1. The Changing World of MEP Friday, April 10, 2015
Presentation to NACFAM AMLF Meeting Mark Troppe
Director of Partnerships and Program Development or
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY • MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP

2. Agenda Basics of MEP MEP Re-Competition Process
MEP Program Initiatives -- Technology Acceleration
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY • MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP

3. MEP Strategic Plan MISSION ROLE
PROGRAMMATIC STRENGTHS:
MISSION
To enhance the productivity and technological performance of U.S. manufacturing.
National program with at least one center in every state and Puerto Rico.
Federal/state, public-private partnership with local flexibility.
Cost share policy that matches federal investment with state and private sector investment.
Market driven program that responds to the needs of private sector manufacturers.
Leverage partnering expertise as a strategic advantage.
Local knowledge of, focus on, and access to manufacturers.
ROLE
MEP ‘s state and regional centers facilitate and accelerate the transfer of manufacturing technology in partnership with industry, universities and educational institutions, state governments, and NIST and other federal research laboratories and agencies.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY • MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY • MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP

4. Strategic Goals
Enhance the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers, with particular focus on small and medium-sized companies.
Support national, state, and regional manufacturing
eco-systems and partnerships.
Serve as a voice to and voice for manufacturers to engage policy makers, stakeholders, and clients.
Develop MEP’s capabilities as a high-performance system and learning organization.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY • MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY • MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP

5. The MEP Program in Short
Program Started in 1988
At least one center in all 50 states by 1996
National Network
System of Centers serving Manufacturers in each State.
Partnership Model
Federal, State
and Industry
MEP System Budget
$130 Million Federal Budget with Cost Share Requirements for Centers
Global Competitiveness
Program was created by the 1988 Omnibus Trade And Competitive Act
Emphasis on Performance
Program and center performance based upon impact of center services on client firm
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY • MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP

6. The National Network
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY • MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP

7. Manufacturers Surveyed in FY 2014
MEP Client Impacts
Manufacturers Surveyed
in FY 2014
N = 6,088
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY • MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP

8. Agenda Basics of MEP MEP Re-Competition Process
MEP Program Initiatives -- Technology Acceleration
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY • MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP

9. MEP State Competition – What and Why?
The program is undergoing a multi-year effort to conduct a full and open competition for MEP centers older than 10 years.
Objective is to optimize the federal investment and allocate additional funds to areas with higher concentration of manufacturers.
Will be able to expand the range of services offered with an emphasis on very small, rural and start-up manufacturers.
MEP just announced first 10 award recipients of competition in Feb
Second round of the competition for 12 states announced March Proposals due June 1, 2015.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY • MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP

10. Round 1 Competition Funding
MEP Center Location and Assigned Geographical Service Area (by State)
Annual Federal Funding for Each Year of the Award
Total Federal Funding for 5 Year Award Period
Colorado
$1,668,359
$8,341,795
Connecticut
$1,476,247
$7,381,235
Indiana
$2,758,688
$13,793,440
Michigan
$4,229,175
$21,145,875
New Hampshire
$628,176
$3,140,880
North Carolina
$3,036,183
$15,180,915
Oregon
$1,792,029
$8,960,145
Tennessee
$1,976,348
$9,881,740
Texas
$6,700,881
$33,504,405
Virginia
$1,722,571
$8,612,855
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY • MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP

11. Round 2 Competition Funding
MEP Center Location and Assigned Geographical Service Area (by State)
Annual Federal Funding for Each Year of the Award
Total Federal Funding for 5 Year Award Period
Alaska
$500,000
$2,500,000
Idaho
$640,236
$3,201,180
Illinois
$5,029,910
$25,149,550
Minnesota
$2,653,649
$13,268,245
New Jersey
$2,814,432
$14,072,160
New York
$5,985,194
$29,925,970
Ohio
$5,246,822
$26,234,110
Oklahoma
$1,309,080
$6,545,400
Utah
$1,147,573
$5,737,865
Washington
$2,534,872
$12,674,360
West Virginia
Wisconsin
$3,250,792
$16,253,960
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY • MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP

12. MEP State Competition
Funding Opportunity Title:  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
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 the Federal Funding Opportunity -
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY • MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP

13. Benefits to Competition
Opportunity to realign MEP center activities with State economic development strategies
Resetting of State funding levels to reflect the regional importance of manufacturing and the national distribution of manufacturing activities
Reduction and simplification of reporting requirements
Five year awards reducing the annual paperwork burden
Immediate readjustment of the local cost share from :1 to 1:1
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY • MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP

14. Additional Information
Proposals due June 1, 2015
Informational webinars for interested applicants
March 30th 2:00pm; April 13th 2:30pm; April 16th 1:00pm
to register for a webinar
Webinar recordings and presentations will be made available on the MEP website.
For more information
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY • MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP

15. Agenda Basics of MEP MEP Re-Competition Process
MEP Program Initiatives -- Technology Acceleration
Definition
NNMI Collaboration
Connect and Assist
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY • MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP

16. MEP Program Initiatives
Growth and Innovation
Sustainability
Supply Chain
Technology Acceleration
Workforce
Make it in America
MEP’s Program Initiatives
are aimed to help manufacturers identify opportunities that will accelerate and strengthen their growth and competitiveness in the global marketplace
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY • MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP

17. Technology Acceleration Definition
“…integrating technology into the products, processes, services and business models of manufacturers to solve manufacturing problems or pursue opportunities and facilitate competitiveness and enhance manufacturing growth. Technology Acceleration spans the innovation continuum and can include aspects of technology transfer, technology transition, technology diffusion, technology deployment and manufacturing implementation.”
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY • MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP

18. MEP and NNMI IMIs
Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act of 2014 / Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, pg 241:
“The Secretary shall ensure that the National Program Office incorporates the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership into Program planning to ensure that the results of the Program reach small and medium-sized entities.”
AMP 2.0 Report called for major MEP role, including:
Support for MEP as an intermediary to help small-to-midsize manufacturers leverage manufacturing technologies; & to assist small-to-midsize manufacturers with market entry support and scale-up
Support to ensure that the MEP becomes a major “tool in the NNMI toolbox”
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY • MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP

19. MEP and NNMI IMIs Initial Focus on DOD-led IMIs
MEP Role in IMIs: NNMI IMIs can partner with MEP Centers to facilitate:
Small Manufacturer Awareness and Outreach
Small Manufacturer Participation in IMI R&D Planning
Small Manufacturer Participation in IMI R&D Conduct
Small Manufacturer Implementation of IMI R&D Results
MEP relationships with NNMI IMIs
Focusing initially on DOD-led IMIs; expanding as IMIs become established
MEP Partnering at IMI Federal sponsor level (NIST MEP), and individual IMI level (NIST MEP and MEP Centers)
Leveraging MEP nationwide assets, resources to assist NNMI IMIs as they strive to engage and impact SMEs
Expanding MEP ability to impact competitiveness and growth of SMEs by developing MEP expertise in IMI focus areas
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY • MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP

20. MEP Approach to Technology Acceleration
Technology-Based Needs & Capabilities / Capacities
Technologies & Business Opportunities available from the Nation’s Research Labs, Govt. Agencies, OEMs
MEP Making the Connection
Technology and Business Opportunity Sources
U.S. Manufacturers
Accelerate technology development and commercialization by connecting U.S. manufacturers’ capabilities, needs with technology sources
Enhance business opportunities for U.S. manufacturers by connecting their capabilities and capacities with supply needs of govt. agencies, OEMs
Provide commercialization assistance to manufacturers: manufacturing strategy, scale-up, product development, IP mgt, financing
Provide tools, manufacturer assistance
mechanisms, opportunities
CONNECT
&
ASSIST
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY • MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP

21. MEP Tools, Services, Approaches - CONNECT
MEP Tool/Service/Approach
Definition
Technology Scouting
Rigorous approach to find technology-based solutions to manufacturer needs – for product and process applications
Supplier Scouting
MEP links manufacturers possessing specific technical capabilities and capacities with government (DOD, DOE, DOT, NIST) and OEM supply opportunities.
B2B Network Pilots
MEP uses web repositories and a suite of related tools and approaches to link innovations (available for commercialization and being sought) from technology and buying sources (including manufacturer clients) with interested manufacturers
Regional Innovation Clusters and Technology Collaboratives
MEP participates in local RICs and TCs to connect local manufacturers and technologies from local laboratory sources using RIC consortium and TDMI approach to forming collaboratives as mechanism
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY • MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP

22. MEP Tools, Services, Approaches - ASSIST
MEP Tool/Service/Approach
Definition
IP Awareness, Assessment and Management
Helps manufacturers understand how to handle intellectual property issues
Partnership with USPTO
Lean Product Development
Teaches manufacturers best practices in efficient product development and project management
Technology-Driven Market Intelligence
Identifies market impacts and technical requirements for technology-based new products and processes
SBIR Assistance
Assists manufacturers from proposal through R&D then commercialization to develop innovative technologies
Access to Capital
Increase manufacturer awareness, access to range of financing options for pursuing innovation and growth strategies
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY • MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP

23. Supply Chain Technology Acceleration Pilots
Five Manufacturing Technology Acceleration Center (M-TAC) Pilots in work with specific supply chains to understand the technology needs and technological trends driving specific supply chain markets.
M-TAC Pilots assist small manufacturers to ensure they are aware of and can access, adopt, integrate, and capitalize on appropriate technologies as competitive and growth-oriented suppliers to those supply chains.
5 M-TAC Pilots are operating, serving the following supply chains. Each M-TAC Pilot is led by an MEP Center: 
Transportation
CA, IL, VA
Food Processors
OR, WA, ID
Great Lakes
Targets driver Industries. WI
Southeast Automotive
GA, AL, MS, SC, TN
Defense / Aerospace TX
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY • MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP

24. MEP Supply Chain Services
Supply Chain Optimization approaches supply chains from a systems perspective and helps manufacturers build dynamic supply chains through the use of strategy, risk management, total cost of ownership, supplier communication, and supplier assessments.
Supplier Improvement works with individual suppliers to improve their position in supply chains.
Supplier Scouting leverages MEP’s unique, nationwide knowledge of local manufacturing capabilities and capacities to connect U.S. manufacturers with business opportunities tied to specific supply chain needs from OEMs and government agencies. This also includes supply chain re-shoring efforts
Supply Chain Technology Acceleration includes Manufacturing Technology Acceleration Center (M-TAC) Pilot Projects and other assistance that help small U.S. manufacturers grow and compete within supply chains by focusing on the technological needs and trends of specific supply chains – and providing small manufacturers technology acceleration, transition and commercialization tools and services.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY • MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP

25. Make it in America
NIST MEP invested $3.75 million in the multi-agency Make it in America (MiiA) Challenge.
Participating agencies included US Departments of Commerce (EDA and MEP), Labor, and the Delta Regional Authority.
MEP made 3-year awards to 10 MEP Centers.
Goal: accelerate job creation by encouraging re-shoring by U.S. firms, fostering foreign direct investment, encouraging U.S. companies to keep or expand their businesses in the United States, building strong supply chains and training local workers.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY • MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP

26. Partnering with DoD – Office of Economic Adjustment
Changes in defense spending have implications for:
Regions/communities
Workers
Supply Chain Changes 
In 2013, OEA published a federal funding opportunity (FFO) aimed at mitigating the DoD’s budget sequestration’s impact on towns, communities and, suppliers in the defense supply chain.
To-date, 12 MEP Centers are involved in assisting companies’ planning and carrying out economic adjustment programs which seek to stimulate and guide economic development efforts in a community or region. 
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY • MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP

27. Business-to-Business Network Pilots
Funding of $2.5 million awarded in December 2014
Ten Center awards
$250,000 each
2 year period of performance
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY • MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP

28. The pilots program will
From 2014-NIST-MEP-B2BN-01
The pilots program will
Demonstrate means by which products/services and technologies can be purchased or sold using…
Active human networks that are supported by easy to access and use technology that contains…
Data on the opportunities of sufficient quality, validity and timeliness to allow matches between buyers and sellers to be made in an effective, efficient manner.
An evaluation contractor will participate in this effort as an advisor to NIST on the viability, interoperability and scalability of the networks.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY • MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP

29. Anticipated Outcomes
Viable, sustainable networks that are interoperable
Viable, sustainable networks that are scalable
Sufficient information for NIST to ascertain:
Continuation of the effort(s)
Level of support if successful
Viability of a national network or multiple regional networks
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY • MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP

30. Ten Pilot Projects California – CMTC California – Manex Colorado
Georgia
Idaho
Massachusetts
New York
North Carolina
Oregon
Pennsylvania (Catalyst Connection)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY • MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP