CTMA Technology Competition

NCMS and the CTMA Program seek to support the National Defense Strategy by shining a spotlight on transformative maintenance and sustainment capabilities. The CTMA Technology Competition provides an opportunity for both commercial and government teams to showcase new and innovative ways of making maintenance and sustainment operations more agile, effective, efficient, and affordable. The review and selection process are overseen by top DOD maintenance leaders, providing great exposure for all applicants.

This year’s competition is now over. To learn about the winners, visit: https://www.ncms.org/news/ncms-announces-winners-of-the-2024-ctma-technology-competition/.

To see a booklet that features all of this year’s entries, visit: https://www.flipsnack.com/ncms1/2024-ctma-technology-competition-booklet/full-view.html

Details regarding the 2025 CTMA Technology Competition will be coming soon. Please check back here to learn more.

Submissions for the CTMA Technology Competition should include:

  • An abstract that explains the technology, its current development status, test/simulation data supporting performance claims, and next steps for its development (300 words maximum)
  • A quad chart (using the template provided above) that provides:
    • A problem statement describing what problem the technology is meant to solve (80 words maximum)
    • A solution statement describing the technology (80 words maximum)
    • A benefits statement describing the expected impact of the technology (80 words maximum)
    • Graphics/photos

Additional formatting requirements:

  • The Quad Chart MUST be completed using a 12pt font face. Attempts to make the type smaller so more than 80 words will fit will result in the entry being sent back.
  • Whatever graphics get inserted into the Quad Chart must ALSO be submitted separately in a high-resolution format (300 dpi) in an email. Multiple graphics must be sent as one image.

Finally, all submissions will be published online and in print. By submitting, you are authorizing release to the public and that the submission has been vetted for public viewing and does not contain proprietary or confidential information.

Submissions are judged based on the following criteria:

  • Maintenance relevance/impact: How much does it impact maintenance? Does it improve the efficiency and/or effectiveness of current maintenance practices (e.g., cost, safety, cycle time, necessary manpower, readiness, etc.)?
  • Originality/contribution to the state-of-the-art: How original or innovative is it?
  • Avoidance of commercialism: Does it describe a technology and how it will improve maintenance, or does it attempt to market the organization?
  • Technical maturity: How mature or ready is the technology? Has it been prototyped or successfully demonstrated?
  • Cross-service applicability: Is it potentially applicable to all service branches of the military and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)?
  • Feasibility/practicality: How viable would it be to transition the technology for use by the Department of Defense (DOD)? Considerations include DOD maintenance needs, needs of specific DOD programs, implementation, the readiness level of the technology, and the strength/validity of test or simulation data supporting performance claims.
  • Technical Transition: Is a transition path identifiable, to move from a technology R&D or demonstration and assessment activity to the integrated use of the technology in sustainment operation on a continuous basis?