Microelectronics Commons

The Microelectronics Commons

The Department of Defense is planning implementation of the Microelectronics Commons. The recently passed CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 created the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) for America Defense Fund that will provide funding for the activities of the Microelectronics Commons.

The Microelectronics Commons is a national network that will create direct pathways to commercialization for US microelectronics researchers and designers from "lab to fab."

The Commons is designed to:

Enable

Enable sustained partnerships between emerging technology sources, manufacturing facilities, and interagency partners

DEVELOP

Develop a pipeline of talent to bolster local semiconductor economies and contribute more broadly to the growth of a domestic semiconductor workforce

BRIDGE

Bridge the microelectronics technological "Valley of Death"

EXPAND

Expand domestic microelectronics fabrication capability

ENHANCE

Enhance the microelectronics education and training pipeline to bolster the microelectronics engineering workforce

The Under Secretary of Defense for Research & Engineering team in coordination with Naval Surface Warfare Center - Crane Division, conducted a formal RFI, "Partnerships for Coupling Innovation and Manufacturing Through Critical On-shore Prototyping" (Notice ID: N0016422SNB42). This notice was published on the U.S. System for Award Management (SAM.gov) from 24 February through 5 April 2022 and prompted responses from 68 entities across commercial industry, DIB, academia, FFRDC, non-profit organizations, and consortia. Feedback from this RFI along with independent engagements with DoD and interagency partners has provided valuable information on the development of ME Commons ME strategy and 5-year plan.

NOTE: If there is any inconsistency between the material presented here and the Request for Solutions (RFS), the RFS shall take precedence. The Microelectronics Commons RFS will be posted on www.sam.gov and https://nstxl.org/microelectronics