This Week’s Tech Highlights:
- DOD’s Replicator Initiative Announces Second Tranche: Department announces second round of awards for attritable systems
- DOD Releases National Defense Industrial Strategy Implementation Plan: New implementation plan for advancing defense innovation and national security technologies
- SBA’s Proposes New Rule to Boost Small Business Contracts: The new rule would increase small business participation in government contracting
- Department of Commerce Funding Under the CHIPS and Science Act: Agreements with Corning and Powerex aim to boost U.S. semiconductor supply chain
Tech Sector News:
- ⚛️Nuclear Energy: U.S. aims to expand nuclear power with new deployment targets net zero by 2050
- 📡Advanced Communication: The DOD’s strategy for deploying private 5G networks on military installations
- 🔋Batteries: DOE approved a $475 million loan to build a lithium-ion battery recycling plant and NIST has developed a lithium-ion battery safety technology
- 🛩️UAS: DIU’s first annual Blue UAS Refresh program streamlines DoD’s UAS procurement with verified, NDAA-compliant drones
- ⛽Sustainable Fuel: DOE released its latest Pathways to Commercial Liftoff Report for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)
- 🌍Sustainability Technology: USDOT awarded $1.2 billion in grants to 39 state departments under the Low Carbon Transportation Materials Discretionary Grant Program
And more!
GENERAL EMERGING TECH NEWS
DOD Announces Second Tranche of Replicator Initiatives
The Department of Defense (DOD) has announced additional capabilities selected for accelerated fielding as part of the Replicator initiative. This tranche, Replicator 1.2, furthers the Department’s goal of fielding multiple thousands of all-domain, attritable autonomous (ADA2) systems to warfighters by 2025. This tranche also includes systems that remain classified, including low-cost long-range strike capabilities. Across both tranches, over 500 firms were considered while 30 companies have been awarded.
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DOD Releases National Defense Industrial Strategy Implementation Plan (NDIS-IP)
The Department of Defense (DOD) has unveiled the National Defense Industrial Strategy Implementation Plan (NDIS-IP), outlining six transformative initiatives to strengthen defense innovation and national security. This unified framework aims to align investments, resources, and cross-functional efforts across the defense enterprise, ensuring focused progress and risk mitigation. By accelerating the development of critical defense capabilities, addressing emerging threats, and bolstering the defense industrial base, the NDIS-IP is set to have a profound impact on the nation’s readiness and resilience.
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SBA Proposes Rule to Increase Federal Agency Contracts with Small Businesses
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has proposed a rule to expand the “Rule of Two” for small business participation in multiple-award contracts (MACs). The rule would require agency contracting officers to apply this standard for new MACs and orders when two or more small businesses are likely to qualify. SBA is seeking comments on potential exemptions and enhancing enforcement.
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Department of Commerce Announces Preliminary Terms with Corning and Powerex to Support U.S. Supply Chain Resiliency
The U.S. Department of Commerce has announced preliminary funding agreements with Corning and Powerex under the CHIPS and Science Act. Corning may receive up to $32 million to expand its glass manufacturing facility in New York, adding 130 jobs, while Powerex could receive up to $3 million to modernize its semiconductor module facility in Pennsylvania, creating over 55 jobs. Both agreements aim to strengthen the U.S. semiconductor supply chain.
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SBA Surety Program Notches Best Year in 25 Years, Bonding $2.8B in Contracts to Small Businesses
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Surety Bond Guarantee (SBG) Program reached a 25-year high in fiscal year 2024, supporting over 2,000 small businesses with bid and final bonds totaling $9.2 billion in contract value. This program, assisting businesses with federal, state, and private project bonds, also helped sustain more than 46,000 jobs.
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AFRL’s ‘LabVerse’ Looking at AI for System Modernization
The Air Force Research Laboratory‘s LabVerse initiative, launched in 2023, is advancing AI capabilities for system modernization and experimentation. LabVerse supports AI sandboxes, system updates from outdated programming languages, and the NIPRGPT chatbot for document and coding assistance. AFRL aims to stay adaptable to evolving needs, offering flexible resources and impartial AI advice while leveraging existing solutions to avoid redundancy.
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NSF Selects UMaine and Partners for a New Hub of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded $15 million to a University of Maine-led consortium to establish the New England Region Innovation Corps (I-Corps) Hub, aimed at accelerating the commercialization of scientific discoveries. Partnering with several top universities, the hub will provide entrepreneurship training and resources, fostering economic growth and sustainable innovation across New England by helping researchers turn their ideas into market-ready products and startups.
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NASA Funds New Studies Looking at the Future of Sustainable Aircraft
NASA’s Advanced Aircraft Concepts for Environmental Sustainability 2050 (AACES) initiative has awarded $11.5 million to five teams to develop sustainable aircraft technologies for 2050. These include new fuels, propulsion systems, and designs like blended-wing bodies and hydrogen-powered engines. Partners include Aurora Flight Sciences, Electra, Georgia Tech, JetZero, and Pratt & Whitney, advancing U.S. sustainable aviation research to achieve net-zero emissions.
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Department of Transportation Investing $2.4B in Rail Projects Aimed at Supply Chain Resilience and Efficiency
The Department of Transportation has announced $2.4 billion in funding for 122 rail projects across 41 states, aimed at enhancing supply chain resilience and efficiency. These investments support infrastructure upgrades such as modernizing tracks, rehabilitating bridges, and expanding rail connectivity at ports. By reducing transit times and costs, these improvements are set to streamline freight movement, lower consumer costs, and provide essential links for regional economies, especially in rural areas. The funding also supports workforce training, ensuring a skilled labor force for America’s expanding rail network.
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PSF ANALYSIS & INSIGHTS
Report on Robotics, Automation, and Advanced Manufacturing
We at Public Spend Forum have done recent analysis on Robotics, Automation, and Advanced Manufacturing market covering use cases, investment trends, suppliers, and programs.
Here are some interesting findings:
- Over $5.3B spent on robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing-related R&D by the U.S. federal government
- Funding Type – 75% of robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing-related federal R&D awards were made through grants worth, 20% through SBIR/STTR
- Use Cases – Market verticals where technology adoption is high are seen in Aerospace/Defense, Healthcare, Logistics, and Transportation, with key use cases like surveillance, robot-assisted surgery, 3D printing, and automated deliveries.
- Agencies: 52% of R&D awards are from the DoD and Dept. of Commerce, with the Air Force, Army, Navy, DLA, and DARPA leading investments.
- Companies & Research Institutions: Over 2k suppliers and research institutions received R&D awards; 22% of them are underserved, with the SBIR/STTR program having the highest proportion (37%).
- Regional Strengths: Innovation clusters in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, Ann Arbor, and Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue are expanding in robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing.
There’s a lot more to uncover. You can access the Public Innovation Ecosystem Dashboard to see more information.
Customize the data for your use-case: Contact us if you would like to customize the critical tech datasets for your specific use-cases, through our Rapid Market Intelligence Sprints. Please reach out to us at support@publicspendforum.net
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TECHNOLOGY SECTOR-SPECIFIC NEWS
Advanced Energy: U.S. Sets Targets to Triple Nuclear Energy Capacity by 2050
The Department of Energy (DOE) aims to expand the use of nuclear power with new deployment targets, adding 35 GW by 2035 and sustaining 15 GW annually by 2040, to reach net zero by 2050. Investments from recent legislation support reactor development, restarts, and small modular reactors near coal plants, leveraging local workforces and infrastructure. This strategy prioritizes energy security, low emissions, and independence from foreign nuclear fuel sources, creating new jobs and enhancing national resilience.
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Microelectronics: DOD Invests Additional $160 Million in Microelectronics Commons
The Department of Defense has allocated an additional $160 million under the CHIPS and Science Act to strengthen U.S. leadership in microelectronics through the Microelectronics Commons. This investment supports eight technology hubs nationwide, focusing on infrastructure, workforce development, and operational capacity to boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing and innovation.
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Advanced Communications: DOD Releases Private 5G Deployment Strategy
The Department of Defense has released a strategy for deploying private 5G networks on military installations, supporting modernization and secure, high-speed connectivity for missions and quality of life. This strategy promotes using both commercial and private 5G, focuses on mission-specific needs, and encourages Open RAN adoption, enabling data transfer for decision-making and information advantage.
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Batteries: DOE Announces $445 Million Loan to Li-Cycle to Recover Critical Electric Vehicle Battery Materials
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has approved a $475 million loan to Li-Cycle to build a lithium-ion battery recycling plant in Rochester, NY. The facility will support EV production, recycling battery materials to power up to 180,000 EVs annually. It will create over 1,000 jobs and reduce emissions by 633,000 metric tons of CO2 per year, advancing clean energy goals and strengthening the U.S. EV battery supply chain.
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Batteries: NIST Developing AI-driven Lithium Ion Battery Safety Technology
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed an AI-driven method to detect when lithium-ion batteries are on the verge of catching fire. The system identifies a unique “click-hiss” sound emitted just before thermal runaway, which occurs when batteries overheat or become damaged. This innovation could enable early detection of potential fires, improving safety for devices and environments reliant on lithium-ion batteries, from smartphones to electric vehicles.
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UAS: DIU Leads Blue UAS Refresh Challenge To Test, and Validate UAS Platforms and Capabilities for DoD
The Defense Innovation Unit held the first annual Blue UAS Refresh event at Twentynine Palms, CA, where over 40 military drone users evaluated 35+ uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) in various operational scenarios. Feedback covered platform modularity, ease of use, and mission compatibility. DIU’s Blue UAS program aims to streamline DoD’s UAS procurement with verified, NDAA-compliant drones, enhancing capabilities while supporting the defense UAS industry’s development and cybersecurity standards.
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Sustainable Fuel: DOE Releases Report on Commercial Liftoff for Sustainable Aviation Fuel
The Department of Energy (DOE) has released its latest Pathways to Commercial Liftoff Report. The report analyzes the the near-term potential for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as well as tangible, actionable steps that the public and private sector can take to make the US a global leader in SAF production. DOE develops their Commercial Liftoff reports with extensive stakeholder engagement and system modeling.
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Sustainability Technology: Department of Transportation Awards $1.2B for Cleaner Construction Materials
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded $1.2 billion in grants to 39 state departments under the Low Carbon Transportation Materials Discretionary Grant Program. This initiative aims to reduce carbon emissions by supporting the use of American-made, low-carbon construction materials in transportation projects.
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