U.S. boosts the AI supply chain with domestic manufacturing | Keryc
OpenAI launched a new Request for Proposals (RFP) to strengthen the domestic manufacturing that supports AI infrastructure. It’s a clear bet: if it’s done right, it can create well-paid jobs, modernize the power grid, and reindustrialize regions that need investment. Sounds ambitious? Yes, but the economic history of the United States shows infrastructure defines the future.
What OpenAI is announcing and why it matters
The proposal, announced on January 15, 2026, seeks to identify and activate manufacturing capacity in the United States for critical components of the AI ecosystem. It’s not just about chips and data centers; advanced AI needs a broad set of physical parts and processes that often stay out of the public spotlight.
OpenAI has already been working on this with its Stargate initiative: in less than a year they announced capacity that exceeds half of their 10-gigawatt commitment. Those projects are already translating investment into jobs and local growth. The RFP is the next step to accelerate and expand that impact.
Who the RFP is aimed at
OpenAI is looking for proposals from manufacturers, suppliers, and partners who are building—or willing to build—critical components and systems in the United States. Areas mentioned include:
Modules, tools, equipment, and final assembly for consumer electronics.
Manufacturing for compute, power, cooling, and support hardware for data centers.
Critical inputs for advanced robotics (for example, gearboxes, motors, power electronics).
Why is this relevant? Because scaling AI isn’t just increasing processing power: it’s about securing racks, cabling, networks, cooling systems, power, and production at scale. That physical chain needs to be resilient and nearby to shorten timelines and reduce risks.
Expected impact
Investments in manufacturing can produce concrete effects in several directions:
Local employment: factories and assembly centers create technical and logistics jobs.
Industrial modernization: upgrades to plants and supply chains.
Resilience: less reliance on external suppliers for critical parts.
Energy and grids: AI demand pushes improvements in electrical and cooling infrastructure.
It’s an opportunity for the gains of the AI era to stay where they’re generated: in communities and the local economy.
How to participate and what to expect
OpenAI asks for proposals that help build or scale manufacturing in the U.S. Responses to the RFP will inform future partnerships, procurement strategies, and infrastructure planning. A few practical points:
Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
The deadline to submit a proposal is June 2026.
They’re looking for both established players and companies that can repurpose production capacity.
If you work in manufacturing, electrical component supply, assembly, or robotics, this call could be a way to expand operations or secure long-term contracts. You don’t need to be giant: what matters is the ability to scale and align with the needs of the AI supply chain.
What changes for the AI ecosystem?
Efforts like this shift the conversation from abstract models and chips to the tangible reality of mass production. The question moves from “how do I train a model?” to “how do I deploy it at scale reliably and sustainably?” That has implications for public policy, technical education, and energy planning.
For those of us following AI’s evolution, it’s a useful reminder: advanced technology rests on very concrete processes. The opportunity now is to learn, modernize, and multiply those processes within the country.
Think of this as a practical window to reindustrialize in step with the digital revolution. It’s not just investment in machines: it’s investment in talent, stronger power grids, and capabilities that can last for decades.
