Defense Manufacturing
Developing cutting edge technology that allows our nation’s warfighters to push the performance envelope requires the ability to manufacture products reliably and affordably. The Department of War (DoW) can play an important role for industry partners to help create, maintain, and protect domestic manufacturing capability and capacity for essential industrial resources. Unfortunately, many of the industry partners that the DoW replies upon are not visible or easily accessed due to their position further down the supply chain. This creates the twin challenges of the DoW being unaware that supply chain vulnerabilities exist and industry being unaware that there are programs available to support their ability to meet warfighter demand.
SMI has a long history of supporting organizations of all types and sizes to navigate the DoW’s procurement process and access funding to support growth in the defense manufacturing industry. SMI’s approach does not overemphasize one organization, or even branch of government. Instead, we work with clients to execute a strategy that involves stakeholders at DoW procurement offices, manufacturing programs, prime contractors, and Congress to increase client visibility and advance policy that improves the resiliency of the defense industrial base. SMI continuously monitors and proactively works to shape legislation, policy, and funding opportunities for defense suppliers to ensure our clients’ interests are considered upfront.
SMI’s Defense Manufacturing team is comprised of in-house experts and consultants that have extensive experience working on these defense industrial base and manufacturing issues, both in the government and in the private sector. SMI’s clients have been successful with the Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III program, the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) program, each of the military services’ Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) programs and have had significant legislative successes in policy bills such as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).