ANNUAL REPORT 2020

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 1

Letter from the Director

2020 was a year of worldwide challenges and unexpected opportunities. I’m so pleased the MEP National NetworkTM was 

prepared to meet the challenges faced by U.S. manufacturers and help them respond to the resulting opportunities. 

With the $50 million authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, MEP Centers in all 50 

states and Puerto Rico are helping manufacturers increase production of personal protective equipment (PPE), reach new 

suppliers and markets, recover from workforce and supply chain interruptions, and achieve greater resilience. These are the 

first emergency funding awards in the history of the MEP program, and NIST MEP issued them in record time. In addition, 

the Network continues to build capabilities and resiliency through the nearly $17 million in additional awards made to MEP 

Centers this year through MEP’s Competitive Awards, Advanced Manufacturing Technology Services and Disaster Recovery 

Programs. This resilience will enable us to meet future challenges, whatever they may be.

When international supply chains collapsed, MEP again met the challenge by relaunching the MEP Supplier Scouting 

service, originally established in 2009. Because we already developed the scouting process, the Network mobilized quickly. 

U.S. manufacturers needed to rapidly increase production of PPE, ventilators, N95 masks, hand sanitizer and other supplies, 

and the Network quickly created supply chain portals, shared best practices and connected with local organizations. 

With its 51 Centers, over 1,400 trusted advisors and experts at more than 385 MEP service locations, the MEP National 

Network is uniquely positioned and in touch with the needs of U.S. manufacturers. With everything changing so quickly 

this year, NIST MEP convened manufacturing roundtables to hear from manufacturers directly. This series, the National 

Conversations with Manufacturers, featured nearly 50 manufacturing leaders representing 27 U.S. states and diverse 

industries. The roundtable format provided an excellent forum for generating important conversations about the current 

challenges and opportunities for manufacturers. Findings from these conversations are helping inform future efforts 

including the new MEP Manufacturing Resilience service and new themes for our Competitive Awards Program.

Despite many challenges this year, I am delighted with work across the Network toward the goals of the MEP National 

Network 2017-2022 Strategic Plan. We have updated goals in the plan’s second 18-month period and we have seen steady 

progress on some key measures. Looking ahead, the MEP Advisory Board has formed a working group to chart the next 

strategic plan for 2023-2028, moving the Network forward and supporting the future needs of U.S manufacturing. 

The MEP program gives a high return on investment to taxpayers. A May 2020 study by Summit Consulting and the W.E. 

Upjohn Institute found that the MEP program generated a substantial economic and financial return of nearly 13.4:1 for the 

$140 million federal investment in fiscal year (FY) 2019. In FY 2020, MEP Center manufacturing clients nationwide reported 

that the assistance they received helped to create or retain 105,748 manufacturing jobs, generated $13 billion in new and 

retained sales and realized $2.7 billion in cost savings.

2020 has been a year for the history books — and one we’ll never forget. I am so incredibly proud of all the Network’s 

efforts to help manufacturers across the country this year. These are demanding, yet rewarding times and in every crisis 

there is opportunity. I am confident the MEP National Network will continue to play a vital role in the recovery of U.S. 

manufacturing.

Sincerely,

Carroll Thomas, MEP Director
2 | MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020

Table of Contents

Letter from the MEP Director.............................................................................................................................................1

About the Manufacturing Extension Partnership ......................................................................................................4

MEP National Network Mission and Vision ...................................................................................................................5

MEP Program Budget and Impacts..................................................................................................................................6

Fiscal Year 2020 Impact Statement............................................................................................................................6

Summit Consulting and W.E. Upjohn Institute Report.......................................................................................7

MEP Advisory Board..............................................................................................................................................................8

Members.............................................................................................................................................................................8

Meetings.......................................................................................................................................................................... 12

Advisory Board Working Group Updates............................................................................................................. 13

Strategic Plan........................................................................................................................................................................ 14

Goals.................................................................................................................................................................................. 14

MEP National Network Entity Roles Mapped to Strategic Plan Goals....................................................... 15

Success Defined in Short, Mid and Long-term Goals...................................................................................... 16

Progress Toward Goals................................................................................................................................................ 17

MEP National Network Update: Meeting the Challenge of 2020 ...................................................................... 18

CARES Act Funding ...................................................................................................................................................... 19

Efforts Across the Network........................................................................................................................................ 20

MEP National Network Supplier Scouting........................................................................................................... 21

Center Leadership Team............................................................................................................................................. 22

National Conversations with Manufacturers Series......................................................................................... 23

2020 MEP National Network Highlights...................................................................................................................... 24

Advanced Manufacturing Technology Services/Industry 4.0....................................................................... 24

Cybersecurity for Manufacturing............................................................................................................................ 26

Defense Manufacturing Supply Chain Support ................................................................................................ 28

Embedding MEP in Manufacturing USA Institutes........................................................................................... 29

Food Industry Services and Food Safety.............................................................................................................. 30

Manufacturing Day 2020 ........................................................................................................................................... 31

MEP-Assisted Technology and Technical Resource (MATTR) ........................................................................ 32

MEP National Network Brand Awareness Campaign....................................................................................... 33
MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 3

MEP Program Performance Evaluations............................................................................................................... 34

 Panel Reviews........................................................................................................................................................ 34

 Secretarial Reviews.............................................................................................................................................. 35

NIST MEP Special Awards Programs....................................................................................................................... 36

 NIST MEP Competitive Awards Program...................................................................................................... 36

 Advanced Manufacturing Technology Services Awards........................................................................ 37

 NIST Manufacturing Disaster Assessment Program ................................................................................ 38

Policy Academy ............................................................................................................................................................. 39

Tab Wilkins Emerging MEP Leaders........................................................................................................................ 40

Toyota Kata...................................................................................................................................................................... 41

Workforce: Developing Talent for Tomorrow’s Workplace............................................................................. 42

Coming in 2021.................................................................................................................................................................... 44

Defense Manufacturing Supply Chain Support ................................................................................................ 44

Manufacturer/Supply Chain Resilience ................................................................................................................ 44

National Defense Authorization Act...................................................................................................................... 44

NIST MEP State Partnership Support Program................................................................................................... 45

Supplier Scouting......................................................................................................................................................... 45

Workcred.......................................................................................................................................................................... 46

Manufacturing Day 2021 ........................................................................................................................................... 46

MEP Centers.......................................................................................................................................................................... 47
4 | MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020

The MEP National Network Mission:

To strengthen and empower U.S. manufacturers

About the Manufacturing Extension Partnership

Since 1988, the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) has worked to strengthen and empower 

U.S. manufacturing. The MEP program was created in 1988 by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act to 

improve the competitiveness of U.S.-based manufacturing by making manufacturing technologies, processes 

and services more accessible to small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) through MEP Centers in 

every state and Puerto Rico. The MEP Centers provide expertise to help manufacturers reduce costs, create 

new products, develop the next generation workforce, find new markets and achieve business success.

For over thirty years, the MEP program has focused on bridging the manufacturing productivity gap, 

identifying opportunities for growth and encouraging technology deployment. The 51 MEP Centers, located 

in each state and Puerto Rico, are an integral part of the MEP National Network, providing manufacturing 

clients with a wide array of fundamental services in manufacturing, business and process improvements. 

Today, the MEP National Network has over 1,400 trusted advisors and experts at more than 385 MEP service 

locations. The MEP Centers and their partners, including state governments, universities, community colleges, 

nonprofit entities, associations, and private consultants provide manufacturers with the services needed to 

reduce bottom-line expenses and grow top-line profits, both of which are necessary to thrive in the global 

marketplace.
MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 5

MEP National Network Mission and Vision

ROLE:

DRIVING FORCE: 

VISION:

MISSION: 

The MEP National Network focuses its expertise and knowledge as well as that of its 

partners (industry, educational institutions, state governments, NIST, and other federal 

research laboratories and agencies) on providing U.S. manufacturers with information 

and tools they need to improve productivity, assure consistent quality, accelerate the 

transfer of manufacturing technology, and infuse innovation into production processes 

and new products.

We are driven to attain and uphold U.S. manufacturing preeminence which is essential to 

our nation’s long-term economic strength and to protect our national security interests.

We are the go-to resource for America’s manufacturers ensuring U.S. manufacturing is 

resilient and leads the world in manufacturing innovation.

Strengthen and empower U.S. manufacturers.

NIST MEP: Adapting and Excelling in 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic upended all aspects of normalcy 

around the world in 2020. In mid-March, the NIST campus 

closed and all NIST MEP staff began working remotely 

from home. Work-related travel, so important for NIST MEP 

staff working with Centers and stakeholders around the 

country, completely stopped. NIST MEP staff adapted to the 

changing situation, learning new technologies, adjusting 

to webinars and virtual conferences, and sometimes being 

joined in meetings by kids and pets. NIST MEP staff worked 

incredibly hard during this epically historic year to continue 

excelling, working closely with MEP Centers, delivering 

CARES Act funding in record time, and meeting the mission 

to strengthen and empower U.S manufacturers — even in 

the most trying circumstances.
6 | MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020

MEP Program Budget and Impacts 

The FY 2021 appropriation for the MEP program is $150 million, which represents an increase of $4 million 

over MEP’s FY 2020 funding amount of $146 million. Similar to MEP’s FY 2020 appropriated funds, nonfederal 

cost share requirements are waived for FY 2021 federal funding for MEP Centers. Centers receiving state 

funding that is conditioned upon a federal cost sharing requirement are exempted from the cost share 

requirement waiver.

Approximately $121 million of MEP’s funding went directly to the MEP Centers in FY 2020, with the remaining 

funds used by NIST MEP for program operations. Additional funds are awarded competitively to Centers for 

direct support of the MEP National Network’s engagements with manufacturing firms and for enhancing the 

Network’s ability to deliver a greater range of services and in more efficient ways. 

In 2020, MEP also received a $50 million supplemental appropriation under the CARES Act specifically to fund 

pandemic response and recovery activities. Of that funding amount, $49.1 million was provided directly to 

the Centers.

Fiscal Year 2020 Impact Statement

According to a third-party survey, in FY 2020, the MEP National Network interacted with more than 27,574 

manufacturers. MEP Center clients from across the country reported that the assistance they received helped 

to create or retain 105,748 manufacturing jobs in FY 2020. MEP Center clients had $13 billion in new and 

retained sales and realized $2.7 billion in cost savings as manufacturers navigated numerous challenges due 

to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

For every dollar of federal investment in FY 2020, the MEP National Network generated $19.60 in new sales 

growth and $33.70 in new client investment. During this same time, for every $1,381 of federal investment, 

the Network created or retained one manufacturing job. Since 1988, MEP has worked with 121,084 

manufacturers, leading to $134.9 billion in new sales and $24.7 billion in cost savings, and it has helped create 

and retain 1,327,744 jobs.
MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 7

JOBS

217,000

GDP

$22.9

BILLION

RETURN ON 

INVESTMENT

13.4:1

Summit Consulting and W.E. Upjohn Institute Report

In May 2020, Summit Consulting and the W.E. Upjohn Institute released an updated study which found the 

MEP program generated a substantial economic and financial return of nearly 13.4:1 for the $140 million 

invested in the program in FY 2019 by the federal government.

The study also found that total employment in the U.S. was over 217,000 higher because of MEP Center 

projects than without the program. The Upjohn study examined additional areas of economic impact not 

previously reported by the MEP program:

z Personal income is $14 billion higher.

z Gross domestic product is $22.9 billion larger, translating into an increase of $1.87 billion in personal 

income tax revenue to the federal government than without the MEP program.

An infographic is available and the study is available online. 

About the Team

Summit is a quantitative and management consulting firm that works with public and commercial clients 

to turn data into actionable intelligence. The W.E. Upjohn Institute is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan, 

independent research organization devoted to investigating the causes and effects of unemployment, 

to identifying feasible methods of insuring against unemployment, and to devising ways and means of 

alleviating the distress and hardship caused by unemployment.
8 | MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020

MEP Advisory Board

About the MEP Advisory Board

The statutory purpose of the Board is to provide to the NIST Director:

z Advice on the activities, plans and policies of the MEP program

z Assessments of the soundness of the plans and strategies of the program

z Assessments of current performance against the plans of the program

The MEP Advisory Board consists of members broadly representing the interests and needs of the manufacturing 

sector appointed by the NIST Director. By statute, at least two members must be on an advisory board for an 

MEP Center and at least five other members must be from small U.S. businesses representing the manufacturing 

sector. The statute also requires that at least one Board member represent a community college. In addition, 

the law requires the Board to meet at least twice per year. In FY 2020, the Board met three times to perform its 

chartered functions. The current Board members represent the diversity of the U.S. manufacturing industry, 

from CEOs and executives at various-sized manufacturing companies to academic leaders at both state and 

community colleges. The important and varied perspectives of these volunteers will positively impact the MEP 

program into the future.

MATTHEW NEWMAN, CHAIR 

Director, Business Development - Renewables

ONEOK, Inc.

Tulsa, Oklahoma

MARY ISBISTER, VICE CHAIR

President

GenMet Corporation

Mequon, Wisconsin
MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 9

RAY AGUERREVERE 

Joined the Board: October 2020

General Manager

Custom Metal Designs

Oakland, Florida

JOSE ANAYA 

Dean, Community Advancement

El Camino Community College

Hawthorne, California

DONALD BOCKOVEN 

Chief Executive Officer

Fiber Industries LLC

Darlington, South Carolina

E. LADON BYARS 

President and Chief Executive Officer

Colonial Diversified Polymer Products, LLC

Dyersburg, Tennessee

BERNADINE HAWES

Second Term Expired: May 2020

Senior Research Analyst

Community Marketing Concepts

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
10 | MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020

KEVIN HELLER 

Chief Operations Officer/Chief Financial Officer

The Ziegenfelder Company

Wheeling, West Virginia

MITCH MAGEE 

Director, Global Advanced Manufacturing Team

PPG Aerospace

Sylmar, California

WILLIE MAY, PH.D. 

Vice President for Research and Economic Development

Morgan State University

Baltimore, Maryland

PATRICIA MOULTON 

President

Vermont Technical College

Randolph Center, Vermont

KATHAY RENNELS

Special Advisor to the Chancellor for Rural-Urban Initiatives

Colorado State University System

Fort Collins, Colorado
MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 11

GEORGE SPOTTSWOOD 

Owner and Chief Executive Officer

Quality Filters, Inc.

Robertsdale, Alabama

LESLIE TAITO 

Chief of Staff

Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island

Smithfield, Rhode Island

CHRIS WEISER

Resigned from the Board: November 2020

Owner and President

J.V. Manufacturing, Inc.

Springdale, Arkansas

JIM WRIGHT

Vice President of Operations

Proof Research

Columbia Falls, Montana
12 | MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020

Meetings

The MEP Advisory Board held 

three meetings in 2020. Board 

members along with NIST, NIST 

MEP staff and representatives of 

the MEP National Network met 

in Gaithersburg, Maryland on 

March 3. Due to the pandemic, 

that was the only in-person 

meeting — the June 3 and 

Sept. 22 meetings were held 

virtually. At each meeting, 

the Board received detailed 

updates from NIST MEP 

leadership on programmatic operations and performance 

on the MEP National Network 2017-2022 Strategic Plan including progress toward meeting new 

18-month goals. Each meeting also included high-level discussions of various topics integral to the program 

and report outs from the Board’s working groups. These meetings provided opportunities for Board members 

to increase their knowledge of the latest trends in manufacturing, advise and support the MEP program, and 

actively engage with the MEP National Network. Detailed MEP Advisory Board meeting minutes are available 

on the NIST MEP website.

MEP Advisory Board members tour NIST’s Acoustic Anechoic Chamber before March Board meeting.
MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 13

Advisory Board Working Group Updates

Supply Chain Development Working Group

The MEP Advisory Board Supply Chain Development Working Group offers guidance and perspectives on 

the MEP National Network support and development of manufacturing supply chains with an emphasis on 

defense suppliers. The working group focuses attention on defense industrial base gaps and expertise on 

who should be brought into the discussion to provide insight on defense supplier gaps. In 2020 the Supply 

Chain Development Working Group included the following MEP Advisory Board members: Matt Newman, 

lead, LaDon Byars, Bernadine Hawes, Mary Isbister and Chris Weiser, as well as NIST MEP staff support.

Advisory Board Executive Committee Working 

Group

The Advisory Board Executive Committee Working Group 

offers guidance on future MEP Advisory Board leadership 

and membership recruitment, provides insights into 

cultivating strong Board governance as well as exploring 

ways to expand the MEP Advisory Board’s role regarding 

the local MEP Center boards. The Center Board Outreach 

Program continued as a focus, as fostering strong 

connections between the MEP Advisory Board and the 

MEP Center boards remains a priority. This working group 

is also actively engaged in succession planning as many 

current Board members’ terms expire in 2023. In 2020 the 

Executive Committee Working Group included the following 

MEP Advisory Board members: Bernadine Hawes and Matt 

Newman, co-leads, Mitch Magee, Pat Moulton and George 

Spottswood, as well as NIST MEP staff support.

MEP National Network Strategic Plan 2023-2028 Working Group

The newly formed MEP National Network Strategic Plan 2023-2028 Working Group will provide long-term 

program direction, guidance and perspectives for the MEP National Network Strategic Plan for 2023-2028. 

The working group will consider feedback from Centers, stakeholder partners, management and staff as the 

plan is developed. The MEP National Network Strategic Plan 2023-2028 Working Group currently includes 

the following MEP Advisory Board members: Kathay Rennels, lead, Don Bockoven, Kevin Heller, Mary Isbister, 

Willie May, Matt Newman, Chris Weiser, Jim Wright and ex officio support from Bernadine Hawes, as well as 

NIST MEP staff support. 

Board Development Support Initiative

MEP’s authorizing statute requires 

MEP Centers to establish boards to 

oversee the Center’s operations. In June 

2020, NIST MEP launched the Board 

Development Support Initiative to 

prepare Center boards to fully embrace 

their role, and understand requirements 

and best practices. This initiative offers 

board assessments, action planning 

and customized workshops on strategic 

planning, conflict resolution, advocacy 

and board governance. 
14 | MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020

Strategic Plan

The MEP National Network 2017-2022 Strategic Plan continues to serve as a critical North Star of the MEP 

National Network as it guides the Network forward from 2017-2022. Developed in conjunction with the 

Board, Center representatives, and NIST MEP staff, the plan creates a sharp focus for the Network with four 

expansive goals supporting the important mission and vision of the program. Throughout 2020, updates 

to the MEP Centers and the MEP Advisory Board detailed Network priorities along with measurable results 

outlining continuing progress. Download the full MEP National Network 2017-2022 Strategic Plan from the 

NIST MEP website.

Goals

The strategic plan’s four principal goals include:
MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 15

MEP National Network Entity Roles Mapped to Strategic Plan Goals

The MEP National Network consists of the 51 MEP Centers, NIST MEP, national MEP Advisory Board, each of 

the 51 MEP Center boards and the American Small Manufacturers Coalition/Foundation for Manufacturing 

Excellence.

EMPOWER MANUFACTURERS 

Primary Responsibility 

51 MEP Centers

Center Leadership Team

Collaborative Support 

NIST MEP Extension Services

Important Support 

NIST MEP: 

Leadership 

Regional & State Partnerships

Network Learning & Strategic Competitions 

Marketing & Communications 

Program Evaluation & Economic Research

Financial Management & Center Operations 

Administration

IT Security & Support

CHAMPION MANUFACTURING 

Primary Responsibility 

51 MEP Centers

NIST MEP: 

Leadership 

Extension Services

Marketing & Communications 

Regional & State Partnerships

MEP Advisory Board

MEP Center Boards

Foundation for Manufacturing Excellence

American Small Manufacturers Coalition

Collaborative Support 

NIST MEP: 

Network Learning & Strategic Competitions 

Program Evaluation & Economic Research

Important Support 

NIST MEP: 

Financial Management & Center Operations

IT Security & Support

Staff Resource Management

LEVERAGE PARTNERSHIPS

Primary Responsibility 

51 MEP Centers

Center Leadership Team

NIST MEP: 

Leadership 

Extension Services

Marketing & Communications 

Regional & State Partnerships

MEP Center Boards

Collaborative Support 

MEP Advisory Board

Foundation for Manufacturing Excellence

American Small Manufacturers Coalition

NIST MEP Program Evaluation & Economic 

 Research

Important Support 

NIST MEP: 

Administration

Financial Management & Center Operations

IT Security & Support

Staff Resource Management 

TRANSFORM THE NETWORK

Primary Responsibility 

51 MEP Centers

Center Leadership Team

NIST MEP (All) 

Collaborative Support 

MEP Advisory Board

MEP Center Boards

Foundation for Manufacturing Excellence

American Small Manufacturers Coalition
16 | MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020

SUCCESS DEFINED IN SHORT, MID AND 

LONG-TERM GOALS

18-MONTH MEASURES OF SUCCESS (THROUGH MARCH 2021):

• Reach consensus across the MEP National Network on the definition of project and client manufacturing 

establishment interaction to ensure accurate and consistent measurement

• Achieve operational excellence by improving reporting via measurement of on-time and accurate 

reporting

• Increase reported projects by 10% and reported new clients by 5%

• Increase visibility by amplifying and measuring MEP National Network brand awareness by at least 10%

As the go-to resource for U.S. manufacturers... 

• Recognized by SMMs as a valuable and essential resource for delivering advanced technology 

solutions and cited by key manufacturing stakeholders (local, state, federal) as integral to growing U.S. 

manufacturing ecosystems

• Increased our market penetration as an integrated National Network by 20%

• Delivered integrated digitalization and cybersecurity assistance to dispersed supply chains and 

embraced Industry 4.0 in our own operational excellence

The MEP National Network is known and recognized by U.S. manufacturers and stakeholders as an 

indispensable resource whose trusted experts help them grow and embrace manufacturing technology 

advances. MEP’s goals are a doubling of federal and state funding in the Network along with a strategic 

expansion of the current members of the MEP National Network:

• To be known and recognized by U.S. manufacturers as the go-to resource for manufacturing

• Triple the number of manufacturers served annually

• Increase the MEP National Network impact numbers four-fold

SIGNIFICANT LONG-TERM GOAL:
MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 17

Progress Toward Goals 

At each meeting, the MEP Advisory Board received detailed updates from the MEP Director on progress 

toward updated goals for the MEP National Network 2017-2022 Strategic Plan’s second 18-month period 

which runs from September 2019 through March 2021. The September Board meeting included an update 

from NIST MEP leadership on how the goals were adjusted and quantified due to the disruption caused by the 

pandemic. Even with the disruptions of 2020, steady progress was seen. In addition, the Board began pulling 

together a working group to chart the next strategic plan, for 2023-2028. 
18 | MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020

MEP National Network Update: 

Meeting the Challenge of 2020

2020 was a year of unexpected challenges, but the MEP National 

Network was uniquely positioned to help manufacturers across the 

country survive and even thrive in the face of crisis. MEP Centers and 

their manufacturing clients demonstrated incredible resilience and 

innovation on a daily basis. All 51 MEP Centers in every state and 

Puerto Rico supported manufacturers in countless ways throughout 

this demanding and rewarding year.
MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 19

CARES Act Funding

2020 was a momentous year of challenge, growth and resiliency for the MEP National Network. With $50 

million in funds authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, NIST issued 

emergency funding awards to MEP Centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico for COVID-19-related projects. 

Due to the critical need for this funding, NIST made all the awards to the MEP Centers in record time. NIST 

submitted an implementation plan to the Department of Commerce (DOC) ten days after the CARES Act 

was signed on April 6, setting a stretch goal of issuing all awards within 90 days. The last award was issued 

on June 29, 94 days after passage of the CARES Act and 84 days after setting the 90-day goal with DOC. 

With these funds, Centers are helping manufacturers increase production of PPE, reach new suppliers and 

markets, recover from workforce and supply chain interruptions, and achieve greater resilience. The awards 

to the 51 MEP Centers range from $91,000 to $6.1 million and are enabling the Centers to support a national 

manufacturing recovery from the crisis.

$50 million in funds

authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act

awarded to MEP Centers to support a national manufacturing recovery from the crisis.
20 | MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020

The MEP National Network and its manufacturing 

clients are working with state and federal government 

to respond to the challenges and needs resulting 

from the pandemic. NIST MEP created a document 

that highlights what the 51 MEP Centers are doing to 

help U.S. manufacturers in key areas.

Connecting resources to needs

The MEP National Network works with industry 

organizations, federal, state and local governments 

and manufacturers to share critical information and 

connect resources to address urgent needs. From the 

beginning of the pandemic, each MEP Center has 

been continuously problem-solving — leveraging 

partnerships and know-how to meet local needs. 

The Network is linking manufacturers to hospitals 

and others with critical needs for PPE and medical 

supplies. MEP Centers are helping manufacturers map 

new supply chains, identify alternative materials and follow guidelines to maintain safe work environments. 

In addition, MEP Centers connect manufacturers to resources available through the Small Business 

Administration and at the state and local levels.

Working directly with state governments

The Network helps link state government policies and programs to manufacturers by participating in 

emergency task forces to address challenges and issues. MEP Centers are the connection between the 

manufacturing industry and state procurement efforts. They are managing state-level supply chain portals, 

linking manufacturers to demand and organizing them to deploy as needs change, while also connecting 

them with state resources. 

The MEP National Network is helping manufacturers meet the country’s urgent needs for PPE and medical 

devices by guiding them to information and solutions about testing protocols, quality testing and required 

certifications. MEP Centers are helping address issues of potential legal liabilities arising from the production 

of PPE and medical supplies and devices.
MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 21

Maintaining base operations and serving all 

manufacturers

Through the pandemic and the resulting economic crisis, 

the MEP National Network continues to fulfill its mission 

to strengthen and empower U.S. manufacturers in order 

to maintain the health of the U.S. manufacturing base 

as it faces an extraordinary emergency that will have 

long-lasting effects. MEP Centers are helping companies 

engage with customers in new and different ways. They 

are providing cybersecurity assistance — addressing 

new kinds of threats as employees work in new ways. The 

Network is helping manufacturers examine ways to use 

technologies to improve productivity, which will benefit 

them long into the future.

MEP National Network Supplier Scouting

In March 2020, NIST MEP relaunched its supplier scouting 

service, which originated in 2009. Having already 

developed the scouting process, the MEP National 

Network was quick to mobilize. MEP Supplier Scouting is 

a formal process that provides business opportunities to 

U.S. manufacturers and connects those that have relevant 

production capabilities. When U.S. manufacturers needed 

to rapidly increase production of PPE, ventilators, N95 

masks, hand sanitizer and other supplies, the Network 

quickly created supply chain portals, shared best practices, 

and connected with local organizations. All 51 MEP Centers 

are participating and MEP Supplier Scouting is leveraging 

existing online collaboration platforms for MEP Centers 

to communicate about and respond to national and state 

needs and cybersecurity.

The first virtual MEP National Network 

Update Meeting took place on Sept. 23, 

the day after the third MEP Advisory Board 

meeting. It was originally scheduled to 

follow the Board meeting in Phoenix. The 

virtual format was a success, with over 

400 registrants from across the country. A 

major theme of the Update Meeting was 

how to continue positioning the Network 

to provide key services that strengthen 

and empower U.S. manufacturers during 

the economic downturn. A series of 

videos shown during the Update Meeting 

featured MEP Center staff discussing how 

they met the many challenges of their 

manufacturing clients, including helping 

them pivot to PPE production. The full 

MEP National Network Update Meeting 

recording is available for review.
22 | MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020

Center Leadership Team 

Regional Communication Nodes

Center Leadership Team

Established in 2017, the MEP National Network Center Leadership Team (CLT) includes leaders from MEP 

Centers who interact with the NIST MEP leadership team to provide MEP Center strategies, identify funding 

opportunities, support the MEP National Network brand, validate multistate project processes, provide 

Center guidance and promote efforts for the Network to successfully serve more manufacturers. The CLT 

continued to convene virtually during 2020 to operationalize communication and collaboration norms. Their 

work on Network structure and governance continues. The CLT created regional communication nodes as 

more efficient and effective ways of connecting Centers around the country to build relationships, provide 

support, exchange ideas and information, catalyze learning, and improve communications. This structure 

improves access directly to CLT members and ensures that everyone in the Network has a voice. Better 

connections form the basis for a faster and more flexible National Network.
MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 23

National Conversations with Manufacturers Series

Between late July and early October, NIST MEP hosted a series of 11 virtual roundtables, the National 

Conversations with Manufacturers, highlighting the experiences of manufacturing leaders across the country. 

NIST MEP heard from nearly 50 manufacturers representing 27 U.S. states and diverse industries such as 

aerospace, food, electronics, sheet metal, apparel, and plastics. Discussions centered on what keeps them 

up at night, how they are operating during the pandemic, what they see in the future, and what the MEP 

National Network can do to help U.S. manufacturers. The roundtable format provided an excellent forum for 

generating these important conversations and resulted in a great deal of insight into the current challenges 

and opportunities for manufacturers. NIST MEP published a series of blogs about the conversations on the 

NIST MEP website. In addition, NIST MEP is analyzing these sessions for a final report including actionable 

findings.
24 | MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020

2020 MEP National Network Highlights

Advanced Manufacturing Technology Services/Industry 4.0

NIST MEP is providing approximately $8 million total funding for projects that support Advanced 

Manufacturing Technology Services/Industry 4.0 including any technologies that enable digitally connected, 

smart manufacturing systems within factories and across manufacturing supply chains. The MEP National 

Network is also providing manufacturers with the resources and services needed to reach end-to-end 

digitization of all physical assets and integration into digital ecosystems. 

In 2020, Oregon MEP’s Industry 4.0 Technology Acceleration Program (ITAP) concluded with development of 

a microsite for MEP Centers to serve as a repository of advanced manufacturing technology information. The 

site is used to share and rate experiences with vendors, products and services on a national scale. In addition 

to funding five Advanced Manufacturing Technology Service awards in 2020, three additional Competitive 

Awards Program (CAP) projects focused on providing Industry 4.0 solutions. In addition to Oregon MEP’s 

follow-up to the ITAP project, they emphasize cloud computing, collaborative robots and Department 

of Defense (DOD) cybersecurity compliance. Ohio MEP is helping manufacturers determine their digital 

maturity and FloridaMakes (the Florida MEP Center) is integrating Industry 4.0 into the Baldrige Framework, 

a leadership and performance management framework that empowers organizations to accomplish their 

mission, improve results and become more competitive.
MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 25
26 | MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020

Cybersecurity for Manufacturing

During 2020, the MEP National Network continued to develop the 

capabilities and capacities of MEP Centers to provide cybersecurity 

assistance to SMMs on a national scale. While not every MEP Center is 

fully proficient in cybersecurity, MEP Centers’ cybersecurity knowledge 

and experience nationwide continues to grow. Every Center can provide 

cybersecurity awareness and technical assistance to SMMs, either 

directly using internal staff, through relationships with third parties, or 

through engagement with MEP National Network partnerships. 

To build the National Network’s overall cybersecurity capabilities, 

CAP grants were awarded in September 2020 to Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center, California 

Manufacturing Technology Consulting and GENEDGE (the Michigan, California, and Virginia MEP Centers, 

respectively). These three nearly identical grants separate the nation into three regions and nine areas, 

identify go-to Centers for cybersecurity assistance, and promote education, awareness, coordination and 

collaboration by Centers in each region. 

MEP cybersecurity for manufacturing work continues to be spurred by the defense manufacturing sector. 

Throughout the nation, MEP Centers are helping small defense contractors understand and implement the 

cybersecurity protections they must have in place as required by the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations 

Supplement (DFARS), including the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program announced 

in 2019 and formalized in an interim DFARS in late 2020. A three-year CAP award was granted in September 

2020 to Georgia MEP to develop training for Centers on CMMC. Additionally, MEP Centers continued to 

participate in grants made by the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC) Industry 

Resilience program relating to cybersecurity, with an ongoing emphasis on workforce education and training.

Throughout 2020, the MEP National Network continued a partnership with the Office of the Secretary of 

Defense (OSD) that leverages several dozen MEP Centers around the country to provide cybersecurity 

awareness and technical assistance to small defense manufacturing companies who are required to protect 

the controlled unclassified information included in their defense contracts. This work, begun in 2019, is 

targeting the provision of cybersecurity awareness and assistance by MEP Centers to over 1,000 small 

defense manufacturers throughout the nation by June 2021. This MEP partnership with OSD also includes an 

active partnership with the NIST laboratories to develop and pilot implementation guidance associated with 

the NIST Cybersecurity Framework manufacturing profile. This work specifically targets the implementation 

of cybersecurity protections for the operational technology aspects of manufacturing environments. 
MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 27

In addition to supporting the defense supply chain, in 2020, the MEP National Network began expanding 

Center capabilities to integrate cybersecurity concepts into other related projects. Centers began identifying 

ways to ensure projects that require the purchasing of equipment or modification of a network do not 

negatively impact a clients’ current cybersecurity profile. Because cybersecurity is a pillar of Industry 4.0, 

many Centers have fostered relationships between their cybersecurity and Industry 4.0 experts to seamlessly 

integrate cybersecurity offerings into Industry 4.0-related services.

The MEP National Network Cybersecurity Working Group continued in 2020 to be a primary platform for 

information and best practice sharing. Due to social distancing requirements, the working group moved to 

virtual meetings where MEP Centers and guest speakers were able to engage. The working group addresses 

topics of high interest to MEP Centers, which during 2020 included the MEP role relating to the CMMC program 

and Center progress on OLDCC grants. 

In addition, the MEP National Network continued to provide many basic tools and tips for U.S. manufacturers 

relating to cybersecurity through blogs, webinars and training materials made available on the NIST MEP 

website, the NIST Small Business Cybersecurity Corner website and the websites of individual MEP Centers.
28 | MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020

Defense Manufacturing Supply Chain Support

The MEP National Network has a long and strong base of experience providing technical assistance to 

the U.S. defense industrial base (DIB) with an emphasis on addressing the needs of small manufacturers 

who either work in the DIB or are interested in doing so. The MEP National Network continues to operate 

partnerships with DOD agencies at the national level via NIST MEP and at the state and local levels via MEP 

Centers. MEP Centers continue to be very active in providing hands-on technical assistance to defense 

manufacturing suppliers across a wide array of areas including:

z Assisting with cybersecurity efforts for defense manufacturing suppliers

z Collaborating with DOD-sponsored Manufacturing USA institutes to assist small defense suppliers 

in leveraging advanced technologies and capitalizing on market opportunities associated with the 

various institutes

z Working with DOD agencies and suppliers to integrate new technologies, best practices and manufacturing approaches into supplier production operations

In 2020, the MEP National Network continued to support defense manufacturing supply chains relating to 

cybersecurity awareness and assistance for small defense manufacturers, with an emphasis on requirements 

associated with both DFARS, as well as the emerging CMMC program. Notable cybersecurity partnerships 

included the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Acquisition, the DOD OLDCC, and DOD 

Procurement Technical Assistance Centers around the nation. In addition, the Network continued working 

with DOD-sponsored Manufacturing USA institutes and also interacting with the U.S. Navy in regional and 

local innovation ecosystems. Going forward, the MEP program anticipates the continuation of a very active 

role relating to multiple facets of supply chain development for the DIB.
MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 29

Embedding MEP in Manufacturing USA Institutes

2020 brought the conclusion of a series of special project awards made by NIST 

MEP to the MEP National Network to embed MEP Center staff at each of the 

Manufacturing USA institutes around the U.S. These efforts focused on how to 

engage small manufacturers with advanced manufacturing technologies and 

markets associated with the Manufacturing USA institutes, and sharing that 

learning across the MEP National Network. The pilot projects funded through these special awards resulted 

in significant learning for both the MEP National Network and the Manufacturing USA institutes. For the MEP 

National Network, the projects identified processes and mechanisms that enable MEP Centers to engage 

SMMs about advanced manufacturing technologies and markets associated with specific technologies and 

technical focus areas. This work provided a strong foundation for and directly contributed to the MEP National 

Network efforts that are underway relating to Advanced Manufacturing Technology Services/Industry 4.0. It is 

anticipated that MEP Centers will continue to engage and collaborate with Manufacturing USA institutes going 

forward.
30 | MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020

Food Industry Services and Food Safety

To better protect public health by strengthening the food safety 

system, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) introduced 

the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) in 2011. To further 

enhance food safety and traceability, in 2019 FDA launched the 

New Era of Smarter Food Safety initiative that encourages the 

incorporation of technology and a focus on preventing problems 

through: 

z Technology-enabled traceability and foodborne outbreak 

response

z Smarter tools and approaches for prevention

z Adapting to new business models and retail food safety modernization

z Food safety culture

Two MEP partnerships with the FDA and Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance enhance outreach and 

dissemination of safe food manufacturing practices, training and information to small and medium-sized 

manufacturers (SMMs) in the U.S. through the MEP National Network. The Network provides assistance to 

SMMs implementing FSMA, a culture of food safety, and technology focused on preventing problems. 

Representatives from all MEP Centers, along with various partners involved with food and beverage 

manufacturing, participate in the MEP National Network Food Industry Services Working Group where they 

share best practices, challenges and solutions. The working group enables MEP Center staff to learn about 

other MEP services that may help food manufacturing clients — including cybersecurity and the MEP-Assisted 

Technology and Technical Resource (MATTR) service. Subject matter experts from FDA, NIST and other 

organizations also disseminate food industry-related technical information at working group meetings.

The food and beverage industry is the third largest contributor to the overall U.S. manufacturing gross 

domestic product. Over three-quarters of the 27,000 U.S. food manufacturers have fewer than 100 employees 

and the food manufacturing market presents a tremendous growth opportunity for the MEP National Network.
MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 31

Manufacturing Day 2020

Manufacturing Day (MFG Day) looked a little different in 2020. There may not have been hundreds of SMMs 

opening their doors to student visitors and in-person, expert-led presentations on leading best practices 

and technologies, but we did have — virtual platforms! The MEP National Network stepped up to the new 

contact-free environment to celebrate American manufacturing and shine a spotlight on manufacturing as 

the next big career path. MFG Day, held on the first Friday in October each year, kicked off at the national 

level with the official presidential proclamation on National Manufacturing Day 2020 issued by the White 

House. NIST Director Walt Copan spoke virtually at the official MFG Day event, along with other special 

guests and speakers. MEP Director Carroll Thomas honored MFG Day by introducing the final roundtable in 

the National Conversations with Manufacturers, a series of virtual discussions featuring 50 manufacturers 

from 27 states representing diverse industries talking about their experiences and challenges during the 

pandemic. MEP Centers across the Network held local MFG Day events and activities throughout October. 

These included virtual factory tours and online programming that allowed high school and college students, 

teachers and guidance counselors to ask manufacturers what it’s like to work in industry. Participants 

also learned about opportunities to get the training and education needed for careers in manufacturing, 

and participated in webinars on emerging topics like Industry 4.0 and automation. One MEP Center even 

developed their own manufacturing trading cards!
32 | MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020

MEP-Assisted Technology and Technical Resource (MATTR) 

The MEP-Assisted Technology and Technical Resource (MATTR) service facilitates the connection of the 

technical needs of MEP Center manufacturing clients with the technology and expertise of the NIST 

laboratories. The MATTR service connects SMMs to the amazing resources NIST has to offer including: 

z World-class expertise and experience

z Unique, highly capitalized and often best-in-the-world facilities

z Leading-edge research programs

z Technical know-how that can help SMMs improve, innovate, and create products and services

In 2020, MATTR developed into an effective operational technical assistance service for the MEP National 

Network and has facilitated nearly 90 instances of connecting MEP Center manufacturing clients with NIST 

labs since 2017. Almost half of MEP Centers have participated in the MATTR service with interactions ranging 

from brief discussions with a NIST researcher concerning a manufacturers’ technical issues to more extensive 

and ongoing activities. NIST MEP makes funding available to NIST laboratories to cover expenses related to 

their work with MEP manufacturing clients.

Two Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) between NIST and small manufacturers 

were established in 2020. CRADAs can be mutually beneficial to SMMs and the NIST labs when MEP Center 

client needs are well-aligned with active NIST lab research, usually relating to metrology and standards. 

MATTR helps SMMs negotiate through the process of partnering with the NIST labs, including facilitating 

assistance from the NIST Technology Partnerships Office.

NIST’s Materials Measurement Laboratory is working with a client of INNOVATE Hawaii (the Hawaii MEP 

Center) through a CRADA. This small photonics company is developing an innovative confocal microscope 

that must be properly characterized and optimized using ultrafast lasers such as those at NIST. The second 
MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 33

agreement involves a client of California Manufacturing Technology Consulting (the California MEP Center) 

that has a novel medical device that is being specially calibrated using the expertise and equipment in NIST’s 

Physical Measurement Laboratory.

In addition to the larger-scale CRADAs, in 2020 NIST labs solved MEP manufacturing client challenges in areas 

such as: 

z Quality and measurement practices, including calibrations or special measurement and testing 

services

z Adopting and integrating new developments to existing technologies such as robotics, additive 

manufacturing, and other advanced manufacturing technologies and practices

z Understanding entirely new approaches to manufacturing, such as those enabled by the digital 

thread in Advanced Manufacturing Technology Services/Industry 4.0

z Leveraging and implementing industry standards and best practices relevant to process technologies 

and materials

z Licensing NIST-developed technologies for manufacturing applications

MEP National Network Brand Awareness Campaign

The MEP National Network continues its efforts to be recognized by SMMs and stakeholders as the go-to 

resource whose trusted experts help strengthen and empower U.S. manufacturers. The brand awareness 

campaign is one approach the MEP National Network uses to achieve its long-term growth goal.

This year the MEP National Network brand awareness campaign featured content contributions from 25 MEP 

Centers and subrecipients. MEP National Network practitioners delivered educational webinars and articles 

that addressed challenges SMMs face in areas such as advanced manufacturing technologies, cybersecurity, 

continuous improvement, workforce, business growth and issues specific to food manufacturers. Articles and 

webinars appeared in IndustryWeek, Quality Digest, Food Safety Magazine, Food Processing Magazine, Modern 

Machine Shop, and AME Target Online. This effort will continue through sharing educational and informational 

content created by the MEP National Network to increase Network awareness and establish our MEP Centers as 

thought leaders.

NIST MEP amplifies MEP National Network content on social media as part of our efforts to increase 

awareness of the Network. In addition, in 2020, NIST MEP developed and posted the highly praised Women in 

Manufacturing video, featuring women who are changing the stereotypes and face of manufacturing, from 

leadership in the front office to machine operators on the shop floor.
34 | MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020

MEP Program Performance Evaluations

Panel Reviews

One of the most important changes to the MEP program resulting from passage of the American Innovation 

and Competitiveness Act (AICA) is the requirement that NIST MEP conduct third- and eighth-year 

performance evaluations — known as panel reviews — of the MEP Centers. Panel reviews are expected to:

z Provide analysis, diagnosis and feedback to Centers regarding their strengths and opportunities for 

improvement, and identify any deficiency areas

z Include an evaluation of a Center’s own performance and evaluation management system’s 

effectiveness and self-assessment

z Promote information sharing across the National Network

z Emphasize the linkage between best practices and demonstrated Center and client performance

z Identify common performance gaps so Centers can leverage internal and external resources to 

develop performance improvement practices

Under NIST MEP guidelines, each panel is composed of three peer MEP Center Directors and a member of 

NIST MEP who serves as the Panel Chair. A Center performance and profile report is prepared by the Center 

in advance of the panel review. This report provides a summary of the Center’s organizational framework, 

performance against the NIST MEP IMPACT metrics, and a self-study overview of the Center’s unique 

characteristics. Regular reviews and Center documents provide the panel with more information. As part of 

the panel review, the Center makes a presentation and the panel asks questions to assess the Center’s overall 

performance. A panel summary report is then issued highlighting the Center’s strengths and opportunities 

for performance improvement. The MEP Director makes final recommendations, with the Center either 

receiving a positive evaluation or potential probation. The panel summary report is one of many inputs into 

the MEP Center’s fifth-year secretarial review and the issuance of another five-year cooperative agreement. 
MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 35

Over the past few years, NIST MEP has conducted performance evaluations for 43 of the 51 MEP Centers 

during the third year of their cooperative agreement following the recompetition. These include: Alabama, 

Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, 

Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New 

Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, 

Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West 

Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. During FY 2020, eighth-year performance evaluations were conducted for 

three MEP Centers: Kentucky, Rhode Island and South Dakota.

Secretarial Reviews

The AICA also requires an evaluation of each Center as it approaches the halfway mark of its 10-year 

cooperative agreement. Referred to as secretarial reviews, these fifth-year performance assessments are 

delegated to the MEP Director and involve a thorough review of a set of performance-related documents 

similar to those used for third- and eighth-year panel reviews. A positive outcome affirms the Center’s 

eligibility to continue receiving federal financial assistance from NIST for the remaining five years of the 

cooperative agreement. Centers that are determined to have unacceptable performance are placed on a 

12-month probation. 

Twenty MEP Centers underwent secretarial reviews in 2020 and each of these Centers received positive 

evaluations: Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, 

New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West 

Virginia and Wisconsin. 
36 | MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020

NIST MEP Special Awards Programs

NIST MEP Competitive Awards Program

In 2017, NIST MEP launched the performance-based Competitive Awards Program (CAP) as part of ongoing 

efforts to build the MEP National Network and to make the program more effective and efficient. The 

statutory authority for the NIST MEP CAP defines the competition’s priorities: 

z Improve the competitiveness of industries in the region in which the Center or Centers are located

z Create jobs or train newly hired employees

z Promote the transfer and commercialization of research and technology from institutions of higher 

education, national laboratories, or other federally funded research programs and nonprofit research 

institutes

z Recruit a diverse manufacturing workforce, including through outreach to underrepresented 

populations

This funding opportunity is available for MEP Centers to add capabilities to the MEP National Network 

including projects that solve new or emerging manufacturing problems that are not already provided for 

under a Center’s base MEP award.

In 2020, 12 additional CAP awards were made totaling about $11 million and issued to MEP Centers in 

California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee and Virginia 

(two awards). Project themes include new manufacturing technologies of relevance to SMMs, particularly 

those related to cybersecurity, Industry/Manufacturing 4.0, supply chain management technologies and 

practices, and workforce intermediary and business services. Each of these awards will increase the ability to 

effectively serve MEP clients across the whole Network. The following MEP Centers received CAP awards in 

2020:

z California Manufacturing Technology Consulting, Torrance, California

z CONNSTEP, Hartford, Connecticut

z FloridaMakes, Orlando, Florida

z GENEDGE Alliance, Martinsville, Virginia (two 2020 CAP awards)

z Georgia MEP, Atlanta, Georgia

z Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center, Detroit, Michigan

z Missouri Enterprise, Rolla, Missouri

z New York MEP, Albany, New York

z Ohio MEP, Columbus, Ohio

z Oregon MEP, Portland, Oregon

z University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services, Nashville, Tennessee
MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 37

To date, NIST MEP has funded 39 awards totaling over $35 million 

in federal funding with project durations of 2-3 years. In addition, 

the projects are engaging and providing manufacturing practice 

development funding to MEP Center partners around the country.

Advanced Manufacturing Technology Services 

Awards

MEP made $5 million in additional awards to five MEP Centers in California, Indiana, Michigan, New 

Jersey and Texas through the 2020 NIST MEP Advanced Manufacturing Technology Services Notice of 

Funding Opportunity. These awards are to deploy Advanced Manufacturing Technology Services to 

U.S. manufacturers in the broad area of Industry/Manufacturing 4.0, with an emphasis on serving the 

technology-based needs of small U.S. manufacturers. These projects should lead to improved product 

quality and innovation, improved manufacturing process efficiency and increased supply chain 

connectivity. Ultimately, this should result in small U.S. manufacturers being more competitive in the 

marketplace and being afforded business growth opportunities. The following MEP Centers received 

Advanced Manufacturing Technology Services Awards in 2020:

z California Manufacturing Technology Consulting, Torrance, California

z Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center, Detroit, Michigan

z New Jersey MEP, Cedar Knolls, New Jersey

z Purdue University, Indiana MEP, West Lafayette, Indiana

z University of Texas in Arlington, dba TMAC, Arlington, Texas

At the Sept. 22 Board meeting, 

Board members discussed and 

contributed ideas for possible 

future themes for NIST MEP’s 

Competitive Awards Program.

2020 Special Awards
38 | MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020

NIST Manufacturing Disaster Assessment Program

The NIST Manufacturing Disaster Assessment Program invites applications from MEP Centers to perform 

assessments of SMMs in areas subject to a Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster declaration. In 

2020, NIST MEP provided nearly $1 million to Puerto Rico Manufacturing Extension Inc. (the Puerto Rico MEP 

Center) for their Disaster Recovery Program for the Southwest Region in response to two earthquakes that hit 

the island in January 2020.
MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 39

Policy Academy

The Policy Academy is a yearlong program that helps spur creative action to strengthen the competitiveness 

of the manufacturing sector, its firms and their workers. Teams from individual states work to identify issues 

and opportunities requiring attention in their state and propose approaches, including policies, practices and 

initiatives, for further investigation and possible investment. The Policy Academy is funded by NIST MEP and led by 

SSTI and the Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness. Teams of policymakers and industry representatives 

met in person for the first time in August 2018 and quickly formed a community of practice based on a shared 

understanding of the challenges that manufacturers in their states faced.

Teams from Kentucky, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and Utah worked from 2018 to 2019 in the program’s first cohort. In 

2020, a second cohort of eight states (Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, Pennsylvania 

and Wisconsin) followed. Both groups focused on the theme Strengthening Your State’s Manufacturers. Over the 

course of the yearlong Policy Academy, the teams worked with a broad group of stakeholders in their state to 

develop a unique action plan aimed at addressing challenges and capturing new opportunities. The state team 

leads met regularly with each other getting just-in-time technical assistance from experts and sharing ideas for 

new approaches to working with manufacturers. 

The states differ in the composition of their manufacturing sector and the groups involved in assisting 

manufacturers, but common approaches arose among the states, including: 

Surveying manufacturers to identify industry awareness and needs. Several states undertook surveys 

of manufacturers to help identify the issues that were most pressing to them and determine what level of 

awareness the manufacturers had of available resources.

Encouraging better connections between companies and the resources available to them. Some 

approaches included developing an inventory of the support and resources available to companies, 

providing that information in a centralized, easily accessible website, and cross-training opportunities 

between manufacturing support organizations. 

Coordinating responses among service providers as the pandemic hit. With the pandemic declared a 

national emergency at about the halfway point of the yearlong process, state teams quickly adjusted their 

activities to respond to manufacturers’ needs in a coordinated fashion.
40 | MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020

Tab Wilkins Emerging MEP Leaders 

In April 2020, NIST MEP hosted the new cohort of 20 individuals in the Tab Wilkins Emerging MEP Leaders 

program via a virtual platform. Representing 16 MEP Centers, the new cohort brought diversity, talent and 

readiness to contribute to the success of the MEP National Network. In addition, the program graduated 

six members of the 1.12 cohort who represent six MEP Centers and completed the program despite the 

challenges of the pandemic. This yearlong program focuses on Network resources, processes and networking 

while teaching participants to effectively manage a Center.

Round 3: 
MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 41

Toyota Kata

As of the end of 2020, over half of the MEP Centers have integrated Toyota Kata into their suite of 

services. Moving forward, the MEP Kata in a Box training, coaching and mentoring program is being 

shared across the Network to strengthen MEP Center Toyota Kata coaches supporting U.S. manufacturers. 

MEP Centers and manufacturers are using Toyota Kata to develop creative, scientific-thinking skills. 

Manufacturing employees can use these skills to keep improving, adapting and generating a competitive 

advantage in a strategically aligned way.

Developing new habits and allowing people to think differently about 

problems and goals

A way of working and of working together

Using scientific thinking as an ingredient to make teams and 

organizations more effective and successful

Developing a culture of continuous learning and improvement at all 

levels through deliberate practice

Toyota Kata is about:
42 | MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020

Workforce: Developing Talent for Tomorrow’s Workplace 

MEP Centers are continually working with smaller manufacturers to help them identify new 

opportunities to grow their workforce and talent. MEP Center clients frequently cite employee 

recruitment and retention as one of their most frequent challenges, second only to cost reduction. As 

innovation and the use of technology in the workplace increases, the demand for skilled workers has also 

increased. MEP Centers are engaged in a wide variety of activities to help SMMs connect to resources and 

develop skilled workers. Essential components of these efforts include:

z Identifying training opportunities and skill certifications

z Talent planning for growth and development of the future talent pipeline

z Assisting companies with work-based learning, mentorships, internships and apprenticeships

z Leadership coaching and development, organizational culture and employee engagement

Apprenticeships are a valuable initiative to develop existing and new employees, and MEP Centers 

are instrumental in connecting manufacturers to the local and state resources that can provide 

apprenticeship programming. Many Centers are helping small groups of companies implement new and 

customized registered apprenticeships. As part of their state manufacturing ecosystems, MEP Centers are 

partnering with local and state education systems including career and technical education programs, 

community colleges and universities to provide access to career pathways, training opportunities, 

mentorships, internships and apprenticeships. 

Attracting Training Engaging
MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 43

“Through the certification’s systemic approach, the participant 

will learn the ability to manage their talent, impacting their 

company either by reducing operational costs, improving 

performance or promoting growth. Job marketing has been 

changing with the pandemic. It’s even more necessary to 

understand our people, their needs and also meet the goals 

of the company.” 

 — Smart Talent Program Director Nora L. Henriquez

Spotlight

Spotlight On: Smart Talent

Across all sectors, manufacturers face a lack of skilled labor, high labor costs, slow training processes and 

worrisome rates of employee turnover. All these workforce issues make it difficult to sustain growth. A group of 

MEP Centers, using strategic competition funding, are piloting a program to address these challenges through 

a flexible methodology known as Smart Talent. Developed by MEP National Network workforce solutions 

experts, Smart Talent helps manufacturers attract talent, engage existing employees, and enhance training and 

development capabilities in order to lower operating costs, improve productivity and realize growth.

Smart Talent is about: 

Attracting: Making your company a desirable place to work 

Training: Onboarding effectively and defining development paths for existing employees

Engaging: Instituting performance-based pay and promotion

Puerto Rico Manufacturing Extension Inc. (PRiMEX, the Puerto Rico MEP Center), piloted Smart Talent with a 

cohort of 10 companies. Started early in 2020 with in-person workshops, the program had to transition to a 

virtual delivery model in March 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions. 

The program consists of five virtual sections of two- and three-hour sessions that include online practices and 

mentoring to implement tools and techniques incorporated into the new approach. Module topics include:

z Learn to attract, retain and engage your talent

z How to structure an onboarding-to-work program

z How to structure on-the-job training

z How to measure and identify performance

z How to identify development paths in employment so that talent experiences growth and progress
44 | MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020

NIST and NIST MEP will mark the 20th anniversary 

of Sept. 11, honoring the heroes and remembering 

those who died.

Defense Manufacturing Supply Chain 

Support

In 2021, the MEP program will continue to address 

the needs of small defense manufacturers through 

supply chain development efforts including:

z Cybersecurity awareness and technical 

assistance relating to both DFARS and CMMC 

requirements

z Technology insertion into U.S. Navy 

shipbuilding and ongoing participation in 

regional and local innovation ecosystems for 

the U.S. Navy

z Ongoing coordination between DODsponsored Manufacturing USA institutes and 

MEP Centers

z Identifying and providing technical 

assistance to current and potential small 

manufacturers supplying the defense 

industrial base

z Partnerships at the national and MEP Center 

levels with various components of the DOD

Manufacturer/Supply Chain Resilience

The global pandemic and other events of 2020 

created significant disruptions to the many 

manufacturing supply chains critical to U.S. national 

and economic security and public health. The MEP 

program plays a significant role in helping U.S. 

manufacturers and supply chains with the ability to 

adapt to change. In 2021, the MEP program will place 

a special emphasis on manufacturer/supply chain 

resilience to ensure that MEP Centers nationwide can 

provide technical assistance to manufacturers that 

both prepares manufacturers to be ready for change 

and helps manufacturers adapt when they need to. 

MEP manufacturer/supply chain resilience efforts 

will focus on the many facets of resilience relating 

to supply chain and sourcing strategies, in-factory 

processes and operations, as well as customer and 

market strategies and opportunities.

National Defense Authorization Act 

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 

for FY 2021 mentions the MEP program in several 

sections, including relating to the provision 

of cybersecurity assistance for small defense 

manufacturers, a national supply chain database, 

and coordination with Manufacturing USA institutes. 

Planning and other actions are underway relating 

to these NDAA sections. For Section 9413, “National 

Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing 

Extension Partnership Program Supply Chain 

Database,” the NDAA calls for the NIST Director 

to carry out a study to evaluate the feasibility, 

advisability and costs of establishing a national 

supply chain database within the MEP program to 

understand the manufacturing capabilities of U.S. 

manufacturers and minimize disruptions to the 

supply chain, which may include defense supplies, 

food, and medical devices, including personal 

Coming in 2021
MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 45

protective equipment. NIST MEP will conduct this 

study in 2021 and prepare a report for the NIST 

Director based on this study that will be delivered to 

Congress in 2021.

NIST MEP State Partnership Support 

Program 

In FY 2021, NIST MEP will fund the new NIST MEP 

State Partnership Support Program with up to $5 

million in federal funding over a period of five years. 

NIST MEP will seek an applicant to develop and 

enhance effective collaborative relationships with 

states and other stakeholders. Stakeholders include 

state, county, community and city-level partners, 

as well as regional partners that extend beyond 

state boundaries. The project activities will advance 

MEP National Network relationships with these 

partners, and strengthen MEP’s ability to help U.S. 

manufacturers identify and adopt new technologies 

for improved products, processes and business 

practices.

The MEP State Partnership Support Program 

will generate strategies, market intelligence and 

analytical resources to support the efforts of MEP 

Centers, NIST MEP and the nation’s manufacturers 

to leverage all applicable resources available 

at regional, state and local levels that support 

or complement MEP’s ability to enhance the 

productivity and technological performance of U.S. 

manufacturing. In order to leverage these resources, 

activities will include: 

z Collecting and analyzing available data at 

the regional, state and local levels to inform 

strategies, services and performance

z Evaluating current practices and trends to 

inform MEP program initiatives and policy 

decisions

z Developing and expanding the network of 

state, regional and local leaders supporting 

manufacturers, MEP Centers and the MEP 

mission

z Ensuring that MEP Centers are effectively 

aligned with state, regional and local priorities

z Increasing state support of the MEP mission 

and of state and local manufacturers

Supplier Scouting

In 2021, the MEP program will continue to provide 

supplier scouting services for government agencies, 

original equipment manufacturers, prime contractors 

and other entities seeking to increase the robustness 

of their domestic supply chains. MEP Supplier 

Scouting is a mechanism that identifies and provides 

assistance to U.S. manufacturers with the capabilities 

and capacities to meet supply chain needs for 

domestic sourcing within many industries that 

constitute the U.S. manufacturing sector. This applies 

to supply chains where manufactured products are 

in critical shortage — such as medical equipment, 

supplies and personal protective equipment; 

supply chains seeking to reshore products and 

supplies manufactured overseas; and virtually any 

other supply chains seeking to identify new U.S. 

supplier sources, including food, consumer goods, 

transportation, energy products and others.
46 | MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020

Workcred

As a result of a 2018 project funded by NIST, 

Workcred, Inc., an affiliate of American National 

Standards Institute, released a first-of-itskind national manufacturing research report, 

“Examining Quality, Market Value, and Effectiveness 

of Credentials in the United States.” The study 

revealed that credentials have uneven use in the 

manufacturing industry and are not routinely 

required or used as a major factor in hiring or 

promotion decisions. Based on the findings of the 

initial study, Workcred assessed that more data is 

needed to demonstrate the value and effectiveness 

of a credential. In September 2019, Workcred 

received an award from NIST MEP totaling $498,845 

for research examining the return on investment 

(ROI) of manufacturing credentials. This research will 

give manufacturers a better understanding of how 

credentials can serve as an important resource in 

identifying skilled workers. The two-year study will 

evaluate the ROI of existing manufacturing-related 

credentials, with a focus on credentials used in the 

operations/production aspects of manufacturing. 

MEP Center client manufacturers representing a 

range of manufacturing sectors, facility sizes and 

geographic regions will be selected for the study. The 

final report is expected in late 2021.

Manufacturing Day 2021

Oct. 1, 2021 will mark NIST MEP’s 10th year of 

participating in Manufacturing Day (MFG Day). 

On MFG Day 2021, NIST MEP and MEP Centers will 

draw public attention to manufacturing’s present 

day reality and encourage careers in this secure and 

growing sector of the economy. MEP Centers will 

work with local manufacturers to plan events and 

spread the word about MFG Day 2021 to ensure its 

success.

We believe that by being an active part of this 

national outreach effort manufacturers will 

find additional resources to address the skilled 

labor shortage many face, connect with future 

generations, take charge of the public image of 

manufacturing and help ensure a prosperous future 

for manufacturing throughout the U.S. Hope to see 

you there!
MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 47

Alabama

Alabama Technology Network (ATN)

135 S. Union St., Suite 441

Montgomery, AL 36104

Phone: 334-293-4671

www.atn.org

Alaska

Alaska Manufacturing Extension Partnership Center

1901 Bragaw St., Suite 199

Anchorage, AK 99508

Phone: 907-786-0412

Alaska-MEP.com

Arizona

Arizona Manufacturing Extension Partnership 

 (Arizona MEP)

100 N. Seventh Ave., Suite 400

Phoenix, AZ 85007

Phone: 602-845-1200

www.azmep.com

Arkansas

Arkansas Economic Development Commission 

 Manufacturing Solutions (AEDC-MS)

1 Commerce Way, Suite 601

Little Rock, AR 72202

Phone: 501-682-1179

www.mfgsolutions.org

California

California Manufacturing Technology Consulting

 (CMTC)

690 Knox St., Suite 200

Torrance, CA 90502

Phone: 310-263-3060

www.cmtc.com

Colorado

Manufacturer’s Edge

2650 E. 40th Avenue

Denver, CO 80205

Phone: 303-592-4087

www.manufacturersedge.com

Connecticut

CONNSTEP, Inc.

350 Church St., Third Floor

Hartford, CT 06103

Phone: 800-266-6672

www.connstep.org

Delaware

Delaware Manufacturing Extension Partnership 

 (DEMEP)

400 Stanton-Christiana Road, Suite A-158

Newark, DE 19713

Phone: 302-283-3131

www.demep.org

Florida

FloridaMakes

800 N. Magnolia Ave., Suite 1850

Orlando, FL 32803

Phone: 407-450-7206

www.floridamakes.com

Georgia

Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership

 (GaMEP)

Georgia Tech

75 Fifth St., NW, Suite 3000

Atlanta, GA 30308

Phone: 404-385-0630

www.gamep.org

MEP Centers

MEP Centers serve as the foundation of the MEP program. 51 MEP Centers are located in all 50 states and 

Puerto Rico. Over 1,400 trusted advisors and experts at more than 385 MEP service locations provide any 

U.S. manufacturer with access to resources they need to succeed.
48 | MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020

Hawaii

INNOVATE Hawaii

521 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 255

Honolulu, HI 96813

Phone: 808-539-3806

www.htdc.org

Idaho

TechHelp

Boise State University

1910 University Drive

Boise, ID 83725

Phone: 208-426-3767

www.techhelp.org

Illinois

Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC)

1501 W. Bradley Ave.

Bradley University

Peoria, IL 61625

Phone: 888-806-4632

www.imec.org

Indiana

Purdue Manufacturing Extension Partnership

550 Congressional Blvd., Suite 140

Carmel, IN 46032

Phone: 800-877-5182

www.mep.purdue.edu

Iowa

Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS)

Iowa State University

1805 Collaboration Place, Suite 2300

Ames, IA 50010

Phone: 515-294-3420

www.ciras.iastate.edu

Kansas

Kansas Manufacturing Solutions

14425 College Blvd., Suite 120

Lenexa, KS 66215

Phone: 913-649-4333

www.wearekms.com

Kentucky

Advantage Kentucky Alliance (AKA)

2413 Nashville Road, Suite 310

Bowling Green, KY 42101

Phone: 270-745-3370

www.advantageky.org

Louisiana

Manufacturing Extension Partnership of Louisiana

 (MEPOL)

265 S. Foster Drive

Baton Rouge, LA 70806

Phone: 337-394-2763

www.mepol.org

Maine

Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership 

 (Maine MEP)

87 Winthrop St.

Augusta, ME 04330

Phone: 207-623-0680

www.mainemep.org

Maryland

Maryland Manufacturing Extension Partnership 

 (MD MEP)

8894 Stanford Blvd., Suite 304

Columbia, MD 21045

Phone: 443-343-0085

www.mdmep.org

Massachusetts

Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership

 (MassMEP)

27A Midstate Dr., Suite 200

Auburn, MA 01501

Phone: 508-831-7020

www.massmep.org

Michigan

Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC)

45501 Helm St.

Plymouth, MI 48170

Phone: 888-414-6682

www.the-center.org
MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 49

Minnesota

Enterprise Minnesota

2100 Summer St., Suite 150

Minneapolis, MN 55413

Phone: 612-373-2900

www.enterpriseminnesota.org

Mississippi

Mississippi Manufacturers Association–

 Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MMA-MEP)

720 N. President St.

Jackson, MS 39202

Phone: 601-948-1222

www.mma-web.org/mep

Missouri

Missouri Enterprise

1426 East State Route 72

Rolla, MO 65401

Phone: 800-956-2682

www.missourienterprise.org

Montana

Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC)

P.O. Box 174255

Montana State University

2310 University Way Building 2, Suite 1

Bozeman, MT 59717

Phone: 406-994-3812

www.montana.edu/mmec

Nebraska

Nebraska Manufacturing Extension Partnership

 (Nebraska MEP)

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

3 Agricultural Communications Building

3625 East Campus Loop South

Lincoln, NE 68583

Phone: 402-472-5993

nemep.unl.edu 

Nevada

Nevada Industry Excellence (NVIE)

450 Sinclair St.

Reno, NV 89501

Phone: 775-784-1935

www.nevadaie.com

New Hampshire

New Hampshire Manufacturing Extension

 Partnership (NH MEP)

172 Pembroke Road

Concord, NH 03301

Phone: 603-226-3200

www.nhmep.org

New Jersey

New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program 

 (NJMEP)

2 Ridgedale Ave., Suite 305

Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927

Phone: 973-998-9801

www.njmep.org

New Mexico

New Mexico Manufacturing Extension Partnership 

 (New Mexico MEP)

8600 San Mateo Blvd. NE, Suite 100

Albuquerque, NM 87113

Phone: 505-262-0921

www.newmexicomep.org

New York

New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership 

 (NY MEP)

625 Broadway

ESD, Division of Science, Technology & Innovation 

 (NYSTAR)

Albany, NY 12245

Phone: 518-292-5100

www.esd.ny.gov/nystar/nymep.asp
50 | MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020

North Carolina

North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership 

 (NCMEP)

1005 Capability Drive

Research III Building, Suite 200

Raleigh, NC 27606

Phone: 919-513-6119

www.ncmep.org

North Dakota

Impact Dakota

1929 N. Washington St., Suite M

Bismarck, ND 58501

Phone: 866-297-8250

www.impactdakota.com

Ohio

Ohio Manufacturing Extension Partnership 

 (Ohio MEP)

77 S. High St., 29th Floor

Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: 800-848-1300

www.development.ohio.gov/bs/bs_mep.htm

Oklahoma

Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance

525 S. Main St., Suite 210

Tulsa, OK 74103

Phone: 918-592-0722

www.okalliance.com

Oregon

Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership (OMEP)

7650 SW Beveland St., Suite 170

Portland, OR 97223

Phone: 503-406-3770

www.omep.org

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Manufacturing Extension Partnership

 (PA MEP)

One College Ave., Dept. 32

Williamsport, PA 17701

Phone: 570-308-3312

pamep.org

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico Manufacturing Extension Inc. (PRiMEX)

#268 Muñoz Rivera Ave.

World Plaza Building, Suite 1002

San Juan, PR 00918

Phone: 787-756-0505

www.primexpr.org

Rhode Island

Polaris MEP

315 Iron Horse Way

Providence, RI 02908

Phone: 401-270-8896

www.polarismep.org

South Carolina

South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership

 (SCMEP)

250 Executive Center Drive, Suite 200

Greenville, SC 29615

Phone: 864-288-5687

www.scmep.org

South Dakota

South Dakota Manufacturing and 

 Technology Solutions

2329 N. Career Ave., Suite 243

Sioux Falls, SD 57107

Phone: 605-212-5679

www.sdmanufacturing.com
MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 51

Tennessee

University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services

 (UT CIS)

193 Polk Ave., Suite C

Nashville, TN 37210

Phone: 888-763-7439

www.cis.tennessee.edu

Texas

Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC)

202 East Border St., Suite 323

Arlington, TX 76010

Phone: 800-625-4876

www.tmac.org

Utah

University of Utah Manufacturing Extension

 Partnership (UUMEP) Center

1495 East 100 South

MEK 1121

Salt Lake City, UT 84112

Phone: 801-587-0713

mep.utah.edu

Vermont

Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC)

1540 VT RT 66, Suite 103

VT Tech Enterprise Center

Randolph, VT 05060

Phone: 802-728-1432

www.vmec.org

Virginia

GENEDGE

32 Bridge St. South, Suite 200

Martinsville, VA 24112

Phone: 276-666-8890

www.genedge.org

Washington

Impact Washington

3303 Monte Villa Parkway, Suite 340

Bothell, WA 98021

Phone: 425-287-6808

www.impactwashington.org

West Virginia

West Virginia Manufacturing Extension Partnership

 (WVMEP)

317 Mineral Resources Building

P.O. Box 6070

Morgantown, WV 26506

Phone: 304-293-4211

www.wvmep.com

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing and Productivity

 (WCMP)

2601 Crossroads Drive, Suite 145

Madison, WI 53718

Phone: 608-729-4160

www.wicmp.org

Wyoming

Manufacturing Works 

Department 3362

406 S. 21st Street

Laramie, WY 82070

Phone: 307-766-4811

manufacturing-works.com
52 | MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2020

100 BUREAU DRIVE M/S 4800

GAITHERSBURG, MD 20899

PHONE: (301) 975-5020

EMAIL: MFG@NIST.GOV

WEB: WWW.NIST.GOV/MEP