1

Long Island Forum for Technology (LIFT), response to

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Request for Information 

Manufacturing Technology Acceleration Centers (M-TAC)

Manufacturing Technology Acceleration Centers (M-TAC) 

The Long Island Forum for Technology (LIFT), one of ten MEP Sub-recipient Centers within 

New York State submits this response to the National Institute of Technology (NIST) Request 

for Information on the new Manufacturing Technology Acceleration Centers (M-TAC). LIFT’s 

response focuses on the technical and business challenges small and mid-sized manufacturers 

have in transitioning their development and production capabilities to the application of 

transformative composite materials and processes. With the adoption of composite materials 

exponentially increasing in many market segments across the US economy, domestic capacity to 

meet tomorrow’s production demand is woefully short emphasizing the need for the 

manufacturing supply base to be expanded. LIFT believes such expansion is urgent, necessitating 

acceleration and assistance from the government in areas of coordination, information exchange, 

education, workforce development, and most importantly access to skilled mentors and facilities 

that will hasten a company’s entry into composite technology.

In 2012, New York State granted LIFT $15,000,000 to establish the Advanced Materials and 

Manufacturing Technology Innovation Center (AMMTIC). The AMMTIC Center will permit 

companies looking to advance beyond metal manufacturing or to develop new business areas to 

contract for the technical expertise, tools and resources needed to design and fabricate prototypes 

made from composite materials without the significant up-front capital investment. These 

prototypes will be applied across diverse industry sectors critical to the nation’s economy 

including aerospace, infrastructure, transportation, energy and others. Companies will be 

exposed to educational institutions who are working closely with AMMTIC to develop 

curriculum and provide courses for tomorrow’s technicians and engineers skilled in the design 

and manufacture of composites.

AMMTIC will also compliment university research by providing an “at-scale” prototype 

capability for applied research. It will promote and foster research and development of new 

cutting edge manufacturing technologies in Advanced Composites, Intelligent Materials, Micro 

Machining and Manufacturing Process Modeling and Simulation. It will encourage the gathering 

and interaction of scientists, technologists, and inventors in the pursuit of the advancement of 

scientific and technological knowledge to accelerate the transfer of technology and ideas, to test 

and validate products and to educate manufacturers, their workforce and the public on 

technology and manufacturing processes for Composite Materials.

The AMMTIC facility will be outfitted with a comprehensive inventory of conventional and 

automated composite process equipment. The facility is currently being built out with a full 

operational capability planned by mid-2014. With this as a backdrop, LIFT respectfully provides 

our AMMTIC views and experiences to the challenging questions being posed by NIST’s MTAC concept.
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Long Island Forum for Technology (LIFT), response to

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Request for Information 

Manufacturing Technology Acceleration Centers (M-TAC)

Question-1:	 What	are	the	specific	types	of	technology	transition	and	commercialization	tools	and	

services	that	should	be	provided	by	M-TACs?	Emphasis	is	on	the	alignment	of	these	tools	and	services	

with	the	most	pressing	needs	of	small	and	mid-sized	U.S.	manufacturers.

For decades, Long Island manufacturers have demonstrated great success in producing critical 

aerospace components for world-wide OEMs. Surprisingly today, over 76% of the region’s 

manufacturers employ less than 25 staff. Most are contract producers possessing little ability to 

develop new products and processes. As well, they have limited access to growth market 

knowledge and rising technology needs. This situation is not unique to Long Island. For these 

reasons, LIFT recommends M-TACs provide a comprehensive suite of manufacturing support 

services aligned specifically on a vital technology subject area and its associated growth market 

OEMs and supply chains. This focus will allow the M-TAC to:

 Facilitate an innovative and progressive growth culture that can assist small businesses 

understand how to implement organic innovation processes and tools. Access to best 

practices and hands-on training required by OEM defined needs.

 Build and exchange market knowledge through conferences, technical associations, hands-on 

training and distribution of published materials. Methods must maximize the use of social 

media tools and web-based information exchange.

 Identify and facilitate technology partnerships with research institutions, business and 

industry associations, market research, workforce skills development, production 

manufacturing and testing resources. 

 Provide access to manufacturing process experts for support in design, analysis, tooling, 

manufacturing methods, test and product compliance assistance. Assist companies in 

understanding Manufacturing Readiness Levels. The available staff should be subject matter 

experts with recognized credentials in the technology marketplace. In the case of AMMTIC, 

we have access to an experienced cadre of composite technologists from the aerospace and 

defense industry that will assist in design, development and quality assurance of prototype 

components and assemblies.

 Provide access to specialized manufacturing equipment that would otherwise be unaffordable 

and/or unavailable to a small business or university. The equipment would include the 

upfront design support (CAD stations, analysis software, 3-D printers) assisting companies to 

create electronic models and rapidly prototype their concepts. Access can be provided 

directly through M-TAC owned facilities or indirectly through established partner 

relationships. For AMMTIC, composite prototyping equipment is owned by the Center and

provided to the individual company for use on a fee-for-service basis. Use of equipment 

would include expert technical support for safe and efficient operations. Refer to the attached 

List of Major AMMTIC Equipment and Capabilities (page 7).

 Provide access and personal introductions to funding and investment resources that 

understand small business technology needs and can assist in capitalization efforts. This 

includes referrals to state’s economic development assistance programs and partners.
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Long Island Forum for Technology (LIFT), response to

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Request for Information 

Manufacturing Technology Acceleration Centers (M-TAC)

a) How	would	M-TAC	services	complement	the	services	currently	offered	by	MEP	Centers?

LIFT considers the NIST M-TAC goals to be highly consistent and complimentary with MEP 

program services. This very alignment encouraged the 2007 establishment of AMMTIC focusing

on the specific growth need for composites manufacturing. AMMTIC will be an excellent

example of how an MEP Center can cooperate and function as a full-service Manufacturing

Innovation Center. LIFT as the MEP, provides company alignment for establishing an innovative 

culture, process improvement and capacity growth while AMMTIC provides development and 

prototype services for rapid product development. MEPs also provide well established 

partnerships with research, education, and economic development entities allowing alignment 

and leverage with industry and regional needs.

M-TAC efforts will afford MEP an efficient method to deepen market penetration into small 

businesses not normally reached. While engaged with the small business, the MEP would gain

better insight into specific company needs for innovation, direct assistance for growth services, 

factory expansion, and process improvements in quality, and lean operations – all potentially 

leading to increased MEP service business.

Question-2: What	role	should	future	M-TACs	play	with	respect	to	supply	chain	needs?	How	should	

OEMs	 participate?	 How	 can	 industry	 associations,	 professional	 societies,	 and	 other	 appropriate	

national	organizations	participate?

M-TACs should play a significant role in fulfilling supply chain needs. LIFT believes the 

primary M-TAC role would be to provide practical hands-on support and training for a small 

business to enter and sustain itself within the supply chain. It should act as a concierge for 

knowledge and practical understanding of the marketplace and its requirements, husbanding the 

small business to success.

In order to achieve OEM participation, an M-TAC would need to be appropriately integrated 

within the fulfillment strategy of the OEM needs. This would include areas such as technology

development, contractual compliance, partnerships, and future product innovation needs.

Intimate knowledge between the M-TAC staff and the OEM will be critical and will take time to 

establish. Once accomplished, the M-TAC will be able to affect both the supply and demand 

sides of the supply chain equation creating success for all stakeholders.

 OEM’s should provide endorsement for M-TAC efforts relating to it as an extension of their 

supplier outreach and development efforts. An M-TAC should be offered active participation 

in OEM strategic discussions both for supply chain insights and a resource for OEM success.

 Provide access to specific OEM technology roadmaps, identifying areas where small 

business discretionary R&D efforts may be best placed to ensure OEM technology needs are 

met and to help position small businesses on the right course for success.
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Long Island Forum for Technology (LIFT), response to

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Request for Information 

Manufacturing Technology Acceleration Centers (M-TAC)

 OEM’s should provide sponsorship for events and conferences as a demonstrable indication 

to small businesses that the M-TAC is viewed as an active and respected member of the 

supply chain development structure. 

Similarly, industry associations, societies and organizations could play a significant role. First, 

they should endorse an M-TAC’s role to their constituents, promoting small business growth

through engagement with the M-TAC. Secondly they can provide M-TAC with outreach through

opportunities for prominent positions at national and local conferences and technical 

presentations.

For example, AMMTIC was faced with the challenge to engage a wider national audience while 

owning and operating a physical facility and equipment on Long Island. AMMTIC recognized 

the need to collaborate across geographically diverse organizations - being virtual in terms of its 

operational availability and use outside of New York, yet physical in terms of providing tangible 

assets to develop and manufacture prototypes. AMMTIC’s key to success was the familiarity of 

LIFT’s engaged and experienced Board of Directors. Through their efforts, the AMMTIC Center 

began establishing cooperative relationships with partners who are nationally recognized 

composite leaders. Initial partnerships were established with the South Carolina Research 

Authority (SCRA) in Charleston South Carolina, and the National Composites Center (NCC) in 

Dayton Ohio. Together, we are pursuing ways to align efforts toward advancing common 

mission objectives to help promote and expand the use of composites across all industry sectors

of our national economy. AMMTIC’s participation with SCRA and NCC has greatly expanded 

its outreach and better positioned it for national success. 

Question-3: Is	there	a	particular	long-term	scalable	and	financially	sustainable	business	model	that	

should	be	implemented	by	future	M-TACs	that	will	enable	small	and	mid-sized	U.S.	manufacturers	to	

effectively	 access	 and	 benefit	 from	 the	 technology	 transition	 and	 commercialization	 assistance	 and	

other	resources	they	need?

A sustainable business model that can generate retained asset growth for future investment is 

undoubtedly one of the most challenging hurdles an M-TAC will need to overcome. Government 

investment in capital is necessary but is insufficient to ensure long-term viability of operations. 

At the same time, M-TACs will desire to support as many small businesses as possible on a 

national scale without overburdening the client’s projects with large administrative costs. LIFT 

suggests that a balanced cost model would endeavor to maximize financial support from 

sponsors / OEMs, minimize the service cost burden to the small businesses, while leveraging 

state and federal monies to the greatest extent.

The AMMTIC business model reflects the upfront state investment in capital equipment by 

minimizing the resulting cost burden to the small business client. Further, it attempts to separate 

fixed from variable costs for accounting and pricing purposes. AMMTIC will provide staff and 

equipment resources to companies on a fee-for-service basis. Client costs will be project

dependent and will be determined on a case by case basis. Small business client projects for 

prototype development tasks would typically involve short engagements and may only be 

burdened by the variable costs of the project’s operation. Larger scale development efforts
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Long Island Forum for Technology (LIFT), response to

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Request for Information 

Manufacturing Technology Acceleration Centers (M-TAC)

typically requiring a longer period of time and multiple design and fabrication cycles may be 

burdened with both the variable costs and a portion of the fixed operating expenses.

Additionally, AMMTIC envisions a “Contract Support” relationship to be established with 

OEMs. In this relationship, primes would commit an agreed upon amount of yearly support 

funds to AMMTIC in return for usage time of the facility. Such funds would be the primary 

source of fixed expense coverage. Prime facility usage may either consist of their individual use 

for development purposes (off-loading of R&D work), or their co-sponsoring of supply chain 

training and development within the AMMTIC facility (supply chain development / mentorprotégé program). 

The AMMTIC business model will also actively seek research funding through grants, contracts, 

and other cooperative agreements.

a) Because	 of	 the	 programmatic	 connection	 to	 the	 NIST	 MEP	 Program,	 M-TACs	 may	 require	 cost	

share.	Are	 there	 cost	 share	models	 for	 future	M-TACs	 that	promote	 scale	 up	 to	 reach	 nationally	

dispersed	clusters	of	small	and	mid-sized	manufacturers?	If	so,	what	are	 those	models,	and	why	

might	they	be	successful?

LIFT recommends that no cost-share requirement be levied. If required, a record of actual capital 

equipment usage may be reported as cost share.

b) The	generation	of	intellectual	property	is	possible,	and	even	likely	as	a	result	of	M-TAC	operations.	

What	 types	 of	 intellectual	 property	 arrangements	 and	 management	 constructs	 would	 promote	

active	 engagement of	 industry	 in	 these	 pilots,	 especially	 among	 small	 and	 mid-sized	 U.S.	

manufacturers	that	would	be	supportive	of	the	business	model?	As	appropriate,	please	include	a	

set	of	potential	options,	and	please	explain	your	responses.

AMMTIC’s initial business model recognizes multiple sources of IP development and will 

clearly document expectations prior to small business engagement. Generally, AMMTIC does 

not envision taking an IP ownership stake in products or processes developed by a company and 

its staff within the facility. In the case where AMMTIC provides the client project with specific 

IP owned by AMMTIC or an engineering discovery performed by AMMTIC personnel, an IP 

arrangement would be generated. AMMTIC does envision establishing a fair royalty relationship 

with small businesses on their future product success resulting from AMMTIC’s contribution to 

the companies’ commercialization efforts. 

Question-4: How	should	an	M-TAC's	performance	and	impact	be	evaluated?	What	are	appropriate	

measures	 of	 success	 for	 future	 M-TACs?	 Please	 explain	 your	 response	 including	 the	 value	 of	 the	

performance	measure	to	business	growth.

An approach similar to the current MEP Client Survey Process could be adapted to address MTAC performance and impact. The current survey tool addresses the quantitative client impact 

measures of service type, increased sales, jobs created, clients helped, service satisfaction, etc. 

The survey mechanism could be further adapted to address development process measures such 

as product development service provided, duration, contract value, technology advancement 
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Long Island Forum for Technology (LIFT), response to

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Request for Information 

Manufacturing Technology Acceleration Centers (M-TAC)

(manufacturing readiness level), products transitioned into production, anticipated sales growth, 

etc.

Supply chain measures would also need to be established. These could include information about 

OEM’s served, relationships and their objectives, activities accomplished towards specific goals, 

specific clients served within the supply chain and at what level of service, future outreach plans, 

etc.

A specific OEM survey may be appropriate to record their assessment of M-TAC support. 

Measures may include activities accomplished towards specific goals, supply chain 

improvements achieved including responsiveness, strategic participation, training, diversity 

development, M/WBE growth, cost effectiveness, implementation of developed technologies 

into production equipment, increased automation, etc.

Question-5: Are	 there	 any	 other	 critical	 issues	 that	 NIST	 MEP	 should	 consider	 in	 its	 strategic	

planning	 for	 future	M-TAC	investments	that	are	not	covered	by	the	 first	 four	questions?	If	so,	please	

address	those	issues	here	and	explain	your	response.

LIFT applauds NIST’s RFI process and search for smart ideas and best practices before 

establishing M-TACs. In LIFT’s opinion, a large issue is whether an M-TAC should be an allpurpose resource for small business innovation and manufacturing support across a broad array 

of technology areas, or rather a resource more focused on a singular manufacturing technology 

area such as the case for AMMTIC and composites. The latter requires significant connection 

with national partners and OEM supply chains across the nation to ensure success. 
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Long Island Forum for Technology (LIFT), response to

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Request for Information 

Manufacturing Technology Acceleration Centers (M-TAC)

Major AMMTIC Equipment List and Capabilities

Type of 

Equipment MFG Size

Automated Fiber 

Placement Robotic 

System 

Automated Dynamics

Capable of producing a 5ft dia. X 10ft 

long complex contoured part using 

thermo-set or thermoplastic material 

Filament Winding TBD Capable of producing a 5 dia. X 8 

meter long tube or cylinder 

Compression heated 

presses (Two 

Systems)

Wabash

250 ton with a 48"x 48" platen and a 

100 ton with a 18"x18" platen, both 

800 def F.

Hand Layup in a Class 

100,000 clean room Gerber Technologies

1200 sq ft of Class 100,000 equipt 

with 6ft wide Single Ply Automated 

Cutting system with laser guided 

temples

Vacuum Assisted 

Resin Transfer 

Molding System 

(VARTMS)

TBD

3D Printers Statrasys

Work volume of 16" x 16' x 12", 

various composite processing 

material

Autoclaves , Small Bondtech 8ft dia.x 20 L, 450 def F at 165 psig

Autoclaves , Large Bondtech 5ft dia. x 8ft L, 800 deg F at 300 psig

Walk-In Oven Wisconsin 6ft w x 14ft L, 800 def F

Batch Oven Wisconsin 4ft Cube, 1000 def F

Walk-In Freezer, 

storage of composite 

materials Tafco & Tyson 10 ft w x 14 ft long, Temp of -10 def F

Test & Inspection 

equipment Various Such as CMM and Ultrasonic testers