Specifications include, but are not limited to: Advanced manufacturing projects supported through this Program must help Ohio firms to achieve: (i) earlier entrance to market, (ii) faster responses to changing customer needs, (iii) higher-quality or lower-cost products or (iv) improved efficiency, consistency and reliability. The primary objective of the Program is to support small to medium-sized manufacturers with a successful operating history, clear market focus and strong prospects for sales growth and job creation. However, projects that have the ability to provide an at-risk segment of Ohio’s manufacturing industry with technology and services that are demonstrably transformational will also be considered. Qualified projects must: 1. Provide an advanced manufacturing technology-based, competitive advantage to for-profit Ohio manufacturers and their Ohio-based operations. 2. Have an impact on multiple Ohio firms, as opposed to a one-off, company-specific impact. 3. Have the resources and capabilities to be self-sustaining after grant funding and cost share have been expended. Advanced manufacturing, for the purposes of this solicitation, includes the following: • Functions o Processing, fabrication and assembly. o Automated material handling. o Design and engineering. o Inspection and communications. o Manufacturing information systems. o Integration and control. • Methods and Technology o Advanced sensing, measuring and process control, including Internet-of-Things (IoT) technologies. o Advanced material design and synthesis, including nanomaterials, metamaterials, metals, coatings or ceramics. o Information technologies to include visualization, virtual and digital design, prototyping and manufacturing. o Additive manufacturing. o Robotics. o Advanced forming and joining/bonding technologies. o Traditional hardware technology consisting of systems and devices. o Software applications for design or management systems.