The Purdue Manufacturing Extension Partnership (“MEP”) is accepting inquiries for Defense Manufacturing Assistance Program grants. As the Department of Defense continues to downsize, there will be a corresponding reduction in the number and size of current and future defense contracts awarded to private sector manufacturing firms.

These cash grants are intended to identify and fund projects that address critical needs and areas of improvement for communities and companies to help strengthen and diversify Indiana defense contractors by leveraging Purdue’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership services and provide subject matter expertise.

The grants will pay 50-90% of project costs and are focused on core strengthening, market diversification and growth, and new technology commercialization.

Eligible companies will have the following characteristics:

• Small to medium size enterprise – under 1000 employees
• 5% reduction in sales, production or employment within the past 24 months (or imminent threat of reduction in the next 24 months)
• Defense contractor or tier 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. supplier to defense industry
• Management team dedicated to improving and growing their business

Purdue Manufacturing Business Development Consultant Gene Jones is encouraging defense contractors and their subcontractors to apply for the grant funds, as they are set to expire in 2018.

In addition to more conventional proposals to achieve the grant objectives, the grant can also be used to:

• Help Indiana manufacturers find a mentor or protege and apply to become an approved mentor-protégé in either the long standing 8(a) mentor-protégé program or the new All Small mentor-protégé program.
• Apply for SBA certification as a HUBZone contractor, a service-disabled veteran owned small business or a woman owned small business, or other category status.
• Obtain assistance in meeting the cybersecurity standards of DFARS 252.204-7012, requiring implementation of NIST SP 800-171 standards by Dec. 30, 2017.

Indiana manufacturers or those with Indiana manufacturers as part of a DOD supply chain are encouraged to consider these grant opportunities.