2021 MEP ANNUAL REPORT
1

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Letter from the Director

I join the MEP program with a deep appreciation of the importance of small manufacturers to the U.S. economy, 

national security and to communities across the country. These firms help form America’s economic backbone and 

provide well-paying, stable jobs. I am incredibly impressed with the work that MEP Centers do every day to find 

solutions to the challenges that manufacturers face. Experts across the MEP National NetworkTM are providing to 

manufacturers workforce training services, finding domestic suppliers to reshore their supply chains, and giving 

assistance in adopting advanced technologies that will make them more resilient and competitive. The variety of 

services MEP Centers offer to manufacturers is impressive. In the coming year, I am looking forward to working 

with our partners to find even more ways that the MEP program can effectively serve manufacturers and have a 

positive impact on the U.S. economy.

In the earliest days of the pandemic, NIST MEP was awarded $50 million by Congress under the Coronavirus 

Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to help the MEP Centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico address 

the sustainability of small and medium-sized manufacturing. NIST MEP issued the awards in record time so MEP 

Centers had the funds available quickly to implement critically needed COVID-19-related projects. The success 

stories and impacts resulting from this emergency funding are inspiring. With CARES Act funding, MEP Centers 

developed relationships with thousands of new manufacturing clients and continued to expand the reach of the 

program. By the end of 2021, more than 7,000 CARES Act-funded projects were completed and helped over 

5,000 companies recover from the effects of the pandemic, and in some cases, find new ways to thrive. It is a 

remarkable accomplishment.

This past year, while the experts at MEP Centers worked directly with manufacturers, their success was supported 

by the dedicated public servants that make up the NIST MEP staff. The entire NIST MEP team received the 

Department of Commerce Gold Medal Award for exceptional speed, efficiency and transparency in executing 

CARES Act provisions. In addition, NIST MEP’s Marlon Walker received NIST’s George A. Uriano Award for leadership 

of the MEP-Assisted Technology and Technical Resource (MATTR) service that connects NIST laboratory technical 

capabilities and resources with the needs of small U.S. manufacturers through MEP Centers. Dileep Thatte was 

honored with the 2021 NIST Distinguished Mentoring Award.

I’m proud to lead the NIST MEP team and honored to lead this remarkable program. My heartfelt thanks go 

to former MEP Director Carroll Thomas, whose leadership ensured the MEP National Network was uniquely 

positioned to work with manufacturers and ready to meet the pandemic’s challenges. My sincere thanks also 

go to MEP Deputy Director Rob Ivester, for his work as Acting Director for most of 2021.

The continuing COVID-19 pandemic has created new challenges for U.S. manufacturers on a daily basis over 

the past two years. Nearly every manufacturer in the country has suffered pandemic-related supply chain and 

workforce issues. Although manufacturers continue to face significant challenges, I am confident that the MEP 

National Network will work collaboratively to create solutions. I am excited to guide the Network forward with 

a new vision, beginning with a new strategic plan coming out in 2022. I am also honored to be a part of the 

important efforts to support U.S. manufacturers and U.S. manufacturing, and looking forward to what we can 

accomplish together.

Sincerely,

Pravina Raghavan, MEP Director
2

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Table of Contents

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

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

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

Program Impacts................................................................................................................................................................................... 6

CARES Act Funding Impacts....................................................................................................................................................... 7

Key Legislation ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 8

MEP Program Budget........................................................................................................................................................................... 9

Summit Consulting and W.E. Upjohn Institute Report..........................................................................................................10

MEP Advisory Board...........................................................................................................................................................................11

About the MEP Advisory Board...............................................................................................................................................11

Members..........................................................................................................................................................................................11

Meetings..........................................................................................................................................................................................15

Advisory Board Working Group Updates.............................................................................................................................16

MEP National Network 2017-2022 Strategic Plan ...................................................................................................................17

Goals..................................................................................................................................................................................................17

Success Defined in Short, Mid and Long-Term Goals......................................................................................................18

Accomplishments and New Goals..........................................................................................................................................19

MEP National Network Update ......................................................................................................................................................20

Success Stories: CARES Act in Action.....................................................................................................................................21

MEP Role in Executive Orders...................................................................................................................................................22

MEP National Network Supplier Scouting...........................................................................................................................23

Center Leadership Team.............................................................................................................................................................23

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

Workforce: Developing Talent for Tomorrow’s Workplace.............................................................................................25

Network Learning.................................................................................................................................................................26

MEP-Assisted Technology and Technical Resource (MATTR) ........................................................................................27

MEP Manufacturer Resilience Steering Team.....................................................................................................................27
3

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

MEP National Network Update Meeting..............................................................................................................................28

NIST MEP Special Awards Programs.......................................................................................................................................29

NIST MEP Competitive Awards Program......................................................................................................................29

NIST Manufacturing Disaster Assessment Program ................................................................................................29

Cybersecurity for Manufacturing............................................................................................................................................31

Food Industry Services and Food Safety..............................................................................................................................32

MEP National Network Brand Awareness Campaign.......................................................................................................33

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

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

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

MEP Programmatic Evaluations...............................................................................................................................................35

Annual Reviews.....................................................................................................................................................................35

NIST MEP State Partnership Support Program...................................................................................................................36

Award-Winning NIST MEP Staff ...............................................................................................................................................37

Coming in 2022....................................................................................................................................................................................38

New MEP Program Themes.......................................................................................................................................................38

Supply Chain..........................................................................................................................................................................38

Workforce................................................................................................................................................................................38

Technology and Innovation..............................................................................................................................................38

Legislation: A Look Ahead.........................................................................................................................................................39

FY 2022 Operation Allies Welcome ........................................................................................................................................40

FY 2022 Center State Competition.........................................................................................................................................40

Workcred..........................................................................................................................................................................................41

Manufacturing Day 2022 ...........................................................................................................................................................41

2022 MEP Events...........................................................................................................................................................................42

MEP Centers..........................................................................................................................................................................................43
4

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

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 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. The MEP National Network also includes 

the MEP Advisory Board, MEP Center boards, and the Foundation for Manufacturing Excellence, as well 

as over 1,400 trusted advisors and experts at approximately 450 MEP service locations, providing any U.S. 

manufacturer with access to resources they need to succeed. 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 Director Former MEP Director MEP Deputy Director

Pravina Raghavan Carroll Thomas Rob Ivester

New Leadership

2021 brought leadership change to the MEP program. After MEP Director Carroll Thomas retired 

at the beginning of 2021, MEP Deputy Director Rob Ivester, who joined NIST MEP in March 2020, 

stepped in as Acting Director leading the program through most of 2021 until Pravina Raghavan 

was named the new permanent MEP Director in December 2021. Pravina, with more than 20 years 

of experience connecting companies with the resources they need to succeed, continues the MEP 

program’s line of strong leadership.
5

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

The MEP National Network Mission:

To strengthen and empower U.S. manufacturers

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.
6

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Program Impacts

According to a third-party survey, in this fiscal year (FY) of 2021, the MEP National Network interacted with 

34,307 U.S. manufacturers from nearly all manufacturing industries. MEP Center clients from across the 

country reported that the assistance they received helped to create or retain 125,746 manufacturing jobs 

in FY 2021. MEP Center clients had $14.4 billion in new and retained sales (including $3.9 billion in new 

sales) and realized $1.5 billion in cost savings as manufacturers navigated numerous challenges due to the 

COVID-19 pandemic. For every dollar of federal investment in FY 2021, the MEP National Network generated 

$26.20 in new sales growth and $34.50 in new client investment. During this same time, for every $1,193 of 

federal investment, the Network created or retained one manufacturing job. Since 1988, MEP has worked 

with 132,431 manufacturers, leading to $138.8 billion in new sales and $26.2 billion in cost savings, and it has 

helped create and retain over 1.45 million jobs.
7

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

CARES Act Funding Impacts

In 2020, NIST MEP was awarded $50 million by Congress under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic 

Security (CARES) Act to help the MEP Centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico address the sustainability of 

small and medium-sized manufacturing. NIST MEP issued the awards in record time so MEP Centers had 

the funds available quickly to implement critically needed COVID-19-related projects. In 2021, MEP Centers 

continued the important work of using CARES Act funding to help manufacturers increase production of 

personal protective equipment, recover from workforce and supply chain interruptions, and achieve

 greater resilience.

Through 2021, MEP Centers served 5,221 companies with 7,187 CARES Act-funded projects. CARES Act 

funding expanded the reach of the MEP Centers, enabling them to serve more than 2,200 new 

manufacturing clients.

7,187 

projects

CARES Act Impacts 

through 2021

5,221 

companies

2,200

new manufacturing

clients 

MEP Centers have 

completed...

serving...

including over...
8

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Key Legislation

Manufacturing in general and the MEP program in particular received a great deal of legislative attention 

and executive action during 2021. In the new administration’s first week, Executive Order 14005, Ensuring 

the Future is Made in All of America by All of America’s Workers, highlighted the president’s emphasis on 

manufacturing. This executive order specifically directed agencies to partner with NIST MEP to conduct 

supplier scouting. It is rare for executive orders to mention specific federal programs, and a first for MEP – 

demonstrating a new heightened visibility for the MEP program.

In addition to executive branch actions, Congress put numerous bills forward regarding U.S. manufacturing. 

For example, the U.S. Senate considered the Endless Frontier Act which contained provisions for NIST MEP. 

These included piloting a new grant authority for expansion awards – another vehicle for the program to 

issue federal funding to the MEP Centers. The bill also contained an authorization for quadrupling the MEP 

program’s budget. This legislation became part of the United States Innovation and Competition Act of 2021 

(USICA) which passed the Senate in June 2021. A companion bill would need to pass the U.S. House in order 

for it to move to the president’s desk and be signed into law. Congress also passed the massive $1.2 trillion 

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (Public Law 117-58) which was signed into law by the 

president on Nov. 15, 2021. This contained many requirements which will impact manufacturing.

The National Defense Authorization Act 

for FY 2021 mentioned 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. Section 9413, “National 

Institute of Standards and Technology 

Manufacturing Extension Partnership 

Program Supply Chain Database,” called 

for a study to evaluate the feasibility, 

advisability and costs of establishing a 

national supply chain database within the 

MEP program. NIST MEP conducted this 

study and prepared a report for the NIST 

Director that was delivered to Congress in 

early 2021.
9

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

MEP Program Budget

The FY 2021 appropriation for the NIST MEP program was $150 million, which represented an increase of

 $4 million over NIST MEP’s FY 2020 funding amount of $146 million. Similar to NIST MEP’s FY 2020 

appropriated funds, nonfederal cost share requirements were waived for FY 2021 federal funding for 

MEP Centers.

Approximately $124 million of the MEP program’s funding went directly to the MEP Center base awards. 

Nearly $1.5 million in additional funds were awarded competitively to Centers for direct support of the MEP 

National Network’s engagements with manufacturing firms, as well as for enhancing the Network’s ability to 

deliver a greater range of services and to deliver services more efficiently.
10

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Summit Consulting and 

W.E. Upjohn Institute Report

In January 2021, 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 13.6:1 for the $146 million 

invested in the program in FY 2020 by the federal government. 

The entire country, and the thousands of SMMs, along with MEP Centers across the U.S., faced enormous 

challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic dislocation. Despite these 

obstacles, manufacturers proved to be resilient, and MEP Centers continued to deliver a consistent and 

significant return on investment to the nation.

The study also found that total employment in the U.S. was nearly 252,000 higher because of the direct 

economic impacts generated from MEP Center projects, which include new and retained sales, jobs created 

and retained, and new client investments. The Summit/Upjohn study examined additional areas of 

economic impact – personal income was $15.5 billion higher and gross domestic product was $20.9 billion 

larger than it would have been without the MEP program, translating into an increase of $1.99 billion in 

personal income tax revenue to the federal government.

The full report is available online. 

About the Team

Summit Consulting is a quantitative and qualitative consulting firm that works with federal and private 

sector clients to turn data into actionable intelligence. The W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, 

a private, not-for-profit, nonpartisan, independent research organization, has studied policy-related issues 

of employment and unemployment since its founding in 1945.

JOBS

252,000

GDP

$20.9

BILLION

RETURN ON 

INVESTMENT

13.6:1
11

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

MEP Advisory Board

About the MEP Advisory Board

The statutory purpose of the Board is to provide advice and assessments to the NIST Director on the following items:

z The activities, plans and policies of the MEP program

z The soundness of the program’s plans and strategies

z Current performance in relation to MEP program plans

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 MEP 

Center board and at least five other members must represent small U.S. businesses from the manufacturing 

sector. In addition, at least one Board member must represent a community college. The law requires the 

Board to meet at least twice per year. In FY 2021, the Board met by videoconference 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 have and will continue to positively 

impact the MEP program into the future.

Members

MATTHEW B. NEWMAN, CHAIR 

Principal Managing Partner

New Era Advisors

Tulsa, Oklahoma

MARY ISBISTER, VICE CHAIR

President

GenMet Corporation

Mequon, Wisconsin
12

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

RAY AGUERREVERE 

Vice President/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

Joined the Board: July 2021

Senior Advisor

Econsult Solutions, Inc.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
13

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

KEVIN HELLER 

Resigned from the Board: September 2021

Chief Operations Officer/Chief Financial Officer

The Ziegenfelder Company

Wheeling, West Virginia

MIRIAM KMETZO

Joined the Board: July 2021 

Executive Vice President

Welding Technology Corp.

Farmington Hills, Michigan

WILLIE E. MAY, PH.D. 

Resigned from the Board: September 2021

Vice President for Research and Economic Development

Morgan State University

Baltimore, Maryland

PATRICIA MOULTON 

President

Vermont Technical College

Randolph Center, Vermont

MITCH MAGEE 

Manufacturing Industry Consultant

Hamilton, Ohio
14

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

GEORGE SPOTTSWOOD 

Owner and Chief Executive Officer

Quality Filters, Inc.

Robertsdale, Alabama

LESLIE TAITO 

Executive Vice President for Business Operations

Taco Comfort Solutions

Cranston, Rhode Island

JIM WRIGHT

Vice President of Operations

Proof Research

Columbia Falls, Montana

KATHAY RENNELS

Special Advisor to the Chancellor for Rural-Urban Initiatives

Colorado State University System

Denver, Colorado
15

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Meetings

The MEP Advisory Board gathered via videoconference for three meetings in 2021. Board members along 

with NIST leadership, NIST MEP staff, MEP Center leadership and staff, and MEP program stakeholders 

met on Feb. 23, June 30 and Aug. 31. All three meetings were held virtually due to the pandemic. At each 

meeting, the Board received detailed updates from NIST MEP leadership on programmatic operations and 

performance regarding the MEP National Network 2017-2022 Strategic Plan, including progress toward 

meeting its goals. Each meeting included high level discussions of various topics integral to the program, 

such as legislative updates, and report outs from the Board’s three working groups: the MEP National Network 

Strategic Plan 2023-2027 Working Group, the Supply Chain Development Working Group and the Executive 

Committee Working Group. 

These meetings provided opportunities for Board members to discuss the dynamic and constantly changing 

issues facing manufacturers, stay current on the latest trends in manufacturing, advise the NIST Director 

about the MEP program, and to actively engage with MEP Center Directors and other stakeholders. Each 

meeting also featured robust and extended discussions from the Board about several interrelated topics 

critical to manufacturing, including workforce, supply chains, manufacturing resilience, reshoring and 

manufacturing technology. A focus on the future resonated throughout the three MEP Advisory Board 

meetings, and strategic planning received a great deal of attention. Detailed MEP Advisory Board

meeting minutes are available on the NIST MEP website.

Focus on the Future

In 2021, efforts focused on how the MEP 

Centers could work creatively to address 

the pressing needs of manufacturing in the 

areas of workforce needs, national supply 

chain challenges and growing manufacturing 

technology. In addition, at the February 2021 

Board meeting, a presentation and discussion 

outlined a strategic planning foundation for the 

Board’s new MEP National Network 2023-2027 

Strategic Plan Working Group, which undertook 

an initiative to envision the Network’s future. 

At the June and August Board meetings, this 

working group presented and engaged Board 

members in discussions for feedback on the 

future of the program. This included extended 

focus groups discussing overarching resilience, 

reshoring, national supply chain, technology 

and workforce.
16

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Advisory Board Working Group Updates

MEP National Network Strategic Plan 2023-2027 Working Group 

Strategic planning played a central role for the MEP Advisory Board in 2021, and the MEP National Network 

Strategic Plan 2023-2027 Working Group led this complex process. This working group provided long-term 

guidance and perspectives for the MEP National Network 2023-2027 Strategic Plan and considered feedback 

from Centers, stakeholders, partners, NIST MEP management and staff as the plan was discussed. The 

working group sought to spur discussions and explore possibilities for the future of the program from a 

foundation of creative and inspirational thinking. In 2021, this working group included the following MEP 

Advisory Board members: Kathay Rennels, lead, Don Bockoven, Bernadine Hawes, Kevin Heller, Mary Isbister, 

Willie May, Matt Newman and Jim Wright, as well as NIST MEP staff support.

Advisory Board Executive Committee Working Group

In 2021, the Center Board Outreach Program continued as a focus of the group. Fostering strong connections 

between our Board and the MEP Center boards remained a priority. The goal was to create a mutual 

exchange of information and communication to strengthen the MEP National Network and help the Board 

achieve its statutory requirements to advise the NIST Director on the activities, plans and policies of the 

MEP program. This working group was also actively engaged in succession planning as many current 

Board members’ terms expire in 2023. This was closely tied to Center outreach efforts – people across the 

Network have expressed interest in the MEP program. In 2021, this working group included the following 

MEP Advisory Board members: Mary Isbister, lead, Mitch Magee, Pat Moulton, Matt Newman and George 

Spottswood, as well as NIST MEP staff support.

Supply Chain Development Working Group

While largely focused in the past on Department of Defense (DOD) supply chains and cybersecurity awareness, 

a heightened awareness of the role the MEP program could play in the nation’s greater supply chain resilience 

was a new emphasis for this working group in 2021. The working group’s goal in 2021 was to increase resilience 

for U.S. supply chains overall and at the individual manufacturer level so that key products and critical 

technologies, as described in Executive Order 14017, could be more effectively sourced domestically. Building 

resilience would position manufacturers to be both responsive and proactive. In 2021, MEP Centers offered a 

wide range of resilience assistance to U.S. manufacturers, from business assessments and technology awareness 

to cybersecurity and risk management. In 2021, this working group included the following MEP Advisory Board 

members: Don Bockoven, lead, Ray Aguerrevere, LaDon Byars, Mary Isbister and Matt Newman, as well as NIST 

MEP staff support.
17

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

MEP National Network 2017-2022 Strategic Plan

The MEP Advisory Board continued to review and discuss the progress made on the MEP National Strategic 

Plan 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. The full plan can be downloaded from the NIST 

MEP website. At each meeting, the Board was provided with updates, including detailed Network priorities 

along with measurable results outlining continuing progress. This information is available in the Board 

meeting minutes posted on the NIST MEP website.

Goals

The strategic plan’s four principal goals include:
18

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

18-MONTH MEASURES OF SUCCESS:

• Strengthening the national supply chain by increasing supplier scouting requests by 10%

• Serving the manufacturing workforce by increasing clients engaged with workforce projects by 10%

• Increasing visibility by amplifying Network brand awareness by at least an additional 10%

• Leading in technology deployment by increasing clients engaged with technology services projects by

10% and MATTR requests by 10%

As the go-to resource for U.S. manufacturers, the MEP program should ...

• Be 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

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

• Deliver integrated digitalization and cybersecurity assistance to dispersed supply chains and embrace

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. 

• 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:

Success Defined in Short, Mid and Long-Term Goals
19

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Accomplishments and New Goals

At the February and June meetings, the Board received detailed updates from the MEP Acting Director on 

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

which ran through March 2021. These included reaching consensus across the Network on the definition of 

project and client manufacturing establishment interaction, operationally improving reporting, increasing 

reported projects and reported new clients, and amplifying and measuring MEP National Network brand 

awareness. Steady progress toward these 18-month goals was seen across the Network, with nearly all the 

goals met or exceeded. New 18-month goals through the end of the current strategic plan were introduced 

at the August Board meeting. They included:

z Strengthening the national supply chain by increasing supplier scouting requests by 10%

z Serving the manufacturing workforce by increasing clients engaged with workforce projects by 10%

z Increasing visibility by amplifying Network brand awareness by at least an additional 10%

z Leading in technology deployment by increasing clients engaged with technology services projects

by 10% and MATTR requests by 10%
20

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

IN REMEMBRANCE

Chuck Spangler

CEO/President of South Carolina MEP

Mark Sessumes

Center Director of TMAC (Texas MEP Center)

MEP National Network Update

Continuing challenges due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic revealed incredible strength and 

resourcefulness across the MEP National Network. Increased recognition of the MEP program by 

Congress and the administration heightened attention and visibility to our program and its importance 

to U.S. manufacturing and the overall economy. In 2021, the 51 MEP Centers in every state and Puerto 

Rico continued supporting manufacturers and helping them build resilience in innovative ways to meet 

constantly changing challenges.

We lost valued colleagues and friends across the MEP National Network this year, including 

Mark Sessumes and Chuck Spangler, Center Directors for the Texas and South Carolina MEP Centers, 

respectively. They are deeply missed.
21

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Success Stories: CARES Act in Action

Headframe Spirits and Custom Contract Furnishings were two of the thousands of 

U.S manufacturers that benefited from CARES Act funding and, as a result, successfully

responded to the pandemic’s challenges.

Like many small distilleries, 

Headframe quickly pivoted to 

manufacturing much-needed 

hand sanitizer. Montana 

Manufacturing Extension Center 

(the Montana MEP Center) 

helped them source hardto-find packaging materials and 

Headframe ultimately donated 

thousands of gallons of hand 

sanitizer to over 20 organizations.

Supply chain disruptions hit 

Custom Contract Furnishings 

(CCF) early in the pandemic. 

The company quickly pivoted 

operations to produce personal 

protective equipment – 

preserving CCF’s workforce 

and business. With North 

Carolina Manufacturing 

Extension Partnership’s 

help, CCF implemented a 

quality management system 

and achieved its Food and 

Drug Administration (FDA) registration, revitalizing the company as its business moves in 

unexpected directions.

CARES Act funding made these and many other success stories possible for manufacturers 

across the U.S. Click the links above or search the company names on the Department of 

Commerce blog (https://www.commerce.gov/news/blog) to read more about how these two 

companies partnered with their local MEP Centers.

SUCCESS STORIES
22

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

MEP Role in Executive Orders

On Jan. 25, President Biden signed Executive Order (EO) 14005, Ensuring the Future is Made in All of America

by All of America’s Workers. This EO was part of the administration’s broader commitment to increase 

investments in U.S. manufacturing. It called for the federal government to spend taxpayer dollars on 

goods made by American workers with American-made parts. An unusual occurrence for a specific federal 

government program, EO 14005 included a citation of the MEP program and its capabilities by name. The 

EO specifically directed federal agencies to work with NIST MEP and its Network of 51 MEP Centers to 

connect with new domestic suppliers who could make the products federal agencies needed while 

employing America’s workers. In support of EO 14005, NIST MEP partnered with federal agencies and 

private top-of-supply chain entities to identify supply chain gaps.

On Feb. 24, the President signed EO 14017, the Executive Order on America’s Supply Chains. This EO called 

for shoring up America’s key supply chains so that critical products and technologies were more effectively 

and comprehensively sourced domestically. MEP Supplier Scouting and the MEP-Assisted Technology and 

Technical Resource (MATTR) services expanded in support of this EO, and MEP Centers across the country 

assisted individual U.S. manufacturers to become more resilient.

On April 26, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen hosted Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo to highlight how the American Rescue 

Plan is helping New Hampshire recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis. This was Secretary Raimondo’s 

first trip as head of the U.S. Department of Commerce. They toured a New Hampshire MEP Center client, AeroDynamics 

in Seabrook, New Hampshire, where they discussed the important role the MEP program plays in providing SMMs 

with the resources these firms need to grow and expand. They were joined by leadership from AeroDynamics and 

the New Hampshire MEP, local officials, and representatives from the New Hampshire Aerospace and Defense Export 

Consortium. Secretary Raimondo said she was proud of the Commerce Department’s MEP program in supporting local 

manufacturing businesses like AeroDynamics, which she said are essential to growing local economies, creating jobs and 

strengthening our supply chains.
23

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

MEP National Network Supplier Scouting

The MEP Supplier Scouting service expanded to help build more resilient supply chains across the country. 

Relaunched in March 2020, all 51 MEP Centers have participated in this effort, using a variety of approaches 

and tools to do scouting. NIST MEP noted increased visibility and potential use of the MEP Supplier Scouting 

service for federal agencies/procurements in support of EO 14005. In addition, NIST MEP leveraged the 

service nationally to analyze and map critical supply chain needs, gaps and help to address them.

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. They provide input on 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. In 2021, the CLT continued using regional communication node calls for connecting 

MEP Centers to build relationships and increase support. These regional nodes have proven to be an 

efficient and effective way to improve communications, and increase engagement and participation 

in the MEP National Network. 
24

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Advanced Manufacturing Technology Services/Industry 4.0

The MEP National Network is providing manufacturers with the resources and services needed to reach 

end-to-end digitization of all physical assets and integration into digital ecosystems. In 2021, SMMs increased 

adoption of Industry 4.0 technology to combat challenges they faced in supply chain and workforce 

shortages, as well as for capacity building and new market growth. 

In 2020, NIST MEP awarded approximately $8 million for advanced manufacturing projects, including five 

Advanced Manufacturing Technology Services awards and three Competitive Awards Program awards. In 

2021, these projects continued to assist SMMs to build back smarter in an uncertain economic environment. 

In addition, a 2019 Competitive Awards Program-funded project, Oregon MEP’s Industry 4.0 Technology 

Acceleration Program, resulted in a 2021 follow-up project that emphasized cloud computing, collaborative 

robots and Department of Defense cybersecurity compliance. 

The following NIST MEP Competitive Awards Program projects provided Industry 4.0 solutions during 2021:

z FloridaMakes (the Florida MEP Center) 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

z Ohio MEP helping manufacturers navigate their digital transformation

z University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services (the Tennessee MEP Center) Advanced

Technical Team developing capabilities for technology transfer based on SMM needs, partnering

with MEP Centers across the U.S., successfully providing vendor options, project scopes and creating

relationships when technical needs have surpassed field staff expertise
25

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Workforce: Developing Talent for Tomorrow’s Workplace

The U.S. manufacturing industry faces growing competition from abroad while struggling to develop a 

skilled, dedicated workforce here at home. Before the pandemic, 600,000 manufacturing jobs were reported 

as unfilled nationwide. To respond to this challenge, the MEP National Network innovated across the nation 

to grow and diversify the workforce. New programs were piloted to reach many population sectors that could 

and should consider manufacturing careers, such as:

z Underrepresented populations (people of color and women)

z Youth from kindergarten through high school

z Returning citizens

z “Opportunity youth” (people ages 18-26, neither in college nor working)

z Recent immigrants

In 2021, MEP Centers engaged in a wide variety of activities to help SMMs connect to resources and develop 

skilled workers. Essential components of these efforts included:

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

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

programming. Many Centers helped small groups of companies implement new and customized registered 

apprenticeships. As part of their state manufacturing ecosystems, MEP Centers partnered with local and state 

education systems, including career and technical education programs, community colleges and universities. 

These partnerships provided access to career pathways, training opportunities, mentorships, internships

and apprenticeships.

Manufacturing Day 2021 was a mix of in-person and 

virtual events across the country. President Biden 

mentioned the MEP program in the Proclamation on

National Manufacturing Day, 2021: “My Administration 

has also invested in our Nation’s communities and 

the manufacturing base that builds them. Through 

programs like the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, 

Manufacturing USA, and opportunities sponsored by the 

Economic Development Administration of the Department 

of Commerce, we are providing resources to support and 

strengthen STEM education, infrastructure, technology 

hubs, and economic opportunities for all people in every 

region of our country.”
26

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Network Learning

Board Development Support Services

The Board Development Support Services program provided Centers with leadership and skill-building 

resources aimed at strengthening their local boards’ performance. As of 2021, 37 states have used board 

services and 82 total services have been provided, including board self-assessments and action planning. 

Training workshops prepared local boards to fully embrace their roles, enhance understanding of 

requirements, and discuss best practices in board governance.

Center Director Executive Support Program

In September 2021, NIST MEP launched the Center Director Executive Support Program to help Center 

Directors more effectively manage their Centers and lead the MEP National Network into the future. Center 

Directors were engaged in the program’s design and delivery, which provided a wide range of resources to 

meet the varied needs of individual Center Directors. The intention was to help everyone up their game at 

this critical time. The program included individual development action planning, one-on-one coaching and 

facilitated workshops which will continue in 2022. 

Tab Wilkins Emerging Leaders Program

In 2021, the Tab Wilkins Emerging MEP Leaders program engaged with 14 members of cohort 1.13 who 

represented 13 MEP Centers and participated in the program despite the challenges of the pandemic. This 

yearlong program focused on Network resources, processes and networking while teaching participants to 

effectively manage a Center.
27

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

MEP-Assisted Technology and Technical Resource (MATTR)

The MATTR service facilitated the connection of the technical needs of MEP Center manufacturing clients 

with the technology and expertise of the NIST laboratories. Small and medium-sized manufacturers needed 

help deploying state-of-the-art technologies. MATTR helped them bridge this gap. The types of interactions 

depended on the needs and interests of both the manufacturer and the NIST researchers. The MATTR service 

could facilitate informal interactions between manufacturers and NIST researchers for advice and resources. 

More extensive MATTR interactions could result in a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement 

(CRADA) between an MEP Center’s manufacturing client, NIST and NIST MEP. Those activities might include 

more extensive NIST staff consultation with a company, and NIST services such as special measurements, 

special tests and NIST user-facility access. In 2021, there were three CRADAs with MATTR, and one pending 

Research Collaboration Agreement, another type of collaboration that MATTR could facilitate. In support of 

EO 14017 efforts to shore up supply chains for key products and critical technologies, NIST MEP planned to 

increase the amount of clients engaged with technology services projects and MATTR requests.

MEP Manufacturer Resilience Steering Team

NIST MEP established the MEP Manufacturer Resilience Steering Team in 2021, working with partners 

throughout the MEP National Network to develop MEP extension service approaches relating to 

manufacturer and supply chain resilience. Resilient manufacturers proactively manage risk and opportunities 

while operating based on data-driven business decision-making. Improving manufacturer resilience at the 

individual company level would improve overall supply chain resilience – representing a unique opportunity 

for the MEP program.
28

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

MEP National Network Update Meeting

The MEP National Network Update Meeting was held Aug. 30-31. Over 200 onsite attendees in Phoenix, 

Arizona included MEP Center leadership, staff and partners. There were an additional 145 virtual attendees 

including NIST leadership, NIST MEP staff and a number of MEP Advisory Board members.

The Update Meeting featured small group discussions with a focus on workforce, supply chains and 

manufacturing technology. In addition, the third virtual MEP Advisory Board meeting, held immediately after 

the Update Meeting, was broadcast live to the MEP National Network Update Meeting hotel in Phoenix for 

MEP Center staff and stakeholders onsite to listen and offer public comments.

Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves provided a video welcome 

during the MEP National Network Update Meeting’s opening session in 

Phoenix, Arizona. 
29

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

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 competitive awards defined 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

In 2020, MEP Advisory Board members contributed ideas for possible future CAP themes. As a result, CAP 

themes now include Industry/Manufacturing 4.0; manufacturing workforce services including employee 

recruitment, retention and development; supply chain management and resiliency; and artificial intelligence 

application. 

In 2021, NIST MEP awarded nearly $1.5 million in CAP awards to the following MEP Centers:

z Arizona Commerce Authority, Phoenix, Arizona

z Iowa State University Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS), Ames, Iowa

To date, NIST MEP has funded 41 awards totaling over $36 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.

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 

2021, NIST MEP provided nearly $475,000 to TMAC, the MEP Center in Texas, for their response to Hurricane 

Laura, which made landfall in Texas on Aug. 26, 2020. TMAC’s on-site assessments for manufacturers in the 

62 disaster-declared counties resulted in assisting as many manufacturers as possible to restore their 

operations, reemploy their workforce, and return them to operation levels that again contribute to the 

economy of Texas and the nation. 
30

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Spotlight

Spotlight on CAP-funded America Works

American manufacturers are desperately searching for more employees in general, and more skilled 

workers specifically. America Works is a nationwide initiative to coordinate training efforts, generating 

a more capable, skilled and diverse manufacturing workforce. The project is funded for three years by 

a 2020 CAP award to Missouri Enterprise (the Missouri MEP Center), partnered with the MEP Centers 

in Indiana, Iowa, New Jersey, and Ohio, and the Foundation for Manufacturing Excellence.

America Works offers a shared, centralized space for MEP Center staff at all levels to congregate, 

discuss, innovate and create new solutions to workforce issues. The project has a strong 

communications and outreach component including frequent blogs and webinars on workforce 

topics. 

America Works has big plans focused on four primary goals:

z Accelerate individual and national MEP Center innovation, effectiveness and efficiency through

offering a national database, resources, informal and formal connections as well as hands-on

consulting

z Identify and scale up effective solutions beyond local MEP Centers to catalyze national

workforce development improvement

z Solidify MEP Centers as the go-to place for small U.S. manufacturers struggling with workforce

issues

z Create a model for future inventories, centralization and coordination of MEP Centers, which

could be expanded to other areas in the future

As America Works Director Matt Fieldman wrote:

How will America Works impact local manufacturers from Connecticut to California? 

Manufacturers of all sizes will appreciate that when they call their local MEP Center for 

assistance, their consultant will have access to the most advanced, proven tools from across 

the National Network. If a manufacturing CEO wants to start a new program in their 

plant – perhaps to hire high school interns, introduce their supervisors to Industry 4.0 

technologies or to test out a formal apprenticeship program – they will have the confidence 

that their local MEP Center, with the resources of the full MEP National Network, can and will 

support them every step of the way.

Over the course of the three year CAP-funded project, America Works will have a tangible 

impact on the American manufacturing industry by helping more people launch their own 

successful careers in manufacturing, helping more companies fill their critical open positions, 

and improving the industry’s diversity and inclusion of people from all backgrounds. 

This is the bold, transformative vision of America Works.
31

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Cybersecurity for Manufacturing

Manufacturing recently overtook financial services as the industry most-targeted for cybersecurity attacks. 

Attacks primarily used software vulnerabilities or phishing scams to disrupt business operations, demand 

ransomware payments, sell personal information, steal proprietary information, or alter a product during 

development.

All MEP Centers can provide cybersecurity services to manufacturers, either with in-house staff or trusted 

third parties. In 2021, 87% of MEP Centers reported conducting at least one cybersecurity assessment or 

implementation project, and half of MEP Centers reported conducting at least one cybersecurity training 

event.

In 2021, an interagency agreement between the DOD and NIST MEP (with a grant to Michigan Manufacturing 

Technology Center, the Michigan MEP Center) was completed. This agreement provided cybersecurity 

awareness and implementation services across the U.S., as well as developed case studies for improving the 

guidance NIST develops for operational technology cybersecurity.

In addition, three 2020 NIST MEP Competitive Awards Program (CAP) projects at MEP Centers in California, 

Michigan and Virginia developed “go-to” cybersecurity centers. The projects ran throughout 2021 and helped 

every MEP Center develop a cybersecurity practice, train MEP Center personnel, identify tools, and set up a 

framework for Centers to help each other with cybersecurity needs in the future. Another CAP awarded to 

Georgia MEP provided education and training to MEP Centers on DOD cybersecurity requirements.

Most cyberattacks can be prevented with proper cybersecurity practices and MEP Centers have developed 

substantial expertise to help manufacturers throughout the country.
32

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Food Industry Services and Food Safety

During 2021, the MEP National Network continued to leverage its national expertise and partnerships to 

provide local and regional assistance to small food manufacturers. This included help implementing new 

technology and training to support a culture of food safety. The Network continued collaborating with the 

FDA and the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance under existing memorandums of understanding. In 

2021, MEP Centers delivered a variety of food safety projects including:

z Comprehensive safe food manufacturing plans

z Training to achieve FDA-recognized Preventive Controls Qualified Individual certifications

z Introducing technology and innovative practices that allow for better traceability through the supply

chain

In addition, representatives from MEP Centers, along with various partners involved with food and beverage 

manufacturing, continued to meet monthly to share best practices, challenges and solutions. Through 

this working group, MEP Center staff learned about other MEP program services that could help food 

manufacturing clients – including cybersecurity and the MATTR service. Subject matter experts from FDA, 

NIST and other organizations shared food industry-related technical information at special 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.
33

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

MEP National Network Brand Awareness Campaign

The MEP National Network’s national awareness campaign expanded the program’s reach by educating and 

engaging manufacturers across the U.S. In 2021, thought leadership content, including educational webinars, 

white papers and articles, was published and promoted in trade publications like IndustryWeek, Food 

Processing Magazine, Modern Machine Shop, Supply Chain Management Review and The Fabricator. These 

webinars, white papers and articles provided practical takeaways and solutions to some of manufacturers’ 

greatest challenges. New infographics provided up-to-date information on various topics, including one that 

examined misconceptions about the industry and provided insight into what manufacturing careers really look 

like. Metrics used to measure brand awareness have steadily risen, due in part to the success of the campaign, 

and more importantly, the work MEP Centers continued to deliver even through challenging times.

In September 2021, NIST MEP collaborated 

with South Carolina MEP to present 

a webinar, Artificial Intelligence In

Manufacturing: Real World Success Stories

and Lessons Learned, through Modern 

Machine Shop. The webinar aimed to 

help SMMs think about using artificial 

intelligence and machine learning in their 

manufacturing processes. The summarized 

content from the well-attended webinar 

appeared later in an article that reached

even more manufacturers.
34

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

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) in 2017 was 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 an opportunity to assess the Center’s overall performance as it relates to market penetration,

economic impact, and financial sustainability to improve the productivity and performance of the

U.S. manufacturing

z Focus on trends and patterns to 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 receiving either 

a positive evaluation or an other-than-positive evaluation resulting in 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.

Over the past five years, NIST MEP has conducted performance evaluations for 45 of the 51 MEP Centers during 

the third year of their cooperative agreement. These include: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, 

Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, 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 2020-2021, eighth-year performance evaluations were conducted for six MEP Centers: Arizona, 

Kentucky, Maryland, Nebraska, Rhode Island and South Dakota.
35

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

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-four MEP Centers underwent secretarial reviews in 2021, and each of these Centers received positive 

evaluations: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, 

Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, 

Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont and Wyoming.

MEP Programmatic Evaluations

Annual Reviews

According to 15 C.F.R. § 290.8, NIST MEP is required to conduct a programmatic review of the MEP Centers 

annually. These programmatic evaluations, aligned with the performance-based evaluations, are conducted 

by each Center’s NIST MEP Center Resource Management Team, including the Resource Manager, Federal 

Program Officer and Grants Specialist. NIST MEP has developed an annual review process that begins with 

the review of the Center’s progress toward objectives and prior NIST MEP recommendations. It then identifies 

required documentation for the renewal of the Center’s cooperative agreement. Annual review reports are 

developed by the Center Resource Management Team and shared with the Center and their Board chair. 

Recommendations over the past year have been focused on helping the Centers look at future growth.

In 2021, NIST MEP developed and piloted an automated process to manage the annual review. This allows 

the Centers to track the annual review process from scheduling to the final report. This process has been well 

received by the MEP Centers and they have provided feedback to incorporate into future iterations.
36

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

NIST MEP State Partnership Support Program

In 2021, NIST MEP awarded nearly $5 million over five years to the State Science and Technology Institute 

(SSTI), located in Westerville, Ohio. This NIST MEP State Partnership Support Program will generate strategies, 

market intelligence and analytical resources to support the efforts of NIST MEP, MEP Centers, and the nation’s 

manufacturers to leverage resources available at regional, state and local levels. In 2021, SSTI prepared more 

than 2,500 news summaries on issues affecting the MEP National Network, weekly reports on state budgets, 

and monthly summaries of key economic development and budget news. In addition, SSTI provided 

individualized advice to MEP Centers on topics including the Treasury Department’s State Small Business 

Credit Initiative and on specific issues within their states. Through this program, SSTI, and its subcontractor 

the Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness, worked with NIST MEP on additional projects including 

a workforce strategy paper and helped identifying topics and speakers for the National Conference of State 

Legislatures’ 2021 Jobs Summit. They also facilitated early planning for a NIST MEP-led manufacturing summit 

for state economic development leaders, tentatively scheduled for March 2023.
37

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Award-Winning NIST MEP Staff

NIST MEP staff received well-deserved accolades for their work in 2021. The entire NIST MEP team received 

the Department of Commerce Gold Medal Award for quickly executing the CARES Act provisions to provide 

critical support for U.S. manufacturers through the MEP National Network at a time when the global 

pandemic posed a formidable economic threat. Their actions enabled MEP Centers to implement appropriate 

safeguards to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 among employees, and to pivot to new markets when 

major drivers such as tourism disappeared. The NIST MEP team got CARES Act funding out to MEP Centers 

in record time without compromising transparency or accountability. In addition, Marlon Walker received 

NIST’s George A. Uriano Award for leadership in the development and implementation of the MEP-Assisted 

Technology and Technical Resource (MATTR) service to connect NIST laboratory technical capabilities and 

resources with the needs of small U.S. manufacturers through MEP Centers. Well done!

We are deeply saddened by the sudden death of NIST MEP’s Dileep Thatte, only months after his 

retirement. His work in food safety won a 2019 NIST George A. Uriano award. Many other NIST MEP 

initiatives also benefited from his technical expertise. And each year, he enjoyed sharing his culture with 

NIST MEP staff through a very popular Diwali celebration. His generous spirit extended far beyond NIST 

MEP. Dileep earned his certification as a leadership coach from Georgetown University in 2020 and was 

honored with the 2021 NIST Distinguished Mentoring Award. His thoughtful, noninvasive approach 

had an indelible impact on many NIST mentees.
38

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

New MEP Program Themes

New MEP program themes will focus MEP’s efforts 

to meet the needs of U.S. manufacturers and 

U.S. manufacturing in the areas of supply chain, 

workforce, and technology and innovation.

Supply Chain

The supply chain theme will 

connect the MEP program’s onthe-ground knowledge with 

macro-level monitoring and analysis in order to 

enable broad visibility across supply chains, identify 

trends and vulnerabilities, and respond accordingly. 

The MEP program will position itself at all levels 

of the supply chain, from original equipment 

manufacturers to SMMs, as well as the relevant 

state and federal stakeholders. Building upon the 

MEP National Network’s reputation as a known and 

trusted partner will allow for connecting top-down 

data and needs requirements with bottom-up 

capabilities, to optimize the resilience of the nation’s 

manufacturing sector. There will be an increased 

emphasis on supplier scouting in response to EO 

14005 and EO 14017.

The desired outcomes of this strategy are to increase 

supplier scouting matches, increase sales and 

costs savings. This is expected to lead to increased 

domestic production of strategic products and 

critical industries, and the creation of new measures 

for supply chain strength, vulnerability and 

mitigations.

Workforce

With a continued shortage of skilled 

workers inhibiting manufacturing 

growth, MEP Centers will continue to 

strengthen their position to address 

the workforce shortages with new approaches 

to recruitment, retraining and retention. As the 

knowledge base of their respective regions, MEP 

Centers will be connectors and convenors to 

organize groups of manufacturing companies, 

identify their workforce needs, and work with 

partner workforce organizations to coordinate and 

tailor services to meet the identified needs of U.S. 

manufacturers.

To win the battle for talent now and in the future, 

MEP Centers will continue being innovative. They will 

guide U.S. manufacturers to build winning workplace 

cultures by recruiting the next generation of workers 

from a diverse workforce, and assisting new workers 

to understand the rapid technological changes in 

manufacturing environments.

Technology and Innovation

The technology and innovation 

theme is central to developing and 

adopting effective, efficient and 

secure advanced manufacturing 

capabilities in domestic industries. The strategy is 

to establish advanced manufacturing technology 

ecosystems that align and connect resources for 

manufacturers, especially small and mediumsized manufacturers. Such ecosystems may allow 

manufacturers the ability to become aware of and 

implement advanced manufacturing technology 

solutions using, for example, R&D resources from 

government organizations and academic institutions. 

Coming in 2022
39

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Technology and Innovation (continued)

MEP Center efforts focus on scaling up the number 

of SMMs that are modernizing their production 

processes while ensuring they simultaneously adopt 

cybersecurity and privacy best practices.

The end goal is that MEP Centers will continue 

to be the primary trusted advisor for advanced 

manufacturing awareness and implementation 

assistance in their region. MEP Centers accomplish 

this by pursuing partnerships with demonstration 

facilities for technology development and 

cybersecurity deployment, ensuring the MEP 

program’s role in connecting and coordinating the 

different aspects of the manufacturing ecosystem 

for SMMs. Employing innovative technologies can 

and will support businesses’ survival and growth, 

workforce recruitment, upskilling and retention, and 

success in the global marketplace.

Legislation: A Look Ahead
40

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

FY 2022 Operation Allies Welcome

At the end of 2021, NIST MEP launched an effort to 

make connections and help Afghan evacuees find 

training and jobs in the U.S. With the workforce 

shortage, the MEP program created the right 

partnerships to learn about the possibilities of 

connecting people with manufacturing jobs. In 

coordination with the Department of Homeland 

Security and the Department of State, the MEP 

program developed relationships with nine 

regional refugee resettlement organizations. These 

organizations helped the MEP program meet the 

local groups on the ground that work one-on-one to 

find the Afghani evacuees the resources they need. 

The local organizations indicated interest in training 

and workforce development services offered by MEP 

Centers, as well as potential jobs with MEP Center 

manufacturing clients.

FY 2022 Center State Competition

NIST MEP will issue two notices of funding 

opportunities (NOFOs) for eligible entities in 

Arizona, Kentucky, Maryland, Nebraska, Rhode 

Island and South Dakota to apply for more than 

$31 million in federal funds to operate MEP Centers 

that provide manufacturing extension services to 

SMMs. Eligible applicants are limited to U.S.-based 

nonprofit institutions or consortia, institutions 

of higher education, or state, territory, local, or 

tribal governments. They will have 90 days from 

each NOFO’s issuance date to submit applications. 

Awardees will sign a cooperative agreement for an 

initial performance period of up to five years and 

must meet a cost-share requirement. MEP Center 

awards must be recompeted every 10 years for an 

award of up to 10 years, based on availability of 

the appropriation of federal funds and the good 

standing of the applicant.
41

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Workcred

As a result of a 2018 project funded by NIST, 

Workcred, Inc., an affiliate of American National 

Standards Institute, released a first-of-its kind 

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 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. 

Research was delayed during the pandemic, and the 

final report is expected in 2022.

Manufacturing Day 2022

Manufacturing Day (MFG Day) events promote 

manufacturing to students, parents and educators 

on the first Friday of October – and throughout 

the month! On Oct. 7, 2022, MFG Day 2022, 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 2022 to ensure its success.

MFG Day empowers manufacturers to come together 

to address their collective challenges so they can 

help their communities and future generations 

thrive. Being an active part of this national outreach 

effort allows manufacturers to find additional 

resources to address the skilled labor shortage 

many face, take charge of the public image of 

manufacturing and help ensure a prosperous future 

for manufacturing throughout the U.S. 
42

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

2022 MEP Events

Note that face-to-face meetings may become virtual events.

Planned MEP Advisory Board Meetings

March 9, 2022: Virtual meeting via videoconference

June 8, 2022: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Sept. 20, 2022: Chicago, Illinois

Planned MEP National Network Update Meeting

Sept. 19-20, 2022: Chicago, Illinois
43

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

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: 501-682-7499

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

1667 Cole Blvd. Suite 400

Lakewood, CO 80401

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

201 E. Pine St., Suite 735

Orlando, FL 32801

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 approximately 450 MEP service locations provide 

any U.S. manufacturer with access to resources they need to succeed.
44

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Hawaii

INNOVATE Hawaii

521 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 255

Honolulu, HI 96813

Phone: 808-539-3603

www.htdc.org

Idaho

TechHelp

Boise State University

1910 University Dr.

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 Dr.

Baton Rouge, LA 70806

Phone: 800-433-6965

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
45

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

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: 518-292-5700

https://esd.ny.gov/

new-york-manufacturing-extension-partnership
46

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

North Carolina

North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership 

 (NCMEP)

1005 Capability Dr.

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

https://development.ohio.

gov/business/manufacturing/

ohio-manufacturing-extension-partnership

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 Dr., 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: 605-274-9755

www.sdmanufacturing.com
47

MEP ANNUAL REPORT 2021

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)

124 Admin Dr., Suite 126

Randolph Center, VT 05061

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

11812 North Creek Parkway, Suite 205

Bothell, WA 98011

Phone: 425-287-6808

www.impactwashington.org

West Virginia

West Virginia Manufacturing Extension Partnership

 (WVMEP)

311 Mineral Resource 

1374 Evansdale Dr.

Morgantown, WV 26506

Phone: 304-479-3681

www.wvmep.com

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing and Productivity

 (WCMP)

2601 Crossroads Dr., Suite 145

Madison, WI 53718

Phone: 608-729-4160

www.wicmp.org

Wyoming

Manufacturing Works 

1938 E. Harney St.

Laramie, WY 82072

Phone: 307-766-4811

manufacturing-works.com
100 BUREAU DRIVE M/S 4800

GAITHERSBURG, MD 20899

PHONE: (301) 975-5020

EMAIL: MFG@NIST.GOV

WEB: WWW.NIST.GOV/MEP

A PDF of this document is available online: https://www.nist.gov/mep/manufacturing-reports/nist-mep-publications