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Strategic Objective

Grow a more productive, agile, and high-value manufacturing sector through partnerships and collaborations that accelerate technology development and commercialization (NIST)

Strategic Objective

Themes:

General Science, Space, and Technology

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Overview
Progress Update

Overview

The U.S. manufacturing sector continues to be a mainstay of U.S. economic productivity, generating $1.9 trillion in gross domestic product (GDP) in 2012 (11.9 percent of total U.S. GDP). Moreover, manufacturing has a larger multiplier effect than any other major economic activity—$1 spent in manufacturing generates $1.35 in additional economic activity. Despite the U.S. manufacturing sector’s apparent productivity, missed opportunities remain where the full economic and commercial value from investments in research are not realized.

The United States excels at basic

Progress Update

During FY 2014, the Department of Commerce (DOC) made progress in building and strengthening partnerships that will accelerate the growth of advanced, high-value manufacturing in the United States. The Department’s multifaceted programs have contributed to a vibrant ecosystem of advanced manufacturing stakeholders, from academia to industry, businesses small and large, trade associations to state and local government. DOC, largely through NIST, has led intensive stakeholder outreach efforts, working with business leaders to craft and oversee the Administration’s manufacturing agenda.

Accomplishments include:

The White House Office of Manufacturing Policy co-chaired the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (AMP) 2.0, which is the principal outreach process for manufacturing sector input for the administration’s advanced manufacturing initiatives. DOC and the NIST-led Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office (AMNPO) served as the staff to plan and support activities for the AMP 2.0 report. This report had five working teams and regional meetings; a total of 104 leaders and senior experts from industry, academia, and labor were involved.
NIST worked to establish the foundation for the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI), leading the interagency effort to develop policy documents on intellectual property guidelines and performance metrics for Institutes for Manufacturing Innovation. Policy documents have also been developed for the major grants management effort of NNMI on cost share, evaluation practices, visiting fellows, industry experts for proposal evaluation, and program income.
NIST made the first Advanced Manufacturing Technology consortia (AMTech) awards in FY14, and the 19 industry-led consortia have been aggressively pursuing partnership activities. These awards, typically $500,000 for two year efforts, are enabling specific industry sectors to work together to identify research needs for the community and develop roadmaps to address those needs, allowing a strengthening of U.S. manufacturing among companies large and small. A second competition is now underway.
NIST collaborated with the White House through two NIST-hosted Presidential Innovation Fellows, to launch the SmartAmerica challenge to bring Industry, Academia, and the Government to show how Cyber-Physical Systems can create jobs, new business opportunities, and socio-economic benefits to America. The challenge on Smart Manufacturing catalyzed the formation of two teams on smart manufacturing and smart shape technologies.
The NIST Center for Automotive Lightweighting (NCAL) recently commissioned a unique Next-Generation Formability System, which investigates the effect of multi-dimensional stress and strain. The NCAL is using this unique instrument to test industry-submitted samples, the results of which are shared with the Center’s industry and academic partners.

Next Steps in FY 2015:

FY2015 Q1 – AMP 2.0 will deliver their final report to President in order to develop a concerted effort across the Administration to support an innovative, vibrant manufacturing sector to address the challenges of globalization and technological change.
FY2015 Q1 – NIST will launch new calibration service for high-power lasers used by manufacturers for cutting and welding materials in order to enable expanded use of laser welding, which has lower cost and smaller environmental footprint than traditional welding methods.
FY2015 Q2 – NIST and AMNPO will work to stand up National Science and Technology Council Advanced Manufacturing Subcommittee and develop a coordination plan to convene agency leaders in order to address AMP 2.0 recommendations.
FY2015 Q3 – NIST will announce awardees of second set of AMTech planning awards.
FY2015 Q3 – NIST will engage newly created Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory Board Committee on Technology Acceleration actively in technology acceleration strategy during first half of 2015 in order to develop action plan for engaging small- and mid-sized manufacturers in technology adoption and acceleration.
FY2015 Q4 – If NIST receives funding authorized in the Revitalizing American Manufacturing Innovation Act, it will begin the first of a two-stage process to develop NNMI Institutes that are aligned with needs identified by industry.
FY2015 Q4 – NIST will complete design and assembly of the Additive Manufacturing test bed that will serve as the research platform for development of in-process measurement and control methods in order to address a critical need identified by additive manufacturing industry, academia, and government stakeholders.

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Strategic Goals

Strategic Goal:

Foster a more innovative U.S. economy—one that is better at inventing, improving, and commercializing products and technologies that lead to higher productivity and competitiveness

Statement:

Foster a more innovative U.S. economy—one that is better at inventing, improving, and commercializing products and technologies that lead to higher productivity and competitiveness

Strategic Objectives

Grow a more productive, agile, and high-value manufacturing sector through partnerships and collaborations that accelerate technology development and commercialization (NIST)

Statement:

Grow a more productive, agile, and high-value manufacturing sector through partnerships and collaborations that accelerate technology development and commercialization (NIST)

Description:

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Increase the capacity of U.S. regional economies to accelerate the production of value-added goods and services by providing services to and investments in businesses and communities. (NIST, EDA, MBDA, PTO)

Statement:

Increase the capacity of U.S. regional economies to accelerate the production of value-added goods and services by providing services to and investments in businesses and communities. (NIST, EDA, MBDA, PTO)

Description:

American communities must position themselves to compete in the new economy. However, communities with significant economic challenges may not have the knowledge or network needed to leverage their assets and identify opportunities. To understand the needs of producers and attract and expand investment, they need partners and expert guidance. The Department assists with strategic place-based investments that help create a productive industrial ecosystem. This support includes resources for infrastructure, planning, and technical assistance to strengthen the capacity for innovation in manufacturing. Technical assistance funding focuses on enhancing industry-required skills and identifying international supplier opportunities for small businesses.

The Department is dedicated to helping regional economies thrive and provides grants to state and local governments and non-profits in communities and regions suffering from economic distress. Technical and business assistance is also provided to smaller manufacturers through partnerships between federal and state governments and non-profit organizations. Some grants and services are specifically targeted to increasing the competitiveness of minority businesses. Through this multi-pronged approach, the Department is increasing the capacity of U.S. regional economies to produce value-added goods and services, increasing their competitiveness in the modern global economy.

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Strengthen the Nation’s digital economy by championing policies that will maximize the potential of the Internet, expanding broadband capacity, and enhancing cybersecurity to provide a robust environment for innovation. (NIST, NTIA, USPTO)

Statement:

Strengthen the Nation’s digital economy by championing policies that will maximize the potential of the Internet, expanding broadband capacity, and enhancing cybersecurity to provide a robust environment for innovation. (NIST, NTIA, USPTO)

Description:

The digital economy is the great engine of innovation and economic growth of the 21st century, and the Department is its principal defender and champion in the federal government. The Internet engine that powers this vast marketplace of electronic goods and services was developed within the federal government. But it has flourished in the private sector—where it should remain.

This extraordinary platform for innovation, growth, and social progress faces urgent policy questions that demand a thoughtful government response. How can personal information and intellectual property be protected online? How can the Nation’s critical digital infrastructure be defended from cyber-attacks? How can high-speed and affordable Internet access for all Americans be ensured? And, how can these goals be achieved while preserving, here and around the world, the fundamentally open nature of the Internet, free from unnecessary regulation?

The Department has essential responsibility and a central role in answering these questions. It advises the President on telecommunications issues and manages national spectrum resources needed for expanded high-speed broadband service. It develops U.S. policy on online intellectual property protection and enforcement. It oversees the development of voluntary industry cybersecurity and other online safety standards. It houses FirstNet which is charged with building a nationwide wireless broadband network for public safety users. And, the Department represents the United States on Internet governance issues before international multi-stakeholder bodies.

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FY 14-15 Priority Goal: Expand U.S. Broadband Infrastructure

Statement:

By September 30, 2015, the Department of Commerce will increase the nation's broadband infrastructure developed through the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) from 78,120 miles at the end of FY 2012 to 118,000 miles. When this goal is achieved, BTOP will connect 23,500 community anchor institution and will add 670,000 new household and business subscribers to broadband service.

Description:

Broadband access is essential to U.S. global competitiveness in the 21st century, driving job creation, promoting innovation, and expanding markets for American businesses. Broadband access also affords public safety agencies the opportunity for greater levels of effectiveness and interoperability.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) manages the implementation of BTOP to expand broadband service to communities in a cost-effective manner that maximizes impacts on economic growth, education, health care, and public safety. BTOP is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). After a rigorous application and review process, NTIA invested approximately $4 billion in 233 BTOP projects benefiting every state, territory, and the District of Columbia. Most of NTIA’s broadband grant investments, 123 grant awards totaling more than $3.48 billion, fund the construction or upgrade of approximately 110,000 miles of broadband networks and employ multiple technologies, including fiber-optics, wireless, and other technologies.

Network miles are a direct indicator of the nation’s growing broadband infrastructure, and represent both the increasing ability of underserved communities to contribute to America’s global competitiveness and the foundation for more affordable broadband services to homes and businesses. NTIA broadband grant investments will connect more than 24,000 community anchor institutions (e.g., libraries, hospitals, and schools), and add more than 650,000 new household and business subscribers to broadband service.

NTIA continues to monitor and provide guidance to grant recipients through technical assistance on refining methodologies for collecting data on new subscribers and accurately reporting that information. NTIA also collects reports from grant recipients regularly detailing performance and performs case reviews evaluating projects’ successes and challenges in meeting milestones. These activities help NTIA understand the progress made by recipients and inform the provision of appropriate corrective actions and enforcement measures, if needed.

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Accelerate the development of industry-led skills strategies that result in a productive workforce for employers and high-quality jobs for workers. (NIST, EDA, ESA, Census)

Statement:

Accelerate the development of industry-led skills strategies that result in a productive workforce for employers and high-quality jobs for workers. (NIST, EDA, ESA, Census)

Description:

A skilled and adaptable workforce is critical to U.S. global competitiveness and sustainable economic growth. An employer-aligned, (i.e., demand-driven) comprehensive approach to skills development is essential to helping businesses across all sectors better access skilled workers to grow, innovate, and be more productive. A skills strategy focused on industry-driven solutions helps address the difficulties many industries, particularly manufacturing, have in filling jobs requiring specific technical skills—even with many Americans still looking for work.

The Department is an honest broker for business and possesses the convening power, regional economic development expertise, and supply-chain-need analytical capability to highlight and address the workforce demands of growing industries. In addition to supporting a National Economic Council-led effort to align federal agency initiatives to better serve industry demands, the Department programs will to the creation of a strong pipeline of workers with in-demand skills.

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Accelerate growth of innovation-intensive economic sectors by building public and private capacity to invent, improve, and commercialize new products and services. (NIST, USPTO, EDA)

Statement:

Accelerate growth of innovation-intensive economic sectors by building public and private capacity to invent, improve, and commercialize new products and services. (NIST, USPTO, EDA)

Description:

In order for innovative products to enter and compete in the marketplace successfully, a robust scientific and technological infrastructure is required. Fundamental research at the forefront of science provides the seeds for the development of new products and services. Strong, responsive, and balanced intellectual property protection establishes an attractive environment for innovation and investment. Policies that accelerate the rate of transfer of technologies from lab to market bolster the return on government investment in R&D. Agreed upon ways to measure the performance and quality of new products against more established technologies provide the foundations of product interoperability and allow them to compete in the international marketplace. By investing in knowledge transfer mechanisms that are critical to growing new companies and facilitating innovation, the Department promotes regional and community capacity to generate and take advantage of new ideas about products and processes.

The Department plays a central role in providing the foundation critical to the growth of high-value, innovative economic sectors. NIST’s measurement science expertise creates the infrastructure necessary to measure the performance and quality of products and services. USPTO programs enable innovators to accelerate the movement of new products and technologies to the marketplace. And, EDA provides capacity-building grants to help foster an economic ecosystem in which the private sector can more effectively leverage regional and community assets to engage in commercialization.

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