ARM Institute Opens Project Call for Military Supply Chain Technology
•February 17, 2026
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Why It Matters
Modernizing the OIB directly enhances the U.S. military’s ability to produce critical munitions and equipment faster and more cost‑effectively, addressing long‑standing capability gaps. The initiative also accelerates adoption of advanced robotics and AI across defense supply chains, creating commercial spillovers.
Key Takeaways
- •ARM Institute launches member-only OIB modernization project call
- •Focus areas include AI planning, digital ops, real-time sensors
- •Prototypes required; existing OIB relationships favored
- •Submissions due March 2; performance deadline Oct 1
- •Funding expected higher than previous ARM Institute projects
Pulse Analysis
The Department of Defense’s organic industrial base (OIB) underpins the production of munitions, vehicles and other warfighter essentials, yet many facilities rely on aging equipment and fragmented processes. Recognizing these bottlenecks, the Advanced Robotics in Manufacturing (ARM) Institute— a public‑private consortium focused on manufacturing innovation—has opened a targeted project call to inject next‑generation robotics, AI and digital tools into the OIB ecosystem. By concentrating on the defense supply chain, the initiative aligns with broader national security goals while offering a testbed for technologies that can later transition to civilian manufacturing.
The ARM call emphasizes eight thematic areas, from digital operations platforms and real‑time sensor networks to AI‑driven robotic process planning and in‑situ quality inspection. Proposals must culminate in a functional prototype that can be deployed at an OIB site, and teams are encouraged to pair technical solutions with workforce training components. Submissions are limited to ARM members, with whitepapers due March 2 and project execution expected by October 1. Funding levels are projected to surpass previous ARM grants, and cost‑share commitments will influence award decisions, underscoring the consortium’s push for financially viable, scalable solutions.
For industry participants, the call represents a rare opportunity to secure defense funding while gaining access to a high‑value, government‑backed testing environment. Companies with existing OIB relationships or proven track records in advanced manufacturing stand to benefit most, as senior‑level endorsements are required for project approval. Successful deployments could shorten production cycles, reduce operator exposure, and lower operational costs—benefits that extend beyond the military to commercial sectors seeking to modernize legacy factories. The ripple effect may accelerate broader adoption of intelligent automation across the United States’ manufacturing landscape.
ARM Institute opens project call for military supply chain technology
The ARM Institute is seeking projects for developing the organic industrial base and workforce. Source: AdobeStock
The Advanced Robotics in Manufacturing, or ARM, Institute issued a new organic industrial base technology and workforce project call. The ARM Institute made this project call available to its members only, not to the general public.
The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) is working to assemble concepts that address the modernization needs of the organic industrial base (OIB) network. OSD is working with the institute and other Manufacturing Innovation Institutes on this project.
The OIB produces and sustains existing supply chains for critical military technology and non-consumer goods. This includes munitions, transportation vehicles, and other warfighter needs.
However, equipment is often antiquated and poorly integrated at its facilities. It can even hamper the OIB’s ability to consistently and quickly conduct production operations.
This ARM Institute project call seeks to modernize these operations both through technical innovations and workforce solutions in these special topic areas:
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Digital operations technology
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Real-time manufacturing sensors for robotics
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AI robotic process planning
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In-situ quality checks
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Reduced operator exposure
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Reduce cost of operations
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Pilot line of non-traditional OIB products
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Mobile and large surface automation
ARM members can download detailed information about the project call in the ARM member community. Whitepaper submissions, the first step in this Project Call process, are due on March 2.
The deadline for performance for projects is Oct. 1. However, it is possible that funding may be available sooner.
ARM Institute looks for results, existing relationships with OIB
Given the project call’s focus on modernization and prototype delivery, the ARM Institute said it expects funding for selected projects to exceed that of past projects.
The Pittsburgh-based public-private consortium noted that any technical whitepaper submitted must propose a concept that would result in a real prototype that the OIB can deploy in a facility. Successful project teams are most likely to already have relationships with or have done work with an OIB facility, it noted.
The ARM Institute recommended that submissions include proven technologies, with citations of successful use cases or impact. Where possible, the institute encouraged teams to submit joint technical and workforce proposals.
All projects must be accompanied by a commitment from a military service or OIB site to both sponsor a specific endeavor as well as support a successful technology transition and integration, said the ARM Institute.
The letter of commitment must be endorsed by the OIB site commander or, if approved at a higher headquarters for an enterprise solution, then not lower than a general officer/flag officer or senior executive service member. This letter will be due in Step 2 of the process if a team is selected to move forward.
Because Step 2 will require a letter of commitment from an OIB leader, the most successful project teams are likely to be those who have existing relationships with or have worked with an OIB facility, the ARM Institute explained.
In addition, it noted that this call is for technology and education or workforce development concepts, and teams can blend proposals. For example, the ARM Institute encouraged teams to include a training component in a technical concept.
Education and workforce partners encouraged to submit
The ARM Institute solicited interested education or workforce partners to submit whitepapers centered on training the workforce on technology changes within the OIB. The institute said it might match strong education or workforce concepts with technical concepts.
After the ARM Institute reviews all submitted whitepapers, it said it might choose to combine ideas to form the strongest proposals possible. All project submissions also require cost-sharing to the highest degree possible. The project cost-share amount will be a factor in the evaluation of proposals, it said.
The ARM Institute will host a webinar on Feb. 19 at 3:00 p.m. ET in support of this effort. During this webinar, the organization will answer questions, detail the project call content/submission process, and outline the many different aspects of this call.
The post ARM Institute opens project call for military supply chain technology appeared first on The Robot Report.
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