Award Competitions for Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Centers in the States of Alaska, Idaho, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Utah, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) invites applications from eligible organizations in connection with NIST’s funding up to twelve (12) separate MEP cooperative agreements for the operation of an MEP Center in the designated States’ service areas and in the funding amounts identified in Section II.2. of this FFO. NIST anticipates awarding one (1) cooperative agreement for each of the identified States. The objective of the MEP Center Program is to provide manufacturing extension services to primarily small and medium-sized manufacturers within the whole State designated in the applications. The selected organization will become part of the MEP national system of extension service providers, currently comprised of more than 400 Centers and field offices located throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.
About the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership
The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) works with small and medium-sized U.S. manufacturers to help them create and retain jobs, increase profits, and save time and money. The nationwide network provides a variety of services, from innovation strategies to process improvements to sustainable manufacturing, supply chain and technology acceleration services. MEP centers also work with partners at the State and Federal levels on programs that put manufacturers in position to develop new customers, expand into new markets and create new products.
As a program of the U.S. Department of Commerce, MEP offers a range of effective resources to help manufacturers identify opportunities that will accelerate and strengthen their growth and competitiveness in the global marketplace.
The National Network
MEP is a nationwide network of more than 1,200 technical experts - located in every State - serving as trusted business advisors focused on transforming U.S. manufacturers to compete globally, supporting supply chain integration, and providing access to technology for improved productivity. MEP is built around manufacturing extension centers locally positioned throughout the 50 States and Puerto Rico. MEP Centers are a diverse network of State, non-profit university-based, and other non-profit organizations, offering products and services that address the critical needs of their local manufacturers.
Each MEP Center works directly with area manufacturers to provide expertise and services tailored to their most critical needs, ranging from process improvement and workforce development to business practices and technology transfer. Additionally, MEP Centers connect manufacturers with government and trade associations, universities and research laboratories, and a host of other public and private resources to help them realize individual business goals.
Through local and national resources, MEP Centers have helped thousands of manufacturers reinvent themselves, increase profits, create jobs and establish a foundation for long-term business growth and productivity.
The MEP Program is not a Federal research and development program. It is not the intent of this program that awardees will perform systematic research.
