MEP Advisory Board

February 2021 FACA Board Meeting

• •

MEP Advisory Board 

February 23, 2021 

FACA Board Meeting 

This is a simplified version of the presentation for website purposes.

A full version may be requested by emailing Cheryl.Gendron@nist.gov 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The MEP Advisory Board is authorized under Section 3003(d) of

the America COMPETES Act (Pub. L. 110–69), as amended by

the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, Public Law

114–329 sec. 501 (2017), and codified at 15 U.S.C. 278k(m), in 

accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee 

Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C., App.

• •

FACA and the Advisory Board 

• The MEP Advisory Board is authorized under Section 3003(d) of the America COMPETES 

Act (Pub. L. 110–69), as amended by the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, 

Public Law 114–329 sec. 501 (2017), and codified at 15 U.S.C. 278k(m), in accordance with 

the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C., App. 

2
 

• •

Welcome 

• Matthew Newman, MEP Advisory Board, Chair 

3
• •

4

MAB Meeting Details

• Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021

• Board Meeting Opening/Logistics

• Welcome and Introductions

• Opening Remarks

• Welcome from NIST Leadership

• Board and Audience Introductions

• NIST MEP Senior Management Update 

• Presentation: MEP: 1988 to Now – Three Meaningful Legislative Reforms

• Presentation: Strategic Planning Foundation 

• Working Group Update: MEP National NetworkTM Strategic Plan 2023-2028 

• Working Group Update: Supply Chain Development

• Working Group Update: Executive Committee 
• •

Welcome and Introductions

5

• James K. Olthoff, Performing the duties of the NIST Director

• Mojdeh Bahar, NIST, Associate Director, Innovation and Industry Services

• Rob Ivester, Acting Director, NIST MEP
• •

Welcome New MEP Advisory Board Member

Ray Aguerrevere, Custom Metal Designs, Inc.

6
• •

NIST MEP Senior Management Update

1. MEP Program Budget Outlook / Spend Plan

2. MEP National Network Update

3. Progress Update: MEP National Network Strategic Plan 2017-2022 

4. NIST MEP Operational Update

7
• •

MEP Program Budget Outlook (as of 2/23/2021)

8

FY 2022 

Appropriation Status

President’s budget request and 

congressional appropriation 

bills forthcoming.

FY 2021 

Appropriation Status

Base funding: $150 million

• $4 million increase over FY 

2020.

• Center funding not subject to 

cost share requirements; 

elective for Centers receiving 

state funds conditioned on 

federal cost share requirement 
• •

.

NIST MEP FY 2021 Projected Spend Plan

9 Estimated FY 2021 Efficiency Rate = 12.26%; actual FY 2020 Efficiency Rate = 9.03%. * Funding from DOD for Contracts and Project Support

Available Funding: $ Millions

Full Year Appropriation 150.0

Carryover from FY 2020 7.3

Funding from Other Agencies 0.0

Total Available Funding 157.3

Planned Expenditures: 

Center Renewals 126.6

Strategic Competitions 4.3

Contracts 4.7

NIST MEP Labor 11.5

NIST and Program Overhead 10.2

Total Planned Expenditures 157.3
• •

... and on the Legislative Front

• Omnibus Funding Bill for FY2021 Signed into Law, December 27, 2020

– Funding NIST MEP through FY 2021, $150 million.

– The bill contains over 2,000 pages containing the first comprehensive energy overhaul in new energy policy 

in over a dozen years which is highly relevant to the Network. More will be revealed.

• The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) became law January 1, 2021

– NIST Director to present congress with feasibility study on supply chain database within six months of 

enactment (July 1, 2021).

– The DOD Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) is now the DOD Office of Local Defense Community 

Cooperation (OLDCC).

– Directs the Manufacturing USA Institutes to contract with MEP Centers to provide technical and workforce 

assistance for small and medium-sized manufactures as appropriate.

10
• •

CARES Act Update

Centers reporting progress quarterly

• Reporting for 2020 Q4 (Dec. 30 end)

11

Manufacturers Contacted 202,874

Client Projects Completed 12,886

Supplier Searches 8,799

Supplier Matches 824

Multi-Center Engagements 661

CARES Act funding in review

• CARES Act 60-day report – March (GAO-104526)

– Initial review complete, will be on-going

OIG Audit on Cares Act funding

• DOC initial review June 2020, will be on-going
• •

Competitive Award Funding Update

12

NY Manufacturing Readiness for Contract Manufacturers OH Digital Maturity for SMMs

TN Establish a MEPNN Advanced Technology Team GA CMMC Training Course Development and Delivery

VA MEP Capabilities Expansion-MedMMAP Program Expansion OR I 4.0 Regional Development and Delivery

MO America Works: Coordinating MEPNN Workforce Development 

Programs MI Enhancement of the MEPNN Cybersecurity Program

CT Manufacturing Skills for Connecticut CA Enhancement of the MEPNN Cybersecurity Program

FL Industry Integration within a Baldridge Framework VA Enhancement of the MEPNN Cybersecurity Program

(Rolling) Competitive Award Program (CAP): Awards Issued in 2020

Released new CAP NOFO Dec. 28, 2020 

• Replace initial CAP NOFO

• Funding limits:

• Up to $500,000 for single state

• Up to $2,000,000 for multi state

Revised Themes:

• Industry/Manufacturing 4.0 

• Manufacturing Workforce Services to include Employee 

Recruitment, Retention and Employee Development

• Supply Chain Management and Resiliency

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Application
• •

State Partnership Support Program – NOFO Released

The purpose of the MEP State Partnership Support Program is to generate strategies, market 

intelligence and analytical resources to support the efforts of MEP Centers, NIST MEP and 

the nation’s manufacturers to leverage all applicable resources available at the regional, 

state and local levels.

13

• Alignment of policy goals - state and national. 

• Brings to manufacturers capabilities that they cannot access alone, offering 

a wide range of options to address challenges and offer practical solutions.

• Develop and enhance effective collaborative relationships with states and 

other stakeholders. 
• •

Mark Schmit (NIST MEP)

Kathie Mahoney (RI)

Bill Donohue (VA)

Rob Ivester (NIST MEP)

Jim Watson (CA)

Tom Bugnitz (CO)

Mike Coast (MI)

Carrie Hines (ASMC/FORME)

Ethan Karp (OH) 

MEP National Network Center Leadership Team (CLT)

Several additions to the team are being made in 2021; up to four new Center Directors are in process of being added.

Buckley Brinkman (WI)

14
• •

Regional Communications Nodes Continue

Background

Need to create more efficient and effective ways of connecting Centers around the country to build 

relationships, provide support, exchange ideas and information, catalyze learning and improve 

communications. Better connections form the basis for a faster and more flexible National Network.

Objectives

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MEP National Network Center Leadership Team (CLT)

• Establish one-to-one connections between Center Directors and a Center Director on the 

National Network CLT.

• CLT members host 6 Regional Nodes to facilitate regular group conversations and create 

learning opportunities.

• Build closer and deeper relationships between and among Centers.
• •

• Information about CLT priorities, business issues and strategy are quickly 

disseminated throughout the MEP National Network.

• Recent discussion at CLT Regional Nodes calls include Center’s business updates, 

expansion of MEP, diversity and inclusion and President Biden's Executive Order.

• The structure improves access directly to CLT members and ensures that everyone 

in the National Network has a voice.

• Regional Nodes meeting on a regular schedule, one or two times per month.

MEP National Network Center Leadership Team (CLT)

16
• •

Cybersecurity

• Continued development of Center roles.

• Assisting defense contractors with DFARS, CMMC.

• Cyber integration into Industry 4.0 projects and manufacturer resilience.

• All 51 Centers participating in cybersecurity working group.

Advanced Manufacturing Technology/Industry 4.0

• Increased small manufacturer interest in Industry 4.0 resulting from pandemic 

and remote/virtual ops, workplace safety.

• Center service development assisted by NIST MEP special project awards and 

Industry 4.0 working group participation from most MEP Centers. 17

NIST MEP: National Network Support

Notable Center Service Areas
• •

MATTR

• Continuing to operationalize at Centers (mainly via working group) and increase 

awareness, participation of NIST Labs – focus on MATTR value for manufacturers, 

Centers, NIST.

• Two CRADAs operating involving NIST Labs, MEP Center clients and NIST MEP.

Food Industry Services/Food Safety

• Continued strong national FDA partnership focused on food safety.

• All 51 Centers participating in Food Working Group.

NIST MEP: National Network Support

Notable Center Service Areas

18
• •

Supplier Scouting

• Significant national, state activity – relating to pandemic and general supply chain needs.

• Connected to ‘Made in America’ Executive Order #14005 increasing national interest and participation. 

• New working group formed in February 2021.

NIST MEP: National Network Support

Notable Center Service Areas

“...By identifying and forming relationships now and adding firms 

to approved vendor lists, hospitals and health care facilities can 

pivot quickly during emergencies. For example, Maryland Made to 

Save Lives is a database that lists manufacturers in the state by area 

of expertise, allowing health care facilities to find alternate 

suppliers. Manufacturing Extension Partnership Programs, which 

run in every state, can similarly help match supply and potential 

demand..."

“...Sec. 7. Supplier Scouting. To the extent appropriate and 

consistent with applicable law, agencies shall partner with the 

Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), discussed in 

the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Improvement Act (title V 

of Public Law 114-329), to conduct supplier scouting in order to 

identify American companies, including small- and medium-sized 

companies, that are able to produce goods, products, and materials 

in the United States that meet Federal procurement needs...”

Executive Order on Ensuring the Future Is Made in All of 

America by All of America’s Workers

Supply Chain | One Way to Build More Resilient 

Medical Supply Chains in the U.S.

19
• •

Responsive

but not Proactive

Responsive 

and Proactive

“Resilient”

Fragile Responsive 

but Vulnerable

NIST MEP: National Network Support

Manufacturer/Supply Chain Resilience

20

Ability to capitalize on opportunities Low

Low

High 

High 

Ability to 

recover from 

negative 

perturbations

Resilient = Responsive and Proactive
• •

NIST MEP: National Network Support

Manufacturer/Supply Chain Resilience

21

• Focus on, and MEPNN activities in, MEP Manufacturer Resilience assistance is growing

– NIST MEP, MEP Centers collaboratively developing Manufacturer Resilience Framework (suite of 

tools, assessments, services) for Centers to offer SMMs.

– Includes systems perspective applying to: 

• Supply chain inputs, in-factory processes, customer and market outputs

• MEP Resilience assistance to U.S. manufacturers includes:

– Pandemic response, incl. pivoting to new production, new customers/markets

– Supplier Scouting - identify new suppliers, customers, markets

– Disaster recovery and continuity of operations (COOP)

– Business assessments/situational awareness

– Supply chain visibility and sourcing strategies

– Advanced Manufacturing Technology awareness and integration

– Production processes and strategies

– Cybersecurity and risk management
• •

NIST MEP: National Network Support Center 

Reviews: 2021

48 Centers (includes 24 going through a YR5/Secretarial Review).

Panel Reviews

Third and eighth-year.

• Currently conducting two eighth-year reviews (AZ/MD).

• August 2021 – one eight-year review (NE).

Annual Reviews

During fifth-year (determination for second five-year cooperative agreement).

• Round 3 and 4 Centers (total of 24 Centers) will have their year 5 Annual/Secretarial 

Reviews – Spring/Fall 2021.

Secretarial Reviews

22
• •

NIST MEP and MEP Centers: National Network Collaboration

NIST MEP held 11 roundtable sessions with manufacturing leaders from late July - early 

October 2020. 

– 50 manufacturers, 27 states represented, and diverse industries.

• Common themes:

– Opportunities: Adapting new leadership styles, increasing communication with staff and building networks of C-suite 

colleagues, adopting more flexible production cycles (evenings, fewer days, etc.), and working with local MEP Center. 

– Challenges: Recruiting, retaining and training staff, increased cost and energy of keeping staff safe, lack of childcare, and 

importance of innovation and thinking beyond the pandemic. 

– Overall Message: Manufacturers faced the greatest challenges in the beginning of the pandemic and quickly 

adapted to keep their employees safe, continue operations and build better relationships with suppliers and 

networks. 

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Preliminary recommendations from panelists include continue traditional MEP services, serve as a clearing house for 

best practices, provide connections for growth, anticipate future needs and assist in deploying new technologies. 
• •

• Deliverables from the Roundtables:

– Blogs detailing themes and highlights from each session: 

• NIST MEP Website: https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog

• Majority are published; last few over the coming weeks

– Review recordings of each event 

• MEP Connect: https://tinyurl.com/MEPmfgConvo2020

– Report will inform implementation plan for recommendations. 

• Slated for March 2021

24

NIST MEP and MEP Centers: National Network Collaboration
• •

Survey Results: MEP FY20 Impacts

25

105,748

$13.0 $4.9 $2.7

Results are based on FY 2020 MEP National Network Client Impact Survey
• •

Survey Results: MEP Impacts Over Time

$0

$1,000,000,000

$2,000,000,000

$3,000,000,000

$4,000,000,000

$5,000,000,000

$6,000,000,000

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Program Impacts

Fiscal Year

New Investments Cost Savings Federal Funding New Sales 26
• •

External Analysis: Broader MEP Economic Impacts

27

In February 2021, Summit Consulting and the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research published a study that 

found the MEP program generated a substantial return on investment of nearly 13.6:1 for 

the $146 million invested in FY 2020 by the federal government.

JOBS

252,000

GDP

$20.9

Billion

RETURN ON 

INVESTMENT

13.6:1
• •

Progress Update: MEPNN Strategic Plan 2017-2022

Empower 

Manufacturers

Champion 

Manufacturers

Leverage 

Partnerships

Transform

the Network

28
• •

1. Consensus Within Integrated National Network

Reach Network consensus on definition of Project and CME 

(client manufacturing establishment) interaction.

2. Center and Program Office Operational Excellence

Operationally improve reporting via measurement of 

on-time and accurate reporting.

3. Increased Visibility

Amplify and measure Network brand awareness by at least 10%. 

4. Increase Projects and New Clients

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

18 Month 

Measures of 

Success

9/2019-3/2021

Progress to Date

29
• •

18 Month Measures of Success — Progress to Date

Measure 2: 

Center and Program Office 

Operational Excellence

Four Elements Measured:

• Progress plan

• Progress data

• Success story

• Survey confirmation

Baseline (Q2 2019):

• 40 Centers reported on time with the first three 

elements.

• 24 Centers reported on time across all four elements.

Progress to Date (Q4 2020):

• 43 Centers reported on time with first three elements. 

Positive increase of 8%.

• 31 Centers reported on time across all four elements. 

Positive increase of 29%.

Define:

Historic program definitions of terms have been identified 

and catalogued. Center Director Working Group is identified 

and will reconvene in the summer of 2021. 30

Measure 1:

Consensus Within 

Integrated National Network

• Client/project

• Client manufacturing 

establishment interaction

• Working Group of Center 

Directors established
• •

*Progress to date for Oct. 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2020. 31

Brand Measure Baseline Progress To 

Date* Goal Change

#MEPNationalNetwork Hashtag Occurrences 334 524 367 +57%

Brand Mentions 125 188 138 +50%

Manufacturing Innovation Blog Subscribers 24,920 36,480 27,412 +46%

Backlinks 104 141 114 +36%

Social Media Followers 16,240 17,702 17,864 +9%

Measure 3: Increased Visibility by Amplifying Network Brand Awareness by at Least 10%. 

18 Month Measures of Success — Progress to Date

31
• •

18 Month Measures of Success — Progress to Date

32

Measure 4: Increase Projects and New Clients

Goal: Increase Projects by 10%

Outcome: Increase of 21%

Goal: Increase New Clients by 5%

Outcome: Increase of 37%
• •

NIST MEP 

Operational Update

33
• •

NIST Campus Locations Status

34

• All NIST staff including NIST MEP staff were on mandatory telework 

from mid-March until early July, and now on maximum telework.

• NIST phased re-opening emphasizes employee safety and focuses on 

laboratory staff having access to labs. 

• NIST staff remain on maximum telework; 90% of all staff for an extended 

period returning in later phases.

• NIST MEP Move Back In Committee has met monthly and 301 office 

construction has nearly concluded.
• •

NIST MEP Org Chart FY21

35
• •

MEP Advisory Board Featured Presentation

Chancy Lyford

NIST MEP

Division Chief for External Affairs, Performance & Support

36

MEP: 1988 to Now – Three Meaningful 

Legislative Reforms
• •

Strategic Planning Foundation

Lisë Stewart

Eisner Ampner

Principal-in-Charge, 

Center for Family Business Excellence

Rob Ivester

NIST MEP 

Acting Director

37

MEP Advisory Board Featured Presentation
• •

Strategic Planning Starts Here

How it all begins: 

• Funding in the federal system

• The MEP program within this system

• Expanding our sphere of influence

• Strategic Plan: the steps towards this 

expansion to achieve overall vision

38
• •

Funding in the Federal System: 

• Amends: MEP Program Authorization

– ‘American Innovation and Competitiveness Act’, 2017 

– Resources:

• Full Act: http://tinyurl.com/2017MEPStatute

– Title V, Manufacturing 

» P. 55

• The full MEP Authorization, as amended

– https://tinyurl.com/MEPstatuteLanguage

39

Strategic Planning Starts Here
• •

Growing the MEP Program

Total Appropriated Funds: $1.4 Trillion

2% 5%

47%

3% 2%

5%

2%

13%

0%

8%

4%

9%

FY21 FUNDING

Division A Division B Division C Division D Division E Division F

Division G Division H Division I Division J Division K Division L

CJS - 5%

Defense DOC $14.5B 

(20%)

MEP $150M 

(14%)

NIST $1.034B 

(7%)

CJS $71.12B 

(5%)

40
• •

MEP Priorities

1. Improve security/resiliency of domestic supply chain 

for critical products

2. Actualize/realize vision of the MEP National 

Network

3. MEP is recognized as the go-to program for 

manufacturing

41
• •

MEP Priority Mapping

• Improve security/resiliency of 

domestic supply chain for critical 

products

• Actualize/realize vision of the 

MEP National Network

• MEP is recognized as the go-to 

program for manufacturing

42
• •

Strategic Planning the Road Map to the Future

MEPNN

2017-2022 

Strategic Plan

CLT, 

Regional 

Nodes

Current State

MEP is the goto program for 

manufacturing

Realize vision of the 

MEP National Network

Supply chain 

resiliency for 

domestic 

critical parts

Future State

43
• •

MAB Advisory 

Board: Nexus 

MEP National 

Network

Federal, 

State and 

Local 

Government 

Ecosystems

Manufacturing 

Ecosystems

MEP 

Advisory 

Board

44
• •

The MEP Advisory Board – Leadership Governance

45
• •

3 Key Elements of Leadership Governance

Fiduciary

Framing Strategic

Leadership Governance

46
• •

Creating a foundation to frame truly inspirational thinking...

• This is complex, 

ambiguous 

• Current assumptions 

• Level of risk

• The current paradigm 

• What frame are you using to ‘see’ the 

organization: 

– Structural: policies, procedures, rules 

and regs.

– Human Capital: people, fit, fulfillment, 

skills, professional dev. 

– Political: partners, constituents, 

bargaining, advocacy, allocation of 

resources. 

– Symbolic: values, culture, beliefs, stories, 

history, rituals. 

• Know • Explore

“Generative thinking produces a sense of what knowledge, 

information and data mean.”

- Governance as Leadership p. 84

47
• •

What additional ‘frames’ should we consider?

• Political

• ? 

48
• •

Changing our approach to strategy development...

Boards need to pay attention to the big picture – the complete panorama of possibilities. 

This includes understanding target markets, the value proposition, desired impacts and 

operating structures. 

Questions might include: 

1. Do we have the right business model? 

2. Do we provide the right services? 

3. Are we serving the right people? 

4. What is the future of manufacturing? 

5. Who is our competition? 

6. Why should we be funded? 

7. Who should be our partners? 

49
• •

Things to think about...

• How will we know we are successful? 

• How will we know when to pivot? 

• What are the global/national cues to monitor? 

• Who/what are our greatest leverage points? 

• How can we hold ourselves accountable? 

50
• •

MEP Advisory Board Working Group Updates

51
• •

MEPNN Strategic Plan Working Group 2023-2028

• Committee members

– Board leadership

Kathay Rennels

– Board members

Don Bockoven, Kevin Heller, Mary Isbister, 

Willie May, Matt Newman, Jim Wright

– Ex-officio support

Bernadine Hawes (Immediate Past-Chair)

– NIST MEP support

Rob Ivester, Wiza Lequin, Cheryl Gendron

• Deliverable

– To provide long-term, program direction, guidance and perspectives for the MEP National Network Strategic Plan for 2023-

2028. The WG will consider feedback from Centers, stakeholders, partners, management and staff as the plan is developed.

52
• •

NIST MEP seeks ongoing Advisory Board perspectives on these MEPNN 

focus areas, approaches, challenges.

Discussion: Strategic Planning the Discovery Phase

• Identifying holes and challenges

– How and what?

– i.e. new paradigms arise (pandemic, etc.)

• Building a new future

– Economic productivity/workforce

– Globally competitive/manufacturing 

• Creating a foundation to frame truly inspirational thinking

– Exploring an expansion of services

– ESG, what other frames

• Sharing with the Network

– Cohesive vision

– Defined roles and responsibilities

– MEPNN plan is the foundation the Centers will be building on

53
• •

Supply Chain Development Working Group

• Members

– Board leadership

• Don Bockoven

– Board members

• Ray Aguerrevere, LaDon Byars, Mary Isbister, Matt Newman

– NIST MEP support

• Rob Ivester, Dave Stieren, Mark Schmit

• Deliverable

– Guidance and perspectives on the MEP National Network support and development of manufacturing 

supply chains with an emphasis on defense suppliers regarding Defense Industrial Base gaps; and 

expertise on who should be brought into the discussion to provide insight on defense supplier gaps.

54
• •

NIST MEP seeks ongoing Advisory Board perspectives on these MEP National Network focus areas, approaches, 

challenges – and their alignment with the MEP Strategic Plan.

Discussion Topics for the Board

The MEP National Network supports DOD supply chains in many 

areas, highlighted by:

• Cybersecurity awareness and assistance

• Many diverse aspects of supply chain development

55
• •

2021 is Different Than 2020 

Some National-Level Influences on MEP Program

• U.S. manufacturing and supply chains are prominent in ongoing policy discussions 

and planning.

• MEP is being recognized as important program that contributes to national and 

economic security and national health.

– “Supply chain” and “resilience” frequently mentioned; each term has many meanings. 

• 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) – MEP explicitly mentioned 

multiple times. 

• President Biden Executive Orders and new/developing initiatives – MEP mention 

and intersections.

56
• •

MEP and Manufacturer/Supply Chain Resilience

MEPNN focus on and activities in manufacturer/supply chain resilience assistance is growing.

• NIST MEP, MEP Centers collaboratively developing Manufacturer Resilience Framework (suite of tools, assessments, 

services) for Centers to offer to SMMs to increase national capabilities and capacities

Low Ability to capitalize on opportunities

Low

High 

High 

Ability to 

recover from 

negative 

perturbations

57

• Includes systems perspective applying to: 

– Supply chain inputs, in-factory processes, customer and market outputs

• MEP Resilience assistance to U.S. manufacturers includes:

– Pandemic response, incl. pivot to new production, new customers/markets

– Supplier scouting - identify new suppliers, customers, markets

– Disaster recovery and continuity of operations (COOP)

– Business assessments/situational awareness

– Supply chain visibility and sourcing strategies

– Advanced manufacturing technology awareness and integration

– Production processes and strategies

– Cybersecurity and risk management

Responsive

but not Proactive

Responsive and Proactive

“Resilient”

Fragile Responsive but Vulnerable
• •

The Remainder of Today’s Briefing

• Cybersecurity Update

• 2021 NDAA

• EO14005 – ‘Made in America’

• MEP Supplier Scouting

58
• •

MEPNN Cybersecurity February 2021

• Continues to be spurred by strong DOD partnerships.

• MEP role continuing with Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation 

Supplement (DFARS) requirements for defense sector and evolving 

for DOD Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program.

• Continued emphasis on risk management for all manufacturing 

industries served by MEP Centers.

• Importance of cybersecurity also being highlighted by opportunities 

relating to Industry 4.0 and manufacturer/supply chain resilience.

• MEP Centers nationwide 

providing cybersecurity 

services

• All 51 Centers 

participating in MEPNN 

cybersecurity WG

59

MEP National Network continues to develop strong nationwide capabilities 

to provide cybersecurity assistance for small manufacturers.
• •

2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)

• Passed Jan. 1, 2021; specifies DOD budget, expenditures, policies for FY 2021.

– NDAA is an authorization, not an appropriation.

• NIST MEP working with MEP Centers to ensure awareness, understanding of 

MEP-relevant sections.

• MEP communicating with and stands ready to assist DOD as appropriate.

References to MEP program

• Sec. 1738 Assistance for Small Manufacturers in the Defense Industrial Supply Chain on 

Matters Relating to Cybersecurity.

• Sec. 9413 National Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension 

Partnership Program Supply Chain Database. 

• Sec. 9415 Coordination [by Manufacturing USA Institutes] with Hollings MEP Centers. 60
• •

Executive Order 14005 – ‘Made in America’

Executive Order on Ensuring the Future Is Made in All of America by All of America’s 

Workers, signed Jan. 25, 2021.

• Section 1. Policy. “... The United States Government should, whenever possible, procure goods, products, 

materials, and services from sources that will help American businesses compete in strategic industries and 

help America’s workers thrive.”

• Sec. 7. Supplier Scouting. “To the extent appropriate and consistent with applicable law, agencies shall 

partner with the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), ... to conduct supplier scouting in 

order to identify American companies, including small- and medium-sized companies, that are able to 

produce goods, products, and materials in the United States that meet Federal procurement needs.”

”We will use a national network of manufacturers — called a Manufacturing Extension Partnership — that’s in all 

50 states and Puerto Rico, to help government agency connect with new domestic suppliers across the 

country.” 

President Biden EO signing remarks 61
• •

MEP Supplier Scouting

• 2009 MEP began national-scale supplier scouting in response to Buy America(n) provisions connected to ARRA-funded 

federal procurements.

• Evolution to state-by-state conduct of supplier scouting since 2009 to meet diverse supply chain sourcing needs, including 

pandemic response at national and state levels mobilized in 2020 for critical-need medical supplies/equipment.

Drivers for MEP supplier scouting:

• Identify domestic supply sources for government and commercial supply chains across multiple markets: transportation, 

defense and aerospace, energy, consumer goods, medical supplies/equipment (including PPE).

– New business opportunities for domestic suppliers totaling >$350M combined (2009-2021).

• Domestic sourcing analyses for federal agencies in response to Buy America(n) waiver requests (2009-2016).

• Creation of competitive federal procurement opportunities to replace those that were previously sole sourced (2011-2015).

62

Key to MEP supplier scouting success: MEPNN direct connections to U.S. manufacturers.
• •

Discussion

This MAB Supply Chain WG is now more broadly focused on MEPNN efforts extending 

beyond DOD support to reflect broadened focus for the program.

NIST MEP seeks ongoing Advisory Board perspectives on these MEPNN focus areas, 

approaches and challenges.

63
• •

Executive Committee Working Group

• Committee members

– Board leadership

Mary Isbister

– Board members

Mitch Magee, Pat Moulton, Matt Newman, George Spottswood

– NIST MEP support

Rob Ivester, Cheryl Gendron, Phill Wadsworth, Wiza Lequin

• Deliverable

– Provide guidance on future MEP Advisory Board leadership and membership recruitment, 

provide insights into cultivating strong Board governance as well as explore ways to 

expand the MEP Advisory Board’s role in regard to the local MEP Center Boards.

64
• •

MEP Advisory Board: Local Center Board Outreach

Slow and steady opportunities to create connection with volunteers across the Network. 

– 51 Center Board Directors divided between the MAB membership.

– Connections made over the last year include informal conversations and attendance at board meetings; continuing into 2021.

• Discussions Around:

– How has the current pandemic impacted your Center operations? 

– How has the Center adapted/responded to the changes? What are your immediate priorities as a result?

– What are the key problems and issues that you think will be important to small manufacturers and their competitiveness and 

opportunities for growth in the near-term (1 to 2 years) and mid-term (3 to 5 years)?

– What advanced manufacturing technologies are and/or will be needed by small U.S. manufacturers for the companies to be 

competitive and grow in the global marketplace in the near-term (1 to 2 years) and mid-term (3 to 5 years)?

– What technologies or business models are important to you for the supply chain you currently participate in or those supply chains you 

choose to participate in the future?

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Center Board Outreach Program Goal:

Enhance strength of relationships between national and local boards

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• •

MEP Advisory Board: Other Discussion Topics

• Succession planning into the future 

– Additional board members being added each year.

– Goals - diverse membership with matching the statutory requirements.

– Appointed by the NIST Director with support of NIST MEP staff and the Executive 

Committee Working Group.

• 2020 MEP Advisory Board Report coming soon

– Will be submitted to the DOC in the coming weeks. 

– DOC will approve and distribute to Congress.

– Once with congressional representatives the report will be published on the NIST MEP 

website.

• Support for our MEP Advisory Board

– Historic reports and current documents on MEP Connect.

– NIST MEP is here to support our National Advisory Board; let us know how we can help.

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• •

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Future Meeting Schedule

2021

Planning is Underway

Details Coming Soon

June 30, 2021

• Virtual or Tulsa, Oklahoma

August 31, 2021

• Virtual or Phoenix, Arizona

• In conjunction with the MEP National Network 

Update Meeting and FORME Best Practice 

Conference
• •

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Thank You

For the Full Presentation, Please contact Cheryl Gendron at 

Cheryl.Gendron@nist.gov

VISIT OUR BLOG 

https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog

Get the latest NISTMEP news at:

www.nist.gov/mep