Page 1 of 18

Request for Application

2023-NIST-RFA-MEAPP-01 

 REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS (RFA)

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) 

Expansion Awards Pilot Program (MEAPP)

MEP National Supply Chain Optimization and Intelligence Network

Federal Agency Name:

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), United States Department of 

Commerce (DoC) 

Request for Application Title:

Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Expansion Awards Pilot 

Program (MEAPP), MEP National Supply Chain Optimization and Intelligence 

Network

Announcement Type:

Initial

Funding Opportunity Number:

2023-NIST-RFA-MEAPP-01

Assistance Listing (CFDA Number):

11.611: Manufacturing Extension Partnership

Submission Dates:

Applications must be submitted electronically via grants.gov by 11:59 PM EST/EDT

on March 28, 2023. Please note that the RFA will be open on grants.gov for 30 days.

Funding Opportunity Description: 

The NIST Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is seeking 

noncompetitive applications from current MEP Centers to implement projects to 

expand existing MEP capabilities to provide National Supply Chain Optimization and 

to establish a supply chain Intelligence Network. Building upon the existing national 

infrastructure of the MEP National Network, the National Supply Chain Optimization 

and Intelligence Network will comprehensively support supplier scouting services, 

rigorously assess and analyze domestic manufacturing capabilities, expand 

knowledge of each MEP Center’s local manufacturing ecosystems to stimulate the 

growth of the U.S. supply base which thereby strengthens the nation’s manufacturer 

resilience.
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2023-NIST-RFA-MEAPP-01 

Eligibility:

Per 15 U.S.C. § 278k-2(c), the only eligible applicants for funding pursuant to this 

RFA are MEP Centers1 or a consortium of MEP Centers that have an active award 

with NIST MEP. Awards made pursuant to this RFA will be limited to one per MEP 

Center or consortium of MEP Centers.

Funding Amounts:

Total anticipated funding for this award is up to $400,000 per MEP Center. NIST 

anticipates funding one (1) award to each MEP Center or one (1) award to a 

consortium of MEP Centers (with each MEP Center receiving up to $400,000).

All awards are subject to the availability of funding. In addition, NIST may amend 

awards issued pursuant to this RFA to increase or decrease funding levels based 

upon the availability of program funding. NIST MEP anticipates that each MEP 

Center with an active award will apply for this opportunity. In the event that some 

MEP Centers do not apply for funding, or request less than $400,000 under this 

RFA, NIST MEP reserves the right to adjust funding levels based on those MEP 

Centers that do not utilize this opportunity.

Project Duration:

Project(s) awarded under this RFA must have a proposed period of performance of

24 months from the award start date (anticipated June 1, 2023), which may, based 

on a request from a recipient, subsequently be extended in writing by the NIST 

Grants Officer during the term of an award. Per 15 U.S.C. § 278k-2(k), the 

performance period of an award issued pursuant to this RFA must be aligned and 

consistent with a recipient’s base MEP Center cooperative agreement. Continuation 

of an award to extend the period of performance is at the sole discretion of the NIST

Grants Officer.

Multi-Year Funding Policy:

When an application for a multi-year award is approved, funding in some cases will 

be provided only for the first year of the project. Continued funding for the remaining 

year(s) of the project will be awarded or released by NIST, and may be adjusted, 

contingent upon satisfactory performance, submission of detailed budgets and 

budget narratives for each year proposed, continued relevance to the mission and 

priorities of the program, and the availability of funds. 

Project Type/Structure:

The project will be awarded as a cooperative agreement. Where cooperative 

agreements are used, the nature of NIST’s “substantial involvement” will generally 

include collaboration with the recipient organization in developing and implementing 

1

“Center” is defined in 15 U.S.C. § 278k(e). The term "Center" means a manufacturing 

extension center that is created under 15 U.S.C. § 278k(b) and is affiliated with an eligible entity 

that applies for and is awarded financial support under 15 U.S.C. § 278k(e).
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Request for Application

2023-NIST-RFA-MEAPP-01 

the approved scope of work, consistent with the definition of cooperative agreement 

in 2 CFR § 200.1.

Cost Sharing Requirements:

Non-federal cost share is not required for awards issued pursuant to this RFA.

Program Objective:

Per 15 U.S.C. § 278k-2(e), and pursuant to this RFA, awards shall be made to 

provide services that will improve the resiliency for domestic supply chains and to 

build capabilities in the MEP National NetworkTM for domestic supply chain resiliency 

and optimization. MEP Centers and their subrecipients may not charge clients for 

services provided under MEAPP awards as the funding under this program is an 

investment in building national ecosystem to address supply chain resiliency and 

capacity. MEAPP awards are not allowed to generate program income to an MEP 

Center or to its subrecipients. 

NIST MEP will pilot a National Supply Chain Optimization and Intelligence Network 

program to support nationwide coordination of comprehensive supplier scouting, 

optimize supply network service offerings, and capture marketplace supplier data for 

public use. Under this pilot program, NIST MEP expects to accomplish these goals 

by:

• Ensuring there is dedicated staff in each MEP Center focused on supplier 

scouting services;

• Establishing new service offerings to augment and optimize current national 

and local supplier network capabilities;

• Collecting and analyzing supplier capability and capacity data to map local 

supply network ecosystems; 

• Identifying key Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and supply chain 

gaps and helping to fill those gaps by connecting Small and Medium-sized 

Manufactures (SMMs) to these opportunities; and

• Tracking SMM and the results of matches, introductions, and services by the 

MEP Center.

Successful applications will contribute to these national efforts by:

1. Dedicating at a minimum, a staff member or a combination of staff members or 

contractor(s) at a Full Time Equivalent (FTE) per year at each MEP Center, 

including at each MEP Center applying as a consortium to:

a) Provide support for national supplier scouting and optimization services 

and/or provide management oversight of an established formal 

partnership with complementary partner(s);

b) Represent the MEP Center as the lead point(s) of contact responsible for 

building and maintaining the Supply Chain Optimization and Intelligence 

Network; and
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2023-NIST-RFA-MEAPP-01 

c) Ensure every MEP supplier scouting request receives a response, even if 

no suppliers are identified.

NIST MEP considers an FTE to be eight hours per day, five days a week 

over 52 weeks for a total of 2,080 hours per year. NIST MEP will evaluate 

the Current and Pending support form provided with the application to 

determine if the personnel identified has met the FTE requirement. 

2. Establishing or verifying connection to systems to support MEP supplier scouting 

and optimization.

3. Reporting supply network intelligence-gathering results, including:

a) Expansion of Center’s market understanding of the local supply chain 

landscape;

b) Supplier mapping of current marketplace ecosystems, identifying clusters of 

expertise; and identification of key Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) 

and their strengths and gaps in the local market and opportunities that exist to 

build out supply chain capabilities and capacity; and

c) A detailed project report discussing the results of the project, including supply 

network lessons learned and SMMs best practices in optimizing the national 

supply network. Report on the results of the assessment of marketplace 

manufacturing capabilities, etc. as described in 15 U.S.C. § 278k-2(e)(5)(A). 

i. The report and other information learned through the project should be in 

a format that lends itself to dissemination to other SMMs and the MEP 

National NetworkTM, to help OEMs and SMMs recognize opportunities with 

future planning efforts. 

ii. The report may be shared by NIST MEP with other programs that are 

charged with national supply chain optimization. See Reporting section of 

this RFA for more information on reporting requirements.

4. Applicants may also propose localized projects, which may (but are not required 

to) include pilot or innovative approaches, to address priorities identified in 15 

U.S.C. § 278k-2(e)(2) and (5). These projects must contain measurable 

outcomes that can be easily reported to NIST MEP. Pilot or innovative projects, if 

successful, should be scalable across the MEP Center’s state, region, and/or 

nationally, or by similar MEP Center type (e.g., university-based, nonprofit, etc.) 

and be clearly identified as such in the proposal.

Award recipients are required to participate in a virtual award kick-off meeting, MEP 

National Network meetings and should budget accordingly. As the location of these 

meetings is unknown, applicants should use historical data to justify estimates.
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1. Award Kick-Off Participation. All recipients must participate in a virtual kick-off 

meeting that will be held within approximately 30 calendar days after the award 

start date. Participation must include the Center Director, the designated FTE, if 

designated, and up to two key project personnel. Representatives from key 

subrecipients may attend the kick-off meeting as deemed appropriate by the 

recipient.

2. MEP National NetworkTM Meetings and Working Group Participation. NIST MEP 

typically organizes MEP National NetworkTM meetings which all recipients should 

plan to attend. 

a) Applicants must include travel and related costs for one (1) MEP National 

NetworkTM meeting in each of the funded years. These costs must be 

reflected in the SF-424A. These costs must also be reflected in the budget 

tables and budget narratives for each of the funded years, which are 

submitted as part of the Technical Proposal. 

b) Personnel will be expected to actively participate in Supply Chain 

Optimization Working Group discussions and knowledge sharing to other 

MEP Centers for the benefit of small and medium size U.S. 

manufacturers. Recipients will be required to provide detailed analysis of 

the lessons learned through these projects for the 2025 MEP report to 

Congress.

The foundation for NIST MEP is to ensure that a private-public partnership 

is developed and sustained. For this RFA, NIST MEP encourages MEP 

Centers that plan to apply for this opportunity to contact their assigned 

NIST MEP Resource Manager and Federal Program Officer to address 

questions and obtain input on the Centers plans to address the RFA 

objectives.

Program Authority: 

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Manufacturing 

Extension Partnership (MEP), is publishing this Request for Applications (RFA) 

pursuant to the authorities provided by 15 U.S.C. § 278k-2, Expansion awards pilot 

program.

Federal Program Officer Contact:

Scott Dockum

240-961-0770

Scott.Dockum@nist.gov

Resource Manager Contact:

Craig Reid

202-945-7479

Craig.Reid@nist.gov
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Request for Application

2023-NIST-RFA-MEAPP-01 

NIST Grants Officer Contact:

Michael Teske

240-961-0387

Michael.Teske@nist.gov

Required Forms/Information:

The following forms and documents are required to process your application: 

1) SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance 

2) SF-424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs. The 

applicant should reflect each year of the project on the SF-424A form that 

appears as part of the mandatory forms in the Grants.gov application 

package.

3) MEP Single Year Budget Workbook and Award Budget Summary 

Table

4) CD-511, Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Responsibility 

Matters, Drug Free Workplace Requirements, and Lobbying. 

5) SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities---form should only be submitted 

to the government if the applicant is actually reporting lobbying activities. 

6) Technical Proposal. 

Provide sufficient background information for NIST reviewers to 

understand the scope and purpose of the proposed project. Page limit for 

the technical proposal is twelve (12) pages. 

Summarize the problems that will be addressed and the approaches to 

directly address the identified needs, in alignment with the Program 

Objectives. Provide sufficient information on the scope for reviewers to 

understand the merit and deem the proposal complete and responsive to

the RFA project.

a) Project Approach and Execution Plan Narrative. Applicants 

must provide an Executive Summary (see below for contents) and 

a detailed description of the proposed plan and approach to 

execute the project. The project narrative must identify tasks, 

measurable milestones, anticipated outcomes, plan for evaluation, 

and budget information separately for each year of the award, 

sufficient for application evaluation, in accordance with the Project 

Narrative evaluation criteria (See Award Administration Information

section of this RFA). 
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The proposal narrative must clearly articulate the following:

1. A rationale for the proposed approach to address the Supply 

Chain Optimization and Intelligence Network problem and 

alignment of the project with funding the RFA Program 

Objectives. Summarize the extent of how this plan will 

expand the MEP Center’s current supply chain optimization 

efforts and support development of its intelligence network.

The MEP Center should specify plans for efficient

organization, staffing, and management for the proposed 

project.

2. Technical Merit / Value of Expected Project Outcomes and 

Impacts. Describe the execution strategy to support the 

projected outcomes and Impacts. At a minimum Include a 

detailed discussion of: 

I. anticipated impacts; 

II. methodology for identifying and evaluating project 

outcomes; and

III. establishment of support systems to disseminate 

actionable data to support supply chain optimization.

Consider Supplier Scouting Opportunities, reportable 

projects, impacts for the manufacturer (cost, jobs, 

time from technology to market, etc.) and number of 

matches made.

3. Effectiveness of delivery and implementation mechanisms. 

Identify specific project tasking, measurable timelines and 

milestones, and resources to be allocated to ensure every 

MEP supplier scouting request receives a response, even if 

no suppliers are identified.

4. Plans for program evaluation. Describe the methodologies 

for evaluating the effectiveness of delivery and 

implementation mechanisms as well as for quantifying and 

analyzing program outcomes. 

5. Budget Narrative and Justification / Rationale of Budget for 

the Proposed Work. Demonstrate the relevance and cost 

effectiveness of the proposed project budget to meet the 

proposed program objectives. 

In the Executive Summary of the technical proposal, the applicant 

should identify the criteria and objectives the proposed project 
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meets. Please see the Section of this RFA titled Program Objective

for more detailed information. Additionally, the first paragraph of the 

Executive Summary should include a project description in the 

following format:

1. Purpose: State the specific purpose and beneficiaries of the 

proposed project in one to two sentences. 

2. Activities: Describe the major activities to be performed in 

one to three sentences. 

3. Outcomes and Impacts: State the specific expected 

outcomes and impacts of the proposed project in one to 

three sentences.

4. Subrecipients: If applicable, identify subrecipients and

describe the major activities to be performed by 

subrecipients in one to three sentences.

5. Contractors: If applicable, identify contractors and describe 

the services to be performed by contractors in one to three 

sentences. 

Any acronyms or abbreviations used in the Technical Proposal 

should be defined.

7) Budget Narrative and Justification. 

The Budget Narrative does not count against the twelve (12) page limit of 

the Technical Proposal.

In addition to the SF-424A form, MEP Centers applicants must provide a 

detailed budget table and budget narrative for each year of the proposed 

two-year period of performance, fully explaining and justifying all

proposed funding expenses and revenues under applicable federal cost

principles. MEP Centers are required to use the MEP Single Year 

Budget Workbook and Award Budget Summary Table when submitting a 

budget narrative justification. The budgets should reflect anticipated 

expenses for the entire project, considering all potential cost increases, 

including the cost-of-living adjustments. The MEP Single Year Budget 

Workbook and Award Budget Summary Table are available on the MEP 

website at: https://meis.nist.gov.

The recipient should provide adequate information to support costs

identified in each category of the budget table. For example, providing 
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the annual salary and the percentage of time dedicated to the project by 

personnel to demonstrate the total cost of that individual; providing the 

airfare, lodging, per diem, number of days, and number of travelers for 

each proposed trip; and identifying anticipated subaward/contract 

amounts, the sub awardees/contractors, to the extent known at the time 

of application, and a detailed description of the purpose of each 

subaward/contract.

Applicants proposing fixed amount subawards must identify such 

subawards in the budget narrative and must provide, as part of the 

budget narrative, detailed information relative to the cost or pricing data 

being relied on by the applicant in establishing the valueof the fixed

amount subaward. See 2 C.F.R. 200.201 and 200.332.

The Budget Narrative should indicate that the funds provided under this 

award will not generate program income.

This budget will be evaluated in accordance with 2 C.F.R. Part 200 

Subpart E, Cost Principles to determine if all costs are reasonable, 

allocable, and allowable under this award.

Proposed funding levels must be consistent with the project scope, and 

only allowable costs should be included in the budget. Information on cost 

allowability is available in the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost 

Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards at 

(http://go.usa.gov/SBYh), which apply to awards in this program.

Information needed for each budget category is as follows:

a) Senior/Key Person - At a minimum, the budget justification for all 

personnel dedicated to the Supply Chain Optimization and 

Intelligence Network project should include the following: job title, 

effort commitment on the proposed project represented by time 

percentage, salary rate, total personnel charges for each identified 

position on the proposed project, description of the role of the 

individual on the proposed project and the work to be performed.

b) Fringe Benefits– Fringe benefits for each position should be 

identified separately from salaries and wages and based on rates 

determined by organizational policy. The items included in the 

fringe benefit rate (e.g., health insurance, parking, etc.) should not 

be charged under another cost category.

c) Travel- For all travel costs, the budget justification for travel should 

include the following: destination; names or number of people 
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traveling; dates and/or duration; mode of transportation, lodging 

and subsistence rates; and description of how the travel is directly 

related to the proposed project. For travel that is yet to be 

determined, please provide the best estimates based on prior 

experience. If a destination is not known, an approximate amount 

may be used with the assumptions given for the location of the 

meeting.

d) Equipment- Equipment is defined as an item of property that has 

an acquisition cost of $5,000 or more (unless the organization has 

established lower levels) and an expected service life of more than 

one year. The budget justification should list each piece of 

equipment, the cost, and a description of how it will be used and 

why it is necessary to the successful completion of the proposed 

project. Please note that any general-use equipment (computers, 

etc.) charged directly to the award should be allocated to the 

award according to expected usage on the project. 

e) Supplies– Supplies are defined as all tangible personal property 

other than that described as equipment. Provide a list of each 

supply, and the breakdown of the total costs by quantity or unit of

cost. Include the necessity of the cost for the completion of the 

proposed project.

f) Contractual (i.e. Contracts)– Each contract should be treated as 

a separate item. Identify the cost and describe the services to be 

provided and the necessity of the contract to the successful 

performance of the proposed project. Contracts are for obtaining 

goods and services for the Non-Federal Entity’s use and creates a 

procurement relationship with the contractor. 

g) Construction– Not an allowable cost under this RFA.

h) Other Direct Costs– For costs that do not easily fit into the other 

cost categories, please list the cost, and the breakdown of the total 

costs by quantity or unit of cost. Include the necessity of the cost 

for the completion of the proposed project. Only allowable costs 

can be charged to the award. Subawards must be included in the 

Other Direct Costs. A subaward is for the purpose of carrying out a 

portion of a federal award and creates a federal assistance 

relationship with the subrecipient. Each subaward should be 

treated as a separate item. Identify the cost and describe the 

services to be provided and the necessity of the subaward to the 

successful performance of the proposed project. 
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i) Indirect Costs- Commonly referred to as Facilities & 

Administrative (F&A) Costs, indirect costs are defined as costs 

incurred by the applicant organization that cannot otherwise be 

directly assigned or attributed to a specific project. The justification 

should include a cost calculation that reflects the applicable 

indirect cost rate. 

8) Indirect Cost Rate Agreement: 

If indirect costs are included in the proposed budget, then provide a copy 

of the approved negotiated agreement, from the cognizant Federal audit 

agency. If the rate was not established by a cognizant Federal audit 

agency, then provide a statement to this effect. 

Alternatively, in accordance with 2 C.F.R. § 200.414(f), applicants that

do not have a current indirect cost rate may elect to charge indirect 

costs to an award pursuant to a de minimis rate of 10 percent of

modified total direct costs (MTDC), in which case a negotiated indirect

cost rate agreement is not required. Applicants proposing a 10 percent 

deminimis rate under 2 C.F.R. § 200.414(f) should note this election as

part of the budget portion of the application.

9) Current and Pending Support Form. 

Any application that includes investigators, researchers, and key 

personnel must identify all sources of current and potential funding, 

including this proposal. Any current project support (e.g., Federal, state, 

local, public or private foundations, etc.) must be listed on this form. The 

proposed project and all other projects or activities requiring a portion of 

time of the Principal Investigator (PI), co-PI, and key personnel must be 

included, even if no salary support is received. The total award amount for 

the entire award period covered, including indirect costs, must be shown 

as well as the number of person-months per year to be devoted to the 

project, regardless of the source of support. Similar information must be 

provided for all proposals already submitted or that are being submitted 

concurrently to other potential funders.

Applicants must complete the Current and Pending Support Form, using 

multiple forms as necessary to account for all activity for each individual 

identified in the proposal as the PI, co-PI, and key personnel roles. A 

separate form should be used for each identified individual.

Applicants must download the Current and Pending Support Form from 

the NIST website: https://www.nist.gov/oaam/grants-managementdivision/current-and-pending-support and reference the guidance provided 

as it contains information to assist with accurately completing the form.
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A. Award Administration Information:

Application Review, Selection and Award Processing

The review and selection process, evaluation criteria, and selection factors for this 

program are as follows: 

1. Review and Selection Process

Noncompetitive applications for nondiscretionary funding pursuant to this RFA will be 

reviewed and considered on a rolling basis as they are received.

a) Initial Administrative Review of Applications. All noncompetitive applications

received in response to this RFA will be reviewed as received to determine 

whether they are eligible, complete, and responsive to this RFA and aligned with 

the program objectives and requirements described in the Program Description 

of this RFA. NIST MEP staff may work directly with applicants to resolve 

deficiencies with application packages, including but not limited to identifying 

missing forms and working with applicants to strengthen proposed project 

activities. The intent of this interaction between NIST MEP and the applicant is to 

facilitate the development of an acceptable project and the timely submission of a 

complete funding package by the MEP Center applicant.

b) Merit Review of Eligible, Complete and Responsive Applications. 

Applications that are deemed eligible, complete, and responsive to this RFA will 

be reviewed by at least one technically qualified federal or non-federal individual

reviewer who will evaluate each application and provide comments as to the (i) 

technical soundness and (ii) merits of the application in accordance with the 

requirements of Chapter 8.G. of the Department of Commerce Grants and 

Cooperative Agreements Manual (Dated 20 April 2021), available at: Department 

of Commerce Grants and Cooperative Agreements Manual.

Applicants may receive written follow-up questions during the review process 

relative to requested clarifications of items contained in the application and/or 

communications requesting that the applicant modify objective or work plans, or

that the applicant removes certain costs. In addition, NIST may request that 

applicant provide supplemental information required by the agency prior to 

award. 

c) Selecting Official. The Selecting Official is the MEP Director, or designee, and 

makes the final recommendation to the NIST Grants Officer regarding the 

funding of applications under this RFA. The Selecting Official will recommend 

applications for funding that the Selecting Official determines will satisfy one or 

more of the criteria in 15 U.S.C. 278k-2(h)(3). The Office of the General 
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Counsel (OGC) may review all nondiscretionary applications and supporting 

documents for proposed awards to advise the Grants Officer on all matters 

related to law and the legal form and effect of the proposed award actions, 

unless review has been waived by the Financial Assistance Law Division (FALD)

Chief. 

d) Pre-Award Risk Assessments. After applications are proposed for funding by 

the selecting official, the NIST Grants Management Division (GMD) performs preaward risk assessments in accordance with 2 C.F.R. §200.205, which may 

include a review of the financial stability of an applicant, the quality of the 

applicant’s management systems, the history of performance, and/or the 

applicant’s ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory, or other 

requirements imposed on non-federal entities. Upon completion of the pre-award 

risk assessment, the grants officer will make a reasonable determination 

concerning whether the applicant is qualified to receive the subject award and, if 

so, whether appropriate specific conditions that correspond to the degree of risk 

posed by the applicant should be applied to an award.

Award Processing

A. Award Notices

The CD-450, signed by a NIST Grants Officer, is the official award notice. This 

notification will be issued electronically to the Authorized Representative of the MEP 

Center Applicant.

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

1. No Double Charging Against Other NIST MEP Awards

Costs charged against MEAPP awards issued pursuant to this RFA may not also 

be charged as costs against any other NIST MEP awards (i.e., no double-billing 

of costs). 

2. Pre-Award Notice

The Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements for Grants 

and Cooperative Agreements contained in the Federal Register notice of 

December 30, 2014 (79 FR 78390), are applicable to this solicitation. Refer to 

http://go.usa.gov/cXC7A.

3. Uniform Administrative Requirements

Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements 

at 2 C.F.R. 200, implemented by the Department of Commerce at 2 C.F.R. 

1327.101, apply to awards in this program. Refer to http://go.usa.gov/cXCJQ.
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4. Certifications Regarding Tax Liability and Felony Criminal Convictions 

Unpaid Federal Tax Assessments and Delinquent Federal Tax Returns In 

accordance with Federal appropriations law, an authorized representative of the 

selected applicant(s) may be required to provide certain pre-award certifications 

regarding federal felony and federal criminal tax convictions, unpaid federal tax 

assessments, and delinquent federal tax returns.

5. Terms and Conditions

The Department of Commerce will apply to each award in this program, the 

Financial Assistance Standard Terms and Conditions in effect on the date of 

award made under this RFA. The current version, dated November 12, 2020, is 

accessible at: https://www.commerce.gov/oam/policy/financial-assistance-policy.

6. Limitation of Liability

In no event will NIST or the Department of Commerce be responsible for 

application preparation costs. Publication of this announcement does not oblige 

NIST to award any specific project or to obligate any available funds. NIST 

reserves the right to halt activity under the award through enforcement 

procedures under 2 C.F.R. 200.338-.342, Remedies for Non-compliance, if the 

recipient is not fulfilling the requirements of the project as outlined in the grant 

award. Non-compliance with a federally approved project may result in 

termination of the award as described in 2 C.F.R. 200.339.

7. Use of Government-Owned Intellectual Property 

If the applicant anticipates using any Federal Government-owned intellectual 

property, in the custody of NIST or another Federal agency, to carry out the work 

proposed, the applicant should clearly identify such intellectual property in the 

application. This information will be used to ensure that no Federal employee 

involved in the development of the intellectual property will participate in the 

review process for that application. In addition, if the applicant intends to use the 

Federal Government-owned intellectual property, the applicant must comply with 

all statutes and regulations governing the licensing of Federal government 

patents and inventions, described in 35 U.S.C. §§ 200-212, 37 C.F.R. Part 401, 2 

C.F.R. §200.315, and in Section C.03 of the

Department of Commerce Financial Assistance Standard Terms and Conditions,

dated November 12, 2020. Questions about these requirements may be directed 

to the Chief Counsel for NIST, (301) 975-2803, nistcounsel@nist.gov.

Any use of Federal Government-owned intellectual property by a recipient of an 

award under this announcement is at the sole discretion of the Federal 

Government and will need to be negotiated on a case-by-case basis by the 

recipient and the Federal agency having custody of the intellectual property if a 

project is deemed meritorious. The applicant should indicate within the statement 

of work whether it already has a license to use such intellectual property or 

whether it intends to seek a license from the applicable Federal agency.
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If any inventions made in whole or in part by a NIST employee arise in the course 

of an award made pursuant to this RFA, the United States Government may 

retain its ownership rights in any such invention. Licensing or other disposition of 

the Federal Government’s rights in such inventions will be determined solely by 

the Federal Government, through NIST as custodian of such inventions, and 

include the possibility of the Federal Government putting the intellectual property 

into the public domain.

8. Supporting Documentation 

Prior to award or following the issuance of an award, NIST may require recipients 

to provide draft copies of sub-tier agreements, including subawards and 

contracts, as well as subrecipient performance monitoring plans.

9. Audit requirements 

The Department of Commerce Financial Assistance Standard Terms and 

Conditions, Section D.01, and 2 CFR part 200 subpart F, adopted by the 

Department of Commerce through 2 CFR § 1327.101, require any non-federal 

entity (i.e., including non-profit institutions of higher education and non-profit 

organizations) that expends federal awards of $750,000 or more in the recipient’s 

fiscal year to conduct a single or program specific audit in accordance with the 

requirements set out in the subpart. Additionally, unless otherwise specified in 

the terms and conditions of the award, entities that are not subject to Subpart F 

of 2 CFR part 200 (e.g., for-profit commercial entities) that expend $750,000 or 

more in DOC funds during their fiscal year must submit to the grants officer 

either: (i) a financial related audit of each DOC award or subaward in accordance 

with generally accepted government auditing standards; or (ii) a project specific 

audit for each award or subaward in accordance with the requirements contained 

in 2 CFR § 200.507. Applicants are reminded that NIST, the Department of 

Commerce Office of Inspector General, or another authorized federal agency 

may conduct an audit of an award at any time.

C. Reporting

1. Reporting Requirements. The following reporting requirements described in 

Sections A.01, Reporting Requirements, of the Department of Commerce 

Financial Assistance Standard Terms and Conditions and dated November 12, 

2020, apply to awards in this program:

a) Financial Reports. The Recipient shall submit an SF-425, Federal 

Financial Report, into MEP’s Enterprise Information System (MEIS) on 

a semi-annual basis after each 6-month period of the agreement

period of performance, unless other reporting intervals and/or due 

dates are identified by the NIST Grants Officer pursuant to a Specific 
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Award Condition. Reports will be due within 30 days after the end of 

each quarterly reporting period. The recipient shall submit a final SF425 within 120 days after the expiration date of the award.

b) Performance Progress Plan/Technical Reports. The recipient shall 

submit a Technical Report (completing all required MEIS fields that 

apply) on a quarterly basis after each 3-month period of the agreement 

period of performance, unless other reporting intervals and/or due 

dates are identified by the NIST Grants Officer pursuant to a Special 

Award Condition. Reports are due in MEIS no later than 30 days 

following the end of each reporting period. Reporting requirements 

include: 

i. Progress to plan last 90 days, planned progress next 90 days, 

supplier scouting outcomes and results, detailed descriptions of 

the relevant activities of dedicated supply chain staff, intelligencegathering efforts and results, systems and processes initiated and 

established and Lessons Learned. In addition to the narrative, 

recipients will provide Budget Actuals not less than quarterly to 

document expenses directly related to Supply Chain Optimization 

and Intelligence Network activities.

ii. Interim and final performance reports should contain information 

on all “funded activities and their measurable outcomes” sufficient 

to all MEP to assess and report on the pilot program in 

accordance with 15 U.S.C. § 278k-2(l)(1), as well as additional 

reporting as deemed to prepare for the October 2025 report to 

Congress. Technical/Quarterly Report details are accessible on 

the MEIS website.

c) A final performance (technical) report is due within 120 days after 

the end of the project period and should include a detailed discussion 

reporting on the expanded market understanding of supply chain 

information captured, research and industry data collected on the 

current supplier landscape, identification of key OEMs and their 

strengths and gaps in the local market and opportunities that exist to 

build out supply chain capabilities and capacity, lessons learned and

suggested improvements. The final report and other data produced 

from the activities should be in a format that lends itself to 

dissemination to other SMMs and to the MEP National NetworkTM. 

The reports may be shared by NIST MEP with other NIST Programs 

that support domestic supply chain optimization and related research,

and the information will be used in the 2025 report to Congress.
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The recipient will be required to provide information in the quarterly 

reports in MEIS on Staffing and Supply Chain Activities Specific

Contacts including:

i. Any system to be used or in use to collect and store supply 

chain information, and report on any system changes.

ii. Case studies or success stories as part of the project reporting.

2. Patent and Property Reports. From time to time, and in accordance with 

the Uniform Administrative Requirements and other terms and conditions 

governing the award, the recipient may need to submit property and 

patent reports.

3. Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters. In accordance with 

section 872 of Public Law 110-417 (as amended; see 41 U.S.C. 2313), if 

the total value of a recipient’s currently active grants, cooperative 

agreements, and procurement contracts from all Federal awarding 

agencies exceeds $10,000,000 for any period of time during the period of 

performance of an award made under this RFA, then the recipient shall be 

subject to the requirements specified in Appendix XII to 2 C.F.R. Part 200, 

http://go.usa.gov/cTBwC, for maintaining the currency of information 

reported to SAM that is made available in FAPIIS about certain civil, 

criminal, or administrative proceedings involving the recipient.

4. Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006. In 

accordance with 2 C.F.R. Part 170, all recipients of a Federal award made 

on or after October 1, 2010, are required to comply with reporting 

requirements under the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency 

Act of 2006 (Public Law No. 109-282). In general, all recipients are 

responsible for reporting sub-awards of $25,000 or more. In addition, 

recipients that meet certain criteria are responsible for reporting executive 

compensation. Applicants must ensure they have the necessary 

processes and systems in place to comply with the reporting requirements 

should they receive funding. Also see the Federal Register notice 

published September 14, 2010, at 75 FR 55663 available here 

http://go.usa.gov/hKnQ.

Other Information:

A. Allowable Costs

Funds awarded cannot necessarily pay for all the costs that the recipient might incur 

in the course of carrying out an award. Generally, costs that are allowable include 

salaries, equipment, supplies, contractual, and other, as long as these are 
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"necessary and reasonable" specifically for the purpose of the award. Allowable 

costs are determined by reference to the OMB Uniform Guidance at 2 C.F.R. Part 

200, codified by the Department of Commerce at 1327.101. All cost reimbursement 

sub-awards (e.g., subgrants, subcontracts) are subject to those federal cost 

principles applicable to the particular type of organization concerned. The recipient 

may request approval of pre-award costs; however, all costs incurred before the 

Federal awarding agency makes the Federal award are at the recipient's risk.

B. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

In the event that an application contains information or data that you do not want 

disclosed prior to award for purposes other than the evaluation of the application, 

mark each page containing such information or data with the words "Privileged, 

Confidential, Commercial, or Financial Information - Limited Use" at the top of the 

page to assist NIST in making disclosure determinations. DOC regulations 

implementing the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C 552, are found at 15 

C.F.R. Part 4, Public Information, which sets forth rules for DOC to make requested 

materials, information, and records publicly available under FOIA. The contents of 

funded applications may be subject to requests for release under the FOIA. Based 

on the information provided by you, the confidentiality of the content of funded 

applications will be maintained to the maximum extent permitted by law.

C. Webinar Information Session

NIST MEP will host a webinar information session March 2

nd

, 2023, at 3:00pm ET for 

MEP Center applicants to learn more about the RFA. This webinar will provide 

general information regarding this RFA and offer general guidance on preparing the 

MEP National Supply Chain Optimization and Intelligence Network noncompetitive 

application.