MAKING AN IMPACT ON U.S. MANUFACTURING

Information Webinar

Federal Funding Opportunity: 2017-NIST-MEP-EMUSA-02

(CLOSING Friday, June 2, 2017@ 11:59 p.m. EASTERN)

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MAKING AN IMPACT ON U.S. MANUFACTURING

WELCOME 

Informational Webinar – April 19, 2017

3:00 p.m. (Eastern)

Federal Funding Opportunity: 2017-NIST-MEP-EMUSA-02

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) 

Dave Stieren, Technical Manager, Partnerships and Program Development Office, NIST MEP

Mike Simpson, Manager of Competitions, NIST MEP

Wiza Lequin, Program Manager, NIST MEP
MEP Overview

• Webinar serves as a communication vehicle to provide an overview of the funding 

opportunity.

• During the webinar, proprietary technical discussions about specific project ideas 

will not be permitted. 

• NIST/MEP staff will not critique or provide feedback on any project ideas during the 

webinar or at any time before submission of a proposal to MEP.

– We will consider questions of a clarifying nature that are not specific to an individual proposal.

– If you want to submit questions following the webinar, please email them to MEP at 

mepnofo@nist.gov.

• Your question and response will become part of the FAQ document available on our competition page of 

our MEP website www.nist.gov/mep/embedding-mep-manufacturing-usa-institutes-pilotprojects-round-three

3

Information Webinar and Communication Protocols

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020
MEP Overview

• MEP and Manufacturing USA Institute Overview 

• Federal Award Information

• Eligibility Information

• Application and Submission Information

• Evaluation Criteria

• Review and Selection Process

• Selection Factors

• Reporting Requirements

• MEP Resources

• Key Take-Aways

• Agency Contacts

• FAQs 

• Staying in touch

Information Webinar Agenda

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 4
MEP Overview

MEP and 

The Manufacturing USA Institutes

• Manufacturing USA Institutes, MEP have 

mission-centric focus on U.S. manufacturers –

especially small manufacturers

ü Institutes need to connect with small manufacturers on large scale 

to maximize impact

ü The national MEP network provides hands-on assistance to 

thousands of small U.S. manufacturers annually – and has a focus 

on accelerating technology to small U.S. manufacturers

• The portfolio of Embedding Projects have the potential to 

transform the MEP approach to serving small U.S. 

manufacturers as trusted advisors going forward!

9
MEP Overview

• Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation (RAMI) Legislation –

2014 – The National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI)

“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.”

• MEP National Advisory Board – May 2015

ü MEP Technology Acceleration Implementation Plan: Recommendations 

“MEP should give priority to developing and implementing Technology Acceleration 

opportunities with NIST labs and National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI) 

Institutes over the next year, while also pursuing the emerging collaboration with DOE labs.”

MEP: A National Resource to Connect Small 

Manufacturers with Manufacturing USA Institutes

6
MEP Overview

• MOUs: NIST-DOD and NIST-DOE, Executed 2015, 2017

ü Provide overarching framework to enhance collaboration by engaging 

small/medium U.S. manufacturers more fully to optimize benefits and 

results from public and private investments in Institutes

• American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, Public Law 114-389 (2017)

ü The objective of the [MEP] Program shall be to enhance competitiveness, productivity, and 

technological performance in United States manufacturing through—

o the participation of individuals from industry, institutions of higher education, State governments, 

other Federal agencies, and, when appropriate, the Institute in cooperative technology transfer 

activities;

o efforts to make new manufacturing technology, processes usable by US-based small, mediumsized companies;

o the active dissemination of scientific, engineering, technical, and management information about 

manufacturing to industrial firms, including small and medium-sized manufacturing companies;

MEP: A National Resource to Connect Small 

Manufacturers with Manufacturing USA Institutes

7
MEP Overview

MEP Manufacturing USA Institutes ROLE 

• Overarching framework for how MEP Centers and 

Manufacturing USA Institutes can work together 

provided in:

ü 2015 NIST MEP MOU with DOD 

ü 2017 NIST MEP MOU with DOE

MEP Role in Manufacturing USA Institutes: 

üIncrease small manufacturer awareness of Institute focus 

areas, resources

üFacilitate small manufacturer informing Institute research

üFacilitate small manufacturer participation in Institute

research

üHelp deploy results of Institute research to small 

manufacturers

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MEP Overview

This NOFO provides NIST MEP funding resources to help facilitate 

expanded collaborations involving the Manufacturing USA Institutes 

and MEP Centers

• Purpose

ü To enhance the scale of Institute impacts on small U.S. 

manufacturers by conducting new pilot projects that broaden 

and deepen engagements involving Manufacturing USA 

Institutes and MEP Centers

NIST MEP NOFO: Embedding MEP in 

Manufacturing USA Institutes

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MEP Overview

Objectives

ü To create approaches to engaging small U.S. manufacturers in the work of Manufacturing USA 

Institutes through hands-on assistance mechanisms and services such as those that are currently, or 

could be, offered by MEP Centers

ü To develop and test business models for serving needs of small U.S. manufacturers in technology 

areas of Manufacturing USA Institutes by leveraging the resources, assets, and assistance capacities 

of MEP Centers

ü To facilitate knowledge and best practice sharing between Manufacturing USA Institutes and MEP 

Centers – as set within the framework of the NIST-DOD MOU

ü To cultivate an enhanced nationwide network of partnerships among Manufacturing USA Institutes 

and MEP Centers for the benefit of small U.S. manufacturers.

Proposed approaches must include the embedding of MEP Center representatives in 

residence at participating Manufacturing USA Institute(s)

NIST MEP NOFO: Embedding MEP in 

Manufacturing USA Institutes

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 9
MEP Overview

NextFlex, Flexible Hybrid Electronics

Clean Energy Smart Manufacturing Innovation 

Institute 

Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation 

Institute (DMDII)

American Institute for Manufacturing 

Integrated Photonics (AIM Photonics)

Power America

Institute for Advanced Composites 

Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI)

Advanced Functional Fabrics of America 

(AFFOA)

America Makes

Lightweight Innovations for Tomorrow (LIFT)

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MEP/Institute Embedding Pilot Rd 1 & 2

California Manufacturing Technology Center

Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center

New York State Department of Economic 

Development

North Carolina State University

The University of Tennessee (Center for 

Industrial Services)

Massachusetts MEP

Pennsylvania MEP

Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center
MEP Overview

Manufacturing USA: Partnership through 

Embedding MEP Center Staff at Institutes

Digital Mfg & Design

Chicago, IL

Lightweight 

Metals

Detroit, MI

Flexible	Hybrid	

Electronics

San	Jose,	CA

Additive	

Manufacturing	

Youngstown,	

OH

AFFOA	- Fibers	

and	Textiles,	

Cambridge	MA

AIM	

Photonics

Rochester,	

NY

Smart	

Manufacturing

Los	Angeles,	CA

Shaded states have major participants in 

Manufacturing USA Institutes

Advanced 

Fiber-Reinforced 

Polymer 

Composites

Knoxville, TN

Wide Bandgap 

Semiconductors

Raleigh, NC

Modular 

Chemical 

Process 

Intensification

New York, NY

Bio- pharmaceutical 

Manufacturing

Newark, DE

Advanced	

Regenerative	

Manufacturing,	

Manchester,	NH

REMADE

Rochester,	NY

Advanced 

Robotics

Pittsburgh, PA

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MEP Overview

Funding Opportunity Overview

• Notice of Funding Opportunity Title:

Embedding MEP in Manufacturing USA Institutes Pilot Projects-Round Three

• Grants.gov Identifier: 2017-NIST-MEP-EMUSA-02

• Funding Opportunity Description: 

– NIST invites proposals from current MEP Centers to pilot test approaches to providing needed technology acceleration assistance 

to small and mid-sized U.S. manufacturers (hereinafter referred to as small U.S. manufacturers) through the establishment of 

meaningful and results oriented collaborations between the nationwide system of Centers operating as part of the NIST Hollings 

Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program (hereinafter referred to as NIST MEP), and the public-private manufacturing 

innovation Institutes operating as part of Manufacturing USA (previously known as the National Network for Manufacturing 

Innovation (NNMI), and hereinafter referred to as Manufacturing USA Institutes). 

– The emphasis of these Pilot Projects will be to demonstrate ways to more fully leverage the assets and resources of the national

MEP Program to provide assistance to small U.S. manufacturers in technology areas that are the focus of the Manufacturing USA

Institutes.

– This NOFO is targeting the issuance of up to five (5) cooperative agreements to existing MEP Centers to 

embed personnel in the five (5) Manufacturing USA Institutes identified below:

• Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI)

• Advanced Robotics Manufacturing (ARM) Institute

• National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL)

• Rapid Advancement in Process Intensification Deployment (RAPID) Institute

• Reducing Embodied-energy and Decreasing Emissions (REMADE) Institute

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MEP Overview

Funding Opportunity Overview

Funding Available: 

• NIST anticipates funding up to five (5) cooperative agreement awards, 

with up to two-year (2) periods of performance, in accordance with the 

multi-year funding policy described in Section II.3. of the NOFO. 

• It is expected that funding for these awards will be between $300,000 

and $600,000 per year, with total federal funding for the two-year 

award period being between $600,000 and up to $1,200,000. 

• NIST anticipates up to $6,000,000 in total federal funding being 

available for awards issued pursuant to this NOFO. 

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MEP Overview

Funding Opportunity Overview

• Authority: The statutory authority for the MEP Program is 15 U.S.C. § 278k-1

• Funding Instrument: Cooperative Agreement

– The nature of NIST’s “substantial involvement” will generally be collaboration 

between MEP and the recipient organization(s).

– Additional forms of substantial involvement that may arise are described in 

Final Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Guidance Implementing the 

Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act, 43 Fed. Reg. 36860-65 (Aug. 

18, 1978)

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MEP Overview

• MEP and Manufacturing USA Institute Overview

• Federal Award Information

• Eligibility Information

• Application and Submission Information

• Evaluation Criteria

• Review and Selection Process

• Selection Factors

• Reporting Requirements

• MEP Resources

• Key Take-Aways

• Agency Contacts

• FAQs 

• Staying in touch

Information Webinar Agenda

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 16
MEP Overview

Funding Opportunity Information (1)

• Multi-Year Funding Policy. 

– When an application for a multi-year award is approved, funding will usually 

be provided for only the first year of the project. 

– Recipients will be required to submit detailed budgets and budget narratives 

prior to the award of any continued funding. 

– Continued funding for the remaining years of the project will be awarded by 

NIST on a non-competitive basis, and may be adjusted higher or lower from 

year-to-year of the award, contingent upon satisfactory performance, 

continued relevance to the mission and priorities of the program, and the 

availability of funds. 

– Continuation of an award to extend the period of performance and/or to 

increase or decrease funding is at the sole discretion of NIST. 

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MEP Overview

Funding Opportunity Information (2)

Award Kick-Off Meeting

• Recipients will be required to attend a kick-off meeting, which will be held within the first 30 days of the 

start of the project period, to ensure that the recipient has a clear understanding of the program and project 

components. 

– The kick-off meeting will take place at NIST-Gaithersburg, Bldg. 101 West Square Room. 

– The kick-off meeting will last no longer than one day and must be attended by the project manager and appropriate 

key personnel who will play a significant role in managing and/or executing the award.

– The kick-off meeting for each award should involve appropriate personnel from the lead MEP Center recipient, 

primary participating Institute(s), other MEP Center(s) participating in the project, and may as necessary include 

personnel from other third party collaborating entities.

• Applicants must include travel and related costs for the kick-off meeting as part of the budget for year one 

(1), and these costs should be reflected in the SF-424A. (See Section IV.2.a.(2). of the NOFO.)

– These costs must also be reflected in the budget table and budget narrative for year 1, which is submitted as part of 

the budget tables and budget narratives section of the Technical Proposal. (See Section IV.2.a.(6).(d). of the NOFO.) 

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MEP Overview

Funding Opportunity Information (3)

MEP National Network Meetings

• NIST/MEP typically organizes National Network meetings approximately four times a year in an effort to share best 

practices, new and emerging trends, and additional topics of interest. 

– These meetings are rotated throughout the United States and typically involve 2-3 days of resource time and 

associated travel costs for each meeting.

– One key representative from the lead MEP Center and appropriate Manufacturing USA Institute(s) should attend 

these meetings

– Pilot projects will be expected to actively participate during these meetings and freely share lessons learned 

regarding the mechanisms of the pilot approach, and attributes conducive to transferring knowledge from the 

Manufacturing USA Institutes to MEP Centers for the benefit of small U.S. manufacturers, as well as information 

about the Institutes’ technology focus areas. 

• Applicants must include travel and related costs for four quarterly MEP National Network meetings in each of one (1) 

or two (2) project years (4 meetings per year; up to 8 total meetings over up to a two-year award period). These costs 

must be reflected in the SF-424A (see Section IV.2.a.(2). of the NOFO). These costs must also be reflected in the 

budget tables and budget narratives for each of the project’s years, which are submitted as part of the Technical 

Proposal. (See Section IV.2.a.(6).(d). of the NOFO).

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 19
MEP Overview

• MEP and Manufacturing USA Institute Overview

• Federal Award Information

• Eligibility Information

• Application and Submission Information

• Evaluation Criteria

• Review and Selection Process

• Selection Factors

• Reporting Requirements

• MEP Resources

• Key Take-Aways

• Agency Contacts

• FAQs 

• Staying in touch

Information Webinar Agenda

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 20
MEP Overview

Eligibility Information (1)

Eligible Applicants. 

• Eligible applicants for this program are MEP Centers receiving current cooperative agreement funding 

from NIST. An applicant MEP Center must form a collaboration, teaming arrangement, or other 

appropriate relationship with one (1) or more of the five (5) Manufacturing USA Institutes identified in 

Section I. of the NOFO. These five (5) Manufacturing USA Institutes are not currently hosting 

embedded MEP Center representatives in residence at their Institute locations as the result of the 

2016-NIST-MEP-ENNMI-02 or the 2017-NIST-MEP-EMUSA-01 funding opportunity. These five (5) 

Manufacturing USA Institutes are:

– Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI)

– Advanced Robotics Manufacturing (ARM) Institute

– National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL)

– Rapid Advancement in Process Intensification Deployment (RAPID) Institute

– Reducing Embodied-energy and Decreasing Emissions (REMADE) Institute

• The relationship must have been established with the primary Manufacturing USA Institute as required 

in Section IV.2.a.(12). of the NOFO at the time of application submission and must be documented 

with a letter(s) of commitment from the Manufacturing USA Institute(s) with which the relationship has 

been established. 

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MEP Overview

Eligibility Information (2)

• NIST encourages project proposals involving participation from multiple MEP Centers and multiple 

Manufacturing USA Institutes, as well as other collaborating entities such as local economic 

development organizations, universities, community colleges, technology incubator programs, and 

other organizations. 

•

An MEP Center may serve as the applicant on only one proposal. There are no restrictions on the 

number of applications in which MEP Centers or Manufacturing USA Institutes can be proposed as 

collaborators, nor are there restrictions on MEP Centers receiving Round One awards serving as 

collaborators on projects funded pursuant to the Round Two competition. See Section III.1. of the 

NOFO for more information regarding program eligibility. 

• Eligibility for this program is contingent upon an applicant being a NIST MEP Center at the time of 

application, at the time of award, and for the entire period of performance for awards issued pursuant 

to this NOFO. 

• NIST reserves the right to take appropriate action, which may include not making an award, or 

terminating an award or a portion thereof, should an MEP Center fail to maintain its eligibility at all 

required times. 

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MEP Overview

Eligibility Information (3)

• Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement.

– Non-federal cost share is not required for awards issued pursuant to the NOFO. 

Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals with budgets that maximize the 

application of award funding to the performance of project tasking and direct project 

costs. 

• No Double Charging Against other NIST/MEP or Institute Awards.

– Costs charged against awards issued pursuant to the NOFO, whether paid by federal 

or non-federal funds, may not also be charged as costs against any other NIST/MEP 

or Institute award (i.e., no double-billing of costs).

– In addition, NIST/MEP funding provided by an MEP Center to an Institute or to another 

MEP Center may not be used by such Institute or MEP Center as a non-federal cost 

share contribution for an Institute or MEP Center award (i.e., federal funds may not be 

used as cost share for other federal awards).

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 23
MEP Overview

• MEP and Manufacturing USA Institute Overview

• Federal Award Information

• Eligibility Information

• Application and Submission Information

• Evaluation Criteria

• Review and Selection Process

• Selection Factors

• Reporting Requirements

• MEP Resources

• Key Take-Aways

• Agency Contacts

• FAQs 

• Staying in touch

Information Webinar Agenda

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 24
MEP Overview

Application and Submission Information (1)

• Required Forms and Documents:

– Required Forms*:

• SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance

• Must be certified through www.grants.gov by an authorized representative of the applicant organization

• Item 12 must list the NOFO Number as 2017-NIST-MEP-EMUSA-02

• Item 18, should list the total budget information for the full duration of the project

• List of certifications and assurances referenced in Item 21 of the SF424 is contained in the SF424B

• SF-424A Budget Information Non-Constructions

• Must reflect anticipated expenses for each year of the project (considering all potential cost increases, including cost of living 

adjustments).

• Must include estimated costs associated with the NIST MEP Kick-Off Conference and System Wide Meetings (See Sections II.4 & II.5 of 

the NOFO)

• Please carefully follow the directions found at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/form-instructions/sf-424a- instructions.html when filling 

out this form.

• The Grant Program Function or Activity on Line 1 under Column (a) should be entered as Manufacturing Extension Partnership. The

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number on Line 1 under Column (b) should be 11.611.

• SF-424B Assurances Non-construction Programs

• CD-511 Certification Regarding Lobbying

• For the Award Number, enter “2017-NIST-MEP-EMUSA-02”. In the Project Name filed, use the “Descriptive Title of Applicant’s Project” from 

field 15 of the SF-424, or an abbreviation thereof.

• SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (if applicable)

*Forms are available as part of the Grants.gov application kit

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MEP Overview

Required Forms & Documents Continued....

• Technical Proposal. The Technical Proposal, with a period of performance of up to two (2) 

years, is a word- processed document not exceeding 25 pages that is responsive to the 

program description (see Section I. of the NOFO) and the evaluation criteria (see Section V.1. of 

the NOFO). 

– Table of Contents (Does not count towards page limit)

– Executive Summary (Does not count towards page limit)

– Project Narrative

• The project narrative must identify the primary Manufacturing USA Institute to 

whom the applicant has established a collaborative partnership

– For purposes of the funding opportunity, the Primary Institute is the one in which the MEP Center plans to 

embed personnel at a level of at one one (1) FTE

• Please read all of Section IV.2.a.6.c

• A proposal that fails to meet these requirements will be deemed as 

nonresponsive to the NOFO.

Application and Submission Information (2)

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MEP Overview

Required Forms & Documents Continued....

– Budget Tables and Budget Narratives

• In addition to the SF-424A form (see Section IV.2.a.(2). of the NOFO), applicants must 

provide a detailed budget table and budget narrative for the proposed period of performance, 

fully explaining and justifying all proposed project funding (both revenue and expenses) in 

accordance with applicable federal cost principles.

• In the budget narrative, the recipient should provide adequate information to support the costs 

identified in each category of the budget table. 

• For example, providing the annual salary and the percentage of time dedicated to the project 

by personnel to demonstrate the total cost of that individual; providing the airfare, lodging, per 

diem, number of days and number of travelers for each proposed trip; and identifying 

anticipated subaward/contract amounts, the subawardees/contractors, to the extent known at 

the time of application, and a detailed description of the purpose of each subaward/contract.

• Applicants must also include staff, travel and related expenses for the required Award Kick-Off 

and National Network meeting described in Sections II.4. and II.5. of the NOFO in the budget 

tables and budget narratives. 

• A suggested budget table and budget narrative template are available on the MEP website, 

www.nist.gov/mep/embedding-mep-manufacturing-usa-institutes-pilot-projects-round-three. 

Application and Submission Information (3)

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MEP Overview

Required Forms & Documents Continued....

– Indirect Cost Rate Agreement.

• If indirect costs are included in the proposed budget, provide a copy of the approved negotiated 

agreement if this rate was negotiated with a cognizant Federal audit agency. 

• If the rate was not established by a cognizant Federal audit agency, provide a statement to this 

effect.

• If the successful applicant includes indirect costs in the budget and has not established an 

indirect cost rate with a cognizant Federal audit agency, the applicant will be required to obtain 

such a rate in accordance with the Department of Commerce Financial Assistance Standard 

Terms and Conditions available at: http://go.usa.gov/hKbj.

• Alternatively, in accordance with 2 C.F.R. § 200.414(f), applicants that have never received a 

negotiated indirect cost rate may elect to charge indirect costs to an MEP award pursuant to a de 

minimis rate of 10 percent of modified total direct costs (MTDC), in which case a negotiated 

indirect cost rate agreement is not required. 

– Applicants proposing a 10 percent de minimis rate pursuant to 2 C.F.R. § 200.414(f) 

should note this election as part of the budget portion of the application.

Application and Submission Information (4)

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MEP Overview

Required Forms & Documents Continued....

– Table of Abbreviations and Acronyms. (This does not contribute to the total number 

of pages.) 

• An alphabetical list of all abbreviations and acronyms, and their meaning, should be included.

– Table of Funded Project Participants and Unfunded Informal Collaborators. (This 

does not contribute to the total number of pages.)

• Provide a table that identifies all organizations that will participate in and contribute to the project, 

if funded, known at the time of the application submission. 

• The table should consist of an alphabetically ordered list, by organization, of all Funded Project 

Participants and all Unfunded Informal Collaborators.

• The table should include the organization’s name, address, administrative role, scope of work 

(funded participants only) and proposed funding amount (funded participants only). 

– Administrative roles are: applicant, subrecipient, or contractor for funded participants; or 

collaborator if they will not receive funding. 

– Bibliographic List of References. (This does not contribute to the total number of 

pages.) 

• A complete bibliographic listing of all references used within the application should be included.

Application and Submission Information (5)

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MEP Overview

– Resumes of Key Personnel. (These do not contribute to the total number of pages). 

• One-page resumes of no more than five key personnel from each participant organization may be included; 

these do not count toward the page limit.

• Key personnel resumes should include resumes for any personnel from MEP Centers who will be embedded 

at the MUSA Institutes. 

• Any information beyond one page for each resume and any additional resumes submitted will not be 

considered.

– Required Letters of Commitment. (These do not contribute to the total number of pages).

• Letters that commit specific resources (not funding) to the project in the event that the application is funded 

are required from all of the following that apply:

– Each application must include a Letter of Commitment from an authorized representative of: (i) the 

MEP Center applicant; (ii) each Institute that will be participating in the project; and from (iii) other 

MEP Centers that will be participating in the project. Each letter should describe the submitting 

organization’s commitment to and activities in support of the proposed project. 

– If the application includes subawards, contracts or other payments to known third parties, including 

Manufacturing USA Institutes and other MEP Centers, a draft copy of each subaward, contract or 

other funding vehicle must be included. 

– Letters of Commitment should not be letters submitted by non-proposing entities wishing to vouch for 

the applicant’s (or entities associated with the applicant) knowledge, skills, and abilities or entities to 

conduct the proposed work. These should be in the form of a Letter of Interest (see Section 

IV.3.a.(13) of the NOFO).

Application and Submission Information (6)

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MEP Overview

Application and Submission Information (7)

• Data Management Plan (This does not contribute to the total 

number of pages)

– The DMP is a supplementary document of not more than two pages that 

must include, at a minimum, a summary of proposed activities that are 

expected to generate data, a summary of the types of data expected to be 

generated by the identified activities, a plan for storage and maintenance of the 

data expected to be generated by the identified activities, and a plan describing 

whether and how data generated by the identified activities will be reviewed 

and made available to the public. (Refer to Section IV.2.a.14 for additional 

guidance)

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MEP Overview

Application and Submission Information (8)

• Application Format (Section IV 2(b)):

– Page Limit. The Technical Proposals are limited to Twenty-five (25) pages. Information on pages beyond 

the page limit will not be considered. 

– Page limit includes: Cover page, Technical Proposal (with the exception of the Executive Summary), figures, 

graphs, tables, images, pictures, and all other pages of an application, with the exception of the page limit 

exclusions listed below.

– Page limit excludes:

• Table of Contents, 

• Executive Summary, 

• SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance; the SF-424A, 

• Budget Information – Non- Construction Programs form; – SF-424B, Assurances – Non-Construction Programs; 

– SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities; 

– CD-511, Certification Regarding Lobbying; 

– Table of Contents, Budget Tables and Budget Narratives; 

– Indirect Cost Rate Agreement; 

– Table of Abbreviations and Acronyms; 

– Table of Funded Project Participants and Unfunded Informal Collaborators; 

– Bibliographic List of References 

– Resumes of Key Personnel; 

– Required Letters of Commitment; 

– Letters of Interest; and the 

– Data Management Plan.

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MEP Overview

Application and Submission Information (9)

• Grants.gov

– Applicants should carefully follow specific Grants.gov instructions at www.grants.gov to ensure the 

attachments will be accepted by the Grants.gov system. 

– A receipt from Grants.gov does not provide details concerning whether all attachments (or how 

many attachments) transferred successfully. 

– Applicants using Grants.gov will receive a series of e-mail messages over a period of up to 

two business days before learning whether a Federal agency’s electronic system has 

received its application.

– Applicants are urged to use Grants.gov’s Download Submitted Applications feature to check that 

all required attachments were contained in their submission. Go to the Grants.gov Online Users 

Guide available at the Grants.gov site (http://go.usa.gov/cjaEh), choose Applicants, then Applicant 

Actions, then select the “Check My Application Status” option, click on the Download Submitted 

Applications feature, and follow the directions.

– Applicants can track their submission in the Grants.gov system by following the procedures at the 

Grants.gov site (http://go.usa.gov/cjamz ). It can take up to two business days for an application to 

fully move through the Grants.gov system to NIST. 

33
MEP Overview

Application and Submission Information (10)

Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM). 

– Pursuant to 2 C.F.R. part 25, applicants and recipients (as the case may be) are required to: 

• (i) be registered in SAM before submitting its application; and provide a valid unique entity identifier in its 

application; 

• (ii) (iii) continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it 

has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency, 

unless otherwise excepted from these requirements pursuant to 2 C.F.R. § 25.110. 

– When developing your submission timeline, keep in mind that 

• (1) all applicants are required to have a current registration in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov); 

• (2) a free annual registration process in the electronic System for Award Management (SAM) (see Section IV.3 and Section IV.7.a.(1)(b) may take 

between three and five business days or as long as more than two weeks, and

• (3) electronic applicants are required to have a current registration in Grants.gov; and 

• (4) applicants will receive a series of e-mail messages from Grants.gov over a period of up to two business days before learning whether a Federal 

agency’s electronic system has received its application. 

– NIST will not make a Federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable unique 

entity identifier and SAM requirements; if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time 

that NIST is ready to make a Federal award pursuant to this NOFO, NIST may determine that the applicant is not 

qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another 

applicant. 

– Applicants will find instructions on registering with SAM.gov as part of the Grants.gov process at: 

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 34
MEP Overview

Application and Submission Information (11)

• Submission Dates and Times. 

– Applicants must submit applications electronically through www.grants.gov.

• A receipt from Grants.gov indicating an application is received does not provide information 

about whether attachments have been received. 

– Electronic applications must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, 

June 2, 2017 

– NIST will not accept applications submitted by mail, facsimile, or by email.

• Applications received after the respective deadline will not be reviewed or considered.

When developing your submission timeline, please keep in mind that: 

• (1) all applicants are required to have a current registration in the System for Award Management 

(SAM.gov); 

• (2) the free annual registration process in the electronic System for Award Management (SAM.gov) (see 

Section IV.3. and Section IV.7.a.(1).b. of this NOFO) may take between three and five business days or as 

long as more than two weeks; and 

• (3) electronic applicants are required to have a current registration in Grants.gov; and 

• (4) applicants using Grants.gov will receive a series of e-mail messages over a period of up to two 

business days before learning whether a Federal agency’s electronic system has received its application.

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 35
MEP Overview

Application and Submission Information (12)

• Attachment of Required Application Documents

– Items IV.2.a.(6). through IV.2.a.(14). must be completed and attached by clicking on 

“Add Attachments” found in item 15 of the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance. 

This will create a zip file that allows for transmittal of the documents electronically via 

Grants.gov. 

• Application Replacement Pages. Applicants may not submit 

replacement pages and/or missing documents once an application 

has been submitted. Any revisions must be made by submission of a 

new application that must be received by NIST by the submission 

deadline

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 36
MEP Overview

Application and Submission Information (13)

• Submission Dates and Times. 

• Due Date for applications: June 2, 2017, Friday @ 11:59 pm EST

– NIST strongly recommends that applicants do not wait until the last minute to 

submit an application. NIST will not make allowance for any late submissions. 

– The responsibility for ensuring a complete application is received by NIST by the 

deadline is the sole responsibility of the applicant. 

– To avoid any potential processing backlogs due to last minute Grants.gov 

registrations, applicants are strongly encouraged to start their Grants.gov 

registration process at least four (4) weeks prior to the application due date. 

– To find instructions on submitting an application on Grants.gov, Applicants 

should refer to the “Applicants” tab in the banner just below the top of the 

www.grants.gov home page. 

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 37
MEP Overview

• MEP and Manufacturing USA Institute Overview

• Federal Award Information

• Eligibility Information

• Application and Submission Information

• Evaluation Criteria

• Review and Selection Process

• Selection Factors

• Reporting Requirements

• MEP Resources

• Key Take-Aways

• Agency Contacts

• FAQs 

• Staying in touch

Information Webinar Agenda

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 38
MEP Overview

Evaluation Review Criteria (1)

The applications will be evaluated based on the evaluation criteria described below (Total Points 

Available – 100).

a. Alignment with MOU Framework for MEP – Manufacturing USA Institute Collaboration (30 

points; sub-criteria will receive equal weight)

b. Development of a Sustainable Manufacturing USA Institute – MEP Collaboration to Benefit 

Small U.S. Manufacturers (10 points; sub-criteria will receive equal weight)

c. Manufacturing USA Institutes and MEP Network Building (20 points; sub-criteria will 

receive equal weight)

d. Key Personnel and Organizational Structure. (20 points; sub-criteria will receive equal 

weight)

e. Budget. (20 points; sub-criteria will receive equal weight) 

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 39
MEP Overview

Criterion 1: Alignment with MOU Framework for MEP – Manufacturing USA Institute 

Collaboration (30 points; sub-criteria will receive equal weight) 

i. Reviewers will assess the extent to which the applicant’s proposal aligns with the 4 elements of the 

NIST – DOD MOU (see Section I. of this NOFO), which defines the framework for how Manufacturing 

USA Institutes and MEP Centers can work together to facilitate engagement of small U.S. 

manufacturers to:

• Increase small U.S. manufacturer awareness of Manufacturing USA Institute focus areas and 

resources;

• Ensure the involvement of small U.S. manufacturers in the processes and activities 

associated with informing and developing the research agendas of the Manufacturing USA 

Institutes;

• Increase small U.S. manufacturers’ participation in Manufacturing USA Institute research; and 

• Ensure the transition of Manufacturing USA Institute research results to small U.S. 

manufacturers for implementation.

Reviewers will evaluate how effective and thorough the proposed approach will be in accomplishing 

these framework elements. The quality and technical merit of the proposed approach will be evaluated, 

as well as the number of framework elements that are addressed.

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 40
MEP Overview

Criterion 1: Alignment with MOU Framework for MEP – Manufacturing USA Institute 

Collaboration (30 points; sub-criteria will receive equal weight) CONTINUED....

ii. Reviewers will evaluate the adequacy of the proposed business model and service 

delivery mechanisms, including the respective roles and responsibilities of the proposed 

team members and their proposed relationships to each other, the identified tasks and 

measureable milestones and assess the likelihood that and the extent to which those 

models and mechanisms will be developed, tested, deployed, and implemented so as to 

best leverage available resources, add capabilities to the MEP System, and enhance 

the impact of Institutes’ efforts to benefit the technological needs of small 

manufacturers. The quality and technical merit of the applications will also be evaluated 

based upon the likelihood that and the extent to which the proposed approach will result 

in positive impacts for small U.S. manufacturers in terms of:

• new and retained sales; 

• jobs created or saved; and

• new small U.S. manufacturers’ investments in their businesses and small U.S. 

manufacturers’ cost savings.

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 41
MEP Overview

Criterion 2: Development of a Sustainable Manufacturing USA Institute – MEP 

Collaboration to Benefit Small U.S. Manufacturers (10 points; sub-criteria will receive 

equal weight) 

i. Reviewers will assess the viability of the proposed business models being developed 

and tested. Specifically, reviewers will evaluate the extent to which the proposed 

approach will be based upon a revenue model that is aligned with, and can persist 

within, the operating parameters for participating MEP Center(s), Manufacturing USA 

Institute(s), and the small U.S. manufacturers to be served. Included here will be an 

assessment of the likelihood that and the extent to which the proposed model will be 

able to sustain the provision of cutting edge innovative manufacturing technological 

assistance to small U.S. manufacturers beyond the period of performance of its award 

under this announcement.

ii. Reviewers will also assess the likelihood that the proposed approach will attract small 

U.S. manufacturers on a large scale – potentially on the order of hundreds or more, 

annually, per participating Institute.

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 42
MEP Overview

Criterion 3: Manufacturing USA Institutes and MEP Network Building (20 points; subcriteria will receive equal weight)

i. Reviewers will assess the extent to which the approach in the applicant’s proposal 

cultivates network building across the national network of MEP Centers, as well as the 

national network of Manufacturing USA Institutes and other organizations and entities 

involved with U.S. manufacturing. Reviewers will assess the quality, merit, depth, and 

breadth of the network building being proposed by each applicant.

ii. Reviewers will also specifically assess the number of MEP Centers and 

Manufacturing USA Institutes involved in the proposed approach for each application, 

as well as the geographic attributes of the network building that occurs (whether it is 

local, state, regional, national, or a combination). Proposals that are assessed as 

contributing to national network building and national scale benefits for U.S. 

manufacturing will be evaluated higher than those whose impacts are assessed as 

lesser and more localized.

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 43
MEP Overview

Criterion 4: Key Personnel and Organizational Structure. (20 points; sub-criteria will 

receive equal weight) 

Reviewers will assess the ability of the key personnel and the applicant’s proposed management structure to successfully conduct the project 

being proposed. It is the intent of NIST MEP and this program that project activities be true and significant collaborations between the 

participating MEP Centers and Manufacturing USA Institutes. Reviewers will assess the significance of the effort being proposed in terms of 

amount of staff time being allocated to the embedding of personnel from MEP Centers within Manufacturing USA Institutes, in relation to the 

overall proposed effort. Proposed approaches are required to fund the embedding of MEP Center personnel in residence at Manufacturing USA 

Institutes at a total level of effort and time commitment equal to or greater than 1.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff year.

It is required that the embedded MEP Center personnel must operate in residence at the participating Institutes. For purposes of this NOFO, 

MEP Center personnel being embedded in residence at a Manufacturing USA Institute means the MEP embedded personnel are physically 

based at the Institute commensurate with the commitment identified in the project narrative and budget, utilizing Institute office space and 

interacting with Institute staff and members. This must be clearly stated and evidenced in the proposal, and the applicant must include a 

statement that there will be at least one (1) or the equivalent of one (1) full-time FTE in residence at a specified Manufacturing USA 

institute(s) and provide salary information in their proposal that is consistent with this statement as full-time in the proposed budget.

Being embedded in residence also means that the embedded personnel are wholly focused on project tasking included in the proposed approach 

during the time while they’re embedded at the Institute – versus being focused on customary MEP Center duties.

Applicants may also propose approaches that involve the participation of multiple Manufacturing USA Institutes, as well as multiple MEP Centers. 

Any proposal, however, must include participation from at least one of the 4 Manufacturing USA Institutes identified in Sections I. and III.1 of this 

NOFO. 

A proposal that fails to meet the requirements set forth in this NOFO will be deemed as unresponsive to this 

NOFO.

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 44
MEP Overview

Criterion 4: Key Personnel and Organizational Structure. (20 points; sub-criteria will 

receive equal weight) 

Reviewers will assess the quality, merit, and extent to which the following is evident when evaluating the qualifications of the

applicant and of program management:

i. Proposed personnel identified from the MEP Center(s) to be embedded within the participating Manufacturing 

USA Institute(s) have the appropriate education, technical background, and experience assisting small U.S. 

manufacturers, especially in areas relating to technology acceleration and working with supply chains, to 

appropriately represent the involved MEP Center(s) to the involved Manufacturing USA Institute(s);

ii. Key personnel are identified in the participating Manufacturing USA Institute(s), the participating MEP Center(s), 

and other participating organizations to appropriately support the activities of the proposed Pilot Project, 

including the embedding of personnel; 

iii. Proposed management structure and organizational roles are clearly defined and aligned to plan, direct, monitor, 

organize and oversee the implementation of the proposed approach to achieve project objectives, and the 

proposed organizational structure flows logically from the specified approach to the project deliverables; and

iv. Proposed organizational structures and participating personnel from the MEP Center(s) and Manufacturing USA 

Institute(s) are ready to begin project operations upon receipt of funding award.

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 45
MEP Overview

Criterion 5: Budget. (20 points; sub-criteria will receive equal weight) 

Reviewers will assess the suitability and focus of the applicant’s budget for each year of the 

proposed Pilot, with a performance period of up to two (2) years. It is expected that the 

amount of project award funding that is applied to direct project activity costs, including 

salaries of embedded personnel, should be maximized. The reviewers will consider whether 

the:

i. Proposed budget projections are reasonable and appropriate for the scale of effort to 

be undertaken by the applicant over each year of the proposed project plan; and

ii. Proposal’s narrative explains the rationale for each of the budgeted items, including 

assumptions the applicant used in budgeting for the overall project, and the 

proposed budget is aligned to support the execution of the proposed project 

consistent with the objectives of the project, the objectives and expectations of this 

program, and to advance MEP system goals.

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 46
MEP Overview

• MEP and Manufacturing USA Institute Overview

• Federal Award Information

• Eligibility Information

• Application and Submission Information

• Evaluation Criteria

• Review and Selection Process

• Selection Factors

• Reporting Requirements

• MEP Resources

• Key Take-Aways

• Agency Contacts

• FAQs 

• Staying in touch

Information Webinar Agenda

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 47
MEP Overview

Review and Selection Process (1)

Proposals Received

Preliminary Quality Review 

Evaluation Panel: Full 

Technical Review

Technical Scores provided 

to Subject Matter Expert

Identification of and 

Questions and/or 

Teleconf./Video Conf./Site 

Visits (if necessary)

Ranking Against All 

Evaluation Criteria

Rank Order provided to 

Selecting Official and Final 

Selections made

Negotiations

Cooperative Agreement

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MEP Overview

Review and Selection Process (2)

• Initial Administrative Review of Applications. 

• Full Review of Eligible, Complete, and Responsive Applications. 

– Evaluation, Review and Ranking 

– A rank order will be prepared based on the average of the reviewers’ 

scores and assigned adjectival ratings in accordance with the 

following scale: 

– Fundable, Outstanding (90-100);

– Fundable, Very Good (80-89);

– Fundable (70-79); or 

– Unfundable (0-69).

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 49
MEP Overview

• MEP and Manufacturing USA Institute Overview

• Federal Award Information

• Eligibility Information

• Application and Submission Information

• Evaluation Criteria

• Review and Selection Process

• Selection Factors

• Reporting Requirements

• MEP Resources

• Key Take-Aways

• Agency Contacts

• FAQs 

• Staying in touch

Information Webinar Agenda

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 50
MEP Overview

Selection Factors

• The availability of Federal funds; 

• Relevance of the proposed project to the program goals and policy 

objectives;

• Reviewers' evaluations, including technical comments; 

• Ensuring appropriate geographic diversity in the award of MEP funding, 

as well diversity in awarding MEP funding to multiple MEP Centers and 

Manufacturing USA Institutes; 

• Ensuring appropriate diversity in targeted industry sectors and/or supply 

chains; 

• The selection factors contained in 15 U.S.C. § 278k-1(e)(3) and 

• Whether the project duplicates other projects funded by DoC or by other 

Federal agencies. 

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 51
MEP Overview

• MEP and Manufacturing USA Institute Overview

• Federal Award Information

• Eligibility Information

• Application and Submission Information

• Evaluation Criteria

• Review and Selection Process

• Selection Factors

• Reporting Requirements

• MEP Resources

• Key Take-Aways

• Agency Contacts

• FAQs 

• Staying in touch

Information Webinar Agenda

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 52
MEP Overview

Reporting Requirements

• In lieu of the reporting requirements described in Sections A.01 Performance (Technical) Reports and B.02 

Financial Reports of the Department of Commerce Financial Assistance Standard Terms and Conditions 

(December 26, 2014), the following reporting requirements shall apply:

– Financial Reports. The Recipient shall submit an SF-425, Federal Financial Report, into the MEP’s Enterprise 

Information System (MEIS) on a semi-annual basis after the sixth and twelfth month of each operating year, unless other reporting intervals and/or due dates are identified by the NIST Grants Officer pursuant to a Special 

Award Condition. Reports will be due within 30 days after the end of each semi-annual reporting period. The 

Recipient shall submit a final SF-425 within 90 days after the expiration date of the award.

– Performance (Technical) Reports. The Recipient shall submit a Technical Report (completing all required MEIS 

fields) on a semi-annual basis after the sixth and twelfth month of each operating year, unless other reporting 

intervals and/or due dates are identified by the NIST Grants Officer pursuant to a Special Award Condition. Reports 

are due in MEIS no later than 30 days following the end of each reporting period. The Recipient shall submit a final 

Technical/Quarterly report within 90 days after the expiration date of the award. Technical/Quarterly Report details 

are accessible on the MEIS website (https://meis.nist.gov/).Technical progress reports shall contain information as 

prescribed in the NIST MEP Reporting Guidelines (OMB Control Number 0693-0032). For further information 

regarding the NIST MEP Reporting Process, you may download a copy of the NIST MEP Reporting Guidelines at 

www.nist.gov/mep/embedding-mep-manufacturing-usa-institutes-pilot-projects-round-two

– Post Client Project Follow-Up. The recipient will be required to provide client and project data on a quarterly 

basis (unless otherwise directed by the NIST Grants Officer) and in a specified format to the organization identified 

by NIST/MEP in order for post-project follow-up data to be obtained (OMB Control Number 0693-0021). For 

further information regarding the NIST MEP Reporting Process, you may download a copy of the NIST MEP 

Reporting Guidelines at www.nist.gov/mep/embedding-mep-manufacturing-usa-institutes-pilot-projects-round-two

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 53
MEP Overview

• MEP and Manufacturing USA Institute Overview

• Federal Award Information

• Eligibility Information

• Application and Submission Information

• Evaluation Criteria

• Review and Selection Process

• Selection Factors

• Reporting Requirements

• MEP Resources

• Key Take-Aways

• Agency Contacts

• FAQs 

• Staying in touch

Information Webinar Agenda

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 54
MEP Overview

MEP Resources

• Manufacturing USA Institutes, http://www.manufacturing.gov/nnmi-institutes/

• Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. Department of Defense 

Office of the Secretary of Defense Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense 

for Manufacturing and Industrial Base Policy and the U.S. Department of 

Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing 

Extension Partnership, May 2015

• Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. Department of Energy 

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Advanced Manufacturing 

Office and the U.S. Department of Commerce National Institute of 

Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership

• Find links to both MOUs at www.nist.gov/mep/embedding-mepmanufacturing-usa-institutes-pilot-projects-round-three

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 55
MEP Overview

• MEP and Manufacturing USA Institute Overview

• Federal Award Information

• Eligibility Information

• Application and Submission Information

• Evaluation Criteria

• Review and Selection Process

• Selection Factors

• Reporting Requirements

• MEP Resources

• Key Take-Aways

• Agency Contacts

• FAQs 

• Staying in touch

Information Webinar Agenda

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 56
MEP Overview

Key Take-Aways

• Highly suggested to read NOFO thoroughly (multiple times)

• Recognize what is required vs suggested/encouraged

• Attention to what counts towards page limit of 25 pages vs what does not count 

• Complete the mandatory standard Data sets/forms for funding applications

• No Double Charging Against other NIST/MEP or Institute Awards

• Be fully aware of the steps for submitting via grants.gov – DO NOT WAIT UNTIL 

THE LAST MINUTE TO SUBMIT!

• Ensure SAM.gov registration has been established and organization has received 

confirmation of validated account (Recommend completing well in advance of 

submitting application in grants.gov). Registration information is current.

• There is a suggested budget format and budget narrative for your use

• Negotiations take place between NIST and the applicant organization not the 

subrecipients.

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 57
MEP Overview

• MEP and Manufacturing USA Institute Overview

• Federal Award Information

• Eligibility Information

• Application and Submission Information

• Evaluation Criteria

• Review and Selection Process

• Selection Factors

• Reporting Requirements

• MEP Resources

• Key Take-Aways

• Agency Contacts

• FAQs 

• Staying in touch

Information Webinar Agenda

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 58
MEP Overview

Agency Contacts

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 59

Subject Area Point of Contact

Administrative, budget, cost-sharing, 

eligibility questions and other 

programmatic questions. 

Michael Simpson

Phone: (301) 975-6147

Fax: (301) 963-6556 

E-mail: mepnofo@nist.gov 

Technical Assistance with Grants.gov 

Submissions 

Christopher Hunton 

Phone: (301) 975-5718 

Fax: (301) 975-8884 

E-mail: grants@nist.gov

Grants.gov

Phone: (800) 518-4726 

E-mail: support@grants.gov

Grant Rules and Regulations Gilbert Castillo

Phone: (301) 975-3726

E-mail: gilbert.castillo@nist.gov 
MEP Overview

• MEP and Manufacturing USA Institute Overview

• Federal Award Information

• Eligibility Information

• Application and Submission Information

• Evaluation Criteria

• Review and Selection Process

• Selection Factors

• Reporting Requirements

• MEP Resources

• Key Take-Aways

• Agency Contacts

• FAQs 

• Staying in touch

Information Webinar Agenda

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 60
MEP Overview

Have additional questions.....

Please submit all questions in writing to NIST MEP, 

mepnofo@nist.gov

Questions and Answers will be posted regularly on the NIST MEP 

Public Site, www.nist.gov/mep/embedding-mep-manufacturing-usainstitutes-pilot-projects-round-three

New questions added to the FAQ will be identified with the date in 

which they were added to the document for ease of reference.

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 61
MEP Overview

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