Automation Alley

Defense Consulting

Automation Alley has formed relationships with Brigadier General Donald Schenk (Ret.) and Col. Tom Lytle (USMC, Ret.) to consult with companies interested in working with the Army.

Brigadier General Schenk and Col. Lytle both offer defense-related consulting, specifically with the U.S. Department of Defense and military prime contractors, to Automation Alley members only. There is no cost for the initial consultation.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Brigadier General Schenk or Colonel Lytle, contact Alysia Green at (248) 457-3215 or greena@automationalley.com.

National Automotive Center - Liasion Member   
The National Automotive Center, founded in 1993, is the Department of Defense/U.S. Army focal point for collaborative ground vehicle R&D. The NAC, located at the Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM), is an integral part of TARDEC. The NAC serves as a catalyst linking industry, academia and government agencies in the development and exchange of automotive technologies. The NAC leverages government, commercial industry and academia R&D investments, and initiates shared automotive technology programs. Its primary focus is to benefit current and future military ground vehicle systems through: performance improvements, service life extensions, and reduction in ground vehicle design/manufacturing/production/operation/support costs.

The NAC employs several key mechanisms to leverage investments in automotive technology R&D and for initiating shared technology programs. These mechanisms include:

Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR)

The SBIR program is a highly competitive program that encourages small business to explore their technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from its commercialization. By including qualified small businesses in the nation's R&D arena, high-tech innovation is stimulated and the United States gains entrepreneurial spirit as it meets its specific research and development needs.

For additional information on the SBIR program, click here; for additional information on the Department of Defense SBIR program, visit www.acq.osd.mil/osbp/sbir.

For assistance preparing SBIR proposals, contact Biotechnology Business Consultants at www.bioconsultants.com.

Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA)
A CRADA is the authority by which government laboratories can enter into agreements with private parties to conduct joint research. The government laboratory is allowed to provide, with or without reimbursement, personnel, services, facilities, equipment, intellectual property, or other resources, but not funds. The private sector entity may provide funds, services, facilities, equipment, intellectual property, or other resources toward the conduct of specified research and development efforts. The original impetus behind the development of this authority was to provide a mechanism for the private sector to benefit from the research carried out in government defense laboratories. Since its inception the focus has broadened to include government research outside of the defense sector.

For additional information on CRADAs, click here.

Automation Alley operates under a formal CRADA with the NAC. The National Automotive Center has provided additional project seed funds to Automation Alley for technology commercialization in the dual-use and homeland defense technology areas.  This early stage commercialization funding is perhaps the most difficult and critically needed type of technology business development funding, and an available pool of capital for qualified businesses represents a significant differentiating advantage.

The NAC has a formal office within Automation Alley's Headquarters, with the direct focus on Army CRADA's and SBIR's. Members of the business community can meet with officials from the NAC to discuss partnership opportunities, in addition to having access to the NAC's supercomputer.  

To request a meeting with the NAC regarding any of their programs, complete this form and submit to greena@automationalley.com.

TARDEC
The U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC),  is the nation's laboratory for advanced military automotive technology, and was started in the early years of World War II to allow the military to tap into the automotive design and engineering talent pool in and around Detroit. 

Today, TARDEC remains in the region for the very same reason, and the Army and private industry continue to collaborate on projects benefiting civilians and soldiers alike. TARDEC develops and integrates the right technology solutions to improve the effectiveness of the current force and realize the superior capability of the future force in order to facilitate Army transformation. Its technical staff leads research in ground vehicle survivability, mobility, intelligent systems, and maneuver support and sustainment.

TARDEC employs more than 1,200 people in Southeast Michigan, with the vast majority being civilians living in the area. TARDEC also works as a collaborative partner with both industry and academia. Their vision is to be the first choice of technology and engineering expertise for ground vehicle systems and support equipment - today and tomorrow.