---
title: "America Makes awards $10.5m to 25 teams for defense AM supplier qualification"
url: https://www.voxelmatters.com/america-makes-awards-10-5m-to-25-teams-for-defense-am-supplier-qualification/
date: 2026-07-27
modified: 2026-07-27
lang: en
author: "Joseph Caron-Dawe"
description: "America Makes and the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM) have selected 25 project teams to share $10.5 million in funding under the second and third groups of..."
categories:
  - "Defense"
  - "Metal Additive Manufacturing"
  - "Money & Funding"
tags:
  - "insights"
image: https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/America-Makes-facility-face-640x384.jpg
word_count: 381
---

# America Makes awards $10.5m to 25 teams for defense AM supplier qualification

[America Makes](https://www.voxelmatters.directory/company/america-makes/) and the [National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM)](https://www.voxelmatters.directory/company/ncdmm/) have selected 25 project teams to share $10.5 million in funding under the second and third groups of the Joint Additive Qualification for Sustainment – Supplier Qualification (JAQS-SQ) project call. 

The funding came from the Office of the Under Secretary of War, Manufacturing Technology Office (OSW ManTech). The call focused on unified requirements and training to qualify laser powder bed fusion and directed energy deposition suppliers for the metal additive manufacturing industrial base.

![America Makes announces winners of $2.1 million AM project call. In collaboration with NCDMM, through the US OSD(R&E).](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/AmericaMakes-340x170.jpg)

[The effort builds on the original JAQS-SQ program to strengthen manufacturing readiness and expand defense industrial base (DIB) capabilities](https://www.voxelmatters.com/america-makes-and-ncdmm-name-six-suppliers-in-1-7m-allocation/) by standardizing AM training and audits, aligning suppliers with acquisition requirements, and speeding the onboarding of non-traditional vendors. 

Wichita State University's National Institute for Aviation Research (WSU-NIAR) will develop the training curriculum, aimed at production and engineering operations managers, covering how to implement process control documents and qualification principles. 

Once suppliers complete the training, an audit will confirm their ability to operate as qualified AM manufacturers for the Department of Defense, including demonstrating a performance qualification as defined in the curriculum.

## Network reaches 31 qualified suppliers

Up to 30 awards were anticipated under the project call. With 25 teams selected, the JAQS network now includes 31 suppliers in total, forming what America Makes described as one of the largest coordinated efforts to qualify and expand additive manufacturing capacity for national defense readiness.

“Congratulations to the 25 project teams chosen for this vital effort,” said Ben DiMarco, Technology Transition Director at America Makes. “This award signifies a pivotal moment for the Joint Additive Qualification for Sustainment initiative and marks a major advancement for the defense industrial base. 

“The JAQS network now includes 31 suppliers, forming one of the largest coordinated efforts to qualify and expand additive manufacturing in support of national defense readiness.

“This initiative accelerates supplier qualification and amplifies manufacturing capabilities nationwide. The impact of this strategic investment will extend beyond these teams, shaping the future of additive manufacturing.”

## Winners include aerospace primes and specialized AM suppliers

Amongst the selected teams were [AML3D USA](https://www.voxelmatters.com/aml3d-delivers-two-arcemy-x-printers-to-newport-news-shipbuilding/), [GKN Aerospace](https://www.voxelmatters.com/gkn-aerospace-and-pratt-whitney-expand-additive-manufacturing-work-to-f135-engine/), [Nikon AM Synergy](https://www.voxelmatters.com/nikon-am-synergy-awarded-jama-iv-dla-idiq-contract-for-metal-am-pilot-parts-program/) and [Norsk Titanium US](https://www.voxelmatters.com/norsk-titanium-and-airbus-partner-to-qualify-rpd-for-critical-titanium-parts/). Awardees will report on their progress at the America Makes Technical Review and Exchange and at other industry events throughout the program's execution phase.