NextFlex News – January 2020 Newsletter

NextFlex has been officially invited to respond to an RFP from the Department of Defense (DoD) to submit a detailed proposal for the next 7-year phase of the Manufacturing Innovation Institute and how we will further develop the Flexible Hybrid Electronics manufacturing ecosystem and accelerate FHE adoption in the US. This next phase will have a special focus on both manufacturing processes leading to DoD technology transitions that increase warfighter capability and developing a robust US FHE workforce.

The proposal that we have been asked to submit will describe the Institute’s operational and financial plans for technology development, enabling the collaborative activities of the Institute, and sustaining the Technology Hub pilot-scale manufacturing line. Our job now, with your help, is to develop such a proposal that meets the needs of you, our members and supporters.

We would really appreciate a letter of support from you to help us make our case that industry and academia are truly behind the Institute and willing to invest. Please send letters to Malcolm Thompson (mthompson@nextflex.us) and Karen Savala (ksavala@nextflex.us) by January 31.

Other ways to help:
1. Send us your thoughts on future project ideas and how NextFlex can further support the FHE manufacturing community. These inputs can be technical, programmatic, project-oriented, learning-based, or anything related to helping to advance FHE manufacturing. Ideas for how the relationship should evolve between the NextFlex Hub, Nodes, and individual member organizations will also be helpful in shaping the proposal. Send those thoughts to Malcolm Thompson (mthompson@nextflex.us) and Scott Miller (smiller@nextflex.us) by January 24.
2. Talk with others in your organization and within the FHE community about this fantastic news and let us know if there are others with whom we should be talking about joining the Institute now that our opportunity for a second Cooperative Agreement is in the works.

We’re very excited about this new phase in NextFlex’s future and we’re delighted that you’re with us on this journey.

Sincerely,

Malcolm J. Thompson, PhD
Executive Director