Dear Colleagues:
This week NextFlex is participating in its once-every-five-years JDMC evaluation, which is required for all DoD institutes. The purpose of the evaluation is to ensure technical coordination and alignment with the DoD priorities that guide our mission. The Joint Defense Manufacturing Council (JDMC) is a forum for senior leaders across the Department of Defense to ensure the alignment of resources, prioritize areas of joint challenge, and facilitate information sharing on advances and needs in manufacturing. Ultimately, the JDMC will seek evidence that NextFlex and the member community are creating impact and that the public-private partnership model is functioning well. Our plan is to provide this evidence over a day and a half to help the reviewers understand how NextFlex and the member community are creating value for DoD and commercial applications. We’ll let you know how it goes!
We are also very happy to share a fantastic article from 3DPrint.com entitled “Reshoring Electronics Manufacturing with 3D Printing: A Conversation with NextFlex” that features an interview with Dr. Art Wall, NextFlex Director of Fab Operations. Art discusses a wide range of topics including additive manufacturing, the CHIPS Program, sustainability, and more. You can read that article by clicking here.
Additionally, we’d like to announce a new program for manufacturers in Texas, Precision Rapid Innovation & Scaling Manufacturing (PRISM). Similar to the CADENCE program for manufacturers in California, the PRISM Program aims to accelerate critical defense microelectronics needs through:
- Advanced research and commercialization
- Small business assistance
- Business incubation / acceleration
- Supply Chain Development
NextFlex has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation to support Texas’ defense innovation and advanced manufacturing ecosystem through small business development. Funding comes from the DoD Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program (DMCSP) that is designed to strengthen the national security innovation base.
To learn more about the program and the application process, you can attend this informational webinar on August 30 at 10am PT. We hope that those of you in Texas are able to participate!
Sincerely,
Malcolm J. Thompson, Ph.D.
NextFlex Executive Director