UDMC supply chain programs reached 134 companies and added 65 new capabilities to the CONNEX supply chain platform, which benefits DoD by providing a clearer more agile, and diversified supply chain. America Makes contributed specifications for additive manufacturing, plus working groups provided specifications for research and workforce modules. These new capabilities were launched in March 2023 and provide enhanced resources for the UDMC. For how to register your company, see this tutorial video here.

Based on research conducted under the UDMC, the Utah Governor’s offices successfully introduced Senate Bill 212, Modernizing Manufacturing Grant Program. In February (2Q, 2022) there were hearings and the funding level was set at $10million for grants to companies for reshoring manufacturing to the United States. In March (3Q, 2022) the legislation and funding passed and is now being sent to the Governor for signature. Reshoring benefits DoD by creating more opportunities to “Buy America” with less dependence on potentially unfriendly countries.

Defense Manufacturing Support Program Success Story:

Northrop Grumman Finds Qualified Small Business Suppliers

The Defense Manufacturing Support Program 2020 grant to Utah, known as the Utah Defense Manufacturing Community (UDMC), under Task 2.0 Supply Chain funded additional functionality to CONNEX, a cloud-based platform that connects all U.S. Manufacturers into a single, accurate, searchable scouting-database, which facilitates defense manufacturers to find suppliers.

Using this new functionality, Northrop Grumman identified and found the qualified suppliers and setup interviews through the platform, Northrop Grumman saved time, costs, and found better qualified suppliers.

The results were impressive:

· 26 matching suppliers quickly identified.

· 25 qualified suppliers interviewed (no time wasted on unqualified suppliers)

· 15 Suppliers identified as immediately qualified.

· 8 new suppliers identified (were previously unknown to NG).

· Able to quickly find “set-aside” suppliers that met Northrop Grumman’s small-diversity qualifications such as: hub-zone, veteran owned, minority owned, women owned, disadvantaged, etc.

· Significant time and money saved not having to read through capability statements and vet suppliers.

· 12 RFP’s issued and 1 purchase order made thus far.

· Supplier scouting process was significantly reduced, from months to weeks.

Public release of this success can be found here.

Defense Support Program Success Story

UDMC Grant Status March 2023 OLDCC

Defense Manufacturing Support Program Success Story:

CONNEX™ Marketplace Announces Release of Version 2.0 Supply Chain as Part of the Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program

Focus on Workforce and Research

 The Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program (DMCSP) 2020 grant to Utah, known as the Utah Defense Manufacturing Community (UDMC), under Task 2.0 Supply Chain funded additional functionality to CONNEX, a cloud-based platform that connects all U.S. manufacturers into a single, accurate, searchable scouting-database, which facilitates defense manufacturers to find suppliers.  CONNEX™ Marketplace released Version 2.0 of its supply chain platform which will increase collaboration between the defense industrial base and research organizations and workforce within the U.S. supply chain. This new version is a major milestone towards its mission to create an ecosystem where the defense manufacturing community can thrive. 

 The Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program launched in 2020 when the Department of Defense officially designated Utah as the first cohort of Defense Manufacturing Communities. Along with the designation came DoD program funds to enable integration and expansion of successful defense manufacturing support programs and introduction of new offerings to support and grow Utah’s defense manufacturing industry and strengthen the industrial base. The UDMC is led by the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and managed by the Utah Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Initiative (UAMMI).

 As part of the UDMC program, UAMMI committed to build and implement new supply chain tools to bridge the gap between education, workforce, and research needs. The CONNEX™ Marketplace Version 2.0 is a fulfillment of that pledge and perfectly achieves that goal.

“CONNEX started in Utah and has become the nation’s number one tool for improving supply chain, including for the Department of Defense,” explained UAMMI President, Dr. Tulinda Larsen. “The new functionalities support workforce and research strengthens the industrial base.”

The following new features are available in CONNEX™ Marketplace:

 Workforce – Provides collaboration of industry with academia on skills needed now and in the future. This includes features to match academia with industry for internships and apprenticeships and search tools for manufacturers and workforce organizations.

Research – Enables an organizational and researcher view of the research community for collaboration on research projects to support the Department of Defense. Also includes a searchable tool by field of research, interests, and expertise.

 “We are thrilled to be working with UDMC and supporting their goals through this new version of CONNEX Marketplace,” said Alan Davis, CEO of CONNEX Marketplace by i5 Services.  Our platform is already the best tool out there to connect the U.S. supply chain and bring more manufacturing opportunities to U.S. manufacturers. With the release of Version 2.0, we are adding additional features that will further support the goals of UDMC and bridge the gap between education, workforce and R&D.”

The updated version of CONNEX™ Marketplace is available to all users.  Utah manufacturers can sign up for the platform free of charge at:

https://utah-mep.org/connex-utah/

Public release of this success can be found here.