TROY – Automation Alley announced Wednesday that it was awarded a $1.58 million contract from the US Army’s TACOM command in Warren to help identify manufacturers that can produce parts the Army needs, but that are no longer in production.

Automation Alley will identify and interact with the broad U.S. industrial base capable of supporting the wide range of equipment supported by TACOM LCMC Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages program. The DMSMS program will identify manufacturers capable of producing replacement parts the Army needs, but that are no longer in production. These parts will be used to maintain the Army’s 3,000 key weapon systems.

TACOM LCMC unites all of the organizations that focus on soldier and ground systems. In support of TACOM’s mission, the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) serves as the nation’s laboratory for advanced military automotive technology and provides engineering assistance to TACOM.

“We are proud to bring this opportunity to Michigan businesses and look forward to working with TACOM and TARDEC to find solutions for its significant parts obsolescence problem,” said Ken Rogers, executive director, Automation Alley. “Not only will this project help the military, it’s sure to help Michigan companies find new opportunities to showcase their high-tech capabilities while ensuring long-term stability by diversifying outside the automotive industry.”

The DMSMS program is the result of a congressional appropriation to the Army in the Department of Defense Appropriations Acts of 2008 and 2009. With bipartisan support from Senators Carl Levin, (D-Mich.), and Debbie Stabenow, (D-Mich.), and Representatives Sander Levin, (D-Mich.), and Candice Miller, (R-Mich.), the program promises to help the Army by providing it the resources needed to secure high-quality sources for advanced-manufactured parts. Additionally, by placing the DMSMS program in Southeast Michigan, the Army has access to some of the nation’s top automotive suppliers, many of whom have the extra capacity needed to fill these orders.

“This funding will help the Army provide improved industrial base and parts obsolescence support for weapons systems supporting the warfighter,” said Randal C. Gaereminck, associate director, engineering at TARDEC.

Automation Alley’s 60-day priorities include establishing a program manager to act as the principal point of contact for the Army, locating an outreach office in Macomb County, and conducting an industrial base capacity trend and risk analysis. Automation Alley will create a communication tool and distribution network that will provide technical competencies to the Army in the following categories:

Mechanical systems

Electrical systems

Air conditioning systems

Hydraulic systems

Fuel systems

Pneumatic systems

Manufacturing technologies

Advanced design processes

Rebuild/remanufacture processes

Materials

Data/information management

The database will contain the widest range of manufacturing vendors and engineering companies available that can provide valid sources of supply or support resolution of DMSMS cases.

Companies with competencies in the above areas are encouraged to send their full contact information to email [email protected]

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