MEP Advisory Board Meeting

Wednesday, September 27, 2017
MEP Overview www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 2

EXIT

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Cafeteria

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Courtyard

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Portrait

Room

You are here phones

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MEP Overview

Wednesday, September 27, 2017 Non-FACA programming* 

8:00 – 8:05 a.m. Board Meeting Logistics

8:05 – 8:45 a.m. Welcome and Introductions

• Opening Remarks

• Board and Audience Introductions 

• Welcome New Board Members

8:45 – 9:45 a.m. MEP National Network Strategic Plan 2017-2022 and 

Future is Now (FIN)

• Board Feedback & Discussion

9:45 – 10:00 a.m. Break*

• Board Feedback & Discussion

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 3
MEP Overview

Wednesday, September 27, 2017 Non-FACA programming* 

10:00 – 10:30 a.m. Working Group Wrap Up -

• Connecting User Facilities and Labs with SMMs

• MEP National Network Learning Organization

Board Discussion

10:30 – 11:15 a.m. Board Governance/Open Items 

Board Discussion

• Future Topics and Working Groups

11:15 – 11:30 a.m. Wrap-up/Public Comments

11:30 – 12:15 p.m. Lunch*

• Building 101, Dining Room A/B (food from cafeteria)

12:15 – 5:00 p.m. MEP Advisory Board – Visits on the Hill*

• NIST Legislative Affairs to facilitate visits with 

Congressional staff for interested Board Members • Senate Subcommittee on Space, Science and Competitiveness staff

• House Subcommittee on Research and Technology staff

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 4

Continued...
MEP Overview

Welcome and Introductions

• Jeffrey Wilcox, MEP Advisory Board Chair

• Dr. Phil Singerman, NIST Associate Director for 

Innovation and Industry Services

• Dr. Kent Rochford, NIST Acting Director and Acting 

Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and 

Technology

• Carroll Thomas, NIST MEP Director

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MEP Overview

Welcome, Dr. Phil Singerman

NIST Associate Director for Innovation and 

Industry Services

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MEP Overview

Welcome, Dr. Kent Rochford

NIST Acting Director and Acting Under 

Secretary of Commerce for Standards and 

Technology

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MEP Overview

Welcome New Members

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George Spottswood

Quality Filters 

Alabama

May 2017

Leslie Taito

Hope Global 

Rhode Island

July 2017
MEP Overview www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301)975-5020 9

NIST MEP FY 2017 Spend Plan

(as of 9/15/17)

($ millions)

Enacted Appropriation $128.0

Recoveries and Carryover $ 20.3

Total Available Funding: $148.3

Center Renewals /a $103.4

Strategic Competitions /b $ 21.4

Contracts $ 3.8

NIST MEP Staff/Overhead $ 15.5

Estimated remaining /c : $ 4.2

a) Renewals for all Centers provide at least 12 months funding from FY 2016 / FY 2017 funds.

b) Strategic competitions include first through third round embedding projects, new performance-based rolling NOFO, 

and Hurricane Harvey awards, using recoveries and carryover funding plus some unexpended contracts funding.

c) Unexpended Center funding from FY 2017 will be proposed for Strategic Competition funding in FY 2018.
MEP Overview

Legislative Outlook

(as of 9/15/17)

President’s FY 2018 Budget Request

• Program proposed for elimination with $6 million for wind-down

FY 2018 Appropriations Status

• Continuing Resolution funding of $24 million through 12/8/17

• Appropriation Committee Actions

– House Omnibus at $105 million

– Senate Mark at $130 million

• Final Appropriation TBD

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MEP Overview www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 11

NIST MEP FY 2018 Projected Spend Plan

(In the Continuing Resolution)

($ millions)

Continuing Resolution Funding (thru 12/8/17) $24.0

Estimated Carryover from FY 2017 $ 4.2

Total Available Funding $28.2

Planned Expenditures: 

Centers Renewals $21.0 

Strategic Competitions $ 4.2

Contracts $ 0.0 

NIST MEP Staff/Overhead $ 3.0

Total Planned Expenditures $28.2
MEP Overview

NIST MEP FY 2018 Projected Spend Plan

(Full Year at Senate Mark)

($ millions)

Full Year Appropriation $130.0

Estimated Carryover from FY 2017 $ 4.2

Total Available Funding $134.2

Planned Expenditures: 

Centers Renewals $110.0 

Strategic Competitions $ 4.2

Contracts $ 5.0

NIST MEP Staff/Overhead $ 15.0

Total Planned Expenditures $134.2

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301)975-5020 12
MEP Overview

MEP National Network 2017 – 2022 Strategic Plan

Bernadine Hawes, Vice-Chair, MEP Advisory Board

Carroll Thomas, MEP Director

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 13
MEP Overview www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 14

Mission Statement—Core Purpose

• Current Mission – Enhance the productivity 

and technology performance of U.S. 

manufacturing.

• Proposed Mission – Strengthen and 

empower U.S. manufacturers.
MEP Overview

Vision Statement

Current Vision Statement: 

Changing the way the world defines manufacturing.

Proposed Vision Statement: 

We are the go-to resource for America’s manufacturers 

ensuring U.S. manufacturing is resilient and leads the world in 

advanced manufacturing innovations.

Driving Force

U.S. Manufacturing pre-eminence to ensure 

long-term strength of the U.S. economy and 

dominance in our national security.

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 15
MEP Overview

Core Values (from the Brand Project)

The core values are the few strong and enduring beliefs that the MEP National 

Network holds to be true. They are the beliefs that are most important to the MEP 

National Network brand and require no external justification. 

Needs of Industry: We are passionate about advancing manufacturing.

Customer Focus: We care deeply about serving manufacturers.

People: We empower one another through collaboration.

Excellence: We are rooted by our deep experience in manufacturing. 

Results Driven: We are not afraid to roll up our sleeves.

Accountability: We shape the future of manufacturing.

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MEP Overview

Future is Now Initiative

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 17

Manufacturing is Transforming

• New technologies are driving Change

• Solutions to complex challenges created

by technology will be necessary for SMMs 

to compete and grow

• Only Centers leveraging their capabilities 

and partnerships as a Network can provide SMMs

access to new technologies and workforce skills 

MEP Program Sustainability

• Network sharing will provide more services 

increasing penetration and impacts

• Network knowledge sharing enables all 

Centers to provide expert advice to be a “Go-To” 

resources for manufacturers

• Consistent Network branding and delivery enhances 

funding through improved performance and visibility 
MEP Overview

Key Principles Behaviors

Cooperation between Centers Ready to assist for in-state and 

multi-state projects

Obligation to share resources and 

Best Practices

Actively providing assistance to solve 

another Center‘s business issues

Responsibility to adopt a 

common culture

Share values and approaches to 

support rapid network development

Support the use of "Go-To′′ Centers 

for expertise

Comfortable asking another Center for 

expertise to solve a client problem

Commitment of large Centers to 

actively help smaller Centers

Readiness of large Centers to support a 

smaller Center with resources 

and expertise

Willingness to take risks to develop 

the Network

Proactively engage in the Network 

knowing that it is new with open 

questions

Network Principles and Behaviors: 

Based on both a Center and Network focus
MEP Overview

Integrated Mission and Vision for the MEP National Network 

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The go-to trusted 

resource for growing 

U.S. manufacturing 

today and in the 

future! 

Integrating strategic focus 

areas into our vision of 

who we will be...

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MEP Overview

MEP National Network 2017-2022 Strategic Plan 

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 20

OBJECTIVES

•Maximize National Network 

knowledge and experience

•Increase efficiency and 

effectiveness

•Create a resilient and 

adaptive National Network

OBJECTIVES

•Increase market penetration

•Become a recognized 

manufacturing resource 

brand

•Expand service delivery 

model

OBJECTIVES

•Promote the importance of a 

strong manufacturing base

•Create awareness of 

innovations in manufacturing

•Enable strong workforce 

development partnerships

•Maximize awareness of MEP 

National Network

OBJECTIVES

•Provide support to enhance 

productivity to achieve 

growth

• Trusted Advisor to navigate 

technology solutions

•Employ strategies to recruit 

and retain skilled 

employees EMPOWER 

MANUFACTURERS

CHAMPION 

MANUFACTURING

TRANSFORM THE 

NETWORK

LEVERAGE 

PARTNERSHIPS
MEP Overview

►Create an integrated National Network Service 

Delivery System

►Update National-level Partnerships and Performance 

Support Services 

►Define Areas of Focus for Manufacturing Technology 

Advances 

►Develop Supply Chain National Services and 

Information and Technology Access

►Build Infrastructure for National Network Learning 

Organization

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 21

Network Priorities for the Next 18 Months:

Empower 

Manufacturers

Champion 

Manufacturing

Transform 

the Network

Leverage 

Partnerships
MEP Overview

MEP National Network Significant Long-Term Goals

Who we will be in 10 years...

1. The MEP National Network is known and 

recognized by U.S. manufacturers as the 

go-to resource. 

2. The MEP Centers triple the number of 

manufacturers served annually. 

3. The MEP National Network impact 

numbers are increased four-fold.

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 22
MEP Overview

Five -Year Measures of Success

As the go-to resource for U.S. manufacturers...

1. Recognized by small and medium-sized manufacturers as a 

valuable and essential resource for delivering advanced 

technology solutions and cited by key manufacturing 

stakeholders (local, state, federal) as integral to growing U.S. 

manufacturing ecosystems.

2. We have increased our market penetration as an integrated 

national network by 20%.

3. As leaders delivering integrated digitalization and 

cybersecurity assistance to dispersed supply chains, we have 

embraced Industry 4.0 in our own operational excellence.

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MEP Overview

Eighteen-Month Measures of Success

• Piloted integrated national networked approach to delivery 

system engaging 50% of Centers in multi-center delivery 

projects. 

• Increased small/rural engagements through 3rd party 

partnerships by 10% and increased longer-term impactful 

projects with these smaller firms by 5%.

• Attained Operational Excellence in 25% of Centers’ 

operations and in 50% of NIST MEP administrative support.

• Increased awareness of the MEP National Network brand 

by 10% over base brand recognition measurement a year 

after the Network launches the brand. 

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 24
MEP Overview

What is Next?

September 27

• Advisory Board Ratifies Strategic Plan/New Working Groups

November

• Baseline Current Status of the MEP National Network

Jan-Feb 

2018

• NIST MEP Champions Initiate Working Groups

February 

2018

• Progress on MEP National Network Presented

March 

2018

• Engage Center Boards 

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MEP Overview www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 26

Morning Break
MEP Overview

Working Group Wrap Up

Jeffrey Wilcox, Chair, MEP Advisory Board

Carolyn Cason, MEP Advisory Board 

(Mary Ann Pacelli, NIST MEP stepping in for Carolyn Cason) 

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MEP Overview www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 28

Discussion

• Connecting User Facilities and Labs with SMMs

• MEP Learning Organization

• Board Feedback & Discussion
MEP Overview www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020

Discussion Topics for the Board

29

MATTR

• Success will take on many different forms as MATTR progresses going 

forward

 Solving problems of MEP Center client small manufacturers via NIST Lab staff, 

capabilities, research, services

 Providing manufacturer / market intelligence to NIST Lab research via MEP 

Center queries of small manufacturing clients

 Potential expansion to include other tech resources (outside NIST)

Embedding MEP Centers into Manufacturing USA Institutes 

• As Embedding projects progress, numbers of small manufacturers engaged in 

work and markets related to Institute technology areas will continue to increase

• Projects are working toward sustainable relationships beyond NIST MEP 2 year 

project investments and development of nationally networked capabilities for 

MEP Centers to be able to serve small manufacturers in these areas 

BOARD: Any guidance on priority focus areas and/or areas to avoid for MATTR, or 

guidance on Embedding sustainability and national capability development?

Empower 

Manufacturers

Transform 

the Network

Leverage 

Partnerships
MEP Overview www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 30

Define and Implement MEP-U type System

Will include

 Learning content for National Network

 Continuous Learning: Communities of Practice, Working Groups

 Opportunity for Networking

Current Actions

 Request for Information (RFI) to inform Statement of Work

For Discussion

After review of the RFI draft (included in Board Packet)

 What other questions might we ask?

 What experience do any of you have with Learning Systems?

 What organizations might we benchmark?

Empower 

Manufacturers

Transform 

the Network

Leverage 

Partnerships

Discussion Topics for the Board

What other questions might we ask? What experience do any of you have with Learning Systems? 

What organizations might we benchmark?
MEP Overview

Board Governance/Open Items

Jeffrey Wilcox, Chair, MEP Advisory Board 

Matthew Newman, MEP Advisory Board 

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 31
MEP Overview

Board Advocacy

Matthew Newman, MEP Advisory Board 

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 32
MEP Overview www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 33

Discussion

Carroll Thomas, MEP Director

• Future Working Groups

• Board Development Initiative
MEP Overview www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 34

Looking Forward: MEP Advisory Board Working Groups

Working Group Leadership Focus

Advisory Board 

Executive Committee 

Working Group

Jeff Wilcox, Chair Related to Board governance; 

includes future chair and vice-chair

DOD Partnership 

Working Group

TBD Establishment of MEP National 

Network role in manufacturing as it 

relates to defense industrial base

Performance, Research 

and Analysis Working 

Group

TBD Creating performance-based 

diagnosis and feedback to Centers 

service, enabling applications to 

Center self-assessment, Center-toCenter sharing.

Empower 

Manufacturers

Champion 

Manufacturing

Transform 

the Network

Leverage 

Partnerships
MEP Overview

NIST MEP Board Development Initiative

Assistance for MEP Center Boards

• 30 centers have engaged NIST Board 

Development support

• BoardSource Self-Assessments: 

– 15 completed (6 stand alone, 9 

combined with Action Planning)

– 2 in progress; 2 more interested

• Facilitated Action Planning Sessions:

– 6 complete

– 4 scheduled/planned

• Training for new or reconstituted Boards:

– 6 completed

– 5 scheduled/planned

Proposed Plan for NAB

• Participate in BoardSource SelfAssessment in January

– Results in February

• Conduct interviews with each NAB Board 

Member (February)

– Feedback about Assessment 

– Identify what they would personally 

like to achieve as part of the NAB

• Facilitate Action Planning session in March 

(in conjunction with Hill Day)

– Also share findings from center board 

assessments

35

Update on Center Boards & Plan for NAB Meeting in March
MEP Overview

Wrap Up/Public Comments

Jeffrey Wilcox, Chair, MEP Advisory Board

Bernadine Hawes, Vice-Chair, MEP Advisory Board

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 36
MEP Overview

Future Meeting Schedule

2018

• March 7, 2018 – Washington, DC

• June 13, 2018 – Location TBD

• September 25, 2018, with FORME’s Best Practice & MEP National Network Update

2019

• February 26, 2019 – Location TBD

• June 18, 2019 – Location TBD

• September 11, 2019 – Possible Post-Summit *New Date*

Calendar invites to follow once confirmed

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 37
MEP Overview

Thank You

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 38

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