation strategy that addresses auditability and cybersecurity requirements to sustain the Navy’s logistics, sustainment, and financial management systems, as well as business processes, IT, and data. The project will demonstrate methods to improve the agility, efficiency, and effectiveness of a global enterprise’s financial, sustainment, maintenance, and logistics business. Those interested in learning more canRead More
Project Announcement: Stricken Aircraft Reclamation and Disposal Program
10-03-2018 The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps are seeking support to facilitate the infusion of spare aircraft parts into the repair pipeline by harvesting each aircraft prior to its demilitarization and disposal. The reutilization of these parts reduces costs to the taxpayer and shortens the supply chain response time thereby improving readiness. The Navy is fully leveraged in its utilization of the current commercial and government outlets, but as new aircraft enter service, flight line and maintenanceRead More
Project Announcement: Durable Multi-Material Group I Adhesive Joints
09-27-2018 The primary goal to develop reference hybrid joint solutions (adhesive and fastener) using group one adhesives. Regulatory pressures are driving the entire global transportation industry to reduce carbon emissions. Vehicle weight reduction is a primary strategy to reduce fuel consumption. To achieve this, developers have turned to non-traditional materials such as carbon fiber reinforced composites and mixed metals. However, incorporation of these materials introduces added complexity inRead More
Project Announcement: Multifunctional Surface Coating
09-27-2018 The objective is to explore how coating systems interact with and enhance the performance of vehicular autonomy system sensors. Employing coatings to fine-tune reflectivity and emissivity signals discretely across a spectrum. Exploring coatings that can decouple EM wavelengths and frequencies to enable selective detection by special purpose sensors. Assessing coatings for protective shielding of sensors and electronics. And to understand the interaction between CARC and coatingsRead More
Project Announcement: LOGCELL Playbook Phase II
08-27-2018 Navy Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support (NAVSUP WSS) is interested in creating a playbook and accompanying communications strategy to introduce and promote its LOGCELL decision-support environment to a broad set of government and industry users. The strategy should include a communications plan, a brand identity management approach, and an executable methodology to support LOGCELL’s rollout and increase its adoption. LOGCELL was created to replace large, cross-functional meetingsRead More
Project Announcement: F-35 Joint Program Office Digital War Room Phase II
08-27-2018 The F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) seeks to modernize access to—and increase the analytic availability of—critical programmatic data and information through the creation of a Digital War Room, supporting rapid analysis and decision-making by communicating visualized data and insights via a digital platform (i.e., through desktop, laptop, and mobile devices). JPO currently relies heavily on paper reports to comprehend data from multiple sources, which do not update in real time as data isRead More
Project Announcement: Army Materiel Command Supply Chain Strategy and Metrics Phase II
08-27-2018 Army Materiel Command (AMC) seeks support in adopting decision-support tools to improve its operations and predictive readiness and to maximize the value of its data. The Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of the Army (DA) have invested significantly in IT systems that monitor and capture data about their maintenance and sustainment operations; AMC is interested in leveraging that data to design a supply-chain strategy aligned to DA’s needs. To that end, AMC seeks to adopt industryRead More
Project Announcement: US Navy Verification and Certification through Blockchain Concept Paper
08-24-2018 The U.S. Navy is interested in working with outside partners to improve the management and security of aircraft logistics data by implementing a blockchain network to transfer, validate, and protect data across installations and organizational units. This data is used to determine the health, availability, maintenance level, and readiness of naval aircraft. Those interested in participating in this initiative should contact Debra Lilu at debral@ncms.org or at (734) 262-0758 by September 14,Read More
Project Announcement: NAVAIR SmartSignal Digital Twin CBM+ Capability Evaluation
08-24-2018 The U.S. Navy seeks support in adopting Digital Twin software tools to determine the current condition of assets based on health monitoring data. This project forms part of a larger effort to implement Asset Performance Management (APM) software and accompanying systems engineering and data analytics practices that will enable the Navy to perform predictive analytics on smart aircraft data and better manage maintenance. Those interested in participating in this initiative should contactRead More
Project Announcement: CBM+ Data Integration with Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM)
08-24-2018 The U.S. Navy seeks support in identifying ways to integrate CBM+ and RCM data to proactive identify performance degradation and optimize preventative maintenance processes. Maintenance personnel currently perform RCM analysis through traditional methods, limiting their ability to analyze large amounts of data generated by modern aircraft (e.g., flight parameters, temperature, vibration, fatigue, etc.). This project will help the Navy close the Ready Basic Aircraft (RBA) gap for naval aircraftRead More
Project Announcement: Total Army Operational Mobilization and Replacements Integration, Sustainment, and Synchronization
08-24-2018 The U.S. Army seeks external partners to modify existing government software assets, adding capabilities related to cost projections, resource planning, and asset and personnel tracking. In addition, they must also document how these modifications may be implemented and integrated into current systems, processes, and standards. These new capabilities will support more efficient operation of the “Total Army,” i.e. the service members and resources of the Regular Army, National Guard, and ArmyRead More
Project Announcement: Advanced Logistics Innovation Concepts and Education
08-24-2018 The U.S. Marine Corps seeks to establish a logistics-based training partnership with experts from industry and academia, updating training curricula to better conform with Marine Corps doctrine and tactics and current best practices. Areas of interest include logistics chain management, maintenance, and maintenance-and-sustainment-related technologies, communicated through short curricula adaptable for use in both resident and distance learning. Those interested in participating in thisRead More
Project Announcement: Optimization of Supply Chain and Inventory Management Systems and Processes
08-24-2018 The U.S. Navy seeks external partners to update the supply chain inventory management systems and processes associated with maintaining legacy aircraft such as the E-6B. The service life of the E-6B has been extended past its initial 25-year period, resulting in significant obsolescence challenges. As the aircraft remains in operation, the requirements to sustain it increase. This process will necessitate an evaluation of current systems and studies and demonstrations to identify improvementsRead More
Project Announcement: Ship Repair and Maintenance Innovation
08-24-2018 The U.S. Navy seeks support in evaluating the use of a range of maintenance technologies at the Naval Ship Repair Facility in Yokosuka, Japan. These technologies fall into a range of domains, including metrology, viscometry, human augmentation and magnetic mounts, wiring inspection, and metal parts fabrication. The repair facility in Yokosuka is part of the the largest overseas U.S. Naval installation and is responsible for maintenance of the entire 7th Fleet. Those interested inRead More
Project Announcement: Strategy and Innovation; Enterprise Innovation Management Phase III
08-24-2018 The U.S. Navy seeks external support in establishing an “Agility Cell” to implement agile practices within the Department of the Navy (DON), providing support on issues ranging from education and training, program development and analysis, data strategy, process implementation, and collaboration. This project is part of a larger effort to reorient functions formerly ascribed to “innovation” to agility, improving the DON’s ability to react to new developments and take advantage of emergingRead More
Project Announcement: Cost to Run a Marine Expeditionary Force-Next (C2RAM-Next) Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure (JEDI) Data Interoperability and Transforming Resource Allocation Management Phase II
08-21-2018 The U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) and the Joint Chiefs of Staff are seeking outside support to augment their enterprise data management systems, bolstering C2RAM-Next, the USMC’s resource/cost analysis tool, by incorporating processes and data from JEDI, an interoperability-promoting initiative by the Joint Chiefs of Staff Directorate for Logistics (JS J4). The collection and exchange of equipment data currently take place as part of JEDI; the USMC and JS J4 aim to integrate this into C2RAM-NextRead More
Project Announcement: Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure (JEDI)-Logistic Functional Area Services (LOGFAS)
08-21-2018 The U.S. Armed Services are interested in identifying outside partners to help improve the exchange of information, processes, and security protocols with allied countries. To increase the interoperability of their information systems, the Services seek support in converting force-deployment data from U.S. systems into a format compatible with NATO’s LOGFAS. Those interested in participating in this initiative should contact Marc Sharp at marcs@ncms.org by September 7, 2018. We encourageRead More
Project Announcement: Modification to Manufacturing Demonstration Tool-set for Maintenance & Sustainment Support Phase III-A of Integrated Digital Resource Network, (IDRN)
08-16-2018 The U.S. Navy is seeking support in furthering enhancement of the Aviation Logistics Environment’s (ALE) to include Model Based Definition of its Integrated Digital Resource Network, a secure Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) platform that will enhance its logistics and manufacturing capabilities. This project will add capabilities via a net-centric, shared data environment that supports shore based, afloat and expeditionary operations. ALE solutions support top-level business areas:Read More
Project Announcement: Business Improvement Process for Maintenance & Sustainment
08-07-2018 Too many times, the public often tries to operate without a formal budget. Even some businesses that have a budget seldom consult it, meaning they are not gaining the business advantages that they could be through proper budgeting. Generally, there has always been a low confidence factor in budget analysis software due to concerns that the historical information is likely incomplete, inaccurate and/or difficult to populate. Although budgeting software allows direct data imports from integratedRead More
Project Announcement: LRU/WRAs Demonstration and Evaluation for Intermittent Fault Detection (IFD) Implementation Depot Level Maintenance at Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division
08-07-2018 As a consumer economy, almost all goods that we purchase and depend upon have some form of electronics; unfortunately, sometimes they have hidden defects. Millions of dollars are spent replacing faulty wiring and circuits, and sometimes unnecessarily replacing components in the hopes of resolving an issue. Public industry has limited capability in detecting intermittent faults with their current shop tools. Also, the daunting task of identifying where an electronic failure has occurred, andRead More
Project Announcement: Lightweighting Material Solutions for Maintenance and Sustainment
08-06-2018 The automotive and trucking industries are faced with tightening regulations to improve fleet fuel efficiency. Each manufacturer is taking different approaches in powertrain and materials technology to reach these challenging standards; one approach is through vehicle lightweighting. The objective of this project is to develop lightweight wheel-end components that will reduce overall vehicle weight as well as reduce maintenance costs. Those interested in participating in this projectRead More
Project Announcement: Advanced Lithium Ion Batteries – Phase II
08-06-2018 Energy storage continues to evolve as advanced materials and battery architecture are developed to address the need for portable, on-demand energy. Goals for improvements in these devices include life extension, energy density, safety, cost reduction, and charging speed. Phase I of the project focused on the need for cell-level improvements in cathode battery materials, advanced cathode coatings to reduce material waste and speed production, and novel cathode architectures. For Phase II, theRead More
Project Announcement: Long Term Tire Storage – Phase III
08-06-2018 Tire degradation causes maintenance and sustainment issues for numerous industries including tire manufacturers and distributors, auto dealers, farmers, bus lines, and truckers, as well as the Department of Defense. Phases I and II of this project, research focused on better understanding the causes of tire degradation during storage and developing a solution. Phase III expands upon earlier work to improve the protection gained from spraying tires with a degradation-resistant coating. TheRead More
Project Announcement: Modification to Manufacturing Demonstration Tool-set for Maintenance & Sustainment Support Phase III of Integrated Digital Resource Network (IDRN)
07-31-2018 The U.S. Navy is seeking support in furthering the adoption of its Integrated Digital Resource Network (IDRN), a secure Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) platform that will enhance its logistics and manufacturing capabilities. It plans to add program management and quality management functionality to its existing systems, which connect industrial machinery at several Naval installations with base infrastructure and a central repository. Those interested in participating in this projectRead More
Project Announcement: Supply Item Logistics Capability Initiative Phase II
07-26-2018 Possessing the ability to quickly and accurately assess quality and quantities for parts and components from more than one supplier, while meeting specific maintenance or sustainment requirements is an issue that industry has yet to fully overcome. They also require an enterprise management solution that will continue to support daily business processes while offering an advantage at some level over their foreign competitors. Fulfilling customer expectations is the first rule of businessRead More
Project Announcement: LRU/WRAs Demonstration and Evaluation for IFD Implementation Depot Level Maintenance at Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division
07-26-2018 A potentially faulty electronic system in the field can compromise reliability and safety for the public. Electronic maintenance poses an ever-increasing challenge for the technician today because of the limitations of current No Found Fault (NFF) equipment and training. The reduced size of electronic chips, coupled with increases in their interactions and complexities of equipment, have led to difficulties in diagnosing system faults; when these faults occur at the component level and areRead More
Project Announcement: Advanced Logistics Technology Sustainment Education Modernization
07-26-2018 The U.S. Marine Corps seeks outside partners with whom to develop military- and industry-relevant training curricula related to logistics technology and sustainment. These improvements will focus on inculcating industry best practices in supply chain logistics, improving the Marine Corps’ mission readiness and preparation for the future security environment. Those interested in participating in this project should contact Nicholas Brown at nicholasb@ncms.org by August 10, 2018. We encourageRead More
Project Announcement: Additive Manufacturing Processes for Design, Maintenance, and Sustainment
07-26-2018 The U.S. Army seeks support in adopting point-of-need part production for a redesigned Ground Vehicle Robotics PackBot (GVR-BOT) using Additive Manufacturing (AM). These parts will facilitate the creation of a significantly lighter GVR-BOT to replace the current model, serving as a pilot for future AM-enabled lightweight designs for vehicles and technical systems. Those interested in participating in this project should contact Debbie Lilu at debral@ncms.org by August 10, 2018. We encourageRead More
Project Announcement: Automated Armory Evaluation
07-26-2018 The U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) is interested in automating the tracking of small arms throughout its armories, thereby eliminating the slow, cumbersome process of manual record-keeping, a potential source of human error. It seeks support in determining the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of a potential system in light of current USMC regulations, policies, and practices. This automated inventory system may incorporate technologies such as biometrics, barcodes, and digital signatures, asRead More
Project Announcement: Augmented Reality Used to Enable the Advanced Manufacturing and Maintenance Workforce
07-26-2018 The U.S. Marine Corps is seeking the support of an external partner to pilot the use of an Augmented Reality (AR) tool (e.g. smart glasses) among maintenance personnel to give them hands-free access to technical publications, schematics, and other references on the shop floor. It is interested in a tool that would allow personnel to receive assignments in real time, track and record work, interact with Internet-of-Things-enabled devices, and send messages and live video toRead More
Project Announcement: Additive Manufacturing (AM) Contracting Guide Development for DoD
07-26-2018 The Department of Defense (DoD) seeks support in developing a contracting guide for Additive Manufacturing (AM) as part of a larger strategy of adopting Additive Manufacturing (AM) across the different branches of the military and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). Those interested in participating in this project should contact Debbie Lilu at debral@ncms.org by August 10, 2018. We encourage participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), including Minority Business EnterprisesRead More
Project Announcement: Readiness Sustainment and Maintenance Technology Integration
07-26-2018 The U.S. Marine Corps is seeking external support to modernize its Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. ERP systems facilitate coordination within and between different units, reducing the time and fiscal cost of logistics. System improvements must integrate with existing Marine Corps data sources and support analytics and reporting of maintenance management data, error estimates, and readiness metrics. The objective is to optimize current system use, enhance system reporting and dataRead More
Project Announcement: Reducing Maintenance & Sustainment through an Enterprise Shared 3D Visualization System
07-11-2018 Industry and government must continually coordinate on technical activities such as weapons platform – shore interface design optimization, Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization planning, Additive Manufacturing and industrial workforce training that involve digital workflows that require basic levels of interoperability across a plethora of 3D data sets. This concept effort will combine Department of Defense (DoD), Industry, and Specification Organizations that acquire and manage 3D data toRead More
Project Announcement: Axial Compressor Surface Finish Improvement
06-11-2018 The U.S. Navy is interested in measuring the improvements in performance associated with the application of protective surface finishes to aircraft engine components. To combat the degradation and increased risk of failure that occur when engines operate in environments with high temperatures, salt, sand, and other corrosive and/or abrasive substances, the U.S. Navy is employing these surface finishes on components of the MH-60 helicopter. To test their performance, it seeks the support of anRead More
Project Announcement: Business Transformation Acceleration Initiative
06-08-2018 The Department of the Navy (DON) is seeking support to overhaul its administrative processes, especially regarding designing and implementing department-wide business process reform, improving audit outcomes, modernizing business systems, and designing a data strategy for improving operations. Comprehensively, process improvement and overhaul can be a disruptive and resource-intensive endeavor and must be targeted in order to yield the desired improvements; DON is therefore interested inRead More
Project Announcement: Mobile pRFID System to Support Depot Maintenance Concept Paper
05-23-2018 Several U.S. military partners are interested in introducing passive radio frequency identification (pRFID) systems to their facilities to augment inventory management efforts. These systems must be capable of being mounted on a powered vehicle (e.g., forklifts), reading pRFID tags within a radius of 15 feet, and interfacing with existing pRFID-tag-tracking software systems. Crucially, they must also have an integrated geo-positioning capability (i.e., GPS). pRFID systems that use readersRead More
Project Announcement: T700 1st Stage Turbine Nozzle Sand/Salt Phobic Treatment Concept Demonstration – Phase III
05-23-2018 A U.S. military partner seeks support to assess the effectiveness of multiple airfoil surface treatments and protective coatings against the initial and continued accumulation of partially molten debris onto the nozzle guide vane of AE1107C turboshaft engines. Partially molten debris accumulation on high-pressure turbine airfoils is one type of deterioration that occurs within the hot section of an aircraft engine. The accumulation not only degrades performance, but can also increase engineRead More
Project Announcement: Aviation (PEO AVN) Stakeholder, Data, and Technical Assessment
05-23-2018 The U.S. Army is implementing reforms to its acquisitions programs to align them with product-support best practices employed by commercial industry. To do this, it must gauge the effectiveness of its current inventory of tools, as well as understand the impact of changes on their users. The Army seeks support in assessing its current data and technical solutions environment for product support management and in studying the needs and interests of internal and external stakeholders. ThisRead More
Project Announcement: Direct Digital Manufacturing Initiative
05-23-2018 The U.S. Army is pursuing the use of direct digital manufacturing (DDM)/Additive Manufacturing (AM) to improve the performance of turbine engines and to better meet the maintenance and sustainment requirements for current and future aircraft. It seeks an external partner to identify parts for the T700 engine that are well-suited to production via DDM/AM and that can be leveraged for future engine programs. It is also interested in conducting trial builds to determine process tolerances and inRead More
Project Announcement: United States Marine Corps Maintenance, Logistics, Sustainment, Improvement Initiatives
05-23-2018 The U.S. Marine Corps is evaluating Ground Equipment Maintenance Program (GEMP) activities required to meet Department of Defense (DoD) and Marine Corps readiness, logistics, and sustainability objectives. Central to this is the need for roadmaps to guide future strategy and policy changes, particularly as they concern ground ordnance and Marine Corps capability gaps. These roadmaps will be created through the formation of advisory groups and through face-to-face meetings with subject matterRead More
Project Announcement: Consolidation of Adhesives and Sealants Phase II
04-30-2018 The U.S. Army seeks to develop high-strength, high-elongation, corrosion-resistant adhesives with a low curing temperature (under 80 degrees Fahrenheit). These adhesives are intended for use with lightweight composite materials, some of which experience degradation at higher curing temperatures. The U.S. military and the manufacturing industry are transitioning away from traditional industrial metals to new substances, such as aluminum, magnesium alloys, titanium, lightweight steel,Read More
Project Announcement: Cloud-Based Acquisition Talent Management
04-19-2018 The U.S. Army is interesting in adopting an automated, cloud-based software system for talent management to reduce reliance on offline spreadsheet files and manual data entry. The ideal solution is a consolidated system with consistent user interfaces for managing different types of personnel (e.g. active duty, reserve, civilian, etc.). The Army currently uses several human capital and talent management systems, dashboards, and tools that are specialized for a single personnel type, at theRead More
Project Announcement: Manufacturing Demonstration Toolset for Maintenance & Sustainment Support for Fleet Readiness Centers Phase II
04-19-2018 One of the most significant issues for both industry and the DoD is the management of aircraft engineering data. This data consists of 3D CAD data, 2D drawings, and tech data packages received from the OEM. The data is often received in poor quality or in piece-meal and the current processes used are inadequate. Because of this, significant time is spent manually mining data by a dedicated group of logisticians and engineers. Utilizing the U.S. Navy’s Fleet Readiness Center (FRC) SoutheastRead More
Project Announcement: Naval Additive Manufacturing Knowledge Delivery System (NAMKDS)
03-28-2018 The U.S. Navy seeks industry support to develop a lifecycle management ecosystem that allows users to securely share verified Additive Manufacturing (AM) print files and related resources. It intends for this ecosystem to be a web-based platform that encompasses “all things AM,” including technical information, training, and users’ contributions of their own knowledge and experiences. The Department of Defense (DoD) is presently experimenting with the use of AM for maintenance andRead More
Project Announcement: Operational Energy Training and Education Phase II
03-27-2018 The U.S. Navy and the Marine Corps are interesting in developing and evaluating ways to incorporate awareness of operational energy (OE)—the energy resources required for training, moving, and sustaining military forces and weapons platforms—into maintenance and sustainment training. The Marine Corps’ dispersed, mobile Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) concept improves the resilience of its force structure but increases the fuel and energy requirements of operations on theRead More
Project Announcement: LOGCELL Playbook
03-27-2018 Navy Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support (NAVSUP WSS) is interested in creating a playbook and accompanying communications strategy to introduce and promote its LOGCELL decision-support environment to a broad set of government and industry users. The strategy should include a communications plan, a brand identity management approach, and an executable methodology to support LOGCELL’s rollout and increase its adoption. LOGCELL was created to replace large, cross-functional meetingsRead More
Project Announcement: F-35 Joint Program Office Digital War Room
03-27-2018 The F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) seeks to modernize access to—and increase the analytic availability of—critical programmatic data and information through the creation of a Digital War Room, supporting rapid analysis and decision-making by communicating visualized data and insights via a digital platform (i.e., through desktop, laptop, and mobile devices). JPO currently relies heavily on paper reports to comprehend data from multiple sources, which do not update in real time as data isRead More
Project Announcement: Army Materiel Command Supply Chain Strategy and Metrics
03-27-2018 Army Materiel Command (AMC) seeks support in adopting decision-support tools to improve its operations and predictive readiness and to maximize the value of its data. The Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of the Army (DA) have invested significantly in IT systems that monitor and capture data about their maintenance and sustainment operations; AMC is interested in leveraging that data to design a supply-chain strategy aligned to DA’s needs. To that end, AMC seeks to adopt industryRead More
Project Announcement: Individual Ready Reserve Training and Tracking System
03-27-2018 A U.S. government partner seeks an integrated system that will better calculate Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) requirements, identify best qualified soldiers to fill the requirements, coordinate/schedule training to re-integrate IRR soldiers back into the Army, and track them as they proceed through the training pipeline, integrate into their newly assigned units, and deploy. IRR soldiers are reserve soldiers who are not on active duty and are not obligated to participate in drills or militaryRead More
Project Announcement: Counternarcotics and Global Threat Mission Readiness System
03-27-2018 The Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Counternarcotics and Global Threats looks to improve Combatant Commands (CCMDs) and federal agencies’ abilities to access Army Reserve Component (RC) capabilities and to streamline military support for Department of Defense (DoD) approved counterdrug missions. The Office is interested in enhancing available mission analysis, planning tools, and financial tracking for DoD counterdrug missions, following an agile developmentRead More
Project Announcement: Fleet Exercise Section Electronic Sub-System Evaluation
03-13-2018 The U.S. Navy seeks to update electronic systems in the MK 54 Lightweight Hybrid Torpedo, documenting the current Electronics Sub-System’s (ESS) functional requirements and current interfaces and assessing future capabilities, which will be added to the ESS to meet future requirements and maintain compatibility with newer interfaces and standards. In the MK 54 Exercise Configuration, the ESS of the Fleet Exercise Section (FES) performs functions related to safety, exercise control,Read More
Project Announcement: Resource Allocation Management
02-22-2018 U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command (MARFORCOM) directs Active Component operating forces; executes Marine Corps force generation actions in the provisioning of joint capable Marine Corps forces, and directs deployment planning and execution in support of Combatant Commander (CCDR) and Service requirements. Headquarters Marine Corps – Command, Control, Communication, and Computers (HQMC C4) supports the Service in Joint, Department of Defense, and Department of the Navy C4 and IT matters. TheRead More
Project Announcement: Demonstrating the Integrated Business Planning (IBP) Process on a Navy Aircraft
02-20-2018 Integrated Business Planning (IBP) is a cross functional management process to integrate demand, supply, and financial planning to meet sustainment requirements of the Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE). IBP is the next generation Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process that focuses on business strategy and financial tradeoffs. The increased complexity in today’s supply chains have resulted in a unique set of issues and challenges leading to a natural tension in balancing customerRead More
Project Announcement: Development of Operational Transition Procedures & Sustainment Analysis for Global Logistics Integration System (GLIS) Supply & Maintenance Functions – Closeout Part A and B
02-07-2018 The Marine Corps’ Global Combat Support System (GCSS-MC) is being used as a testbed for the GLIS project, an ongoing enterprise resource planning (ERP) improvement initiative. GCSS-MC is the service’s ERP logistics system, and it plays a critical role in the maintenance and sustainment of Marine Corps assets across the globe. Outside of the U.S. military, ERP systems boost the bottom line of manufacturers, distributers, and sustainers and ensure that their customers receive timely service. TheRead More
Project Announcement: Advanced Rescue and Emergency Response Litter II
12-15-2017 The primary objective of this project is to provide an increased statistical rate of survival for those people recovered from traumatic accidents by developing a new combat litter technical solution that enhances the current Army system. Urban emergency responders with high-tech gurneys do not fit the needs of remote emergency responders who have low-tech litters. Today’s litter is a ridged cage with little to nothing in place for further injury mitigation caused from vibration or shockRead More
Project Announcement: Cybersecurity and Risk Management Framework – Phase II
11-28-2017 There are few imminent and continuous threats today that present – to both the public and commercial sectors – such high risk as cyber-attacks in the form of data breaches, including attacks across the Software Development Life Cycle or against the development environment. Software Assurance (SwA) is becoming increasingly critical, especially as the Department of Defense leverages commercial industry advancements in cloud computing and developmental platforms like Platform as a Service toRead More
Project Announcement: Development of Computer-Based Training for Maintenance and Supply Phase II
11-28-2017 Large organizations frequently confront the high costs and limited effectiveness of training large numbers of personnel using traditional methods. These methods are typically based on a broad curriculum aimed at delivering material to trainees with diverse job functions; this material is usually taught once in a physical setting, providing trainees with few opportunities for subsequent engagement or to refresh their knowledge. To remedy these shortcomings, the United States Marine Corps (USMC)Read More
Project Announcement: NMP-free Li Ion Electrode Development and Manufacturing
10-20-2017 The project will develop battery manufacturing technology without N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) in electrodes, and incorporate these electrodes into 6T modules. NMP-free electrode batteries must meet or exceed baseline battery performance as defined in 6T Li-ion Battery Specification MIL-PRF 32565, at 15% reduced cell cost. Prototype cells produced at a battery production line with the NMP-free technology shall be delivered to TARDEC for testing and evaluation. Those interested in participatingRead More
Project Announcement: Functional Surface Coatings
10-20-2017 This project will improve coating systems for UGV’s and small tactical robotic systems. These are sensitive to weight due to the accumulation of mud. Optics fouled by weather or sabotage degrade mission performance. Coatings will be developed to slough off water, muddy water, and mud for the body and non-optics components. Coatings will be developed for anti-smudge and fingerprint rejection for optics. This development includes a baseline of coatings systems, identification or development ofRead More
Project Announcement: High-build Polyurea
10-20-2017 This project seeks to investigate and demonstrate high build polyurea (or alternative high-ware coatings) suitable for Army bridging systems. The prototype CARC system will be used to comparatively test chip and wear resistant against incumbent technologies. The coating system will be evaluated for corrosion resistance, adhesion, durability, film thickness, and chip/wear resistance. The project team will demonstrate equipment and application of the coating system at one or more Army depots andRead More
Project Announcement: Improved Watercraft Coatings
10-20-2017 The goal of the project is to increase the performance of Army watercraft coatings. These improvements include requiring less frequent maintenance, corrosion prevention and special functions like flame-retarding. This project seeks to develop or improve waterborne fire-retardant coating systems for occupied spaces, anti-fouling coatings for high speed vessels, increased durability for underwater coating systems, and coatings that can withstand running aground. Those interested inRead More
Project Announcement: High-temperature Coating Adhesion Performance
10-20-2017 Current high temperature paint coating systems have degraded adhesion performance after high temperature cycling. The eventual breakdown of the coating system at the interface allows the paint system to flake off, which exposes bare metal to the environment, which leads to corrosion. It is desirable to have a coating system that can withstand high temperature thermal cyclic environments while providing corrosion resistance. This technology should originate in an industrial coating and beRead More
Project Announcement: Corrosion Detection Under Coatings
10-20-2017 The goal of this project is to identify current and emerging technologies employed in Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) of coated surfaces, benchmark the detection limits and resolution, and demonstrate the technology in a field environment. The costing systems include both industrial and military coatings. A further objective will be to determine coating formulation techniques that can enhance the detection or resolution of these technologies. The project will survey available technologies,Read More
Project Announcement: F/A-18 E/F Rhino Recovery Plan Integrated Business Planning (IBP) Initiative
10-04-2017 Organizations that maintain large vehicle fleets or inventories of equipment are continually confronted with the monetary and manpower costs of maintaining assets that remain unused for long periods of time. Currently, there is no comprehensive, streamlined system for such organizations to adopt to anticipate repair needs and update aging systems, which would lead to significant cost reductions, increase asset lifespan, and reduce the necessity of replacement. Because of the scale of itsRead More
Development of Operational Transition Procedures & Sustainment Analysis for Global Logistics Integration System (GLIS) Supply & Maintenance Functions – Closeout
10-02-2017 The Marine Corps’ Global Combat Support System (GCSS-MC) is being used as a testbed for the GLIS project, an ongoing enterprise resource planning (ERP) improvement initiative. GCSS-MC is the service’s ERP logistics system, and it plays a critical role in the maintenance and sustainment of Marine Corps assets across the globe. Outside of the U.S. military, ERP systems boost the bottom line of manufacturers, distributers, and sustainers and ensure that their customers receive timely service. TheRead More
Project Announcement: Reversible Adhesives – Phase 2
09-14-2017 A major goal of this project is to enable the continued development of reversible adhesive systems. Partners should possess the ability to develop, characterize, and/or model thermoplastic adhesive systems. These adhesive systems will need to be able to readily incorporate proprietary additives that enable the reversible adhesive system to function correctly. Adhesive systems will be characterized for important performance criteria, and the use of sensors to gauge performance will beRead More
Project Announcement: Expanded Use of Autonomous Logistics Platforms
08-31-2017 Intermodal shipping containers have had a huge impact change on commercial and military wholesale distribution operations. Commercial and government container operators have improved container shipping operations through the addition of sophisticated tracking technologies such as RFI and new operational concepts such as “inventory in motion”. The recent introduction of air and land based autonomous systems may alter the pace and scope of logistics operations. The concept of “autonomousRead More
Project Announcement: Long Term Tire Storage Phase 2
08-31-2017 A major goal of this project is to enable the accelerated testing and durability evaluation of tire storage coatings. Partners should possess the ability to consistently apply uniform barrier coatings to the inside and outside of military-size truck and trailer tires. Tires will be aged according to the appropriate industry standard, and then evaluated for physical properties. Another goal of this project is to apply the tire storage coating to tires for road wheel durability testing.Read More
Project Announcement: Integrated Corrosion Phase 2
08-31-2017 A major goal of this project is to enable the development of an accelerated corrosion test system that simulates real-world conditions better than current accelerated corrosion tests. The US Army and NASA are designing a new prototype accelerated corrosion test system. This project will support that development through test sample production of various coating systems. Partners should be able to apply a wide range of military and industrial coating systems. Partners should also possess a wideRead More
Project Announcement: Combat Vehicle Lightweight Efforts
08-31-2017 A major goal of this project is to enable the evaluation of lightweight components for very heavy vehicles. This project will support efforts to improve SWaP-C by determining if replacing components with lightweight equivalent parts is possible. Components will be large, and multi-material solutions are envisioned. More than one component will be investigated. Government furnished data may be Distribution D. Partners should possess the ability to produce computer aided design drawings ofRead More
Project Announcement: The Refurbishment, Re-Engineering, and Testing of the Demilitarized MK 122 MOD 0 Warhead Section for Sustainable Re-Introduction into an Advanced Lightweight Torpedo Capability
08-15-2017 The U.S. Navy is pursuing an advanced lightweight torpedo capable of prosecuting and defeating challenging adversary submarine targets. To successfully meet this need, a warhead capable of addressing this challenge is required. The objective of this initiative is to engineer sound technical solutions for maintaining and sustaining the MK 122 Mod 0 warheads that have been relegated to storage after removal from service for the purposes of extending their life and utilizing these warheads inRead More
Project Announcement: Manufacturing Demonstration Toolset for Maintenance & Sustainment Support for FRC Southeast and FRC Southwest
08-15-2017 One of the most significant issues for both industry and the DoD is the management of aircraft engineering data. This data consists of 3D CAD data, 2D drawings, and poor image quality of tech data drawing packages received from the OEM. The data is received piece-meal and the current processes used were developed to support the management of drawings and are not capable of managing this variety and quantity of data. Because of this, significant time is spent manually mining data by a dedicatedRead More
Project Announcement: Intermittent Fault Detection Technology Pilot Implementation for U.S. Air Force/Air Force Materiel Command
08-15-2017 The Department of Defense/U.S. Air Force is currently challenged by the inability to detect and isolate faults in aircraft wiring bundles and Weapon Replaceable Assembly (WRA)/Line Replaceable Units (LRUs). These faults include opens and shorts, degraded and intermittent signals, and insulation degradation. The magnitude of the challenge is daunting, with the DoD spending approximately billion annually just removing and replacing WRAs/LRUs that, when tested, are determined to beRead More
Project Announcement: Maintenance Quality Analysis
08-15-2017 The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) mission is to provide full lifecycle support for naval aviation aircraft, weapons, and systems operated by Sailors and Marines. Determining the quality of the integrated maintenance capability is difficult using current analysis methods, systems, and tools. The data to support this analysis exists in many disparate data sources and exceeds the current size limitations of the tools available to NAVAIR. The data systems used to collect the maintenanceRead More
Project Announcement: Gantry Hull Welding System Demonstration at a Naval Shipyard
08-15-2017 Metal frames that are critical for the structural support of fleet equipment such as ships, airplanes, trucks, and buses need to be scrupulously maintained. Repairs and upgrades to these frameworks are primarily done by welders who are trained in all specifications and safety requirements. The current standard for hull cut welding at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) is to use the stick welding process, which requires constant starting and stopping as well as meticulous cleaning in order to beRead More
Project Announcement: Reducing Maintenance Costs Through Predictive Analytics Phase II
08-15-2017 Controlling maintenance costs is critical to commercial industry in order to secure and retain market share/competitive advantage. Reducing maintenance cost is also a critical mission for the Defense Department in today’s budget-constrained environment. One of the most promising avenues for delivering enhanced maintenance performance is in the area of data analytics, specifically in using data collected by sensors on military assets to predict and avoid costly failures. Commercial industryRead More
Project Announcement: Using Predictive Analytics to Improve Main Reduction Gear (MRG) Readiness
08-15-2017 In recent years, the cruise line industry as suffered some embarrassing break downs due to power train failures and they’re not alone. The maritime industry, in general, has been dealing with power train issues since the first engine and driveshaft was placed on board seagoing vessels. These mechanical break downs are costly, and very dangerous when under restricted maneuvering and/or during inclement sea-state/weather conditions. The US Navy's surface fleet has also endured power trainRead More
Project Announcement: Automated Hydro-lance Conceptual Design for Heat Exchangers
08-15-2017 Hydro-lancing is presently accomplished manually and requires mechanics to push a water lance through each tube of a heat exchanger to remove fouling/growth. Heat exchangers on the industrial scale can contain thousands of tubes requiring hours of repetitive pushing and pulling of a lance. The shipboard environment offers a unique challenge due to the restricted workspace allowed for servicing the heat exchangers. This further aggravates the difficulty of this task requiring unnatural posturesRead More
Project Announcement: Predictive Vehicle Maintenance Through Data Acquisition
08-01-2017 The challenges of U.S. Army vehicle maintenance and repair continue to present new obstacles to the United States of America. As more vehicles are introduced, the methods for maintaining those new vehicles as well as the existing vehicles currently in operation continue to become more and more obsolete and cumbersome. As this phase of the vehicle development nears the end and the vehicle is deployed, the way maintenance has always been accomplished is easily used simply due to the readilyRead More
Project Announcement: Lithium Ion Deep-cycle Battery Cold Environment Versatility
08-01-2017 Lithium-ion batteries are both lighter and carry longer charge lives than their lead counterparts. However, benefits to industry don’t stop there. Technological improvements in rechargeable solid-state batteries are being driven by an ever-increasing demand for all electronic devices. Lithium-ion batteries are the systems of choice, offering high energy density, flexible and lightweight design, and longer lifespan than comparable battery technologies. These batteries are being used to benefitRead More
Project Announcement: Intermittent Fault Detection Technology Implementation and Training for Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane Division
08-01-2017 Electronic maintenance poses an ever-increasing challenge for the artisan today because of the limitations of current No Found Fault (NFF) equipment and training to the public. The reduced size of electronic chips, coupled with increases in their interactions and complexities of equipment, have led to difficulties in diagnosing system faults when these faults occur at the component level and are intermittent in nature. The purpose of this collaboration is to build upon the experiences ofRead More
Project Announcement: Removal of Magnetically Attached Devices (ReMAD) Effectiveness and Sustainability Assessment – Phase II
08-01-2017 Quick and easy removal of unwanted or no longer needed magnetically attached devices (MADs) has been and continues to be an issue in the commercial world as well as in DoD. A workable solution currently does not exist. ReMAD Phase II – The work of Phase I demonstrated a Proof of Concept solution through experimentation using MAD-emulating devices, which become detached using appropriately applied magnetic fields. It provides the basis for continuation of the project’s technicalRead More
Project Announcement: Assessment and Concept Development of zeroGs and zeroG-Mag-Mount Systems for Hull Applications at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNSY)
08-01-2017 At Naval Shipyards and commercial businesses much of the work is accomplished by “touch labor” artisans performing physically demanding and fatiguing operations: lifting, manipulating, and using heavy hand tools in awkward positions, with repetitive motions for lengthy durations. This physically demanding work, while essential, challenges the ability to meet current and future readiness and strategic objectives because the physically demanding work has seriously detrimental effects to employeeRead More
Project Announcement: Analysis of Maintenance Expenditures to Optimize Innovation Prioritization and Resourcing for Naval Shipyards
08-01-2017 Analysis of Maintenance Expenditures to Optimize Innovation Prioritization and Resourcing for Naval Shipyards The shipyards perform the most complex maintenance that the Navy requires, including most depot-level and some intermediate-level lifecycle maintenance and modernization of nuclear-powered submarines and carriers. The shipyards are also home to regional repair centers which provide planning yard functions, intermediate-level maintenance on equipment, maintenance of key nationalRead More
Project Announcement: Mission Analysis Readiness Resource Synchronization (MARRS) Phase III
08-01-2017 Business globalization has imposed significant changes in the way companies plan and execute major events; synchronization of resources often requires access to information housed in multiple database systems. To better operate under the uncertain and complex conditions defining the current era of persistent conflict, the Department of Defense (DoD) is following the lead of the commercial sector and migrating away from stove-piped legacy readiness management and reporting informationRead More
Project Announcement: Enhanced Environmental Performance for Safety Glass
08-01-2017 The goal of this project is to better understand causes of delamination, and alternative coatings and constructs, producing a more robust safety glass for this product that is widely used across many consumer situations such automotive windshields and bulletproof glass. There are three major aspects to the project: Efforts will be made to correlate the cause of delamination to the appearance of the failure. The impact of storage conditions will also be studied. A second focus will beRead More
Project Announcement: Modern Information Technology (IT) Portfolio Management Improvement Initiative – Phase III
08-01-2017 Debates exist on the best way to manage IT portfolios and to measure the value of IT investment. Companies invest billions of dollars on IT and yet the headlines of misspent money are not uncommon. IT portfolio managers are constantly challenged to properly, efficiently, and cost effectively manage their portfolios while dealing with criticisms of poor data quality, a lack of performance data, and misaligned IT governance and policy. When it comes to IT PFM, industries within the maintenanceRead More
Project Announcement: Mission Analysis Readiness Resource Synchronization
07-31-2017 The goal of this project is to progress development of a resource synchronization ERP system. The project will develop a cross-functional software system that holistically synchronizes, manages, and collaborates with existing and disparate capabilities. This system provides the data necessary to source and support validated mission and training requirements. The intent of this project is to develop a software system solution that: Presents readiness information in a strategicRead More
Project Announcement: Membrane Water Filtration System Development
07-31-2017 A major goal of this project, as the global need for potable water increases, is to develop a low-pressure thermoplastic filtration membrane module specially designed to treat fresh water sources for safe and reliable potable use, without the need for high-pressure reverse osmosis. The intent of this project is to optimize an end-to-end filtration system to: Reduce complexity Increase ease of use Provide robust automated operation Those interested in participating in thisRead More
Project Announcement: Maintenance and Safety Improvement for T700 Engine Compressor Airfoils
07-31-2017 The overall objective of this initiative is to prove out the benefits of using the erosion/corrosion resistant BlackGold® coating on the T700 jet engine compressor airfoils. Specifically, the initiative is intended to show improvement in functionality, reliability, maintainability, and procurement as follows: Functionality – an erosion and corrosion protective coating that retains compressor airfoil surface finish, retains airfoil profile, and eliminates corrosion pitting duringRead More
RFP: EPA Compliance Assistance Centers
07-27-2017 The National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS) currently operates a number of environmental assistance websites and related information resources with funding from the US Environmental Protection Agency. EPA has strongly recommended that awardees periodically subject all significant contracts funded under EPA programs to open competition. Accordingly, NCMS is releasing a Request for Proposals (RFP) relating to the development and operation of its Compliance Assistance Center WebsitesRead More
Project Announcement: Adapting Blockchain Technology for Additive Manufacturing
06-22-2017 A major goal of this project is to enable the public to reduce the barriers with digital information and to connect people and data with tools to support Additive Manufacturing (AM) innovation to design new products and to compete with larger counterparts. This in turn, will increase competition and reduce the cost of goods for the general public. Without the most relevant product development data and efficient processes, consumers are spending more for warehousing, transportation, and generalRead More
Project Announcement: Advanced Mobile Universal Electrical Tooling (AMUET) for Maintenance and Sustainment -- Phase III
05-25-2017 The issue of how to develop a reliable, cost-effective solution for trouble-shooting electrical systems continues to plague the aircraft industry. A good portion of aircraft maintenance costs are attributed to finding anomalies associated with complex electrical systems. Human error also enters into the equation, particularly if and when traditional hand-held meters are used to isolate an electrical system issue. It could take hours to find and isolate a defective component, wire, or wireRead More
Project Announcement: MRAP RESET Cable Reverse Engineering
05-01-2017 Deteriorating and aging cables that need replacing are a growing concern, but simply amassing and storing varieties of cables – which might not even fulfill the specific requirements – does not solve the problem. Instead, reverse engineering specific cables provides a faster, better solution to building just what is needed for a specific project. The MRAP Product Manager (PM) is conducting a RESET and standardization of their vehicle fleet. Many items provided to the Army during initialRead More
Strategy and Innovation; Enterprise Innovation Management Phase II
04-20-2017 Today, everyone is continually seeking out methods on how to minimize risk and improve benefits by adopting newer and ever evolving technology. Public industries within production, maintenance, and sustainment realms know that innovation is a force multiplier critical for product development and business success, as many of the products and services you and I purchase are positively or negatively influenced by social and other electronic media. Small and large businesses alike know it will notRead More
Project Announcement: Superior Energy Infrastructure Maintenance and Sustainment
04-20-2017 The objective of this project is to develop superior energy infrastructure sustainment and maintenance practices in support of the Air Force (AF) mission. As installation infrastructure continues to degrade, installations become more vulnerable to system failures and service disruptions. Furthermore, concurrent advances in technology make interdiction of the infrastructure more feasible by non-DoD actors. Additionally, advances in commercially available energy infrastructure technology areRead More
Project Announcement: Process Development for Air Force Energy Infrastructure
04-20-2017 The objective of this project is to develop a framework and process set to inform Air Force policy recommendations on energy infrastructure maintenance and sustainment practices to optimize mission support. As installation infrastructure continues to age and deteriorate, Air Force facilities become more vulnerable to system failures and service disruptions. Furthermore, concurrent advances in technology make interdiction of the infrastructure more feasible by non-DoD actors. Additionally,Read More
Project Announcement: Technical Studies, Analyses for Intermittent Fault Detection Isolation System (IFDIS) Implementation Across DoD
04-20-2017 A potentially faulty electronic system in the field can compromise reliability and safety for the public. Electronic maintenance poses an ever-increasing challenge for the artisan today because of the limitations of current No Found Fault (NFF) equipment and training to the public. The reduced size of electronic chips, coupled with increases in their interactions and complexities of equipment, have led to difficulties in diagnosing system faults when these faults occur at the component levelRead More
Project Announcement: Supply Item Logistics Capability Initiative
04-20-2017 Possessing the ability to quickly and accurately assess quality and quantities for parts and components from more than one supplier, while meeting specific maintenance or sustainment requirements is an issue that industry has yet to fully overcome. They also require an enterprise management solution that will continue to support daily business processes while offering an advantage at some level over their foreign competitors. Fulfilling customer expectations is the first rule of businessRead More
Project Announcement: Item Master Logistic Capability Initiative Phase II
04-20-2017 As businesses across the country consistently seek out mitigation and look for solutions to their IT shortfalls, design for standardization, cataloging and effectively identifying parts for distribution while being able to quickly isolate defective parts is an issue that has plagued industry for decades and continues today. Fulfilling general public expectations is normally the first rule of business today, but companies that fail to adequately recognize substandard practices and systems thatRead More
Project Announcement: Supply Item Logistics Capability Initiative
04-20-2017 Possessing the ability to quickly and accurately assess quality and quantities for parts and components from more than one supplier, while meeting specific maintenance or sustainment requirements is an issue that industry has yet to fully overcome. They also require an enterprise management solution that will continue to support daily business processes while offering an advantage at some level over their foreign competitors. Fulfilling customer expectations is the first rule of businessRead More
Project Announcement: Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) for Integrating Maintenance and Sustainment Program Requirements Through an Asset’s Lifecycle – Phase II
04-20-2017 Like many commercial companies, the Air Force (AF) logistics and engineering communities lack a standardized and integrated method of accessing Product Lifecycle Information (PLI), managing configuration control of said PLI, synchronizing changes among PLI, and sharing the PLI with downstream consumers (e.g., maintenance, planning). This results in unplanned, manual intervention of limited manpower resources on activities to create, maintain, and update product information before use. TheRead More
Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) for Integrating Maintenance and Sustainment Program Requirements through an Asset’s Lifecycle – Phase II
03-31-2017 Like many commercial companies, the Air Force (AF) logistics and engineering communities lack a standardized and integrated method of accessing product lifecycle information (PLI), managing configuration control of said PLI, synchronizing changes among PLI, and sharing the PLI with downstream consumers (e.g., maintenance, planning). This results in unplanned, manual intervention of limited manpower resources on activities to create, maintain, and update product information before use. TheRead More
T700 1st Stage Turbine Nozzle Sand/Salt Phobic Treatment Concept Demonstration – Phase II
02-27-2017 One specific deterioration mode that occurs within the engine hot section is partially/molten debris accumulation on high pressure turbine airfoils. The accumulation causes not only performance degradation, but also has the potential to increase engine op line, thereby reducing overall engine stall margin and safety factors. In order to mitigate the effects of debris accumulation, airfoil treatments and coatings are conceptually an option for operational use. The Phase II initiative willRead More
NAVAIR Expeditionary Fluid Analysis Capability Evaluation
02-27-2017 Condition-based maintenance (CBM) is a maintenance strategy that monitors the actual condition of the asset to decide what maintenance needs to be done. CBM dictates that maintenance should only be performed when certain indicators show signs of decreasing performance or upcoming failure. Improving overall lifecycle costs and reducing waste stream benefits the environment. A portable fluid analysis device bridges the gap between future online analysis systems and current laboratory-basedRead More
Development of Computer-Based Training for Maintenance and Sustainment
02-27-2017 Most often training curriculum is written to train too much functionality at one time and to large segments of job roles at fixed times. The traditional model of instructor-led training in a classroom setting is both cost prohibitive due to travel expense and time away from the job. This problem is compounded by teaching to much material to the wrong employees or worse no training at all because it is too expensive. GCSS-MC is about to go through a major upgrade, called R12 that will requireRead More
Business Improvement Process for Maintenance & Sustainment
02-27-2017 The Air Force leaders have recognized the need for comprehensive, transparent, accurate, and timely financial information in support of program budget and resource allocation decisions. One of the main concerns is the need to improve strategic management of Air Force programs, compliance reporting, and performance assessments of budgetary processes. Based on detailed market research, including an Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) and Preferred Solution Analysis (PSA), the Air Force has narrowedRead More
Manufacturing Management System for Aircraft Maintenance, Sustainment and Support
02-27-2017 Most companies have plenty of data in their internal databases, but extracting the right information and translating it into actionable intelligence, is another matter altogether. The adoption of configuration management with a strong PLM backbone can increase collaboration throughout American industry and their suppliers, resulting in more streamlined processes across a product’s lifecycle. The Manufacturing Execution System (MES), SIMATIC IT solution, is a sophisticated, highly scalable MESRead More
Integration of Operational Energy into Training and Education
02-27-2017 Energy efficient technologies have the potential to significantly reduce the public energy consumption while maintaining or enhancing sustainability and mission effectiveness. The Services have made significant investments in alternative energy and energy efficient technologies to reduce their demand for fossil fuels. American industry is partnering with the Services to better understand their needs and develop innovative technologies to address these energy challenges and the similaritiesRead More
Development of Laser Additive Manufacturing Repair (LAM-R) Transition Procedures Supporting Maintenance & Sustainment
02-27-2017 LAM-R is a fusion-based AM process, or laser powder fed AM process, (differentiating from the laser powder bed process) was developed making it possible to repair parts that were previously unrepairable. It impacts acquisition cost and production lead time issues for various aerospace, automotive, marine, and energy industrial high dollar components. While the possibilities for AM intrigue both the materials engineer and the design engineer, they present a great challenge for those responsibleRead More
Rapid & Agile 3D Scanner with Micron Accuracy for Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI)
02-27-2017 Rapid precision measurement through NDI coupled with “big data,” predictive diagnostics, is one of the most promising avenues to deliver the next generation a foundation for faster, lower cost. What is limiting maintenance organizations from adopting this new paradigm for condition based monitoring has been the sensor technology (precision data acquisition) with its ability to be agile, reliable and portable for practical field use. The intent of this initiative is to develop a NDI One-CellRead More
Intelligent Management Analysis System (IMAS)
02-27-2017 Increasing aviation safety is a primary design and operational goal for aircraft flying within the industrialized nations. Decreasing the failure probability requires a platform sustainment methodology that continually improves the ability to detect and mitigate functional degradation before failure occurs. Prognostics find precursors prior to failures; diagnostics helps find root causes to recurring problems. Resolving prognostics and diagnostics quickly saves time and money via costRead More
Complex Cable Harness Reverse Engineering and Production Process Development and Validation – Phase II
01-24-2017 Cables can be found just about anywhere, and the integrity of a cable has a profound effect on its ability to do its job and to public wellbeing and safety. Deteriorating and aging cables that need replacing are a growing concern, but simply amassing and storing varieties of cables – which might not even fulfill the specific requirements – does not solve the problem. Instead, reverse engineering specific cables provides a faster, better solution to building just what is needed for a specificRead More
Development of Operational Transition Procedures & Sustainment Analysis for Global Logistics Integration System (GLIS) Supply & Maintenance Functions – Phase IV
01-24-2017 The Marine Corps (USMC) ERP logistics system (GCSS-MC), which is critical to the maintenance and sustainment of their assets worldwide, is being used as a testbed for this ERP improvement initiative. ERP systems are beneficial to not only the bottom line of manufacturers, distributers, and sustainers, but also to their customers who expect timely service. The GLIS project is currently in Phase III. GLIS Phase IV will continue to build on the substantial work accomplished in Phases I – III, butRead More
Streamline Use of ENABLE – Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs)
01-24-2017 The Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment, & Energy (SAF IE) is committed to increasing the energy assurance of Air Force (AF) installations. Energy assurance technologies are growing in complexity with evolutionary vulnerabilities, such as cyber-attacks, and unknown sustainment and maintenance requirements. Installations must submit proposed ESPC projects to the Air Force Civil Engineering Center (AFCEC), through its respective Major Command (MAJCOM) and theRead More