MEP Center 

Informational Webinar 

March 2, 2023 

MEP Expansion Awards Pilot Program 

National Supply 

Chain Optimization and Intelligence 

Network 

Request for Applications (RFA) 
 

 

 

 

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

Welcome 

Presenters 

Pravina Raghavan 

NIST MEP Director 

Kevin McIntyre 

MEP Division Chief, Network Agreements Management 

Scott Dockum 

MEP Federal Program Officer 

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

‘Housekeeping’ Items 

• The NIST MEP website has been updated. Find information on the 

RFA at https://www.nist.gov/mep/nist-mep-expansion-awards-pilotprogram-meapp 

– We will be recording this webinar and will post the recording to the website. 

– Utilize the FAQ document and the Application Guide. Both can be found on the 

NIST MEP home page at the link above. 

• Please enter questions in the chat. 

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

Purpose of this Webinar 

• Provide all MEP Centers with a consistent overview of the new 

funding program and the new funding opportunity 

• Provide MEP Centers with information about the application process 

and how to get assistance 

• Provide MEP Centers with supplemental information and resources 

Note: The RFA will supersede the guidance provided in this webinar 

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

AGENDA 

• Program Overview 

• Funding Opportunity Overview 

• Applications 

• Questions 

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

Key Definitions 

• Funding Authorities 

• Non-discretionary funds 

• RFA vs NOFO 

• Cooperative Agreement vs Grant 

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

• Why is MEP creating this program? 

Background on Expansion Awards Pilot 

Program 

– CHIPS Act 

– New funding authority (15 U.S.C. 278k-2) 

– FY 2023 appropriation 

• Why is MEP doing this right now? 

– New funding authority requires the Director to establish a pilot program 

– New funding authority requires the Director to submit a report to Congress by 

October 2025 

• Why is this different from the other MEP funding programs? 

– Pilot program 

– Non-competitive due to non-discretionary funding (thus the RFA) 7 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Why? E.O. 14005 and CHIPS ACT 

Executive Order 14005 requests Federal 

Agencies to utilize MEP Supplier Scouting: 

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. 

CHIPS ACT establishes a pilot program of 

expansion awards to provide services for: 

• Workforce development (which may include training 

advanced manufacturing personnel), 

• Expanded support for adopting advanced 

technology upgrades at small and medium 

manufacturers. 

• Resiliency of domestic supply chains, and 

• To build capabilities across the Hollings 

Manufacturing Extension Partnership for 

domestic supply chain resiliency and 

optimization. 

• FY23 appropriations provided NIST MEP supplemental disaster funding of $13 million to support work outlined 

in the CHIPS Act. 

• To invest in building capacity across the MEP National Network, NIST MEP is focusing on supply 

chain optimization and intelligence network as the first Expansion Award Pilot Program Funding with 

$20.4 million investment in MEP Centers. 

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

Timeline 

Event Date 

Funding opportunity opens February 27, 2023 

Informational Webinar for 

Applicants March 2, 2023 

Funding opportunity closes – 

APPLICATIONS DUE March 28, 2023 

Period of performance June 1, 2023 – May 31, 2025 

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

MEP Expansion Awards Pilot Program: 

MEP National Supply Chain 

Optimization and Intelligence Network 

Request for Applications 

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

Accessing the RFA 

Funding Opportunity Title: MEP Expansion Awards Pilot Program: 

MEP National Supply Chain Optimization and Intelligence Network 

Funding Opportunity Number: 2023-NIST-RFA-MEAPP-01 

Published on grants.gov on February 27, 2023, at the following link: 

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=346404 

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

• Only current MEP Centers are eligible 

Funding Opportunity General Information 

– MEP Center sub-recipients cannot apply 

– Each Centers base award serves as the requirement for eligibility 

to apply and receive an award under this RFA. 

• Note: Each expansion award may have a SAC to indicate a base award 

cooperative agreement must be active to be eligible. 

• Non-competitive process with the expectation that all 51 MEP Centers 

apply 

• Applications will be due on or by March 28, 2023 

• Period of Performance: June 1, 2023, to May 31, 2025 

• Anticipated award amount: up to $400,000 

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

Purpose and Goals of the RFA 

• The objectives for this pilot program are: 

1. The MEP National Network can support critical industries in the 

U.S. economy, including semiconductors, broadband, energy, 

and others. 

2. Ensures the MEP National Network is actively assisting 

manufacturers to pivot to new demands being created by 

OEMs in support these industries. 

• This RFA is investment in the MEP National Network to build a truly 

National Supplier Network and ensure SMMs are key players. 

• Meeting the goals of this program is a critical step in ensuring we 

have a National Supplier Network. 

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

Key Definitions 

Supply Chain Optimization 

PUBLIC LAW 117–167, Subtitle D, Sec. 10251, Sec 25B(e)(5), a purpose of the awards under the Expansion 

Awards Pilot Program is: 

‘‘(5) To build capabilities across the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership for domestic supply chain 

resiliency and optimization, including— ‘‘(A) assessment of domestic manufacturing capabilities, 

expanded capacity for researching and deploying information on supply chain risk, hidden costs of 

reliance on offshore suppliers, redesigning products and processes to encourage reshoring, and 

other relevant topics; and ‘‘(B) expanded services to provide industrywide support that assists United 

States manufacturers with reshoring manufacturing to strengthen the resiliency of domestic supply chains, 

including in critical technology areas and foundational manufacturing capabilities that are key to domestic 

manufacturing competitiveness and resiliency, including forming, casting, machining, joining, surface 

treatment, tooling, and metal or chemical refining. 

The current Expansion Award Pilot Program is focused on the activities described in (A) above as a strategy 

for improving the effectiveness, efficiency, and resilience of domestic U.S. supply chains. 

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

Key Definitions 

Supply Chain Intelligence Network 

The data from each Center represents information that can be utilized to identify gaps 

and weakness and develop strategies and programs to build larger domestic 

manufacturing supply chain for critical industry sectors. The intelligence or data from 

the centers develops a national plan that can be used to develop policies and 

investment for the U.S. Government and private entities. 

MEP’s Supply Chain Intelligence Network will consist of designated staff at each 

Center who responds to supplier scouting/matching inquiries, maintains knowledge as 

well as data on their local supply chain ecosystem, partners with key OEM in their 

region and coordinates frequently and effectively within the MEP National Network, 

including NIST MEP. 

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Note: Data from this work needs 

to be provided to NIST. Any 

vendor data needs to be nonproprietary and transferable to 

NIST systems. 

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

RFA – Program Objectives 

1. Dedicating a minimum of one FTE 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 

c) Ensure every MEP supplier scouting request receives a response, even if no suppliers are identified. 

Key Take away 

Indicate in the application the plans to hire and/or dedicate staff to provide supply chain optimization services in 

each State and coordinate across the MEP National Network as indicated in the RFA. 

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

Key Take Aways 

Below are examples of how a MEP Center could meet this requirement in the RFA. 

a) Create and connect to an integrated national system to support MEP supplier scouting to: 

i. Provide services to directly optimize suppliers in their marketplace to increase their ability to respond to 

current and future critical supply chain needs. 

b) Map current industry-specific supplier ecosystems 

c) Identify manufacturing capability expertise clusters 

d) Identifying key Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) in each State 

e) Respond to all supplier scouting requests 

f) Participate in programmatic quarterly reporting 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

RFA Program Objectives – Performance Metrics 

3. Reporting supply network intelligence-gathering results 

a) The RFA provides specifics on reporting and the application should cover these in detail 

b) NIST MEP must provide a report to Congress on the success of this pilot program. The application should indicate how the Center would 

address the RFA metrics in their reporting at both a National Level and a State Level. 

c) NIST MEP understands that many MEP Centers may request to use the funds for a subscription-based service to access a supplier 

database. MEP Centers will need to describe how this service will allow the Center to report on the specified metrics identified in the RFA

and below. In addition, the MEP Center should indicate in the proposal how the service will be paid for and remain sustainable after the 

period of performance of this award. 

Key Take aways 

In addition, NIST MEP may ask for additional metric data to support the report to Congress. MEP Centers may consider the following in their application: 

• Supplier Scouting (SS) 

– Number of requests submitted and number of 

responses/matches 

– New business to business contracts/purchase orders as 

the result of SS requests 

– Number of Clients participating in pilot/demo projects as 

a result of SS 

– Number of supplier networks developed including clients 

• Supply Chain Gaps 

– Identification of supply chain gaps at the National and 

State Level 

– Number of clients recruited to a National Supply Chain 

Optimization and Intelligence Network project 

– Supply Chain Maps 

• Tracking of funding 

– Both Federal and State 

– Identifying critical industries 

• OEM 

– New OEMs, Existing OEMs, 

– Mapping of their supply chain 

– Establishment of alliances and partnerships 

– Identifying critical industries and current suppliers 

• Webinars/Events/Roundtables/New Projects 

– New connections made and their possible impact . Supply Chain 

projects tracked to determine new deals or projects with 

manufacturer(s) or agency or other stakeholders 

– Number of educational events held 

– Number of awareness sessions conducted (e.g. suppliercustomer matchmaking event) 

– Number of companies that attended each outreach event 

– Provide a copy of informational materials developed 

– Number of NIST prescribed meetings attended 

– Number of assessments done 

– Description of new services developed from the outreach activity 

• Case Studies/Success Stories 

– Highlight things the worked and did not work 

– Lessons Learned 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

RFA – Program Objectives Continued 

4. Propose localized projects 

a) Applications can include additional pilot or innovative approaches to 

address priorities identified in 15 U.S.C. § 278k-2(e)(2) and (5). 

b) The RFA provides specifics on reporting and the application should cover 

these in detail. 

Key Take aways 

This section provides an opportunity for the MEP Center to think creatively on 

how to address 15 U.S.C. § 278k-2(e)(2) and (5). 

• Ensure that these projects are within the scope of the RFA for Supply 

Chain Optimization and Supply Chain Intelligence Network 

– (2) Provide services to improve the resiliency of domestic supply 

chains. 

– (5) To build capabilities across the Hollings Manufacturing Extension 

Partnership for domestic supply chain resiliency and optimization 
 

 

 

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

MEP Expansion Awards Pilot Program: 

MEP National Supply Chain 

Optimization and Intelligence Network 

Application Process 

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

Contacting MEP RMs and FPOs 

MEP Centers may contact their assigned RM and FPO to have questions 

answered and to obtain feedback. 

– MEP Centers are encouraged to do this and to use the RM and FPO 

as resources to discuss ideas. 

– However, RMs, FPOs, and other MEP staff cannot help write the 

application. 

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

Application Structure 

Executive Summary 

• The executive summary description is found under the section titled: 

– Required Forms/Information: Section 5) Technical proposal 

– The Summary is a synopsis of the narrative section and should cover the following 

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. 

Suggested page limit: 2 pages 

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

Application Structure 

Project Approach and Execution Plan Narrative 

• The narrative description is found under the section titled: 

– Required Forms/Information: Section 5) Technical proposal 

• Provide the details of how you plan to address the items listed in the RFA 

• Centers should follow the same structure that is provided in the RFA. 

– Address each of the 5 areas in order. 

– Please describe the application or platform you are currently using or 

propose to use for capturing and managing supplier scouting data and 

supply chain information. 

– Please note that the focus of the application should be on how your center 

will expand supply chain data gathering, analysis and support for the 

national network. There is no need to illustrate why supply chain work is 

important as that has been ascertained already. 

Suggested page limit: 10 pages 

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

Application Structure 

Budget Narrative and Justification 

• The RFA provides instructions to complete the budget narrative and 

justification under the section titled: 

– Required Forms/Information: Section 6) Budget Narrative and 

Justification 

• Centers should follow the directions provided in the RFA. 

• Note: 

– Provide a detailed budget for each year, 2 years/24 months 

– Ensure you use the MEP Single Year Budget Workbook and Award 

Budget Summary Table 

– This information does not count towards the page limit 

– The MEP Single Year Budget Workbook can be accessed 

at: https://meis.nist.gov 

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

Application - Funding & Budget 

• Anticipated award amount: up to $400,000 for 24 months 

• Cost-share: Non-federal cost share is not required 

• Program income: Generating program income is not allowed 

• Costs for this award cannot be charged against any other NIST MEP 

award 

• Ensure the budget includes anticipated costs for: 

– Award virtual kickoff participation 

– MEP National Network meetings 

– Working Group participation 

• MEP Centers must complete projects funded through this RFA on or before 

May 31, 2025, unless otherwise extended in writing by the NIST Grants 

Officer during the term of the award 

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

Application Structure 

Senior/Key Person 

• The RFA provides directions to indicate the personnel that are dedicated 

to the to the Supply Chain Optimization and Intelligence Network project. 

• This information is provided under the Budget Narrative and Justification 

of the application. 

• Note 

– Under the Program Objectives of the RFA, NIST MEP expects Centers to at a 

minimum dedicate, 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 meet the program objectives. 

• 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. 

• Consortium of Centers cannot have one FTE for the consortium, each center 

must have dedicated personnel to conduct the proposed work. 

• 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. 25 
 

 

 

 

 

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

Overview - Application Review Process 

• Screening for eligibility, completeness, and responsiveness 

• Merit review to assess the technical merits of the proposal and the 

reasonableness of budget 

• Selection for funding 

• Risk Assessment & Review by NIST Grants Management Division 

and Department of Commerce Federal Assistance Law Division 

• Possible negotiations on proposed scope of work and/or budget 

• Award 

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Merit Review 

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

• Each eligible application will be reviewed by two qualified reviewers 

• Merit reviewers will use the same evaluation criteria to assess each 

proposal 

• Merit reviews are completed in MEIS 

• Results of each merit review will be forwarded to the MEP Director, 

who is the Selecting Official 

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

Reporting 

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

Financial Report, into the MEP’s Enterprise Information System 

(MEIS) on a semi-annual basis. 

• Performance Progress Plan/Technical Report (PPR). The 

Recipient shall submit a Technical Report (completing all required 

MEIS fields) on a quarterly basis after each 3-month period of the 

agreement period of performance. Reporting requirements will 

include: 

– Progress to plan last 90 days, 

– Planned progress next 90 days, 

– Outcomes and results, 

– Clients reported, 

– Lessons learned. 

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

Contacts and Resources 

In addition to the assigned RM and FPO, Centers may consult: 

Federal Program Officer 

Scott Dockum 

240-961-0770 

Scott.Dockum@nist.gov 

Resource Manager 

Craig Reid 

202-945-7479 

Craig.Reid@nist.gov 

NIST Grants Officer 

Michael Teske 

240-961-0387 

Michael.Teske@nist.gov 

Supplemental Resources 

There are several resources available to assist in writing the 

proposal: 

Annual Reviews 

Peer Reviews 

Secretarial Reviews 

Supplier Scouting Responses 

Prior Competitive Awards 

CARES Act projects and clients 

Other reports on your supplier ecosystem 

NIST MEP webinar 

NIST MEP Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 

Submit questions to: 

meprfa@nist.gov 

Technical assistance with grants.gov 

Phone: 800-518-4726 

E-mail: support@grants.gov 

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

WHAT QUESTIONS DO YOU HAVE? 

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