COMPLEX TECHNOLOGY GRANTS: $1.6B CHIPS NOFO Released – What You Need to Know Now

The second notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) in the CHIPS National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program (NAPMP) was released on October 18, 2024, and it’s a $1.6B behemoth. Additional details (and Q&A) were provided at this week’s Proposers’ Day event.

Including the $300M NOFO #1 (‘Materials & Substrates’)—plus a reserve fund for prototyping—brings the NAPMP total to nearly $2B. The future of CHIPS is clearly in packaging.

NOFO #2 is actually five NOFOs in one, each focusing on a different aspect of packaging:

Like NOFO #1, approval of a concept paper determines whether applicants will be invited to submit a full application. Even though awards have yet to be announced for NOFO #1, what we know thus far about the CHIPS Office process provides insight into your strategy for pursuing NOFO #2.

Per the CHIPS office, 110 concept papers were submitted for NOFO #1; in the end, only eight were extended invitations to the full application—a tad over 7%.

We can expect the same ‘funnel’ for NOFO #2 – in fact, Dev Palmer, Director of CHIPS NAPMP, said during Proposers’ Day, “We anticipate something in the neighborhood of 10 to 20 total awards will be made for NOFO #2.” By that logic, awards averaging $80M to $160M will be handed out to each of the 10 to 20 recipients.

So, what are the odds that your concept paper will turn into gold? First, it’s unlikely that NOFO #1’s funnel will dissuade NOFO #2 authors from drafting hundreds of concept papers, so the competition will remain fierce. But most importantly, the math dictates you should apply as much effort—if not more—into your 10-page concept paper as the full application. Why? Because if you don’t make the down-select, you are out. But if you are chosen, odds are you will get a slice of the $50 – $150M pie in your R&D area.

Need help writing your concept paper or full grant application?  We can help. Lohfeld Consulting is a premier capture and proposal services consulting firm founded in 2003, focused exclusively on government markets. We’ve provided Strength-Based Winning® grant-writing, proposal, capture, and training services to 2,500+ companies. Most recently, we’ve supported 550+ proposals for our top 20 clients, winning more than $170B for them. 

To date, our grants team has:

• Supported a large client on NAPMP NOFO #1 (concept paper selected, awaiting notification on the full proposal)

• For Microelectronics Commons (MEC), supported Arizona State University’s (ASU’s) winning Southwest Advanced Prototyping (SWAP) Hub bid, followed by the SWAP Hub’s first 15 projects, producing five wins in the first Call for Projects (CFP) earlier this year

• Worked with two large clients on CHIPS Commercial Fabrication Facilities NOFOs, supporting all phases of this multibillion-dollar initiative’s complex mix of environmental, workforce development, and childcare requirements (one announced winner, one awaiting notification)

Lohfeld offers strategy consulting, proposal support, compliance matrices, and similar artifacts to facilitate the pursuit of these bids. We have senior strategists, proposal managers, writers, and reviewers with relevant technical credentials and experience, and we can offer flexible support to meet your needs.

By Ray Capece, Complex Technology Grants Services, Scientific and Technical Lead

Lohfeld Consulting Group has proven results specializing in helping companies create winning captures and proposals. As the premier capture and proposal services consulting firm focused exclusively on government markets, we provide expert assistance to government contractors in Capture Planning and Strategy, Proposal Management and Writing, Capture and Proposal Process and Infrastructure, and Training. In the last 3 years, we’ve supported over 550 proposals winning more than $170B for our clients—including the Top 10 government contractors. Lohfeld Consulting Group is your “go-to” capture and proposal source! Start winning by contacting us at www.lohfeldconsulting.com and join us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube^(TM).

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