|
|
|
|
The North Carolina Aviation Alliance is a voluntary association of independent companies, academic institutions, and not for profit organizations that focus on manufacturing of spare parts for aging military systems in support of the Department of Defense and defense contractors. The Alliance is establishing opportunities for a government and industry partnership in order to improve DoD weapon system readiness and substantially reduce the cost of aging weapon system ownership and operation. The Alliance is developing a sustainable manufacturing capability for critical aviation parts in North Carolina. Its stated purpose is:
The alliance is made up of a diverse group of members. To qualify for membership there are criteria which include both market driven and legal qualifiers. The following criteria are: Market Qualifiers: (1) Manufacturing capabilities or technologies. (2) Capacity to complete certification requirements to provide obsolete military parts. (3) Commitment to creating jobs in North Carolina. (4) Demonstration that the company is financially solvent. (5) Start up companies must submit a business plan. (6) Have knowledge of government contracting practices. (7) Possess a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code. Legal Qualifiers: (1) Not currently nor has previously been debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible nor voluntarily excluded from transactions by any of the United States Government agencies or departments. (2) Not currently under investigation by the U.S. Government for any illegal acts. (3) Not delinquent on any debt to the federal government. (4) In compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, Public Law 100-690, Title V, Subtitle D.34 CFR Part 85 and Subpart F. (5) Does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. (6) Is in compliance with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations regarding protection of the environment, workplace safety, and other laws and regulations regarding the company’s industry and workplace. In addition to meeting these eligibility criteria, and as a condition for participation in the program, the company agrees to the following: (1) Not to use funds or assistance obtained through the program for lobbying, including for influence or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any federal or state agency, a Member of Congress or a Member of the General Assembly, or an employee of a Member of Congress or the General Assembly. (2) Not to use funds or assistance obtained through the program for the support or opposition to any candidate for public office. (3) To continue to comply with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, and to report to the program coordinator(s) any notices of noncompliance.
Our VisionThe primary vision of this Alliance is that it can substantially utilize increasing available manufacturing resources (facilities; trained, educated, and eager labor force; training; and technology, in North Carolina to improve the state’s economic and quality of life; and make available critical items required by the United States Federal Departments, such as Defense and Homeland Security. Some of these resources are excess because of the loss of major portions of the tobacco and textile industries to competing entities in other parts of the US and in the awakening countries of the world. Others are resulting from the desire of new companies to relocate or start up new facilities in the state due to the availability of resources at competing levels of cost input to manufacturing requirements and innovative public/private partnerships aimed at reducing the costs of doing business through collaborative efforts and technology development. These competing locations are often characterized by inexpensive and plentiful labor, as well as, some continuing investment in facilities and limited technology both domestically and by foreign investors, including some in the US.
Our MissionThe mission of the Alliance, making use of available resources including those from grants by the Golden LEAF Foundation, membership dues paid by the members of the Alliance, and other sources, to focus on manufacturing of spare parts for aging military systems and new technology applications in support of the Department of Defense and defense contractors, as well as to the Department of Homeland Security. The Alliance is establishing opportunities for teaming and partnering in order to improve DoD weapon system readiness and substantially reduce the cost of aging weapon system ownership and operation while expanding existing business and assisting with identification of new technologies and economic opportunities. Further, the Alliance is developing a sustainable manufacturing capability for critical Defense parts with the potential to expand to evolving commercial product opportunities in North Carolina.
CharterThe North Carolina-Aerospace Alliance is a collaborative effort in the state to take advantage of the large military presence in NC. There is a very large discrepancy between the ranking of military presence (~3rd.) and spending in the state by the DoD (~42nd).This is a major economic driving force to increase the military spending in NC while providing the job growth and economic development to areas that have seen negative economic impacts due to job losses in traditional manufacturing and tobacco. In order to conduct business with the DoD a company must understand the protocol and process, which can be very time consuming and labor intensive for companies without prior military business experience. The Alliance has the resources that understand all aspects of doing business with the DoD, and can facilitate/expedite that learning. This can involve many aspects including:
In addition the Alliance works with military installations within the state to identify product requirements from the DoD that can provide the manufacturing products for Alliance members. An initial area of focus has been replacement parts for aging aircraft. There is a large demand in this area that has a focus at Fleet Readiness Center (FRC)-East regarding the vertical lift platforms that currently are a key military asset in the mideast theater. The procurement strategy for the DoD is to use Product Based Logistics (PBL) to decrease turnaround time and to move responsibility for logistics back to contractors, in many cases the OEM’s. Providing support to the OEM’s represents another avenue for growth of the Aerospace Alliance in NC. The Alliance will play a key role in the economic development in NC through engagement of private industry with the military establishment in NC. As industry matures the ties with other DoD entities outside of the state together with the potential of providing support to the OEM’s will provide the avenue for sustained growth.
Contact InformationMark Sorrels
|
|
