MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

MEP Advisory Board 

Tuesday, March 7, 2023 

Wednesday, March 8, 2023 

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 
 

 

 

 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

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. 

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MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

Welcome and Introductions 

• Pravina Raghavan, MEP Director 

• Secretary Gina Raimondo, U.S. Department of Commerce 

• Matthew Newman, MEP Advisory Board, Chair 

• Welcome New Members 

• Sean Ketter, Oshkosh Corporation, Wisconsin, Feb 2023 

• Tyrome Smith, Common Mission Project, Maryland, Feb 2023 

• Welcome MEP Advisory Board Special Guests 

• Beth Bafford, Calvert Impact Capital, Washington, DC 

• Gail Friedberg Rottenstrich, ZAGO Manufacturing Co. New Jersey 

• Louis Foreman, Eventys Partners, North Carolina 

• Michael Garvey, M-7 Technologies, Ohio 

• Review the Agenda 

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MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

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Welcome from Board Chair 

Chair: Matthew Newman, New Era Advisors, Inc. 

Vice Chair: Bernadine Hawes, Econsult 

Don Bockoven, Fiber Industries LLC 

Miriam Kmetzo, Welding Technology Corp 

Mitch Magee, Consultant 

Chris Mathews, National Custom Hollow Metal Doors and Frames 

& Maple Leaf Awning & Canvas 

Pat Moulton, Vermont State Colleges Workforce Division 

Annette Parker, South Central College 

George Spottswood, Quality Filters, Inc 

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MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

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Day One Agenda 

Tuesday, March 7, 2023 

Welcome and Introductions 

Briefing from Associate Director of Innovation and Industry Services, 

Mojdeh Bahar 

MEP Director’s Update 

2023-2027 MEP Strategic Plan Overview and 18-month Metrics 

Welcome/Brief on Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, 

Rob Atkinson 

2023 Working Groups 

Day One Wrap Up 

With Dr. Laurie Locascio, NIST Director & Under Secretary for Standards 

and Technology 

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MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

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Day Two Agenda 

Wednesday, March 8, 2023 

• Welcome Back 

• MEP Expansion Awards Strategy 

• Recognize New Board Leadership 

• Public Comments 

• Meeting Wrap Up 

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MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • • 

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Briefing from Associate Director of Innovation 

and Industry Services 

Mojdeh Bahar 

Associate Director, 

Innovation and Industry Services, NIST 

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MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

MEP and MFG USA

• Baldridge’s Job Quality Toolkit

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Briefing from ADIIS 

• DOC, NIST and Innovation and Industry Services 

• Go-To Resources for U.S. Manufacturing 

• CHIPS and Science Act and NIST 

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MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

NIST is part of the US Department of 

Commerce 

The Hollings Manufacturing DOC’s Mission: 

Extension Partnership (MEP) To create the conditions for 

economic growth and is one of four Innovation and 

opportunity. Industrial Services programs at 

NIST. 

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MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

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Innovation and Industry Services Programs 

• Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) 

• 51 Centers, one in each state and Puerto Rico, with 1,400 manufacturing 

experts to assist small and medium manufacturers (SMMs) on various areas 

such as automation, cybersecurity, workforce development and supply chain 

scouting and resiliency. 

• MEP assists the federal government agencies and private sector entities in 

finding suppliers and assist SMMs to pivot into new sectors. 

• MATTR+ allows for small and medium manufacturers to access to NIST labs 

and their world-renowned scientist to solve technology problems effecting 

manufacturers. 

Technology Partnerships Office 

• Structures collaborative relationships between NIST researchers and 

external partners 

• Manages the NIST Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program 

• Provides R&D related economic analysis 

• Administers and hosts the Federal Laboratory Consortium 

Office of Advanced Manufacturing 

• Manufacturing USA Program Office - coordinates program of 9 Federal 

agencies and 16 Advanced Mfg. Innovation Institutes 

• Manages NIST NIIMBL institute on biopharmaceutical manufacturing 

• Manages NIST extramural advanced manufacturing programs, including 

current Technology Roadmaps 

• Manages Advanced Manufacturing Pandemic Response Projects - $150 

million on 45 high impact projects 

• Coordinates Advanced Manufacturing for National Science and Technology 

Council 

Baldrige Performance Excellence Program 

• Maintains and promotes the use of the Baldrige Excellence Framework and 

Criteria for Performance Excellence 

• Manages the Baldrige Award, the highest level of recognition for quality and 

performance excellence in the nation 

• Supports and encourages performance excellence in all sectors 

• Supports nationwide network of state/regional programs 

• Provides assessment tools and educational offerings, including the annual 

Quest for Excellence conference, the Baldrige Executive Fellows Program, 

and the Job Quality Toolkit 10
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

Go-To Resources for U.S. Manufacturing 

MEP Focus: Primarily one-on-one 

interactions between MEP Centers and 

SMMs in their states 

• Business Practices: Lean and Continuous 

Improvement, Quality Management, Sustainability, 

Business Growth Services, Financial Services, 

Supply Chain services, and Risk Management 

• Technical Services: Engineering services/plant layout. Cybersecurity and information Services,

Advanced Manufacturing/Industry 4.0, Product 

Development support, Process Integration 

• Innovation Ecosystem: Go-to resource for building manufacturing communities within states 

• Workforce: Talent planning, customized skills training, including apprenticeships & industry 

recognized certifications, connections with states 

and local resources 

MFG USA Focus: Large-scale 

collaborations with multiple organizations 

working together on R&D innovation 

projects 

• Advanced Manufacturing: 

– Develop specific new and innovative manufacturing 

technologies 

– Scale-up new manufacturing technologies to produce 

new products and processes across entire industry 

sectors 

• Innovation Ecosystems: 

– Spur creation and expansion of local and regional 

technology ecosystems 

– Work across the national innovation ecosystem to 

strengthen manufacturing 

• Workforce: Strengthen workforce pipeline in specific 

technologies 

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Lightweight

Metals 

Detroit, MI 

Cybersecurity 

San Antonio, 

TX 

Additive 

Manufacturing 

Youngstown, OH El Paso, TX 

Composites 

Knoxville, TN 

Detroit MI 

Advanced 

Robotics 

Pittsburgh, PA 

Wide Bandgap

Semiconductors 

Raleigh, NC 

Manufacturing 

Newark, DE 

Advanced 

 

 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

Manufacturing USA Network 

Flexible Hybrid

Electronics 

San Jose, CA 

Clean Energy

Smart 

Manufacturing 

Los Angeales, 

CA 

Digital Manufacturing & Design 

Chicago, IL 

Bio-industrial 

Manufacturin 

g and Design

Ecosystem 

St. Paul, MN 

Sustainable 

Manufacturing 

Rochester, NY 

Integrated

Photonics 

Albany, NY 

Rochester, NY 

Regenerative

Manufacturing 

Manchester, NH 

Advanced 

Fibers and 

Textiles 

Cambridge, MA 

Modular 

Chemical 

Process 

Intensification 

New York, NY 

Bio- pharmaceutical 

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 MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •CHIPS for America Incentives 

$39 billion for manufacturing 

• Incentivize expansion of

manufacturing capacity for 

semiconductors 

• Attract large-scale

investments in advanced 

technologies such as leadingedge logic and memory 

• Advance U.S. technical 

leadership 

• NDAA Section 9902 

$11 billion for R&D 

• National Semiconductor 

Technology Center 

• National Advanced Packaging

Manufacturing Program 

• Manufacturing USA

institute(s) 

• National Institute of 

Standards and Technology

measurement science 

• NDAASection 9906 

Together with 

CHIPS 

initiatives from 

other agencies, 

including DOD, 

State, NSF, 

and Treasury 

Workforce development 

Note: These funds were appropriated by Congress through CHIPS.. 13
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

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CHIPS and Science Act: NIST 

National Institute of Standards and Technology Authorization ($9 billion total, +$4 billion over baseline) 

Advances research and standards development for industries of the future, including Support Critical Technology Research and quantum information science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, advanced Standards communications technologies, and semiconductors. 

Triples funding for Manufacturing Extension Partnership, to support small- and 

Strengthen Small Manufacturers medium sized manufacturers with cybersecurity, workforce training, and supply chain 

resiliency ($2 billion total) 

Leverages the Manufacturing Extension Partnership to creates a National Supply

Combat Supply Chain Disruption Chain Database, to assist the businesses with supplier scouting and minimizing supply

chain disruptions ($131 million total) 

Supports the creation of new competitively-awarded manufacturing research 

Grow Manufacturing USA institutes with expanded capacity for education and workforce development ($829 

million total) 

Expands interagency coordination and information exchange activities to support Promote Competitiveness in International private sector engagement and ensure effective Federal engagement in the Standards development and use of international standards 

Note: Five-year authorization figures; not appropriation figures. 14
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

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Job Quality Toolkit 

Job Quality Toolkit was developed by the NIST Baldrige office with support from DOC. 

The Job Quality Toolkit, rooted in the Baldrige Excellence Framework, is tool that organizations can use 

to improve the quality of the jobs they offer. 

MEP support will include: 

• NIST MEP website 

• A NIST MEP Infographic for Centers to brand and post to their website 

• Information webinars for Centers 

• Development of an on-line self-assessment for companies that will align with the JQT 

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MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

FY22 Impact Survey Results 

• Over 116,700 jobs created or retained 

• $18.8 Billion in New and Retained Sales 

• $6.4 Billion in Total Investment in US. Manufacturing 

• $2.5 Billion in Cost Savings 

Results are based on FY 2022 MEP National Network Client Impact Survey (over 9,100 surveys completed) 16
 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

Workforce 

Quality 

Lean 

Strategic/Busine ss Management 

Growth 

Technology 

Sales/Marketing/Busine ss 

Information Technology 

Engin eering/Plant Layout 

Financial Analysis/A ssistance 

Sustainab li ity 

FY22 Top MEP Projects

Last year, MEP Centers worked with more than 10,200 manufacturers on over 16,100 projects. 

2,487 2,478 2,402 

2,153 

1,690 1,594 

829 776 736 

514 479 

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MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • • 

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FY22 Manufacturer Challenges Reported 

66% 

60% 

41% 

34% 

25% 

18% 17% 

11% 

7% 5% 

Employee Growth Product Sustainability Technology Financing Other Exporting 

Recruitment Development Needs Challenges 

Cost 

Reduction 

Managing 

Partners 

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MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

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National Programs: Leveraging Technology & Empowering Manufacturers 

Food Industry Services 

FY22 MEP Center Sample as of Feb. 2023 

• 45 Webinar presentations 

• 403 Projects 

• 717 Workshops/Training Sessions 

Cybersecurity 

• ~50% of projects help DOD 

contractors and subs 

• 140% increase since 2020 

• 705 projects completed in 

FY22 

New Partnerships 

• 4 MFG USA Institutes 

• 6 Universities 

• 7 Federal Labs 

• 9 Federal Agencies 

• 7 Other Stakeholders (e.g., NEMA, ACS, MRS) 

• 7 NIST Lab Divisions within 6 OUs. 

Industry 4.0 

• 2,699 projects FY15-FY22 

• $501.9M New/Retained Sales 

• 3 AMTS Projects completed 

• MEP-MxD MOU 

ExporTech (2006 to present) 

• ~80 clients/yr 

• $469K avg sales inc./retain 

• $93K avg savings 

• $623 Million in total program sales 

• 6 new jobs per company 

OEM Engagement 

• Semiconductor (Intel, NXP, Applied Materials) 

• Food (Whole Foods) 

• Medical Devices (Stryker, Medtronic, Baxter, Edwards S.) 

• I4.0 (Rockwell) 

• Aerospace (Boeing) 

MATTR/ 

MATTR+ 

Sectors 

Served 

Toyota Kata FY22 

• 10 Projects/yr 

Increase 

• 93 Projects 

FY22 

• $514K saved 

per client 

Targeted Industry Sectors 

• Semiconductor • Space Sector 

• Clean Energy • Medical Devices 

• Electric Vehicles • Biomanufacturing 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

Supplier Scouting 

CY2021 Supplier Scouting Metrics 

• 118 opportunities scouted 

– 3 opportunities from 2 federal agencies 

– 115 opportunities scouted for MEPNN 

• 20 industries served 

• 43 manufacturing processes 

• 397 matches submitted by MEP Centers 

• $130 million business opportunities 

CY2022 Supplier Scouting Metrics 

• 155 opportunities scouted 

– 65 opportunities from 8 federal agencies 

– 90 opportunities scouted for MEPNN 

• 19 industries served 

• 33 manufacturing processes 

• 98 matches submitted by MEP Centers 

• $33.9 million business opportunities 

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MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

FY 2022 Center State Competition 

Notice of Funding Opportunity 

One: Complete 

• Kentucky and South Dakota 

awarded to new host organizations 

• Nebraska, Rhode Island awarded 

to incumbent hosts 

• All awards started on Jan. 1, 2023 

Notice of Funding Opportunity Two 

• Arizona and Maryland with service 

to Washington, DC 

• Selection process is complete 

• Awards to be announced April 

2023 for July 1, 2023 start 

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MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

MEP Economic Impact Analysis 

In February 2023, Summit Consulting and the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research completed 

a study that found the MEP Program generated a substantial return on investment of 

nearly 18.1:1 for the $158 million invested in FY 2022 by the federal government. 

JOBS GDP RETURN ON 

269,373 $29.9 Billion INVESTMENT 

18.1:1 

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MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

Strategies for NIST MEP From Strategic Plan FY 23-27 

To execute and continue to build on the four strategic foundational pillars, the NIST MEP will: 

• Recast and adapt its operations, policies, processes, practices, and structures 

• Expand partnerships and strategic 

• Develop its knowledge and learning capabilities and leverage its convening 

• Build the MEP brand, messaging, and marketing reach 

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MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • • 

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MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

MEP Program Budget Outlook 

FY 2022 

Appropriation Status 

• $158 million for MEP 

• Funding not subject to cost share 

requirements (elective for Centers 

receiving state funds conditioned on 

federal cost share requirement) 

FY 2023 

Appropriation Status 

• $175 million for MEP 

• $13 million in Disaster Supplemental 

• Funding not subject to cost share 

requirements (elective for Centers 

receiving state funds conditioned on 

federal cost share requirement) 

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NIST MEP Projected Spend Plan Through Sept. 30, 2023 

Available Funding $ Millions Planned Expenditures $ Millions 

 

 

 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

Appropriation 

Disaster Supplemental 13 MSE/MDAP 0.8 

Carryover from FY 2022 5.6 Expansion awards 20.4 

Prior-year recoveries 0.2 State Relations - SSTI 1.2 

Total available funding 193.8 Disaster Awards 3 

Contracts 7.2 

NIST MEP labor 12.4 

NIST and program overhead 14.4 

Total planned expenditures 193.8 

175 Center renewals 134.4 

Projected FY 2023 efficiency rate = 11.21%; Actual FY 2022 efficiency rate = 10.89% 26
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

Major Legislation 

The President signed into law the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 on August 9, 2022 

Key provisions include: 

• Creates an Expansion Award Pilot Program 

• Establishes a voluntary National Supply Chain Database 

• Language which doesn’t require MEP Centers to enroll their clients in the GSA 

Advantage Program 

• Triples MEP’s Authorized Funding Levels: FY23 $275 million, FY24 $300 million, 

FY25-27 $550 million 

“[The Act will] strengthen American manufacturing, supply chains, and national security, and invest in research 

and development, science and technology, and the workforce of the future to keep the United States the leader 

in the industries of tomorrow, including nanotechnology, clean energy, quantum computing, and artificial 

intelligence.”— White House Press Release 8/9/2022 

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MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

MEPNN Expansion Award Pilot Program 

The group will discuss and review expansion awards to provide the following 

services: 

– Workforce development (which may include training advanced manufacturing personnel) 

– Resiliency of domestic supply chains 

– Expanded support for adopting advanced technology upgrades at small and medium 

manufacturers 

– Global marketplace projects - projects that have potential for enhancing the competitiveness of 

U.S. SMMs in the global marketplace 

– Allow NIST to accept funding from other Federal departments and agencies for competitive 

MEP grants 

– Require MEP to increase outreach to underserved communities 

– Ensure the MEP Centers are specifically focused on supporting American manufacturing 

– PLUS - Other Award amounts at the discretion of the Director 

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MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

Expansion Award Pilot Programs on Supply Chains 

• Why is MEP focused on supply chain? 

– Executive Order 14005 requests Federal Agencies to utilize MEP Supplier Scouting. 

– CHIPS ACT establishes a pilot program of expansion awards to provide services, including 

resiliency of domestic supply chains and to build capabilities across the Hollings

Manufacturing Extension Partnership for domestic supply chain resiliency and optimization. 

• What is MEP doing? 

– $20.4 million investment in MEPNN on supply chain optimization and intelligence network 

through a Request for Application (RFA) 

– Centers may request up to $400,000 funding 

– Period of performance is 2 years 

– RFA published in March 2023 

– Projects can start as early as June 1, 2023 

– Report is due to Congress by October 1, 2025. 

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MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

National Supply Chain Optimization and 

Intelligence Network 

Goals: 

• Expand existing MEP Center and Network capabilities to provide

services focused on national supply chain optimization 

• Establish a National Supply Chain Intelligence Network that will: 

– Comprehensively support supplier scouting services, 

– Rigorously assess and analyze domestic manufacturing capabilities, 

– Expand the inherent knowledge of each MEP Center’s local manufacturing 

ecosystems 

– Build an integrated knowledge of U.S. supply networks 

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MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

Discussions & Questions 

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MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

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Discussion:

2023-2027 MEP National Network Strategic Plan Overview and 18-month 

Metrics 

• MEP National Network Tenets 

• Previous Strategic Goals and 18-month Metrics 

• 2023-2027 National Network Strategies 

• NIST MEP Strategies 

• MEPNN in 2027 

• Discussion: Achieving 2027 Goals and Updated 18-month Metrics 

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MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

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MEP National Network Strategic Foundational Pillars 

Empower Champion Leverage Partnerships Transform the Network Manufacturers Manufacturing 

Assist U.S. manufacturers 

in embracing productivityenhancing innovative 

manufacturing 

technologies, navigate

advanced technology 

solutions and recruit and 

retain a skilled and 

diverse workforce. 

Actively promote the 

importance of a strong

manufacturing base as 

key to a robust U.S.

economy and for the 

protection of national 

security interests; 

create awareness of 

innovations in 

manufacturing; create

workforce development 

partnerships to build a 

stronger and diverse 

workforce pipeline; and 

maximize market 

awareness of the MEP 

National Network. 

Leverage national, 

regional, state and local 

partnerships to gain 

substantial increase in 

market penetration; 

identify missioncomplementary 

advocates to help MEP

become a recognized 

manufacturing resource 

brand; build an expanded

service delivery model to 

support manufacturing 

technology advances. 

Maximize National 

Network knowledge and 

experience to operate as 

an integrated national

network; increase 

efficiency and

effectiveness by 

employing a Learning 

Organization platform; 

and create a resilient and 

adaptive MEP National 

Network to support a

resilient and adaptive 

U.S. manufacturing base. 

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MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

Previous Strategic Goal Areas 

Strengthening the National Serving the Manufacturing 

Supply Chain Workforce 1. Increase supplier matches and clients 2. Increase client engagement in workforce 

served in critical areas services 

Leading in Technology Increasing Awareness 3. Amplify and measure Network brand 4. Deployment 

awareness Increase client engagement in technology 

services and implementation 

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MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • • 

Previous 18-month Measures of Success 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

In 2027, the MEPNN... 

• Has the dual capacity to excel at serving SMMs in individual states 

and to function as a powerful cohesive, collaborative network capable 

of impacting complex regional and national issues. 

• Established as a recognized national resource and expert 

authority in American manufacturing. 

• Is a valued partner with other federal agencies, state authorities, 

associations, and other groups working in manufacturing. 

• Has the knowledge and capacity to support SMMs and manufacturing 

in anticipating and being prepared for future trends. 

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MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

In 2027, the MEPNN... 

• Enables consistent and cost-effective technology adoption. 

• Annually increases its market penetration. 

• Annually increases the economic impacts it creates for U.S. 

manufacturers. 

• Enables SMMs access to a skilled workforce. 

• Helps SMMs become nimbler in pivoting into new markets. 

• Is engaged in the relevant new directions that the country is going in 

relation to manufacturing. 

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MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

2023-2027 MEP National Network Primary Strategies 

The MEP National Network Strategic Plan has three primary goals: 

• Narrow the Workforce Gap 

• Mitigate Supply Chain Vulnerabilities 

• Leverage Technology 

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MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

Goal 1: Narrow the Workforce Gap 

• Enable SMMs to navigate the current workforce shortage while improving 

productivity and profitability through: 

– Upskilling 

– Use of technology and productivity enhancements 

– Partnerships (e.g., connect educational entities to manufacturing needs and jobs/careers) 

– Improving work conditions, job quality, career paths, etc. 

– Assessing underserved populations and integrating them into the manufacturing industry 

– Making the case for integration of underserved populations with SMMs 

• Build a pipeline of future employees for the manufacturing sector through: 

– Rebranding and marketing the public image of manufacturing nationally and in the states 

– Broadening partnerships and connections with educational and other entities working in this space 

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MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

Goal 2: Mitigate Supply Chain Vulnerabilities 

• Increase supply chain visibility 

– End-to-end awareness (supplier’s supplier and customer’s customer) 

– Mapping Supply Chains (key industries; in individual states) 

– Working with OEMs to map out how SMMs fit into their supply chains 

• Assess supply chain risk 

– Able to identify vulnerabilities 

– Able to rapidly detect risk as they emerge 

– Strengthen supplier development 

– Increase supplier scouting capacity 

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MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

Goal 3: Leverage Technology 

• Increasing tech adoption 

– ID early adopters and leverage them to move the early majority 

– Defining tech capabilities and business cases for adoption for customers to increase impact (IT 

and OT) 

– Educating Center staff on the different kinds of technology to increase impact with customers 

• Ensuring wholistic, comprehensive application and use of technology (not just in 

production but in business operations, etc.) 

– Creation of roadmaps for customers and aligning them to customer’s strategic goals 

• Strengthening cybersecurity capabilities 

– Communicating the importance of mitigating cybersecurity risks 

• Partner with federal labs to accelerate the use of new technologies 

– Codevelop tech capabilities and business cases for adoption to bring new insights to industry 

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MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

42

Intersections Across Network Strategic Goals 

Narrowing the workforce gap Increasing technology Strengthen workforce through engagement future adoption across served knowledge of supply chain technologies customers dependencies to help predict

supply chain risks 

The strategic goals do not exist in silos. 

They intersect with each other. 

42
 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

What are the best measurements to track progress on 

these goals? 

43
 

 

 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

2023-2027 MEPNN Strategic Goals 

Narrow the 1. Workforce Gap 

Mitigate Supply Chain 2. Vulnerabilities 

3. Leverage Technology 

44
MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • • 

Goal 1: Narrow the Workforce Gap 

45
MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • • 

Goal 2: Mitigate Supply Chain Vulnerabilities 

46
 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

Goal 3: Leverage Technology 

Increasing tech adoption • Increase clients engaged with technology services projects by 10% 

47
 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

48

Discussions & Questions 

48
 

 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

Welcome/Brief on Information Technology 

Information Foundation, Rob Atkinson 

Rob Atkinson 

Founder and President, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) 

49
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

Discussion: 2023 Working Groups 

• Working Groups and Members 

• Working Group Deliverables Refresh 

• Advisory Board Executive Committee 

• Strategic Goal: Narrow the Workforce Gap 

• Strategic Goal: Mitigate Supply Chain Vulnerabilities 

• Strategic Goal: Leverage Technology 

• MEPNN Expansion Awards - Ad-Hoc 

• Discussion: Proposed Working Group Structure 

50
 

 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

MAB Working Group Members 

Advisory Board 

Executive 

Committee 

Don Bockoven 

Louis Foreman 

Bernadine Hawes 

*Mitch Magee 

Chris Mathews 

*Matt Newman 

Tyrome Smith 

*George Spottswood 

* Outgoing Board Member 

Narrow the 

Workforce Gap 

Beth Bafford 

Don Bockoven 

Louis Foreman 

Gail Friedberg

Rottenstrich 

Bernadine Hawes 

Miriam Kmetzo 

*Mitch Magee 

Annette Parker 

Mitigate Supply MEPNN Leverage Chain Expansion Technology Vulnerabilities Awards 

Don Bockoven 

Sean Ketter Louis Foreman Bernadine Hawes 

*Matt Newman *Mitch Magee Chris Mathews 

Tyrome Smith 

51
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

Advisory Board Executive Committee Working Group 

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. 

Board Members 

Don Bockoven, Louis Foreman, 

Bernadine Hawes, Mitch Magee, Chris 

Mathews, Matt Newman, Tyrome Smith

and George Spottswood 

NIST MEP Support 

Pravina Raghavan, Wiza Lequin, Katie 

Rapp, Mark Schmit, Tom Williams and 

Cheryl Gendron 

52
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

Narrow the Workforce Gap Working Group 

Deliverable 

Provide guidance back to full 

board on programming to enable 

SMMs to navigate the current 

workforce shortage while 

improving productivity and 

profitability. 

Board Members 

Beth Bafford, Don Bockoven, Louis 

Foreman, Gail Friedberg Rottenstrich, 

Bernadine Hawes, Miriam Kmetzo, 

Mitch Magee and Annette Parker 

NIST MEP Support 

Steve Campbell, Wiza Lequin, Heather 

Mayton and Gerson Santos-Leon 

53
 

 

 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

Mitigate Supply Chain Vulnerabilities Working Group 

Deliverable Board Members 

Sean Ketter and Matt Newman Provide guidance on programming 

to enable SMMs to mitigate supply 

chain vulnerabilities. NIST MEP Support 

Steve Campbell, Jyoti Malhotra and 

Ben Vickery 

54
 

 

 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

Leverage Technology Working Group 

Deliverable Board Members 

Louis Foreman and Mitch Magee Provide guidance on programming 

to leverage technology. 

NIST MEP Support 

Steve Campbell, Jose Colucci-Rios and 

Jyoti Malhotra 

55
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

MEPNN Expansion Awards - Ad-Hoc Working Group 

Deliverable 

Provide guidance to the Board on the 

directive from the CHIPS and Science 

Act of 2022, Sec. 10251, Sec. 25B 

"Applications for awards under this 

section shall be submitted in such 

manner, at such time, and containing 

such information as the Director shall 

require in consultation with the

Manufacturing Extension Partnership 

Advisory Board." 

Board Members 

Don Bockoven, Bernadine Hawes, Chris 

Mathews and Tyrome Smith 

NIST MEP Support 

PravinaRaghavan, Beverly Bobb, Autumn 

Hernandez, Kevin McIntyre and Nico

Thomas 

56
 

 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

Current NIST MEP Working Groups with MEP Centers 

Supplier Scouting 

Industry 4.0 Cybersecurity 

Manufacturer 

Resilience Workforce 

Semiconductor 

Marketing 

Toyota 

Kata/Continuous 

Improvement 

Food Industry 

Services 

57
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

58

Proposed Working Group Structure 

Advisory 

Board 

Executive 

Committee 

Remains 

Comprised 

of MAB 

Members 

Narrow the Workforce Gap 

Mitigate Supply Chain Vulnerabilities 

Leverage Technology 

Integrate MAB WGs with related 

MEPNN WGs to better share 

knowledge with MEPNN, expand 

capacity, and expand to non-MAB 

members. 

MEPNN 

Expansion 

Awards 

Transition to 

regular MAB 

Meeting 

briefing 
 

 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

Closing Remarks 

Dr. Laurie Locascio 

Director of NIST and Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology 

59
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

60

Day Two Agenda 

Wednesday, March 8, 2023 

• Welcome Back 

• MEP Expansion Awards Strategy 

• Recognize New Board Leadership 

• Public Comments 

• Meeting Wrap Up 

60
 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

Recognize Outgoing MAB Members 

61
 

 

 

 

 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

Matthew Newman 

Chair, MEP Advisory Board 

New Era Advisors 

Oklahoma 

March 2023 

E. LaDon Byars 

Colonial Diversified 

Polymer Products, 

LLC 

Tennessee 

February 2023 

Mitch Magee 

Independent 

Consultant 

Ohio 

March 2023 

Mary Isbister 

GenMet 

Corporation 

Wisconsin 

March 2023 

Thank you! 

Class of 2017 

George

Spottswood 

Quality Filters 

Alabama 

May 2023 

Jim Wright Leslie Taito 

Proof Research Taco Comfort 

Montana Rhode Island 

March 2023 July 2023 

62
 

 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

MEP Advisory Board 

Day Two 

Wednesday, March 8, 2023 

FACA Board Meeting 

63
MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • • 

Welcome Back 

Mojdeh Bahar 

Associate Director, Innovation and Industry Services, NIST 

64
MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • • 

Welcome Back 

Pravina Raghavan, MEP Director 

Matthew Newman, MEP Advisory Board, Chair 

65
 

 

 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

66

Day Two Agenda 

Wednesday, March 8, 2023 

• Welcome Back 

• MEP Expansion Awards Strategy 

• Recognize New Board Leadership 

• Public Comments 

• Meeting Wrap Up 

66
 

 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

Discussion: 

MEP Expansion Awards Strategy 

• Expansion Award Pilot Program National Supply Chain 

Optimization and Intelligence Network 

• Discussion: Prioritization for Future Expansion Award Pilot 

Program 

67
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

MEPNN Expansion Award Pilot Programs 

The group will discuss and review expansion awards to provide the following 

services: 

– Workforce development (which may include training advanced manufacturing personnel) 

– Resiliency of domestic supply chains 

– Expanded support for adopting advanced technology upgrades at small and medium 

manufacturers 

– Global marketplace projects - projects that have potential for enhancing the competitiveness of 

U.S. SMMs in the global marketplace 

– Allow NIST to accept funding from other Federal departments and agencies for competitive 

MEP grants 

– Require MEP to increase outreach to underserved communities 

– Ensure the MEP Centers are specifically focused on supporting American manufacturing 

– PLUS - Other Award amounts at the discretion of the Director 

68
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

Expansion Award Pilot Programs on Supply Chains 

• Why is MEP focused on supply chain? 

– Executive Order 14005 requests Federal Agencies to utilize MEP Supplier Scouting. 

– CHIPS ACT establishes a pilot program of expansion awards to provide services, including 

resiliency of domestic supply chains and to build capabilities across the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership for domestic supply chain resiliency and optimization. 

• What is MEP doing? 

– $20.4 million investment in MEPNN on supply chain optimization and intelligence network 

through a Request for Application (RFA) 

– Centers may request up to $400,000 funding 

– Period of performance is 2 years 

– RFA published in March 2023 

– Projects can start as early as June 1, 2023 

– Report is due to Congress by October 1, 2025. 

69
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

National Supply Chain Optimization and Intelligence 

Network 

Goals: 

• Expand existing MEP Center and Network capabilities to provide

services focused on national supply chain optimization 

• Establish a National Supply Chain Intelligence Network that will: 

– Comprehensively support supplier scouting services, 

– Rigorously assess and analyze domestic manufacturing capabilities, 

– Expand the inherent knowledge of each MEP Center’s local manufacturing 

ecosystems 

– Build an integrated knowledge of U.S. supply networks 

70
 

 

 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

2023-2027 MEPNN Strategic Goals 

Narrow the 1. Workforce Gap 

Mitigate Supply Chain 2. Vulnerabilities 

3. Leverage Technology 

71
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

Mitigate Supply Chain Vulnerabilities 

Exploring topics including but not limited to the following: 

– Increase supply chain visibility 

– End-to-end awareness (supplier’s supplier and customer’s customer) 

– Mapping supply chains (key industries, in individual states) 

– Working with original equipment manufacturers to map out how SMMs fit into their 

supply chains 

– Assess supply chain risk 

– Able to identify vulnerabilities 

– Able to rapidly detect risk as they emerge 

– Strengthen supplier development 

– Increase supplier scouting capacity 

72
 

 MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •Review Goal 2: Mitigate Supply Chain Vulnerabilities 

73
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

Leverage Technology 

Exploring topics including but not limited to the following: 

– Increasing technology adoption 

– Identify early adopters and leverage them to move the early majority 

– Defining tech capabilities and business cases for adoption for customers to increase

impact (IT and operational technology, or OT) 

– Educating Center staff on the different kinds of technology to increase impact with 

customers 

– Ensuring wholistic, comprehensive application and use of technology (not just in 

production but in business operations, etc.) 

– Creation of road maps for customers and aligning them to customer’s strategic goals 

– Strengthening cybersecurity capabilities 

– Communicating the importance of mitigating cybersecurity risks 

– Partner with federal labs to accelerate the use of new technologies 

– Co-develop tech capabilities and business cases for adoption to bring new insights to 

industry 74
 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

Goal 3: Leverage Technology 

Increasing tech adoption • Increase clients engaged with technology services projects by 10% 

75
 

 

 

 

 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

Narrow the Workforce Gap 

Exploring topics including but not limited to the following: 

– Upskilling 

– Use of technology and productivity enhancements 

– Partnerships (e.g., connect educational entities to manufacturing needs and jobs/careers) 

– Improving work conditions, job quality, career paths, etc. 

– Assessing underserved populations and integrating them into the manufacturing industry 

– Making the case for integration of underserved populations with SMMs 

– Build a pipeline of future employees for the manufacturing sector through: 

– Rebranding and marketing the public image of manufacturing nationally and in the states 

– Broadening partnerships and connections with educational and other entities working in 

this space 

76
MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • • 

Goal 1: Narrow the Workforce Gap 

77
MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • • 

If we received more resources, how should we 

prioritize future expansion award pilot programs? 

78
 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

Recognize New Board Leadership 

79
 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

2023 MEP Advisory Board Leadership Transition 

Bernadine Hawes 

New Chair, March 22, 2023 

Econsult Solutions, Inc. 

Pennsylvania 

Donald Bockoven 

New Vice Chair – March 22, 2023 

Fiber Industries LLC 

South Carolina 

80
MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP • NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY • U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

E. LaDon Byars Mitch Magee George Spottswood Jim Wright Colonial Diversified Polymer Independent Consultant Quality Filters Proof Research Products, LLC Ohio Alabama Montana 

Tennessee March 2023 May 2023 March 2023 

February 2023 

Mary Isbister Matthew Newman Leslie Taito 

GenMet Corporation Chair, MEP Advisory Board Taco Comfort 

Wisconsin New Era Advisors Rhode Island 

March 2023 Oklahoma July 2023 

March 2023 

Thank You 

Members Leaving Service 

2023 

81
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • •

82

MEP Advisory Board 

2023 Dates 

Next MEP Advisory Board Meeting 

Planning continues – details coming soon 

• Tues, June 13- Wed, June 14, 2023* 

– Location TBD 

• Wednesday, September 13, 2023* 

– Buffalo, NY 

– Collocated with a National MEPNN Meeting 

*Dates are subject to change 82