Policy Issues
The Additive Manufacturing Coalition is dedicated to connecting our Members with the federal government. Our role will be to help the AM community navigate the complex legislative and public funding challenges that exist on Capitol Hill and across the federal agencies. Here are some of the key issue areas we are following:
Research Funding
Advanced Manufacturing Policies
Workforce Development
Ensure that Congress fully funds the research and the certification and validation activities at DOE, DOD, NIST, NSF and other key agencies.
Ensure that additive manufacturing is treated fairly by the federal agencies.
Actively support programs to expand the Additive Manufacturing workforce, from certification of skilled labor through PhDs. We need an educated workforce who knows how to create, design, build and operate Additive Manufacturing technologies.
Standards
Federal Acquisition Rules
Policy Maker Educational Efforts
Support the work of America Makes and others to establish appropriate standards for additive manufacturing processes.
Modify the acquisition regulations to make it easier for smaller companies to get on the preferred vendors list.
Develop tools and materials to educate Members of Congress and their staff to help them understand the opportunities and needs of the additive manufacturing community.