America Makes and NCDMM name six suppliers in $1.7M allocation
First group of JAQS-SQ awardees targets laser powder bed fusion capabilities for the defense industrial base
America Makes and the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM) have named six companies as the first group of winners under the Joint Additive Qualification for Sustainment – Supplier Qualification (JAQS-SQ) project call, funded through the Office of the Under Secretary of War, Manufacturing Technology Office (OSW ManTech). The awards total $1.7 million.
The project call was initiated last August, and the six recipients have been selected under Group 1 of the initiative, which centers on advancing laser powder bed fusion production capabilities in support of the defense industrial base (DIB). The six awardees are 3D Systems Inc., Alloyed, Inc., Howco Additive, Rennscot LLC, Velo3D, and Divergent Technologies Inc.
Addressing supply chain gaps
The JAQS-SQ project call was designed to bring non-traditional suppliers into qualified additive manufacturing production for defense contracts. A major motivator for the initiative is the absence of sufficient AM training and audit programs that meet established government standards – an issue compounded by a part-by-part qualification process that restricts capacity. Together, these factors have eroded confidence among government buyers in AM supply chain readiness.
Through the project, selected manufacturers will work to implement process control documents (PCDs) required for qualified AM production, supported by newly developed training and audit frameworks. The goal is to better position contract manufacturers to meet government acquisition requirements at scale.
Further awards expected this summer
The Group 1 announcement marks the opening phase of a broader qualification effort. America Makes reported it is currently reviewing submissions for JAQS-SQ Groups 2 and 3, with additional awards expected later this summer.Â
Winning project teams will present progress updates at the America Makes Technical Review and Exchange (TRX) and other industry events throughout program execution.
