Development of an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Supply Chain Network

The purpose of this update is to make the following changes to the RFI:1.  Delete:  “NASA launched the AAM ecosystem working group in March 2020 via a virtual forum.  To view the discussed content, please visit https://nari.arc.nasa.gov/aamwgvirtualkickoff.”2.  Replace with:  “Please note, this working group is in addition to the AAM Ecosystem Working Groups.”3.  Delete:   https://nari.arc.nasa.gov/aam4.  Replace with:  https://nari.arc.nasa.gov/aamsupplychain Changes are noted in Bold Italic textThe NASA Aeronautics Research Institute (NARI) is a part of NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD).  NARI is supporting NASA’s Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) mission to promote the development of a strong and

resilient AAM supply chain that can scale as the market matures.NARI and the US Air Force’s Agility Prime initiative are collaborating to better understand and develop the AAM supply chain, and are issuing this RFI to gather data for that purpose.  The intent is to map and share the current AAM supply chain via an electronic platform, model and simulate the network’s ability to scale, and ensure that the industry has the human capital to meet future needs.  The electronic platform, and modeling and simulation capabilities will also help connect original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with current and aspiring aerospace suppliers.This RFI requests information about a company’s manufacturing capabilities, and offers firms the opportunity to join NASA’s Aerospace Supply Chain Working Group.  For the purposes of this RFI, the AAM supply chain consists of all parties including, but not limited to, OEMs, designers, prototyping shops, aviation parts manufacturers, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) firms, academic institutions, and firms that have not traditionally supplied aviation but may be able to contribute to the market.  Automotive suppliers or original equipment manufacturers, heavy machinery suppliers, and manufacturing technology firms may wish to offer information as well.NASA and Agility Prime seek the following information and viewpoints: Firm name, address, and contact information. Sources of funding (Venture Capital, Private Equity, Strategic Investors, etc.), including the geographic locations of those sources. Firm’s production capabilities (e.g., aerostructures, motors, actuators, avionics, flight management systems, batteries, various types of raw materials, propellers, seats, etc.).  This information may be compiled in an online database that will be available through NARI and Agility Prime sites, pending permission of individual respondents. Production focus: prototyping/job shop, batch production, mass production etc. Any ISO, FAA, or quality management certifications. Feedback on the usefulness of an electronic exchange platform to reduce supply chain friction by connecting industry participants. Feedback on areas for research and analysis to help understand and develop the AAM ecosystem. Feedback on challenges in sourcing parts, downstream suppliers, and ram materials find parts, downstream suppliers, and raw materials, both related to the COVID-19 pandemic and prior. Feedback on challenges finding talent and skills, and human capital required to build AAM/UAM ecosystem.While NASA and Agility Prime are collaborating on supply chain development and analysis, this RFI is being released only through NASA channels to avoid confusion with prior Agility Prime information requests.Working Group ExecutionPlease note, this working group is in addition to the AAM Ecosystem Working Groups.The working group participants will be asked to share their diverse expertise, information, and opinions on these topics.  The working groups will be a forum to communicate industry priorities, research and development (R&D) priorities, and share supply chain needs that may enable AAM. Participants will help identify the critical needs related to aircraft subsystems and critical parts, airspace subsystems, infrastructure subsystems, and talent and skills.NASA and Agility Prime will continue to independently host ongoing meetings to facilitate community engagement and information exchange related to the AAM ecosystem.  By responding to this RFI, the parties will be added to the distribution list and informed of those meeting times.BenefitsRFI respondents and/or NASA Working Group members may have the opportunity to closely collaborate with NASA, Agility Prime, and other government organizations in discussions relating to developing and operationalizing AAM.  These discussions will leverage NASA and Agility Prime’s industry knowledge and extensive experience designing, testing, and flying novel aircraft, and airspace management systems. Moreover, participants will receive updates regarding the current state of the AAM ecosystem, and the opportunity to potentially be included as a verified participant in that ecosystem.Information InputNARI and Agility Prime welcome all potential collaborators looking to enable AAM to respond to this request through the registration link:       https://nari.arc.nasa.gov/aamsupplychainAfter the initial entry, NASA and/or Agility Prime may reach out to gather additional information. Once all responses are collected, participants will be contacted with details regarding next steps.The information is requested for planning purposes only.  This RFI does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP), Invitation for Bid (IFB), Request for Quote (RFQ) or Announcement for Proposal. This RFI is not an offer nor a commitment by the Government to enter into a contract or any other type of agreement.  This RFI does not indicate or intend that the Government will issue a solicitation or award a contract in this area nor does it obligate the government to pay for any information solicited or invest any resources specific to the targeted area.