Objective
DLA Research & Development's Small Business Innovation Programs Strategic Materials program aims to resolve warfighter requirements with the scientific excellence and technological innovation offered by the U.S. small business industrial base. The program transitions innovative technologies and modernizes legacy solutions in support of the Department of War Programs of Record.
Small Business Innovation Research
Established by Congress in 1982 to fund R&D by small businesses of 500 or fewer employees. Eleven federal agencies participate in the program.
Small Business Technology Transfer
Established in 1992 to fund cooperative R&D projects by U.S.-based small businesses partnered with non-profit U.S. research institutions. Five federal agencies participate.
Focus Areas
RECYCLING OF RARE EARTH AND CRITICAL MATERIALS
- Create domestic supply chains of critical raw materials
- Develop high-yield methods for elemental separations and purifications
- Reduce the energy consumption required to manufacture high-performance materials
ADVANCED MATERIALS FOR HYPERSONICS
- Improve product performance
- Modernize manufacturing capability
- Reduce Warfighter costs
- Broaden defense manufacturing industrial base
DOMESTIC SOURCING OF CRITICAL MATERIALS
- Reduce reliance on imported minerals and rare earths
- Bolster domestic supply chain against volatility of global critical material markets
- Develop value-added opportunities for secondary materials
NEXT GENERATION MATERIALS MANUFACTURING
- Generate high quality, domestically sourced raw materials for additive manufacturing
- Advance rare earth alternatives that meet high performance requirements
- Expand AM methods to handle wider ranges of sizes and materials
Project Development
DLA SBIP issues competitive awards (Phase I thru Phase III) based on topics aligned with executive guidance, the National Defense Strategy, Top OUSD R&E Technology Priorities and the DLA Strategic Plan. View topics for proposal: https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/submissions/login
- 6K Inc. - Upcycling end-of-life metal components into high quality AM feedstock
- Niron Magnetics - Commercializing rare-earth free permanent magnets for direct drive motors
- Alkemix - Recycling scrap ESAPI plates into qualified body armor for a reliable domestic supply to the warfighter
Benefits
- Addressing critical supply chain gaps and security threats through innovative research projects
- Mitigating single points-of-failure within our weapon systems supply chains
- Qualifying as new entrants to the industrial base for parts, materials and innovative manufacturing solutions
Partnerships
- U.S. Navy
- U.S. Air Force
- U.S. Army
- U.S. Marine Corps
- DLA Land & Maritime
- DLA Aviation
- DLA Troop Support
- DLA Disposition Services
- OEMs
- Private Industry
- National Labs
Ongoing Efforts
- Industrial Base Partnership
- Additive Manufacturing
- Supply Chain Risk Reduction
- High-Temperature Materials for Hypersonic Flight
- Domestic Manufacturing
- Supply Chain & Recycling for Li-Ion Batteries
- ESAPI Body Armor
- Scandium Alloys
- Rare Earth Elements
- Energetic Materials
- Advanced Low-Friction Protective Coatings
- Amorphous Alloys