OSTP opens public consultation on US advanced manufacturing strategy – biomanufacturing stakeholders encouraged to weigh in

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) is calling on US biomanufacturing stakeholders – which would include companies and researchers working in fermentation-derived proteins – to provide input into the next National Strategic Plan for Advanced Manufacturing. The public consultation, open until 30 September 2025, offers a rare opportunity for the sector to influence how future federal programs support innovation, infrastructure, and supply chain resilience.

Published in the Federal Register on 20 June, the Request for Information (RFI) is being coordinated by OSTP on behalf of the National Science and Technology Council’s Subcommittee on Advanced Manufacturing. The updated plan will serve as the US government’s roadmap for investment, coordination, and policy development in advanced manufacturing through 2030.

For companies working at the intersection of biology and manufacturing – from precision fermentation startups to contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) – the strategy will shape how federal agencies support everything from research translation and regulatory frameworks to workforce development and regional cluster growth.

This is a critical opportunity for those working in sustainable biomanufacturing and alternative proteins to make their voices heard. Whether you're scaling microbial fermentation, building infrastructure, or navigating regulatory pathways, this strategy will influence the conditions under which we operate for years to come.

The RFI includes 12 thematic questions covering areas such as:

• The role of emerging technologies like synthetic biology and AI in reshaping U.S. manufacturing

• Barriers to commercialization and scale-up

• Public-private partnership models that enable industrial adoption

• Workforce training, apprenticeships, and certification needs

• Strategies for building resilient, domestic supply chains

• How to support small and mid-sized firms adopting advanced biomanufacturing processes

The OSTP is also seeking input on whether the current federal goals – developing advanced technologies, growing the manufacturing workforce, and strengthening supply chains – remain the right priorities, or whether new goals should be added in light of emerging trends in areas such as food security, climate resilience, and health.

Submissions must be made via Docket ID NIST-2025-0004 at www.regulations.gov. All comments will become public and may be referenced in the development of the updated strategy, which will guide federal activity across multiple agencies, including the Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, USDA, and FDA.

Stakeholders are encouraged to share insights backed by data, including references to pilot studies, demonstration-scale efforts, and real-world bottlenecks affecting production and market entry. Comments from industry consortia, trade groups, startups, academic labs, and nonprofit organizations are all welcomed.

For more information or questions about the RFI, contact the Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office at amnpo@nist.gov or Dr Said Jahanmir at 001 301-975-0844.

This process will directly impact how US biomanufacturing – including food and ingredient production via fermentation – is supported at the federal level. Stakeholders have until 30 September to help shape the future.