FY23 DMCSP NOFO - April 24.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Notice of Funding Opportunity

AGENCY: Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, Department of Defense

ACTION: Notice of Funding Opportunity

NOTICE: The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.L. 117-328) provides $30 million for this program.

SUMMARY: This notice announces an opportunity to obtain funding from the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation under the Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program for long-term investments in critical skills, facilities, research and development, and small business support to strengthen the national security innovation and manufacturing base by designating and supporting consortia as defense manufacturing communities. This notice includes proposal submission requirements, instructions, and eligibility and selection criteria that will be used to award funds.

This is a two-step process: 1) following a competitive review of proposals, designation as a Defense Manufacturing Community; and 2) on the basis of a designation, submission of an acceptable grant application and award of funding. This is a Final Notice of Funding Opportunity. Interested respondents must submit a proposal based on the instructions provided in Section D., subparts 1-4 of this notice.

NOTE: Consortia that received a Defense Manufacturing Community designation and grant funding in Fiscal Years 2020-2022, and will have completed a funded scope of work by August 31, 2023, may compete for additional funding under this announcement. In situations where the Defense Manufacturing Communities’ proposed project period ends after their original five (5) year designation period, eligible Defense Manufacturing Communities should submit as part of this application a request to renew their designation period for up to two (2) years. Their proposed project’s end date should not exceed the date of their requested designation renewal period. An interdepartmental/ interagency Defense Manufacturing Community Review Panel will review their overall proposal and designation renewal request, along with all proposals received under this notice, based on criteria provided in Section E., paragraph 1. Applications for designation renewal should provide the following information:

a) The performance of the consortium in meeting the established goals of the Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program;

b) The progress the consortium has made with respect to project-specific metrics;

c) How the changes to the composition of the eligible consortium or revisions of the plan for the consortium would improve the capabilities of the defense industrial base; and

d) The effectiveness of coordination with Department of Defense Manufacturing Innovation

Institutes.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

a. Federal Awarding Agency: Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, Department of Defense.

b. Funding Opportunity Title: Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program.

c. Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity.

d. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 12.600.

e. Key Dates: The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation previously held a pre-proposal webinar on February 28, 2023, and will hold an additional pre-proposal webinar at 11:00 a.m. PDT on May 4, 2023 to review the goals and objectives of this notice and answer questions from interested respondents.

Details about participation in this pre-proposal webinar will be available on the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation webpage at https://oldcc.gov/Defense-Manufacturing-Community-Support- Program. Complete proposals for Defense Manufacturing Community designation and funding must be received by the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation by 5:00 p.m. PDT on June 26, 2023 (the Proposal Deadline). All proposals will be ranked for designation as a Defense Manufacturing Community by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy. Following this designation, the Director, Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation will invite the submission of a grant application from the designated Defense Manufacturing Community consortiums and assign Project Managers to assist with the preparation of a grant application. In the event an invited Defense Manufacturing Community is unable to submit an application, or it is determined a prepared application materially differs from the proposed project that was the basis for its ranking, the invitation may be withdrawn, and another Defense Manufacturing Community may be designated and then invited to submit an application on the basis of their competitive ranking and available funding.

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

The defense industrial base is key to national security and contributes to the economic prosperity of communities across the United States. The Department of Defense seeks to build domestic competitiveness and ensure companies are modernizing and innovating to better enable the warfighter with the latest technology.

The Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program, authorized under Section 846 of the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 115-232), supports long-term investments in critical skills, facilities, research and development, and small business support in order to strengthen the national security innovation and manufacturing base by designating and supporting consortia as defense manufacturing communities. Consortia membership can include entities of State and local government, defense manufacturers, workforce organizations, defense industry and association-led organizations, non-profit organizations, academia, and various combinations thereof. State and local economic development organizations can be valuable partners in connecting the defense-focused project with broader public initiatives, while industry associations and companies can invest in proven programs and technologies to bring them to scale.

The program also seeks to ensure complementarity of designated Defense Manufacturing Communities with existing Department of Defense Manufacturing Innovation Institutes. Since 2012, the Department of Defense has established nine (9) Manufacturing Innovation Institutes as a valuable source of innovation for the defense industrial base. These Institutes are public-private partnerships designed to overcome the challenges faced by American manufacturing innovators in a variety of technology areas. While each Institute operates in its own unique ecosystem, the Institutes offer common capabilities that:

Provide access to state-of-the-art tools and equipment that are otherwise beyond the reach of most businesses

Implement targeted education and workforce development training programs Encourage project investments in applied research and industrially-relevant manufacturing technologies

A list of these Institutes is available at: https://www.dodmantech.mil/Manufacturing-Innovation-Institutes/

Consortia designated as a Defense Manufacturing Community in 2023 will be invited by the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation to apply for financial and technical assistance as broadly outlined in Section B below. Consortia that received prior Defense Manufacturing Community designations and grant funding in Fiscal Years 2020-2022, and will have completed a funded scope of work by August 31, 2023, may compete for funding up to $5 million under this announcement. In situations where Defense Manufacturing Communities’ proposed project period ends outside their respective original five (5) year designation period, eligible Defense Manufacturing Communities should submit as part of this application a request to renew their designation period for up to two (2) years. Their proposed project’s end date should not exceed the date of their requested designation renewal period. An interdepartmental/ interagency Defense Manufacturing Community Review Panel will review their overall proposal and designation renewal request, along with all proposals received under this notice, based on criteria provided in Section E., paragraph 1.

The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation may supplement funds available under Federal programs administered by agencies other than the Department of Defense. Additionally, subject to statutory authority, the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation may transfer funds to another Federal agency for that agency’s award to State or local governments.

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION:

All proposals will be competitively scored by an interdepartmental/interagency Defense Manufacturing Community Review Panel against the selection criteria provided in Section E., paragraph 1 of this notice.

The resulting ranked listing of proposals will then be provided to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy for final approval and designation as Defense Manufacturing Communities.

Following this designation, the Director, Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation will invite the submission of grant applications from the designated Defense Manufacturing Community consortia and assign Project Managers to assist with the preparation of grant applications. In the event an invited Defense Manufacturing Community is unable to submit an application, or it is determined that a prepared application materially differs from the proposed project that was the basis for its ranking, the invitation may be withdrawn, and another Defense Manufacturing Community may be designated and then invited to submit an application on the basis of their competitive ranking and available funding.

Grant awards may vary in size, but in no case exceed $5 million. Periods of performance may also vary, but in no case exceed five (5) years, with a start date of September 1, 2023, and an end date of no later than June 30, 2028. Cost overruns are the responsibility of the recipient. Proposals requesting projects of more than $5 million will not be accepted for review. All proposals must result in a complete project, with a specific start and end date.

The final amount of each award will be determined by the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation based on the recommendation of an internal Technical Review Committee in conformance with 2 CFR Part 200, “Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards,” and subject to the availability of appropriations for this program. If awarded a grant, the grantee shall generally ensure requests for disbursements under this award are in proportion to the Federal and non-Federal portions of the total approved project costs. (For example, for every $1 in eligible costs on a project with an 80% Federal contribution, requests for disbursements should generally ensure Federal funds do not exceed 80% of the expenditures for the project at any point over the term of the award).

An initial Defense Manufacturing Community designation shall be for a period of five (5) years. Eligible communities may request renewal of their designation for up to two (2) additional two-year periods. A Defense Manufacturing Community designation shall not exceed a total of nine (9) years for a specific consortium.

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION:

1. Eligible Organizations:

Proposals for projects must be submitted by a “Lead Organization” on behalf of a regional consortium as part of the proposal being submitted. A Lead Organization may be any of the entities identified in Section A. above.

For the purpose of this announcement, a “consortium” is an association of persons and organizations/ entities focused on a common challenge in defense manufacturing or defense-related technology. These consortia represent active networks of similar, synergistic or complementary organizations engaged in a particular defense manufacturing industry sector or vertical, with active channels for business transactions, communications, dialogue, and workforce development that share specialized infrastructure, labor markets and services.

A Lead Organization of a consortium applying for project finding must meet the following requirements:

o be an established entity with a defined management structure, and the authority to bind the consortium to deliver the commitments undertaken by the consortium in furtherance of the proposed strategy;

o be recognized as a Lead Organization by key partners and stakeholders through formal written documentation; and, o be one of the following types of entities:

State, local or tribal government organization, Public or private non-profit consortium of defense industry, or Institution of higher education or a consortium of higher education institutions.

Additionally, proposed consortium:

o may be composed of members from State and local government, defense industry, Federal laboratories, industry associations, Department of Defense Manufacturing Innovation Institutes, and academia;

o must demonstrate regional collaboration capabilities, and a regional concentration of technologies or industrial base supply chains that are critical to national security; and, o must demonstrate complementarity with Defense Manufacturing Innovation Institutes.

The membership size of a consortium should demonstrate optimal composition that promotes effectiveness, collaboration, and efficiency that strengthens the defense industry’s innovation base. Consortia membership is not limited to a geographic service area. However, as a practical management matter, the majority of members are expected to be located within the geographic service area. A consortium’s membership should possess no national security conflicts related to foreign investment.

The Lead Organization will serve as the consortium’s representative, presenting the consensus opinion of their respective consortium, will be responsible for coordinating implementation of the proposed strategy, and the receipt of grant funding. At the time of a proposal’s submission, all members of the consortium must either sign a letter of intent or commitment, or alternatively indicate their support through a draft Memorandum of Understanding outlining their commitment to the goals and objectives of the consortium and documenting their respective contributions to the consortium as per the instructions in Section D. of this notice. Should a consortium be awarded a grant, the formal, executed Memorandum(s) of Understanding (such as sub-award agreements) to execute the proposed project must be provided to the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation before any funding will be disbursed to the Lead Organization on behalf of the consortium. The Lead Organization must be legally able to receive grant funding from the Federal government and registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at https://sam.gov. The Lead Organization may be requested to provide documentation confirming eligibility to receive funds and SAM registration upon request.

Consortia seeking funds are encouraged to coordinate with the Defense Manufacturing Innovation Institutes well in advance of their submission under this notice to ensure their strategies align directly with the priorities of the Department of Defense.

Consortia that received a Defense Manufacturing Community designation and grant funding in Fiscal Years 2020-2022, and will have completed a funded scope of work by August 31, 2023, may compete for additional funding under this announcement. Applications from current Defense Manufacturing Communities will be evaluated against the criteria provided in Section E., paragraph 1. In situations where the Defense Manufacturing Communities’ proposed project period ends after their original five (5) year designation period, eligible Defense Manufacturing Communities should submit as part of this application a request to renew their designation period for up to two (2) years. Their proposed project’s end date should not exceed the date of their requested designation renewal period.

2. Consortia Focus and Geographic Scope:

Consortia should define the regional boundaries of their consortium based on the respective region’s capabilities, key technologies, or industrial base supply chains that are determined critical to national security.

The most relevant documents delineating the Department of Defense’s priority “capabilities, key technologies, or industrial base supply chains” for purposes of this announcement are:

Section 3 of the Department of Defense report: “State of Competition Within the Defense Industrial Base” (link: https://media.defense.gov/2022/Feb/15/2002939087/-1/-1/1/STATE- OF-COMPETITION-WITHIN-THE-DEFENSE-INDUSTRIAL-BASE.PDF), released February 15, 2022, by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, and

“Securing Defense-Critical Supply Chains – An Action Plan in Response to President Biden’s Executive Order 14017” (link: https://media.defense.gov/2022/Feb/24/2002944158/-

1/-1/1/DOD-EO-14017-REPORT-SECURING-DEFENSE-CRITICAL-SUPPLY-

CHAINS.PDF) released February 24, 2022, by the Deputy Secretary of Department of Defense.

However, other documents from the Department of Defense or the Military Services may also be relevant, including:

The 2022 National Defense Strategy (link:

https://media.defense.gov/2022/Oct/27/2003103845/-1/-1/1/2022-NATIONAL-DEFENSE-

STRATEGY-NPR-MDR.PDF);

The February 1, 2022, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering report entitled “Technology Vision for an Era of Competition” (link: https://www.cto.mil/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/usdre_strategic_vision_critical_tech_areas.pdf), and

The January 2023 “Small Business Strategy” (link:

https://media.defense.gov/2023/Jan/26/2003150429/-1/-1/0/SMALL-BUSINESS-

STRATEGY.PDF),

Applicants are encouraged to consult these and any other documents that help consortia to understand and respond to the Department’s priorities.

As indicated in these reference documents, the Department of Defense is working with its private sector and non-profit partners to develop and otherwise expand capabilities in certain technological areas: critical minerals, space, biotechnology, hypersonics, kinetic capabilities, energy storage and batteries, castings and forgings, microelectronics, and the submarine and shipbuilding workforce. The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation encourages consortia seeking Defense Manufacturing Community designation to submit proposals in these specific areas.

In general, the geographic scope of consortia seeking funds should be large enough to contain critical elements of the key defense technologies or supply chains prioritized by the applicant, but small enough to enable close collaboration. The proposed consortium should identify and provide evidence that their service area ranks high in the nation for the colocation of specific key defense manufacturing technologies or supply chains. Alternatively, the consortium should provide evidence of how any proposed resourcing would catalyze the formation of a regional defense innovation base. Consortia seeking Defense Manufacturing Community designation should use validated data with citations as an indicator of how the region ranks in the nation for the focus being proposed. The data used by the consortium should confirm that the region ranks in the top third nationwide with regard to key defense manufacturing technologies or supply chains. The geographic size of the consortium need not be limited by traditional jurisdictional boundaries, but should demonstrate an optimal composition that promotes the effectiveness, collaboration and efficiency that strengthens the defense industry’s innovation base.

3. Cost Sharing or Matching:

Proposals must commit to a matching share, in cash or in-kind (including calculated value of personnel, goods, and services, including direct and indirect costs), of at least twenty percent (20%) of the entire proposed project cost.

For each organization providing a portion of the matching share, including the Lead Organization if applicable, proposers must provide evidence of the source of non-Federal match by submitting a commitment letter or equivalent document signed by an authorized representative of that organization. The commitment letter should demonstrate that a specific-dollar matching share is available and will, at the time of a grant award, be committed to the project for the period of performance. Non-Federal cost share contributions to be used for the required matching share must be directly related to the proposed project, such as services, personnel, equipment, or space.

For Defense Manufacturing Community designees, additional documentation may be requested by the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation during the grant application process to substantiate the availability of the matching funds. The Director of the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, as the Grant Officer, may waive a match requirement in consideration of reasons related to national security priorities on the basis of a written endorsement from either the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, or the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.

Matching funds may not count as non-Federal match for other project funding, and the ability to use other Federal funds as a match contribution will be determined by the authority and appropriation providing those funds as well as whether the relevant Grantor provides approval. Funding proposed as a source for the non-Federal share must be expended within the proposed project period, generally commencing from the date of award. The Lead Organization is responsible for the expenditure of the total committed non- Federal match in the grant award, which must be provided even if an anticipated source of non-Federal match becomes unavailable during the grant period.

4. Eligibility of Proposed Activities:

As part of the proposal for project funding, each “Lead Organization” will submit a concept briefing (PowerPoint format) and white paper (Word format), the components of which are complementary of each other. The concept briefing should summarize the material set forth in the white paper, and the white paper should provide a comprehensive narrative describing the proposed project. If designated as a Defense Manufacturing Community, the concept briefing and the white paper will form the basis for the invitation to apply, and, as noted, substantial variations from the strategy described in these documents may form the basis for disqualification even after designation.

Within the concept briefing and white paper, Lead Organizations will describe their proposed project plans.

Consortia may seek to support their regional defense ecosystems through:

o equipment or facility upgrades;

o workforce training, retraining, or recruitment and retention, including that of women and underrepresented minorities;

o business incubators;

o advanced research and commercialization, including with Federal laboratories and depots;

o supply chain development; and, o small business assistance.

Consortia are encouraged to propose projects that will deliver services to businesses and workers at the speed of relevance, and that are likely to be sustained by private sector investment after the grant has ended.

Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program funds may not supplant funds to support activities already provided by the Defense Manufacturing Innovation Institutes. Applicants are not required to have a financial or sub-award agreement with an Institute to show partnership and complementarity.

Funding is not sufficient to support major construction involving ground disturbing activities; therefore, proposals including such activities will not be considered. Requests related to facility upgrades will be accepted, but must be contained within the existing facility footprint and funds received must be dedicated to modernizing or enabling innovation activities per the scope of the proposed project. Proposed projects which include facility upgrades and/or the purchase of capital equipment must assure Federal Interest in the improvement and/or equipment undertaken or obtained through a grant is maintained through the Federal Interest Period, as will be specified in the award terms and conditions.

Funds available under this program are considered the final Federal funds sourced for any proposed project and cannot supplant funding committed by other Federal programs. Proposed projects deemed to either supplant other Federal funds, or where other Federal funds are being sought for the same proposed project (respondents should not simultaneously pursue other Federal or Office of Local Defense Community

Cooperation funding for their proposed scope of work) will not be considered. Respondents are encouraged to submit proposals that demonstrate appropriate leverage of public and private entities, such as:

o U.S. Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program for the provision of relevant assistance to the region’s manufacturers that operate as part of the Defense supply chain;

o State, regional, and local economic development organizations working on Defense supply chain matters;

o U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration’s grantees, including Economic Development Districts and University Centers;

o Small Business Administration (SBA) Regional Innovation Clusters or other involvement with SBA District offices, Small Business Development Centers, SCORE chapters, or Women’s Business Centers; and, o U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration grantees, including Workforce Development Boards and/or American Job Centers.

In instances where applicants are aware their proposed activities are seemingly eligible for other programs of Federal assistance (e.g., workforce development assistance from the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration), justification for not pursuing those funds from the other Federal source should be provided in the narrative portion (Word document) of the application. If following the submission of a proposal, the respondent has other duplicative Federal sources of funding for their proposed scope of work, the proposal will not be considered.

Funds provided under this program may not be used to directly identify or assist a business, including a business expansion, in the relocation of a plant, facility, or operation from one Labor Market Area to another if the relocation is likely to result in the loss of jobs in the Labor Market Area from which the relocation occurs.

D. PROPOSAL AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION:

1. Address to Request Application Package:

Proposals must be submitted electronically as described in Section D., paragraph 3 below.

2. Content and Form of Proposal Submission:

Consortia seeking funding must submit a complete proposal through Grants.gov not later than the Proposal Deadline date (see Section D., paragraph 3). Grants.gov requires all proposers to complete the Standard Form 424. Please refer to the instructions provided with this Grants.gov notice on how to complete the Standard Form 424.

In addition to the Standard Form 424, “Lead Organizations” will submit the following proposal components in order for their respective consortium to be considered for designation as a Defense Manufacturing Community:

o Part 1: Defense Manufacturing Community Project Concept – Slide Presentation;

o Part 2: Defense Manufacturing Community Project White Paper; and o Part 3: Any Necessary Supporting Documentation.

o Part 4 (optional): Defense Manufacturing Community designation renewal request

Parts 1 and 2 complement each other: The concept (slide presentation) is a summary of the white paper, and the white paper is the comprehensive narrative that fleshes out the concept. Parts 1 and 2 shall be structured similarly.

Proposed Defense Manufacturing Communities will be evaluated based solely on the components listed above. Those consortia designated as a Defense Manufacturing Communities will be invited to submit a grant application to the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation for funding and technical assistance. In the event an invited Defense Manufacturing Community is unable to submit an application, or it is determined a prepared application materially differs from the proposed project that was the basis for its ranking, the invitation may be withdrawn, and another Defense Manufacturing Community may be designated and then invited to submit an application on the basis of their competitive ranking and available funding.

Below is a detailed description of the required components to be designated as a Defense Manufacturing Community:

A. PART 1: Defense Manufacturing Community Project Concept Brief: No more than a ten (10) page PowerPoint presentation (including all relevant maps/drawings/diagrams) that outlines the following:

Slide 1: Consortium Information

- Name of proposed Defense Manufacturing Community - Consortia

- Name of “Lead Organization”

- Headquarters location (City, State)

- Website

- Contact Person (First Name, Last Name)

- Contact Email Address

- Contact Phone Number

- Additional contact, if applicable

Slide 2: Mission, Vision and Summary

- What is the consortium’s mission/vision in one sentence?

- How would you summarize your proposed project in two to three sentences?

- How would the consortium’s mission/vision enhance the defense industrial base, and complement or leverage the Defense Manufacturing Innovation Institutes?

Slides 3 and 4: Service Area Identification and Regional Assessment:

- What area are you serving? This could include cities, counties, regions, states, etc.

- What are the specific defense manufacturing technologies and/or supply chains on which the consortium will focus?

- How are the identified technologies/supply chains considered top-ranked in the nation?

- How do they tie into defense technology areas (see Section C.2.)?

- What are the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) within the service area?

Slide 5: Consortium Makeup and Leadership Structure

- Who comprises the consortium and why?

- How will the project be organized and run?

- Do the leaders of the consortium have experience running projects of this scale?

Slides 6 and 7: Scope of Work / Implementation Strategy

- A scope of work of the proposed project with key milestones and deliverables, which must clearly indicate the specific activities that are part of the scope of work of the proposed project. Activities should relate to the findings of the SWOT analysis.

Slide 8: Logic Model and Proposed Performance Metrics

- A concise presentation of the resources and activities envisioned in the proposal to produce specific outputs and outcomes (short and long-term).

- A description of 3-5 performance metrics that will be used measure the proposed outcomes.

- A description of the evaluation methods, including tracking the project’s assistance to underserved populations.

Slide 9: Estimated Budget

- Estimated, high-level Federal and non-Federal budget, including an estimate of the overall cost of the project tied to the proposed activities and a staffing plan. The budget must provide a detailed spend-down plan based on project schedule so staff may understand what funding will be applied to which task and/or sub-tasks. This slide should include more detail than the categories on the Standard Form 424A.

Slide 10: Sustainability Plan

- What resources/model will you leverage/follow to encourage sustainability beyond the proposed project period?

B. PART 2: Defense Manufacturing Community Project White Paper: A proposal of no more than twenty (20) pages (1-inch margins, 1.5-line spacing, 11-point Times New Roman font, Microsoft Word only, and including all relevant maps/drawings/diagrams). The white paper shall follow the same structure as Part 1 (concept) and will add clarifying detail to the concept. The white paper should include the following sections (correlation to Part 1 is identified by slide):

a. Abstract and Executive Summary (no more than 2 pages): Abstract is a 3-4 sentence, non-technical description of the issue the project will address, how the project will address that issue, and expected outcomes of the project. The Executive Summary should expand upon the Abstract with more detail and may address key points, which are found deeper in the application. The summary should describe how the proposed implementation strategy will enhance the defense industrial base and will complement Defense Manufacturing Innovation Institutes.

b. Introduction (builds upon slide 2): This section should provide an overview of the consortium; its mission, vision, goals and objectives; and key metrics on how it will enhance the defense industrial base.

c. Defense Priority and Geographic Scope (builds upon slides 3 and 4): Description of the regional boundaries of the consortium and the basis for determining that the area’s manufacturing concentration ranks high in the nation for Key Technology or Supply Chains using either location quotient for employment or firms in the Key Technology or Supply Chain, or employment or firm numbers. Other metrics can be used to determine a top third national ranking for the proposer’s Key Technology or Supply Chain region, but data sources and methods used to calculate the top third ranking must be well-documented in the application. Explanation of why this ecosystem is important or holds the potential to address a high-priority, Department of Defense capability, key technology, or industrial base supply chain.

d. Regional Assessment (builds upon slides 3 and 4): An integrated, evidence-based assessment of the local defense industrial ecosystem (i.e., the whole range of workforce and training, supplier network, research and innovation, infrastructure/site development, operational improvements and capital access components needed for manufacturing activities) as it exists today in the region defined by the applicant. The assessment should provide a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis as it pertains to supporting the manufacturing ecosystem of the region.

e. Consortium Leadership Structure (builds upon slide 5): This section should provide a description of the leadership structure of the regional partners that comprise the consortium in order to carry out the proposed strategy. The description of the leadership structure should clearly specify the roles and responsibilities of each member of the consortium, and how workflow, accountability, and authority will be administered. The proposer should note how consortium partners have worked together on previous or ongoing projects.

f. Scope of Work / Implementation Strategy (builds upon slides 6 and 7): An evidence-based path for developing chosen components of this ecosystem (e.g., infrastructure, business development, workforce development, etc.) by making specific investments to address gaps and make a region uniquely competitive. A description of how the proposed implementation strategy will enhance the defense industrial base and will complement Defense Manufacturing Innovation Institutes. The scope of work must clearly indicate the specific activities and how they are linked to the project’s purpose, key milestones, and deliverables.

g. Logic Model and Proposed Performance Metrics (builds upon slide 8): A logical flow of resources and activities envisioned in the scope of work section to produce specific outputs and outcomes of the proposed activities. A description of outcome-based performance metrics to be tracked, and evaluation methods to be used (experimental or high quality quasi-experimental designs using control groups, etc.) over the course of the implementation to gauge whether the proposed outcomes are achieved and what the impact has been on underserved populations by using regionally applicable Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) metrics.

h. Estimated Budget (builds upon slide 9): This section should include: (1)An estimated, high-level Federal and non-Federal budget, including an estimate of the overall cost of the project tied to the proposed activities; (2)A staffing plan; (3)A spend-down plan based on the project schedule that includes non-Federal matching funds. The budget should identify the source of funding for each task and/or sub-task. This explanation should include more detail than the categories on the Standard Form 424A. The program requires a match of at least twenty percent (20%) of the total project cost from non-Federal sources. Proposers seeking a waiver of the match requirement should include any relevant information linked directly to reasons of national security that would warrant consideration of a waiver. Such information will count toward the application page limit.

i. Sustainability Plan (builds upon slide 10): A description of resources and models to be used to encourage the sustainability of the consortium’s objectives beyond the proposed project period.

C. PART 3: Supporting Documentation: No more than twenty-five (25) single sided pages in a single consolidated file, in Word or .pdf format (.pdf format must be compatible with Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017; Adobe “portfolio” documents will not be accepted) which outlines the following:

a. Submitting Official: Documentation that the Submitting Official is authorized by the applicant to submit a proposal and subsequently apply for assistance (1 page).

b. A statement attesting the applicant has obtained or have started the process to obtain a

SAM registration (documentation of SAM registration or proof that SAM registration has been initiated must be submitted along with the Concept Proposal) (1 page).

c. A signed letter of commitment/intent or a draft Memorandum of Understanding documenting all consortium members’ commitment to the consortium’s goals and objectives, and their respective contributions to the partnership to be signed in the event a consortium is awarded funds.

d. Additional letters of support/matching fund commitment may be attached to the application but will count toward the proposal’s page limit. All letters of support should be addressed to the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation Director.

e. A certification that the members of the consortium are not simultaneously pursuing funding from other Federal programs for the proposed activities.

f. A transparent statement documenting any foreign investment within the consortium membership where direct or indirect exposure to any aspect of the project exists, and certification there are no national security conflicts linked to foreign investors.

g. If a waiver of the match requirement for national security needs is requested, an explanation for the basis of the request and a written endorsement from either the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, or the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.

D. PART 4 (optional): Defense Manufacturing Community designation renewal request:

Current Defense Manufacturing Communities that have completed a funded scope of work by August 31, 2023, and seek to obtain funding for a project with a performance period exceeding their current designation period can submit a request to renew their designation for up to two

(2) years by submitting up to ten (10) pages (1-inch margins, 1.5-line spacing, 11-point Times New Roman font, Microsoft Word only, including all relevant maps/drawings/diagrams, describing:

a. Program impact: an explanation of the consortium’s performance with respect to the

Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program goals, by using applicable Program specific metrics;

b. Funded project performance: an explanation of the consortium’s performance with respect to project goals, using available project-specific quantitative and qualitative performance metrics;

c. Impact of changes to consortium or plan: an explanation how the changes to the composition of the consortium or revisions of the plan for the consortium through this proposed project would improve the capabilities of the defense industrial base; and

d. Effectiveness of coordination with Defense Manufacturing Innovation Institutes: an explanation how the consortium’s past activities has leveraged the Department of Defense Manufacturing Innovation Institutes.

The information provided in Section D.2 Part 4 (“Defense Manufacturing Community designation renewal request”) will be used by the Defense Manufacturing Community Review Panel to determine whether to make a renewal designation in the event the consortium’s proposal (see Parts 1-3) scores competitively.

To the extent practicable, proposers are encouraged to provide data and evidence of all project merits in a form that is publicly available and verifiable.

3. Submission Dates and Times:

The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation is publishing on Grants.gov a Notice of Funding Opportunity notice for a 62-day solicitation period. The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation previously held a pre-proposal webinar on February 28, 2023, and will hold an additional pre-proposal webinar at 11:00 a.m. PDT on May 4, 2023 to review the goals and objectives of this notice and answer questions from interested respondents. Details about participation in this pre-proposal webinar will be available on oldcc.gov at link: https://oldcc.gov/Defense-Manufacturing-Community-Support-Program. The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation must receive complete proposals for project funding by 5:00 p.m. PDT on June 26, 2023 (the Proposal Deadline). All proposals will be ranked by a Defense Manufacturing Community Review Panel. A ranked listing of proposals will then be provided to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy for final approval and designation as Defense Manufacturing Communities. Following this designation, the Director, Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation will invite the submission of a grant applications from the designated Defense Manufacturing Community consortia and assign Project Managers to assist with the preparation of grant applications. In the event an invited Defense Manufacturing Community is unable to submit an application, or it is determined a prepared application materially differs from the proposed project that was the basis for its ranking, the invitation may be withdrawn, and another Defense Manufacturing Community may be designated and invited to submit an application on the basis of their competitive ranking, as funding permits. All grant agreements must be issued and countersigned prior to September 20, 2023, so the appropriated funds can be obligated no later than September 30, 2023.

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION:

1. Defense Manufacturing Community Project Selection Criteria:

Proposal review and evaluation will be performed as follows:

Proposals for project funding will be reviewed by an interdepartmental/interagency Defense Manufacturing Community Review Panel composed of representation from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment; the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering; the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation; the Department of Labor— Employment and Training Administration; and the National Institute of Standards and Technology— Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program.

The Defense Manufacturing Community Review Panel will consider each of the following ranking criteria, with relative weights (the more responsive the proposal is to need in these areas, the higher the relative scores) as a basis to designate a Defense Manufacturing Community and invite a grant application:

a) Alignment of proposed project strategy to Department of Defense priorities: The extent to which the regional specializations, assessment of gaps and opportunities, and the consortium’s proposed activities correlate to the findings and/or priorities outlined in Department of Defense source documents (see Section C.2.) (0-25 points);

b) Project strategy/activities proposed by the consortia: The extent to which the strategy and activities proposed enhance the region’s ability to narrow gaps and build upon opportunities identified in the proposal in a timely manner; the extent to which the strategy and activities will amplify the development of key technologies, bolster the local workforce, and/or support industrial base/supply chains that are determined critical to national security. Anticipated outputs and outcomes should commence no later than 24-36 months after grant award (0-45 points);

c) Leadership capacity and commitment of the consortium: The strength of the consortia’s leadership capacity and commitment, and its ability to leverage regional partners to execute the proposed project activities -- as demonstrated through the soundness of its governance structure and management plan; the composition of regional partners and history of collaborative performance; the nature of the supplied letter(s) of intent or an existing or proposed Memorandum of Understanding; and the presence of an explicit and specific matching fund commitment (0-20 points); and,

d) The complementarity of project to defense Manufacturing Innovation Institutes and incorporation of other resources: The extent to which the proposed activities complement and/or leverage defense Manufacturing Innovation Institutes, leverage existing private industry, workforce, and association-led initiatives (e.g., Industry 4.0), and leverage the whole of Federal and State government resources to amplify the execution of its proposed project (0-10 points).

The information provided in Section D.2 Part 4 (“Defense Manufacturing Community designation renewal request”) will be used by the Defense Manufacturing Community Review Panel to determine whether to make a renewal designation in the event the consortium’s proposal (see Parts 1-3) scores competitively.

2. Grant Application Invitation:

Once designated as a “Defense Manufacturing Community,” the Director, Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation will invite the submission of a detailed grant application in accordance with Section F. that reflects the project included in the initial ranked proposal that led to this designation. In the event an invited Defense Manufacturing Community is unable to submit an application, or it is determined a prepared application materially differs from the proposed project that was the basis for its ranking, the invitation may be withdrawn and another Defense Manufacturing Community may be designated and then invited to submit an application on the basis of their competitive ranking.

F. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION:

1. Award Notices:

All proposals will be evaluated as identified in Section E. The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation will notify proposers by mail or email on or about August 10, 2023, that either their proposal was successful and invite a grant application, or their proposal was not selected for further action. All decisions are final and not subject to appeal. Unsuccessful proposers, within seven (7) business days of this notification, may request a debriefing on the review of their submitted proposal following September 30, 2023.

If designated as a “Defense Manufacturing Community,” the Director, Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation will invite the submission of a grant application and assign a Project Manager to assist with the preparation of a grant application. The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation is committed to conducting a transparent award process and publicizing information about decisions. Grant applicants are advised that their respective applications and information related to their review may be shared publicly. In the event of a grant award, information about a project’s progress and related results may also be made publicly available.

In the event a grant is awarded, the successful applicant (Grantee) will receive a notice of award in the form of a grant agreement, signed by the Director, Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (Grantor), on behalf of the Department of Defense. The grant agreement will be transmitted electronically.

Recipients must accept the terms of these awards by counter-signing the grant agreement so the funds may be obligated prior to September 30, 2023, the end of Fiscal Year 2023. Once obligated, the funding remains available for expenses for the term of the award, as approved by the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation in the grant terms and conditions.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements:

The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation will follow applicable regulations in administering this program. A Grantee receiving funds under this opportunity and any consultant or pass-thru entity operating under the terms of a grant shall comply with all Federal, State, and local laws applicable to its activities. Federal regulations that will apply to an Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation grant include administrative requirements and provisions governing allowable costs as stated in:

o 2 CFR part 200, ‘‘Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards’’;

o 2 CFR part 25, ‘‘Universal Identifier and System for Award Management’’;

o 2 CFR part 170, ‘‘Reporting Sub-award and Executive Compensation Information’’;

o 2 CFR part 1125, Non-procurement Debarment and Suspension; and, o 32 CFR part 28, ‘‘New Restrictions on Lobbying.’’

All applicable requirements will be included in the grant award terms and conditions.

3. Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program Grant Award Determination:

Designation of a consortium as a “Defense Manufacturing Community” under this notice does not constitute approval of the proposed project’s request for funding as submitted, nor does it obligate the Department of Defense to ultimately award the selected organization any financial or technical assistance due to that designation.

Before any funds are awarded to the “Lead Organization” on behalf of a consortium designated as a Defense…