IBM today announced a new 33-month work order under its contract with the Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA) to provide security services designed to enhance the Department of Defense’s (DoD) microelectronics supply chain for critical mission platforms. As part of the Trusted Foundry Access II program, IBM Consulting will continue to establish secured microelectronics manufacturing flows at commercial state-of-the-art fabrication facilities.

In a time when global supply chains have become increasingly fragile and the U.S. is facing diminished secure microelectronics supply, IBM Consulting’s work can help DMEA increase domestic capacity of advanced, secured, and trusted semiconductors for key military and national security programs.

The DMEA Trusted Access Program Office (TAPO) has administered the Trusted Foundry Program since 2003 and is responsible for sourcing cost effective and trusted access to critical microelectronics for the U.S. government. In 2015 this mission was transferred from the National Security Agency to the DoD’s DMEA.

“Supply chain challenges for secure microelectronics are a serious national security concern. Microelectronics are at the heart of all critical systems and IBM Consulting is pleased to continue to provide the DoD security and technical services to help safeguard the ongoing supply of U.S.-made microelectronics critical to national security systems,” said Susan Wedge, managing partner, U.S. Public and Federal Market at IBM Consulting.

IBM has provided secured microelectronics and supply chain services in support of the Trusted Foundry program for 20 years, helping DMEA to enable the manufacture of U.S. based advanced microelectronics following stringent federal government security standards.

“Since the inception of the TAPO at DMEA, IBM has been an important partner, providing trust to advanced ASIC semiconductor technologies for the DoD’s most advanced weapon systems platforms,” said Aman Gahoonia, Acting Director, DoD Trusted Access Program Office. “This engagement is just one step the DoD is taking to ensure the U.S. has continued secure access to advanced microelectronics manufacturing capabilities.”