Comments for the proposed Manufacturing Technology Acceleration Centers.

· In development of the MTACs, NIST should consider leveraging the existing 

infrastructure within the national and state network of Manufacturing Extension Partnership 

Centers. Focusing the MTACs on leveraging the MEP system will ensure that the focus of the 

proposed Centers will remain on the SMEs, rather than large OEMs or large research institutions 

(labs, universities) where current federal investment tends to be focused.

· Flexibility should also be considered in designating successful MTAC models to allow for 

multi-regional, multi-state and multi MEPs. In addition, the function or technology focus for 

these MTACs should be flexible. In diverse industrial states like Pennsylvania and many others 

- economies that do not have a dominate technology or supply chain, the ability to allow for the 

flexibility of the MTAC to include broad or platform technologies as a focus of the Center is 

important in meeting SME needs. Large automotive, aerospace, defense, electronics supply 

chains are well defined and developed in many parts of the US, but in diverse industrial 

economics serving SMEs requires a different approach – one based on diffusing technologies to 

improve innovation and competitiveness that are firm/company specific and not only driven by 

OEM/supply chain technology acceleration. Allowing non supply chain focused MTACs 

recognizes the reality of modern SMEs need to develop proprietary products, invest in 

innovation and R&D and be part of multiple supply chains and industries.

· MTAC models should also give significant consideration to the interaction between 

universities, labs and research institutions. Several examples exist across the country that utilize 

"technology intermediaries" in non-profit ED organizations and private consulting organizations 

who work with and leverage university research. These intermediaries are individuals that have 

the ability to negotiate between defining the technology needs of SMEs and scouting for 

resources and technology solutions in universities and possibly labs. The role of these 

intermediaries should be paired with the MEP Centers to leverage the investment in the national 

network. Advantages that exist now in the system that could be utilized include tech scouting, 

innovation engineering, ideation services, and others.

· New MTACs should take advantage of past and current federal and state investments in 

advanced manufacturing initiatives and programs. Examples of this include the national network 

of manufacturing initiatives, job accelerators, MEP, state investments in manufacturing 

extension and other industry specific investments. Given the proliferation of recent 

manufacturing focused initiatives it will be important to show how MTACs fit into this 

ecosystem of services to be delivered to SMEs - not another silo, but how they link with existing 

successful programs and initiatives. Ways to demonstrate this integration would be to fund 

centers built on existing investment - MTACs based on awarded NNMI technology areas, 

existing or recent MEP Center consortia or manufacturing job accelerators. It is also 

recommended that specific outreach be made to the existing regional manufacturing initiatives as 

well as state government leaders in manufacturing. The recent National Governors Association 

Policy Academy on developing state based manufacturing strategies could be easily leveraged to 

gain support and feedback on the MTACs. The Policy Academy included 8 states that developed 

many strategies which are now being implemented and include many of the issues being 
considered by this RFI.

Tom Palisin | Manufacturing and Life Sciences Ombudsman

PA Department of Community and Economic Development

Technology Investment Office

Commonwealth Keystone Building

400 North Street, 4th Floor | Harrisburg, PA 17120

Phone: 717-720-1303

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