The Department of Defense (DoD) announced today the award of a contract totaling nearly $16.3 million over five years to the Steel Founders' Society of America (SFSA) for the planning and execution of Cast in Steel, an annual series of manufacturing competitions funded through the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy (OASD(IBP))'s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) program. Cast in Steel brings together students from universities and technical trades schools from across the United States to showcase their skills in a unique competitive environment that combines modern technology with historic craftsmanship.
The Cast in Steel competition serves as a key platform for the IBAS program's mission to strengthen the defense industrial base's workforce by investing in future generations. "The competition pushes students to embrace resilience and teamwork, providing them with hands-on experience that mirrors the demands of careers in the defense sector," said Ms. Carla Zeppieri, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Resilience. "Participants use cutting-edge casting techniques that blend innovation with history—skills they will carry forward as future contributors to the defense industrial base."
The 2025 competition will feature five qualifying rounds where teams will collaborate with industry partners and utilize state-of-the-art casting technologies. Their progress will be documented through technical reports and videos, and final designs will be judged on creativity, technical execution, and functionality. The competition culminates in a grand finale on April 9–11, 2025, at the American Foundry Society Cast Expo in Atlanta, Georgia, where winning teams will be celebrated for their achievements.
