RFP for Defense Industrial Base Industry 4.0 Training & Workforce Development

Location:	Ohio
Posted:	Jul 1, 2026
Due:	Jul 17, 2026
Agency:	Lorain County Community College
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	A - Research and development U - Education and Training Services
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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Request for Proposals:

Ohio TechNet Defense Industrial Base STEM Consortium

Defense Industrial Base Industry 4.0 Training & Workforce Development

Pilots

RFP Issue Date: June 29, 2026

Response Due Date: July 17, 2026

Invitation

Lorain County Community College is extending an invitation to submit Proposals for Subaward

Agreement for the conduct of work related to the Ohio TechNet Defense Industrial Base STEM

Consortium. This project is funded by the U.S. Department of War Science, Technology, Engineering,

and Math Office (DoW STEM) through the National Defense Education Program, Regional

Community College Consortium (NDEP RC3).

NOTICE!

To receive any addenda or supplemental information, you MUST register with the LCCC Purchasing

Office by email to Becky George at rwulfhoo@lorainccc.edu.

The following information is required:

Name of Organization

Contact Name

Street Address

City, State Zip

Telephone

Email address

Background and Purpose

Lorain County Community College on behalf of the Ohio TechNet Defense Industrial Base STEM

(OTN DIB STEM) Consortium invites proposals for subawards to design, develop, and pilot training

programs and initiatives that prepare individuals for manufacturing employment within the

Defense Industrial Base (DIB). The OTN DIB STEM Consortium is a statewide collaboration between

2-year and 4-year institutions to accelerate development and deployment of innovative, replicable,

and scalable manufacturing STEM training and education models which address advanced

manufacturing occupational skills needed for technician and engineering career pathways. Focused

activities support and strengthen talent development for the national defense manufacturing base

and supply chain, aligned to the technician, technologist, and engineering talent needs of Ohio

manufacturers. Consortium partners deliver education and training in Industry 4.0 and smart

manufacturing technologies, including advanced automation, industrial robotics, and digital

transformation.

Subawards for the purpose of this RFP are defined in Part 7 SUB Article I paragraph B.1.a of the

Dept. of War Research Terms & Conditions (September 2021) as transactions with the primary

purpose of transferring a portion of the substantive project or program for which the DoW provides

financial assistance.

Overview

The National Defense Education Program Regional Community College Consortium seeks to

strategically fund science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education at 2-year

institutions and Community Colleges through a consortium approach, in support of a sustainable

STEM talent pool ready to serve the Nation and extend the Department’s competitive edge.

LCCC in its role as facilitator of the Ohio Technical Skills Innovation Network (Ohio TechNet) serves

as the lead for administrative and fiscal management of this investment from the U.S. Department of

War (DoW). LCCC works closely with community college and industry partners to achieve project

deliverables. The period of performance for this project is from September 1, 2026 to August 31,

2027.

Funding Parameters

• Maximum award: Up to $100,000 for one (1) project per applicant institution

• Performance period: Up to one (1) year, to be completed no later than 8.31.27

• Issuing entity: Lorain County Community College

• Funding source: National Defense Education Program Regional Community College

Consortium, Department of War (DoW) STEM Office, Office of the Undersecretary of War for

Research & Engineering

LCCC plans to make four (4) subawards of $100,000 to four (4) different institutions. Respondents

may submit multiple proposals. However, a maximum of one (1) per applicant may be selected for

award; respondents are encouraged to submit one (1) proposal.

Allowable costs include personnel, curriculum and training development, instructional delivery,

credentialing/certification testing, and other costs related to travel, program supplies, and

materials consumed during the performance period.

Unallowable costs include equipment purchases, capital construction or renovation, food, and

general institutional expenses not directly attributable to the proposed project.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education, which may include member institutions of

the Ohio Technical Skills Innovation Network (Ohio TechNet), including community and technical

colleges, public 4-year universities, and Ohio Technical Centers.

Scope of Work Requirements

Selected proposals will develop, deploy, and/or scale post-secondary workforce training and

preparation initiatives that support the current and future workforce needs of the Defense

Industrial Base (DIB), specifically the Ohio DIB and supply chain. Proposed activities should

advance scalable, workforce-focused programming centered on the knowledge, skills, and abilities

(KSAs) identified the Ohio Manufacturing Competency Model and/or national frameworks, focused

on Automation & Robotics (A&R), Digital Transformation (DTx), or other in-demand Industry 4.0

technologies and skills.

Proposed activities should emphasize applied, hands-on training approaches, and clearly

demonstrate how proposed activities will strengthen workforce pathways aligned to DIB needs.

Priority will be given to proposals that show strong alignment to critical skills and competencies as

well as the Ohio Manufacturing Workforce Blueprint and its strategic pillars. Competitive proposals

will also demonstrate the ability to expand workforce capacity in emerging and evolving technology

areas. Applicants are encouraged to pursue replication, scale, or enhancement of successful training

models, rather than developing wholly new programming.

Proposals must respond to one (1) of the following pathways and should clearly demonstrate how

selected activities advance Defense Industrial Base workforce readiness and supply chain

resilience.

Pathway 1: Innovative Workforce and Industry Training

Supports innovative industry training designed to upskill, reskill, or otherwise prepare individuals

for careers in defense-relevant manufacturing occupations. Projects should include employer

validation of program offerings and resources and, where applicable and appropriate, hands-on and

or work-based learning. Where training is not already available as part of an academic pathway,

respondents must explore or demonstrate pathways to credit for prior learning.

Pathway 2: Capacity-Building (Faculty and Instructor Development)

Supports faculty and instructor development to build institutional capacity for delivering advanced

manufacturing training and instruction aligned with DIB requirements. Activities may include

instructor professional development, piloting train-the-trainer models for Industry 4.0 technical

instruction, certification, incorporation of Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) identified in the

Ohio Mfg Competency Model and/or national competency frameworks, or other aligned efforts.

Pathway 3: Career-Connected Learning and Post-Secondary Pathways

Supports early-stage workforce preparation and career pathway development aligned with DIB

manufacturing careers, including training in advanced manufacturing technologies through high

school dual-enrollment and career-technical education, utilization of College Credit Plus statewide

innovative waiver(s), career-connected and work-based learning, and pathway articulation.

Priority Focus Areas

Proposals must support post-secondary training and workforce preparation for manufacturing

employment within the Defense Industrial Base or supply chain. Projects should demonstrate

strong alignment with defense manufacturing industry needs. Priority technology and competency

areas include:

• Advanced automation and industrial controls

• Digital transformation and the digital thread (digital twins, data integration)

• Industrial robotics

• Smart manufacturing and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)

• Cybersecurity in manufacturing environments

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) for manufacturing

• Additive manufacturing and advanced production systems

• Industrial maintenance (electrical, mechanical, multi-craft)

Successful proposals will describe proposed program content (what participants will learn), how

the program aligns with current and emerging DIB workforce needs, what hands-on, applied, or

experiential components are included, and how industry partners will be engaged. Additionally,

applicants should describe target audiences for training, geographic reach, recruitment

approach(es), and estimated number of participants.

Curriculum and instructional materials developed or enhanced with awarded funds are required to

be licensed under Creative Commons as Open Educational Resources (OER), to be posted to

OhioLink and linked on the Ohio TechNet website (ohiotechnet.org).

All selected proposals must submit monthly invoices and progress reports, as well as a final report

summarizing results, lessons learned, and recommendations for replication, scalability, and/or

sustainment. If after month 3 the lead team determines program activities and spend are below

target, subawards will be evaluated for possible reduction.

Submittal Requirements

Inquiries and Information Requests Prior to Submission

The LCCC Purchasing department will act as the clearinghouse for all inquiries and information

requests.

All inquiries and information requests must be submitted electronically to Becky George, Manager,

Procurement and Distribution Services: rwulfhoo@lorainccc.edu.

The answers to all inquiries will be provided to all registered parties by the LCCC Purchasing

Department. All answers will be electronically distributed to all those registered as being in receipt

of the RFP documents. Addendums will also be posted on the College website with the original

Proposal document. Any other responses to questions not via the Purchasing Office are considered

casual and not binding.

Timeline

The tentative schedule for evaluation, selection, and implementation is as follows:

• Issuance of RFP

• Last day for question submittal

• Submittals Due

• Notification of Proposal Selection

• Commence Implementation

June 29, 2026

July 6, 2026

July 17, 2026

July 31, 2026

September 1, 2026

Key dates may be altered by Lorain County Community College. Registered parties will be updated

via Addendum should any alteration occur.

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

RFP for Defense Industrial Base Industry 4.0 Training & Workforce Development

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See also