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March 9, 2015

ANNOUNCEMENT OF FEDERAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITY (FFO)

Award Competitions for Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) 

Centers in the States of Alaska, Idaho, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, 

Ohio, Oklahoma, Utah, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 Federal Agency Name: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 

United States Department of Commerce (DoC)

 Funding Opportunity Title: Award Competitions for Hollings Manufacturing 

Extension Partnership (MEP) Centers in the States of Alaska, Idaho, Illinois, 

Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Utah, Washington, West 

Virginia and Wisconsin

 Announcement Type: Initial

 Funding Opportunity Number: 2015-NIST-MEP-01

 Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.611, 

Manufacturing Extension Partnership

 Dates: Electronic applications must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern 

Time on Monday, June 1, 2015. Paper applications will not be accepted. 

Applications received after the deadline will not be reviewed or considered. The 

approximate start date for awards under this FFO is expected to be January 1, 2016.

When developing your submission timeline, keep in mind that (1) a free annual 

registration process in the electronic System for Award Management (SAM) (see

Section IV.3) may take between three and five business days or as long as more 

than two weeks, and (2) applicants using Grants.gov will receive a series of receipts 

over a period of up to two business days before learning via a validation or rejection 

whether a Federal agency’s electronic system has received its application. Please 

note that a federal assistance award cannot be issued if the designated 

recipient’s registration in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) is not 

current at the time of the award.

 Application Submission: Applications must be submitted electronically through 

www.Grants.gov. NIST will not accept applications submitted by mail, facsimile, or 

by e-mail. See Sections IV.b.(1)., IV.b.(2)., and IV.b.(7). in the Full Announcement 

Text of this FFO.
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 Funding Opportunity Description: NIST invites applications from eligible 

organizations in connection with NIST’s funding up to twelve (12) separate MEP 

cooperative agreements for the operation of an MEP Center in the designated 

States’ service areas and in the funding amounts identified in Section II.2. of this 

FFO. NIST anticipates awarding one (1) cooperative agreement for each of the 

identified States. The objective of the MEP Center Program is to provide 

manufacturing extension services to primarily small and medium-sized 

manufacturers within the whole State designated in the applications. The selected 

organization will become part of the MEP national system of extension service 

providers, currently comprised of more than 400 Centers and field offices located 

throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.

 Anticipated Funding Amounts: NIST anticipates funding up to twelve (12) MEP

Center awards with a five-year period of performance and in annual federal funding 

amounts identified in Section II.2. of this FFO. As discussed in the multi-year 

funding policy described in Section II.3. of this FFO, obligated funding amounts may 

be adjusted higher or lower from year-to-year of the award. In addition, as set forth 

in Section II.4. of this FFO, awards issued pursuant to this FFO may be renewed by 

NIST on a non-competitive basis for a subsequent period of up to five (5) years, 

based upon the recipient’s satisfactory performance, continued relevance of the 

project to the mission and priorities of the MEP program, and the availability of 

appropriated funds. 

 Funding Instrument: Cooperative Agreement. See Section II.1. of this FFO for 

additional information concerning the funding instrument for this award.

 Who Is Eligible: The eligibility requirements given in this section of the FFO will be 

used in lieu of those given in the MEP regulations found at 15 CFR part 290, 

specifically 15 CFR § 290.5(a)(1). Each applicant for and recipient of an MEP award 

must be a U.S.-based nonprofit institution or organization. For the purpose of this 

FFO, nonprofit institutions include public and private nonprofit organizations, 

nonprofit or State colleges and universities, public or nonprofit community and 

technical colleges, and State, local or Tribal governments. Existing MEP awardees 

and new applicants that meet the eligibility criteria set forth in Section III.1. of this 

FFO may apply. An eligible organization may work individually or may include 

proposed subawards to eligible organizations or proposed contracts with any other 

organization as part of the applicant’s proposal, effectively forming a team. 

However, as discussed in Section III.3.a. of this FFO, NIST generally will not fund 

applications that propose an organizational or operational structure that, in whole or 

in part, delegates or transfers to another person, institution, or organization the 

applicant’s responsibility for core MEP Center management and oversight functions.

 

 Cost Sharing Requirements: This Program requires non-Federal cost share of at 

least 50 percent of the total project cost for the first through the third years of 

operation, with increasing minimum non-Federal cost share requirements beginning 
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in year four (4) of the award. See Section III.2. of this FFO for more information on 

the non-federal cost sharing requirements under MEP awards.

 Webinar Information Session: NIST/MEP will hold one or more webinar 

information sessions for organizations that are considering applying for this funding 

opportunity. These webinars will provide general information regarding MEP and 

offer general guidance on preparing proposals. NIST/MEP staff will be available at

the webinars to answer general questions. During the webinars, proprietary 

technical discussions about specific project ideas will not be permitted. Also, 

NIST/MEP staff will not critique or provide feedback on any project ideas during the 

webinars or at any time before submission of a proposal to MEP. However, 

NIST/MEP staff will provide information about the MEP eligibility and cost-sharing 

requirements, evaluation criteria and selection factors, selection process, and the 

general characteristics of a competitive MEP proposal during this webinar. The 

webinars will be held approximately fifteen (15) to thirty (30) business days after 

posting of this FFO and publication of an abbreviated solicitation in the Federal 

Register. The exact dates and times of the webinars will be posted on the MEP 

website at http://nist.gov/mep/ffo-state-competitions-02.cfm. The webinars will be 

recorded, and a link to the recordings will be posted on the MEP website. In 

addition, the webinar presentations will be available after the webinars on the MEP 

website. Organizations wishing to participate in one or more of the webinars must 

register in advance by contacting MEP by email at mepffo@nist.gov. Participation in

the webinars is not required in order for an organization to submit an application 

pursuant to this FFO.

 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Questions from applicants pertaining to 

MEP eligibility, cost-sharing requirements, evaluation criteria and selection factors, 

selection process, and the general characteristics of a competitive MEP proposal will 

not be considered on an informal basis. Applicants must submit all such questions 

in writing to mepffo@nist.gov. Questions submitted to NIST/MEP may be made

available to the public as part of an FAQ document, which will be periodically 

updated on the MEP website at http://nist.gov/mep/ffo-state-competitions-02.cfm. 

Table of Contents

I. Program Description ............................................................................................ 4

II. Federal Award Information .................................................................................. 5

III. Eligibility Information............................................................................................ 8

IV. Application and Submission Information ......................................................... 11

V. Application Review Information ........................................................................ 21

VI. Federal Award Administration Information ...................................................... 27

VII. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s) ............................................................... 30

VIII. Other Information................................................................................................ 31
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FULL ANNOUNCEMENT TEXT

I. Program Description

As required by the MEP regulations, 15 CFR Part 290, specifically 15 CFR § 290.7, this 

funding opportunity is also announced in the Federal Register. In the event of any 

inconsistency between this FFO and the notice published in the Federal Register, the 

notice published in the Federal Register controls.

About the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership

The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Hollings Manufacturing 

Extension Partnership (MEP) works with small and medium-sized U.S. manufacturers to 

help them create and retain jobs, increase profits, and save time and money. The 

nationwide network provides a variety of services, from innovation strategies to process 

improvements to sustainable manufacturing, supply chain and technology acceleration 

services. MEP centers also work with partners at the State and Federal levels on 

programs that put manufacturers in position to develop new customers, expand into 

new markets and create new products. 

As a program of the U.S. Department of Commerce, MEP offers a range of effective 

resources to help manufacturers identify opportunities that will accelerate and 

strengthen their growth and competitiveness in the global marketplace. 

The National Network

MEP is a nationwide network of more than 1,200 technical experts - located in every 

State - serving as trusted business advisors focused on transforming U.S. 

manufacturers to compete globally, supporting supply chain integration, and providing

access to technology for improved productivity. MEP is built around manufacturing 

extension centers locally positioned throughout the 50 States and Puerto Rico. MEP 

Centers are a diverse network of State, non-profit university-based, and other non-profit 

organizations, offering products and services that address the critical needs of their 

local manufacturers. 

Each MEP Center works directly with area manufacturers to provide expertise and 

services tailored to their most critical needs, ranging from process improvement and 

workforce development to business practices and technology transfer. Additionally,

MEP Centers connect manufacturers with government and trade associations, 

universities and research laboratories, and a host of other public and private resources 

to help them realize individual business goals. 
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Through local and national resources, MEP Centers have helped thousands of 

manufacturers reinvent themselves, increase profits, create jobs and establish a 

foundation for long-term business growth and productivity.

The following resources are currently available on the MEP website at: 

http://nist.gov/mep/ffo-state-competitions-02.cfm:

 System Strategic Plan;

 Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Operating Plan Guidelines;

 Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership General Terms and Conditions

(see also Section VI.2.e. of this FFO); and

 2014 Annual Report.

The MEP Program is not a Federal research and development program. It is not the 

intent of this program that awardees will perform systematic research.

To learn more about the MEP Program, please go to http://www.nist.gov/mep/

The statutory authority for the MEP Program is 15 U.S.C. § 278k, as implemented in 15 

C.F.R. part 290.

II. Federal Award Information

1. Funding Instrument. The funding instrument that will be used for the awards 

issued pursuant to this FFO is a cooperative agreement. The nature of NIST’s 

“substantial involvement” will generally be collaboration between NIST/MEP and the 

recipient organizations. This includes NIST/MEP collaboration with a recipient on its 

progress and approving changes in the statement of work. Additional forms of 

substantial involvement that may arise are described in Final Office of Management 

and Budget (OMB) Guidance Implementing the Federal Grant and Cooperative 

Agreement Act, 43 Fed. Reg. 36860-65 (Aug. 18, 1978) and in Chapter 5.C. of the 

Department of Commerce (DoC) Grants and Cooperative Agreements Manual, 

which is available at: 

http://www.osec.doc.gov/oam/grants_management/policy/documents/FINAL%20Ma

ster%20DOC%20Grants%20Manual%202013%20(03.01.13)_b.pdf.

Please note the DoC Grants and Cooperative Agreements Manual is expected to be 

updated after publication of this funding announcement and before October 1, 2015. 

Refer to Section VII. of this FFO, Federal Awarding Agency Contacts, Grant Rules 

and Regulations, if you seek the information at this link and it is no longer working or 

you need more information.

Examples of NIST involvement in cooperative agreements awarded pursuant to this 

FFO may include activities such as, but not limited to:
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 Guidelines and assistance in developing required plans;

 Guidance for evaluation of performance and collection of data and information 

from the Recipient organization;

 Approval of key personnel;

 Assistance, where possible, in accessing solutions to technical and managerial 

problems; and

 Assistance to the Recipient organization to define, understand, and resolve 

issues pertaining to the successful implementation of the MEP project.

For further information related to NIST’s substantial involvement in this award, please 

refer to the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership General Terms and 

Conditions to which a link is located in Section VI.2.e. of this FFO.

2. Funding Availability. NIST anticipates funding twelve (12) MEP Center awards 

with an initial five-year period of performance in accordance with the multi-year 

funding policy described in Section II.3. of this FFO. Initial funding for the projects 

listed in this FFO is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds. 

The table below lists the twelve (12) States identified for funding as part of this FFO

and the estimated amount of funding available for each:

MEP Center Location

and Assigned 

Geographical Service 

Area (by State)

Anticipated Annual 

Federal Funding for 

Each Year of the Award

Total Federal Funding 

for 5 Year Award 

Period

Alaska $500,000 $2,500,000

Idaho $640,236 $3,201,180

Illinois $5,029,910 $25,149,550

Minnesota $2,653,649 $13,268,245

New Jersey $2,814,432 $14,072,160

New York $5,985,194 $29,925,970

Ohio $5,246,822 $26,234,110

Oklahoma $1,309,080 $6,545,400

Utah $1,147,573 $5,737,865

Washington $2,534,872 $12,674,360

West Virginia $500,000 $2,500,000

Wisconsin $3,250,792 $16,253,960

Applicants may propose annual Federal funding amounts that are different from the 

anticipated annual Federal funding amounts set forth in the above table; provided, 

that the total amount of Federal funding being requested by an Applicant does not 

exceed the total amount of federal funding for the five-year award period as set forth 

in the above table. For example, if the anticipated annual Federal funding amount 

for an MEP Center is $500,000 and the total Federal funding amount for the five-
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year award period is $2,500,000, an Applicant may propose Federal funding 

amounts greater, less than, or equal to $500,000 for any year or years of the award, 

so long as the total amount of Federal funding being requested by the Applicant for 

the entire five-year award period does not exceed $2,500,000.

3. Multi-Year Funding Policy. When an application for a multi-year award is 

approved, funding will usually be provided for only the first year of the project. 

Recipients will be required to submit detailed budgets and budget narratives prior to 

the award of any continued funding. Continued funding for the remaining years of 

the project will be awarded by NIST on a non-competitive basis, and may be 

adjusted higher or lower from year-to-year of the award, contingent upon satisfactory 

performance, continued relevance to the mission and priorities of the program, and 

the availability of funds. Continuation of an award to extend the period of 

performance and/or to increase or decrease funding is at the sole discretion of NIST. 

4. Potential for Additional 5 Years. Initial awards issued pursuant to this FFO are

expected to be for up to five (5) years with the possibility for NIST to renew the 

award, on a non-competitive basis, for an additional 5 years at the end of the initial 

award period. The review processes in 15 C.F.R. § 290.8 will be used as part of the 

overall assessment of the recipient, consistent with the potential long-term nature 

and purpose of the program. In considering renewal for a second five-year, multiyear award term, NIST will evaluate the results of the annual reviews and the results 

of the 3

rd Year peer-based Panel Review findings and recommendations as set forth 

in 15 C.F.R. § 290.8, as well as the Center’s progress in addressing findings and 

recommendations made during the various reviews. The full process is expected to 

include programmatic, policy, financial, administrative, and responsibility 

assessments, and the availability of funds, consistent with Department of Commerce 

and NIST policies and procedures in effect at that time.

5. Kick-Off Conference

Each recipient will be required to attend a kick-off conference, which will be held at 

the beginning of the project period, to help ensure that the MEP Center operator has 

a clear understanding of the program and its components. The kick-off conference 

will take place at NIST/MEP headquarters in Gaithersburg, MD, during which time 

NIST will: (1) orient MEP Center key personnel to the MEP program; (2) explain 

program and financial reporting requirements and procedures; (3) identify available 

resources that can enhance the capabilities of the MEP Center; and (4) negotiate 

and develop a detailed three-year operating plan with the recipient. NIST/MEP 

anticipates an additional set of site visits at the MEP Center and/or telephonic 

meetings with the recipient to finalize the three-year operating plan.

The kick-off conference will take up to approximately 5 days and must be attended 

by the MEP Center Director, along with up to two additional MEP Center employees. 

Applicants must include travel and related costs for the kick-off conference as part of 

the budget for year one (1), and these costs should be reflected in the SF-424A 
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covering the first four (4) years of the project. (See Section IV.2.a.(2). of this FFO.) 

These costs must also be reflected in the budget table and budget narrative for year 

1, which is submitted as part of the budget tables and budget narratives section of

the Technical Proposal. (See Section IV.2.a.(6).(e). of this FFO.) Representatives 

from key subrecipients and other key strategic partners may attend the kick-off 

conference with the prior written approval of the Grants Officer. Applicants 

proposing to have key subrecipients and/or other key strategic partners attend the 

kick-off conference should clearly indicate so as part of the budget narrative for year 

one of the project. 

6. MEP System-Wide Meetings

NIST/MEP typically organizes system-wide meetings approximately four times a 

year in an effort to share best practices, new and emerging trends, and additional 

topics of interest. These meetings are rotated throughout the United States and 

typically involve 3-4 days of resource time and associated travel costs for each 

meeting. The MEP Center Director must attend these meetings, along with up to 

two additional MEP Center employees. 

Applicants must include travel and related costs for four quarterly MEP system-wide 

meetings in each of the five (5) project years (4 meetings per year; 20 total meetings 

over five-year award period). These costs must be reflected in the SF-424A 

covering the first four (4) years of the project (see Section IV.2.a.(2). of this FFO) 

and in the SF-424A covering year five (5) of the project (see Section IV.2.a.(10). of

this FFO). These costs must also be reflected in the budget tables and budget 

narratives for each of the project’s five (5) years, which are submitted in the budget 

tables and budget narratives section of the Technical Proposal. (See Section 

IV.2.a.(6).(e). of this FFO). 

7. Indirect (F&A) Costs. NIST will reimburse applicants for proposed indirect (F&A) 

costs in accordance with 2 C.F.R. § 200.414. Applicants proposing indirect (F&A) 

costs must follow the application requirements set forth in Section IV.2.a.(8). of this 

FFO. 

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants. The eligibility requirements given in this section of the FFO will 

be used in lieu of those given in the MEP regulations found at 15 CFR part 290, 

specifically 15 CFR § 290.5(a)(1). Each applicant for and recipient of an MEP award 

must be a U.S.-based nonprofit institution or organization. For the purpose of this 

FFO, nonprofit institutions include public or private nonprofit organizations, nonprofit 

or State colleges and universities, public or nonprofit community and technical 

colleges, and State, local or Tribal governments. Existing MEP awardees and new 

applicants who meet the eligibility criteria set forth in this section may apply. An 

eligible organization may work individually or may include proposed subawards to 
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eligible organizations or proposed contracts with any other organization as part of 

the applicant’s proposal, effectively forming a team. However, as discussed in 

Section III.3.a. of this FFO, NIST generally will not fund applications that propose an 

organizational or operational structure that, in whole or in part, delegates or transfers 

to another person, institution, or organization the applicant’s responsibility for core 

MEP Center management and oversight functions. See also Section IV.6. of this 

FFO for funding restrictions under the MEP Program. 

2. Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement. Non-Federal cost sharing of at least 50 

percent of the total project costs is required for each of the first through the third year 

of the award, with an increasing minimum non-federal cost share contribution 

beginning in year 4 of the award as follows:

Award Year Maximum NIST Share Minimum Non-Federal 

Share

1-3 1/2 1/2

4 2/5 3/5

5 and beyond 1/3 2/3

Non-Federal cost sharing is that portion of the project costs not borne by the Federal 

Government. The applicant’s share of the MEP Center expenses may include cash, 

services, and third party in-kind contributions, as described at 2 C.F.R. § 200.306, as 

applicable, and in the MEP program regulations at 15 CFR § 290.4(c). No more 

than 50% of the applicant’s total non-Federal cost share for any year of the award 

may be from third party in-kind contributions of part-time personnel, equipment, 

software, rental value of centrally located space, and related contributions, per 15 

CFR § 290.4(c)(5). The source and detailed rationale of the cost share, including 

cash, full- and part-time personnel, and in-kind donations, must be documented in 

the budget tables and budget narratives submitted with the application and will be 

considered as part of the review under the evaluation criterion found in Section 

V.1.c.ii. of this FFO. 

Recipients must meet the minimum non-federal cost share requirements for 

each year of the award as identified in the chart above. For purposes of the 

MEP Program, “program income” (as defined in 2 C.F.R. § 200.80, as 

applicable) generated by an MEP Center may be used by a recipient towards 

the required non-federal cost share under an MEP award. 

As with the Federal share, any proposed costs included as non-Federal cost sharing 

must be an allowable/eligible cost under this program and under the Federal cost 

principles set forth in 2 C.F.R. part 200, Subpart E. Non-Federal cost sharing 

incorporated into the budget of an approved MEP cooperative agreement is subject 

to audit in the same general manner as Federal award funds. See 2 C.F.R. part 

200, Subpart F. 
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As set forth in Section IV.2.a.(7) of this FFO, a letter of commitment is required from 

an authorized representative of the applicant, stating the total amount of cost share 

to be contributed by the applicant towards the proposed MEP Center. Letters of 

commitment for all other third-party sources of non-Federal cost sharing identified in 

a proposal are not required, but are strongly encouraged. 

3. Other

a. MEP Core Management and Oversight Functions. An MEP Center, as a direct 

recipient of Federal financial assistance funds under an MEP cooperative 

agreement, must possess and maintain, at all times during an MEP award period, 

accountability to directly manage and execute all functions material and inherent 

to the successful operation of a Center, which include, but are not limited to, the 

following: 

1. Budget execution, including the responsibility for determining and executing 

budget policy, guidance and strategy, and the determination of program 

priorities and associated budget or funding requests;

2. Policy implementation, including the responsibility for determining the 

content and implementation of financial and program policies and procedures 

impacting the recipient’s MEP project;

3. Human resources management, including the responsibility for selecting 

individuals for Center employment and for selecting contractors and the 

direction, control, and performance management of Center employees and 

oversight of contractors; and

4. Strategic planning and project execution and management, including the 

responsibility for:

a. Strategic planning functions such as the following: determination of 

project requirements, approval of a project implementation strategy, and 

the development and monitoring of agreements and statements of work 

with subrecipients, vendors, third-party contributors and other strategic 

partners; and 

b. Project execution and management functions such as submission of 

required financial and technical reports, maintenance of a functioning 

financial management system that satisfies the requirements found in 2 

C.F.R. Section 200.302, in order to ensure that costs charged against 

an MEP award are reasonable, allocable, and allowable under 

applicable federal cost principles; and adherence to the terms and 

conditions of the MEP award.

In extraordinary situations, the NIST Grants Officer may allow a recipient to 

temporarily outsource its management and oversight responsibilities under an 

MEP award. If an applicant is proposing such a structure, the applicant must 

include with its application a detailed explanation and accompanying 

documentation (e.g., copies of draft contracts or other agreements) supporting its 

outsourcing request. 
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b. MEP Center Oversight Board. Each Center shall establish and maintain an 

oversight board that is broadly representative of local stakeholders with a majority of 

board members drawn from local small- and medium-sized manufacturing firms. 

Members of a Center’s oversight board may not concurrently serve on more than 

one Center’s oversight board. If a Center’s oversight board does not meet the 

requirements of this paragraph at any time during the term of an MEP award, the 

Center must disclose the deficiencies to the FPO and must submit a detailed plan to 

the FPO for bringing its oversight board into compliance with this term within 12 

months. Additionally, each Center oversight board shall adopt bylaws governing the 

operation of the board, including a conflict of interest policy to ensure relevant 

relationships are disclosed and proper recusal procedures are in place. Upon 

request, a Center shall provide the FPO and/or NIST Grants Officer with copies of its 

organizational documents, including articles of incorporation or charters, ratified bylaws and conflict of interest policies.

If such a structure is not currently in place, or is not expected to meet these 

requirements at the time of the MEP award, the applicant should propose a feasible 

plan for developing such an oversight board within 12 months of issuance of an MEP 

award. Please refer to Section 7 of the Hollings Manufacturing Extension 

Partnership General Terms and Conditions for further information 

http://nist.gov/mep/ffo-state-competitions-02.cfm

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package. The standard application package, 

consisting of the standard forms, i.e., SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B, SF-LLL, and the 

CD-511, is available at www.grants.gov. Applicants may also request an application 

package by contacting the point of contact for administrative, budget, cost-sharing, 

eligibility questions and other programmatic questions listed in Section VII. of this 

FFO. 

2. Content and Form of Application/Submission. The requirements given in this 

section of the FFO will be used in lieu of those given in the MEP regulations found at 

15 CFR part 290, specifically 15 CFR § 290.5(a).

a. Required Forms and Documents

(1) SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance. Applicants must indicate 

the State in which they are seeking to establish an MEP Center in field 4, 

Applicant Identifier, of the SF-424. The SF-424 must be certified through 

www.grants.gov by an authorized representative of the applicant

organization. 

SF-424, Item 12, should list the FFO number 2015-NIST-MEP-01.
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SF-424, Item 18, should list the total budget information for full five (5) 

years of the project.

The list of certifications and assurances referenced in Item 21 of the SF424 is contained in the SF-424B. 

 

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

budget should reflect anticipated expenses for all five (5) years of the 

project, considering all potential cost increases, including cost of living 

adjustments. Recipients must meet the minimum cost share and 

matching requirements set forth in this FFO. Please refer to Section III.2.

of this FFO for the Cost Share and Matching Requirement over the life of 

the award. The budget should also include staff, travel and other costs 

associated with the NIST/MEP Kick-Off Conference and System-Wide 

meetings as described in Sections II.5. and II.6. of this FFO. 

The applicant should submit two SF-424A forms. The first SF-424A form 

should cover the first four (4) years of the project and is the SF424A form 

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

package. 

The second SF-424A form should be submitted to cover year five (5) 

of the project, and its submission details are found in in Section 

IV.2.a.(10). of this FFO. 

(3) SF-424B, Assurances - Non-Construction Programs.

(4) CD-511, Certification Regarding Lobbying.

(5) SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities. (if applicable)

(6) Technical Proposal. The five (5) year Technical Proposal is a wordprocessed document not exceeding 40 pages responsive to the program 

description (see Section I. of this FFO) and the evaluation criteria (see

Section V.1. of this FFO). The following is a suggested format that 

applicants may use for the technical proposal.

a) Table of Contents. (Does not count toward the page limit).

b) Executive Summary. The executive summary should briefly (usually 

no longer than two pages) describe the proposed project, consistent 

with the evaluation sub-criteria (see Section V.1.a. of this FFO). 

Applicants should name the State in which they are seeking to 

establish an MEP Center in the first sentence of the Executive 

Summary. 

Please note, if an applicant’s proposal is selected for funding, NIST 
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may use all or a portion of the Executive Summary as part of a press 

release issued by NIST, or for other public information and outreach 

purposes. Applicants are advised not to incorporate information that 

concerns business trade secrets or other confidential commercial or 

financial information as part of the Executive Summary. See also 15 

C.F.R. § 4.9(c) concerning the designation of business information by 

the applicant. (Does not count towards page limit).

 

c) Project Narrative. A description of the proposed approach to 

establish an MEP Center. The project narrative must also identify 

tasks, measureable milestones and outcomes in providing

manufacturing extension services to primarily small and medium-sized 

manufacturers separately for each of the five years in the designated

State (see Section II.2. of this FFO), sufficient to permit evaluation of 

the application, in accordance with the Executive Summary and Project 

Narrative evaluation sub-criteria (see Section V.1.a. of this FFO). If 

relevant, an applicant should provide information that helps the 

reviewers understand the past experience of the applicant in serving 

small and mid-sized manufacturers. 

d) Qualifications of the Applicant; Key Personnel and Organizational 

Structure. A description of the qualifications and proposed Center

operational or management activities of key personnel who will be 

assigned to work on the proposed project, and a description of 

program management plans, sufficient to permit evaluation of the 

application, in accordance with the Qualifications of the Applicant subcriteria (see Sections V.1.a.iv., V.1.b.i. and ii. of this FFO. The 

applicant should include a description of its proposed performance of 

the MEP Core Management and Oversight Functions as described in 

Section III.3.a. of this FFO. The applicant should also provide a 

description of the proposed MEP Center Oversight Board, including a 

listing of the members or intended members and a discussion of the 

governing documents (e.g., bylaws, policies or procedures and conflict 

of interest policies) with enough information for NIST to determine 

whether the proposed Oversight Board meets the requirements of 

Section III.3.b. of this FFO. If an applicant’s oversight board does not 

currently meet the requirements set forth in Section III.3.b. of this FFO 

or is not expected to continue to meet these requirements at the time 

of the MEP award, the applicant must provide a plan to bring its 

oversight board into compliance with Section III.3.b. of the FFO by no 

later than 12 months following the issuance of the MEP award 

(expected to be made in January 2016).

e) Budget Tables and Budget Narratives. In addition to the two SF424A forms (see Sections IV.2.a.(2). and IV.2.a.(9). of this FFO), 

applicants must provide a detailed budget table and budget narrative 
14

for year one (1) of the project, fully explaining and justifying all 

proposed project funding (both revenue and expenses) in accordance 

with applicable federal cost principles. Applicants must also provide a 

budget table for years two (2) through five (5) of the project; however,

a budget narrative for these years is not required as part of an 

application. 

 In the budget narrative, the recipient should provide adequate 

information to support the costs identified in each category of the 

budget table. For example, providing the annual salary and the 

percentage of time dedicated to the project by personnel to 

demonstrate the total cost of that individual; providing the airfare, 

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

proposed trip; and identifying anticipated subaward/contract amounts, 

the subawardees/contractors, if known at the time of application, and a 

detailed description of the purpose of each subaward/contract. 

Applicants must also include staff, travel and related expenses for the 

required MEP kick-off conference and meetings described in Sections 

II.5. and II.6. of this FFO in the budget tables and budget narratives. A 

suggested budget table and budget narrative template are available on 

the MEP website, http://nist.gov/mep/ffo-state-competitions-02.cfm.

 This budget information submitted by an applicant will be evaluated in 

accordance with the Budget Narrative and Financial Plan evaluation 

sub-criteria (see Section V.1.c.i. and ii. of this FFO).

(7) Letters of Commitment or Support. The letters of commitment or support 

identified below do not count toward the overall application page limit. In 

obtaining letters of commitment, please note that it is inappropriate for Federal 

employees to critique or provide feedback on project ideas, etc., and it is also 

inappropriate for Federal employees to provide a letter of support.

a) For non-profit applicants with a fiduciary board of directors, a 

resolution from such board authorizing submission of the MEP 

Center application to NIST and supporting the activities described 

therein is required.

b) Applicant and Third-Party Non-Federal Cost Sharing: With the 

exception of a commitment letter from the applicant, letters of 

commitment for all other third-party sources of non-Federal cost 

sharing identified in a proposal are not required, but are strongly 

encouraged. Applications without commitment letters for each item of 

third-party, non-federal cost sharing may be considered less favorably 

during the application review process. Applicants may submit a 

summary listing of non-Federal cost share, which will not be counted 

toward the page limit. 
15

(i) Applicant Non-Federal Cost Sharing (Cash and In-kind): A 

letter of commitment is required from an authorized representative 

of the applicant, stating the total amount of cost share to be 

contributed by the applicant towards the proposed MEP Center 

project separate and apart from the submission of the proposal. 

This stand-alone letter must cover all five (5) years of the proposed 

MEP Center project and include a per year break-out of the 

applicant’s contribution of non-federal cost share, as well as a per 

year break-out of cash cost share (including anticipated program 

income) and in-kind (non-cash) contributions. 

 

(ii) Third Party Cost Sharing (Cash and In-kind): The applicant is 

strongly encouraged to include in its application a letter of 

commitment from an authorized representative of each third-party 

organization providing cash or in-kind contributions that are to be 

used as cost share under the proposed MEP Center project. Any 

such letter(s) should clearly state: whether the third-party 

contribution will consist of cash contributions, in-kind contributions, 

or a combination thereof; the total amount of the contribution, 

including a break-out of cash versus in-kind contributions (as 

applicable); the time period over which the third-party contribution 

will be made; and any interim performance requirements for phased 

contributions.

c) Subrecipients: Letters of commitment from subrecipients who are 

key to the technical plan’s success are useful for verifying the 

availability of resources, but are not required. Applications without 

commitment letters from all identified, proposed key subrecipients

may be considered less favorably during the application review 

process. The applicant should include information regarding any 

planned cost share contribution from a subrecipient in their letter of 

commitment. If an award is issued, the recipient is ultimately the 

entity that is committing to the cost share being obtained from the 

subrecipient.

If a subrecipient fails to meet the cost share expectations, the award 

recipient is required to meet the shortfall. In addition, applicants 

planning to use subawards are responsible for evaluating the 

financial viability of subrecipients to meet proposed cost share levels.

d) Prospective Key Employees: Letters of commitment to join the 

proposing organization’s team are useful for verifying the availability 

of key employees, who are not yet employed at a proposing 

organization, to participate in the project if the project is funded. 

These letters are not required, but they can play an important role in 
16

conveying the qualifications of key employees, especially for projects 

involving small companies or startups. Applications without 

commitment letters from all prospective key employees may be 

considered less favorably during the application review process.

e) Contractors: Letters of commitment from contractors who are key to 

the technical plan’s success are useful for verifying the availability of 

resources, but are not required. Applications without commitment 

letters from all identified, proposed key contractors may be 

considered less favorably during the application review process. 

Contractors may not contribute cost share towards the project.

f) General Letters of Support: General letters of support are not 

required, but may be useful for illustrating broad-based support for 

the applicant’s proposal.

(8) Indirect Cost Rate Agreement. If indirect costs are included in the proposed 

budget, provide a copy of the approved negotiated agreement if this rate was 

negotiated with a cognizant Federal audit agency. If the rate was not 

established by a cognizant Federal audit agency, provide a statement to this 

effect. If the successful applicant includes indirect costs in the budget and has 

not established an indirect cost rate with a cognizant Federal audit agency, the 

applicant will be required to obtain such a rate in accordance with the 

Department of Commerce Financial Assistance Standard Terms and 

Conditions available at: 

http://www.osec.doc.gov/oam/grants_management/policy/default%20p2.htm. 

This does not count toward the page limit.

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

never received a negotiated indirect cost rate may elect to charge indirect 

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

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

rate agreement is not required. Applicants proposing a 10 percent de minimis 

rate pursuant to 2 C.F.R. § 200.414(f) should note this election as part of the 

budget portion of the application. 

(9) Resumes. One-page resumes of no more than five key personnel may be 

included; these do not count toward the page limit. Any information beyond 

one page for each resume and any additional resumes submitted will not be 

considered.

(10) SF-424A, Budget Information - Non-Construction Programs for year five 

(5). The SF-424A form that appears as part of the mandatory forms in the 

Grants.gov application package covers the first four (4) years of the project. 

The second SF-424A form should be submitted to cover year five (5) of the 

project. A fillable SF-424A form can be found at 
17

http://www.nist.gov/director/grants/upload/sf424a.pdf. Applicants should 

download the fillable SF-424A form, complete the information for year five (5) 

of the project and submit the completed form as an attachment, using the 

procedure described in the next paragraph.

When submitting the application electronically via Grants.gov, items IV.2.a.(1). through 

IV.2.a.(5). above are part of the standard application package in Grants.gov and can be 

completed through the download application process. Items IV.2.a.(6). through 

IV.2.a.(10). must be completed and attached by clicking on “Add Attachments” 

found in item 15 of the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance. This will 

create a zip file that allows for transmittal of the documents electronically via 

Grants.gov. Applicants should carefully follow specific Grants.gov instructions at 

www.grants.gov to ensure the attachments will be accepted by the Grants.gov system. 

A receipt from Grants.gov indicating an application is received does not provide 

information about whether attachments have been received.

b. Application Format

(1) E-mail submissions. Will not be accepted.

(2) Facsimile submissions (fax). Will not be accepted.

(3) Figures, graphs, images, and pictures. Should be of a size that is easily 

readable or viewable and may be landscape orientation.

(4) Font. Easy to read font (11-point minimum). Smaller type may be used in 

figures and tables but must be clearly legible.

(5) Line spacing. Single.

(6) Margins. One (1) inch top, bottom, left, and right.

(7) Paper copies. Will not be accepted. All submissions must be made via 

www.grants.gov.

(8) Page layout. Portrait orientation only (except figures, graphs, and pictures 

(see Section IV.2.b.(3)).

(9) Page Limit. Forty (40) pages.

Page limit includes: Cover page, Technical Proposal (with the exception of the 

Executive Summary), figures, graphs, tables, images, pictures, and all other 

pages of an application, with the exception of the page limit exclusions listed 

below.
18

Page limit excludes: Table of Contents, Executive Summary, SF-424, 

Application for Federal Assistance; both copies of the SF-424A, Budget 

Information – Non-Construction Programs form; SF-424B, Assurances – NonConstruction Programs; SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities; CD-511, 

Certification Regarding Lobbying; Table of Contents, budget tables and budget 

narratives; Letters of Commitment and/or Support; Indirect Cost Rate 

Agreement, and Resumes.

(10) Page numbering. Number pages sequentially.

(11) Paper size. 21.6 centimeters by 27.9 centimeters (8 1⁄2 inches by 11 inches).

(12) Application language. English.

(13) Typed document. All applications, including forms, must be typed.

c. Application Replacement Pages. Applicants may not submit replacement pages 

and/or missing documents once an application has been submitted. Any revisions 

must be made by submission of a new application that must be received by NIST by 

the submission deadline.

d. Pre-Applications. NIST is not accepting pre-applications or white papers under this

FFO.

e. Certifications Regarding Federal Felony and Federal Criminal Tax Convictions, 

Unpaid Federal Tax Assessments and Delinquent Federal Tax Returns. In 

accordance with Federal appropriations law, an authorized representative of the 

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

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

assessments, and delinquent federal tax returns.

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM). Pursuant 

to 2 C.F.R. part 25, applicants and recipients (as the case may be) are required to: 

(i) be registered in SAM before submitting its application; (ii) provide a valid unique 

entity identifier in its application; and (iii) continue to maintain an active SAM 

registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal 

award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency, 

unless otherwise excepted from these requirements pursuant to 2 C.F.R. § 25.110. 

NIST will not make a Federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied 

with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements and, if an applicant 

has not fully complied with the requirements by the time that NIST is ready to make 

a Federal award pursuant to this FFO, NIST may determine that the applicant is not 

qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for 

making a Federal award to another applicant. 
19

4. Submission Dates and Times. Applicants must submit applications electronically 

through www.grants.gov. Electronic applications must be received no later than 

11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, June 1, 2015. 

Applications not received by the specified due date and time will not be considered 

and will be returned without review. NIST will consider the date and time stamped 

on the validation generated by www.grants.gov as the official submission time.

NIST will not accept applications submitted by mail, facsimile, or by email.

NIST strongly recommends that applicants do not wait until the last minute to submit 

an application. NIST will not make any allowances for late submissions resulting 

from an applicants’ inability to register with Sam.gov or Grants.gov in a timely 

manner. The responsibility for ensuring a complete application is received by NIST 

by the deadline is the sole responsibility of the applicant. To avoid any potential 

processing backlogs due to last minute Grants.gov registrations, applicants are 

strongly encouraged to start their Grants.gov registration process at least four (4) 

weeks prior to the application due date.

When developing your submission timeline, keep in mind that (1) a free annual 

registration process in the electronic System for Award Management (SAM) 

(see Section IV.3. of this FFO) may take between three (3) and five (5) business 

days or as long as more than two (2) weeks, and (2) applicants using 

Grants.gov will receive a series of receipts over a period of up to two business 

days before learning via a validation or rejection whether a Federal agency’s 

electronic system has received its application.

5. Intergovernmental Review. Applications under this Program are not subject to 

Executive Order 12372.

6. Funding Restrictions. Construction activities are not an allowable cost under the 

MEP Program. In addition, a recipient or a subrecipient may not charge profits, fees 

or other increments above cost to an MEP award. Pre-award costs under this FFO 

are subject to the prior written approval of the NIST Grants Officer. 

7. Other Submission Requirements 

a. Applications must be submitted electronically through www.grants.gov. NIST 

will not accept applications submitted by mail, facsimile, or by e-mail.

(1) Electronic applications must be submitted via Grants.gov at www.grants.gov, 

under announcement 2015-NIST-MEP-01. 

a) Submitters of electronic applications should carefully follow specific 

Grants.gov instructions to ensure the attachments will be accepted by the 

Grants.gov system. A receipt from Grants.gov indicating an application is 
20

received does not provide information about whether attachments have 

been received. For further information or questions regarding applying 

electronically for the 2015-NIST-MEP-01 announcement, contact 

Christopher Hunton by phone at 301-975-5718 or by e-mail at 

christopher.hunton@nist.gov.

b) Applicants are strongly encouraged to start early and not wait until the 

approaching due date before logging on and reviewing the instructions for 

submitting an application through Grants.gov. The Grants.gov registration 

process must be completed before a new registrant can apply 

electronically. If all goes well, the registration process takes three (3) to 

five (5) business days. If problems are encountered, the registration

process can take up to two (2) weeks or more. Applicants must have a 

valid unique entity identifier number and must maintain a current 

registration in the Federal government’s primary registrant database, the 

System for Award Management (https://www.sam.gov/), as explained on 

the Grants.gov Web site. See also Section IV.3. of this FFO. After 

registering, it may take several days or longer from the initial log-on before 

a new Grants.gov system user can submit an application. Only authorized 

individual(s) will be able to submit the application, and the system may 

need time to process a submitted application. Applicants should save and 

print the proof of submission they receive from Grants.gov. If problems 

occur while using Grants.gov, the applicant is advised to (a) print any error 

message received and (b) call Grants.gov directly for immediate 

assistance. If calling from within the United States or from a U.S. territory, 

please call 800-518-4726. If calling from a place other than the United 

States or a U.S. territory, please call 606-545-5035. Assistance from the 

Grants.gov Help Desk will be available around the clock every day, with 

the exception of Federal holidays. Help Desk service will resume at 7:00 

a.m. Eastern Time the day after Federal holidays. For assistance using 

Grants.gov, you may also contact support@grants.gov.

c) To find instructions on submitting an application on Grants.gov, Applicants 

should refer to the “Applicants” tab in the banner just below the top of the 

www.grants.gov home page. Clicking on the “Applicants” tab produces 

the “Grant Applicants” page.

In addition to following the “Steps” and instructions described in the 

“Applicant Actions” section and its sub-categories, further detailed 

instructions are described in “Applicant Resources” and all of its 

subcategories. This appears in the box near the top left of the Grant 

Applicants page. Applicants should follow the links associated with each 

subcategory.

Applicants will receive a series of receipts during a process of up to two 

business days before the application is either validated as electronically 
21

received by the Federal agency system, or rejected by it. Closely 

following the detailed information in these subcategories will increase the 

likelihood of acceptance of the application by the Federal agency’s 

electronic system. 

Applicants should pay close attention to the instructions under “Applicant 

FAQs,” as it contains information important to successful submission on 

Grants.gov, including essential details on the naming conventions for 

attachments to Grants.gov applications.

All applicants should be aware that adequate time must be factored into applicants’ 

schedules for delivery of their application. Applicants are advised that volume on 

Grants.gov may be extremely heavy on the deadline date.

Refer to important information in Section IV.4. Submission Dates and Times, to help 

ensure your application is received on time. 

b. Amendments. Any amendments to this FFO will be announced through 

Grants.gov. Applicants may sign up on Grants.gov to receive amendments by email 

or may request copies from Margaret Robb by telephone at (301) 975-4176 or by email to mepffo@nist.gov. Since this opportunity is also announced in the Federal 

Register, any amendments to that notice will be published in the Federal Register. 

Copies of the Federal Register announcement and any amendments published in 

the Federal Register can be found at https://www.federalregister.gov/ and may also 

be requested from Margaret Robb by telephone at (301) 975-4176 or by e-mail to 

mepffo@nist.gov . 

V. Application Review Information

1. Evaluation Criteria. The evaluation criteria, selection factors, review and selection 

process provided in this section will be used for this competition in lieu of those 

provided in the MEP regulations found at 15 CFR part 290, specifically 15 CFR §§ 

290.6 and 290.7. The evaluation criteria that will be used in evaluating applications

and assigned weights, with a maximum score of 100, are listed below.

a. Executive Summary and Project Narrative. (40 points; Sub-criteria i through iv

will be weighted equally) NIST/MEP will evaluate the extent to which the 

applicant’s Executive Summary and Project Narrative demonstrates how the 

applicant’s methodology will efficiently and effectively establish an MEP Center and

provide manufacturing extension services to primarily small and medium-sized 

manufacturers in the applicable State-wide geographical service area identified in 

Section II.2. of this FFO. Applicants should name the state to be covered in the first 

sentence of the Executive Summary and Project Narrative. Reviewers will consider 

the following topics when evaluating the Executive Summary and Project Narrative:
22

i. Center Strategy. Reviewers will assess the applicant’s strategy proposed for 

the Center to deliver services that support a strong manufacturing ecosystem, 

meet manufacturers’ needs and generate impact. Reviewers will assess the 

quality with which the applicant: 

 incorporates the market analysis described in the criterion V.1.a.ii.(1). 

below to inform strategies, products and services; 

 defines a strategy for delivering services that balances market 

penetration with impact and revenue generation, addressing the needs 

of manufacturers, with an emphasis on the small and medium-sized 

manufacturers;

 Defines the Center’s existing and/or proposed roles and relationships

with other entities in the State’s manufacturing ecosystem, including 

State, regional, and local agencies, economic development 

organizations and educational institutions such as universities and 

community or technical colleges, industry associations, and other 

appropriate entities;

 plans to engage with other entities in Statewide and/or regional 

advanced manufacturing initiatives; and

 supports achievements of the MEP mission and objectives while also 

satisfying the interests of other stakeholders, investors, and partners.

ii. Market Understanding. Reviewers will assess the strategy proposed for the 

Center to define the target market, understand the needs of manufacturers

(especially Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs)), and to define appropriate 

services to meet identified needs. Reviewers will evaluate the proposed 

approach for regularly updating this understanding through the five years. The 

following sub-topics will be evaluated and given equal weight: 

(1) Market Segmentation. Reviewers will assess the quality and extent of

the applicant’s market segmentation including:

 company size, geography, industry including a segmentation of rural, 

emerging, start-up and very small manufacturers as appropriate to the 

state;

 alignment with state and/or regional initiatives; and

 other important factors identified by the applicant. 

(2) Needs Identification and Product/Service Offerings. Reviewers will 

assess the quality and extent of the applicant’s proposed needs 

identification and proposed products and services for both sales growth 

and operational improvement in response to the applicant’s market 

segmentation and understanding assessed by reviewers under the

preceding Section V.1.a.ii.1. Of particular interest is how the applicant 

would leverage new manufacturing technologies, techniques and 

processes usable by small and medium-sized manufacturers. Reviewers 

will also consider how an applicant’s proposed approach will support a 

job-driven training agenda with manufacturing clients.
23

iii. Business Model. Reviewers will assess the applicant’s proposed business 

model for the Center as the applicant provides in its Project Narrative, 

Qualifications of the Applicant; Key Personnel, Organizational Structure and 

Budget Tables and Budget Narratives sections of its Technical Proposal,

submitted under section IV.2.a.(6) of this FFO, and the proposed business 

model’s ability to execute the strategy evaluated under criterion V.1.a.i. 

above, based on the market understanding evaluated under criterion V.1.a.ii. 

above. The following sub-topics will be evaluated and given equal weight: 

(1) Outreach and Service Delivery to the Market. Reviewers will assess 

the extent to which the proposed Center is organized to:

 identify, reach and provide proposed services to key market segments 

and individual manufacturers described above;

 work with a manufacturer’s leadership in strategic discussions related 

to new technologies, new products and new markets; and 

 leverage the applicant’s past experience in working with small and 

medium-sized manufacturers as a basis for future programmatic 

success. 

(2) Partnership Leverage and Linkages. Reviewers will assess the extent 

to which the proposed Center will make effective use of resources or 

partnerships with third parties such as industry, universities,

community/technical colleges, nonprofit economic development 

organizations, and Federal, State and Local Government Agencies in the 

Center’s business model.

iv. Performance Measurement and Management. Reviewers will assess the 

extent to which the applicant will use a systematic approach to measuring 

and managing performance including the:

 quality and extent of the applicant’s stated goals, milestones and 

outcomes described by operating year (year 1, year 2, etc.);

 applicant’s utilization of client-based business results important to 

stakeholders in understanding program impact; and

 depth of the proposed methodology for program management and 

internal evaluation likely to ensure effective operations and oversight 

for meeting program and service delivery objectives.

b. Qualifications of the Applicant; Key Personnel and Organizational Structure

(30 points; Sub-criteria i and ii will be weighted equally). Reviewers will assess 

the ability of the key personnel and the applicant’s management structure to deliver 

the program and services envisioned for the Center. Reviewers will consider the 

following topics when evaluating the qualifications of the applicant and of program 

management:
24

i. Key Personnel. Reviewers will assess the extent to which the:

 proposed key personnel have the appropriate experience and education in 

manufacturing, outreach and partnership development to support 

achievements of the MEP mission and objectives;

 proposed key personnel have the appropriate experience and education to 

plan, direct, monitor, organize and control the monetary resources of the 

proposed Center to achieve its business objectives and maximize its 

value;

 proposed staffing plan flows logically from the specified approach to the 

market and products and service offerings; and

 proposed field staff structure sufficiently supports the geographic 

concentrations and industry targets for the region.

ii. Organizational Structure. Reviewers will assess the extent to which the: 

 proposed management structure (leadership and governance) is aligned 

to support the execution of the strategy, products and services;

 organizational roles and responsibilities of key personnel and staff are 

clearly delineated; and

 degree to which the Center’s proposed oversight board meets the 

requirements of Section III.3.b. of this FFO or, if such a structure is not 

currently in place or is not expected to continue meet these requirements 

at the time of the MEP award, a feasible plan is proposed for developing 

such an oversight board within 12 months of issuance of an MEP award 

(expected to be January 2016).

c. Budget and Financial Plan. (30 points; Sub-criteria i and ii will be weighted 

equally) Reviewers will assess the suitability and focus of the applicant’s five (5) 

year budget. The application will be assessed in the following areas:

i. Budget. Reviewers will assess the extent to which:

 the proposed financial plan is aligned to support the execution of the 

proposed Center’s strategy and business model over the five (5) year 

project plan;

 the proposed projections for income and expenditures are appropriate for 

the scale of services that are to be delivered by the proposed Center and 

the service delivery model envisioned within the context of the overall 

financial model over the five (5) year project plan;

 a reasonable ramp-up or scale-up scope and budget that has the Center 

fully operational by the 4

th year of the project; and

 the proposal’s narrative for each of the budgeted items explains the 

rationale for each of the budgeted items, including assumptions the 

applicant used in budgeting for the Center.
25

ii. Quality of the Financial Plan for Meeting the Award’s Non-Federal Cost 

Share Requirements over 5 Years. Reviewers will assess the quality of 

and extent to which the:

 applicant clearly describes the total level of cost share and detailed 

rationale of the cost share, including cash and in-kind, in their proposed 

budget.

 applicant’s funding commitments for cost share are documented by letters 

of support from the applicant, proposed sub-recipients and any other 

partners identified and meet the basic matching requirements of the 

program;

 applicant’s cost share meets basic requirements of allowability, allocability 

and reasonableness under applicable federal costs principles set for in 2 

C.F.R. 200, Subpart E; 

 applicant’s underlying accounting system is established or will be 

established to meet applicable federal costs principles set for in 2 C.F.R. 

200, Subpart E; and

 the overall proposed financial plan is sufficiently robust and diversified so 

as to support the long term sustainability of the Center throughout the five 

(5) years of the project plan.

2. Review and Selection Process

Proposals, reports, documents and other information related to applications submitted 

to NIST and/or relating to financial assistance awards issued by NIST will be reviewed 

and considered by Federal employees, Federal agents and contractors, and/or by nonFederal personnel enter into nondisclosure agreements covering such information.

a. Initial Administrative Review of Applications. An initial review of timely received 

applications will be conducted to determine eligibility, completeness, and 

responsiveness to this FFO and the scope of the stated program objectives. 

Applications determined to be ineligible, incomplete, and/or non-responsive may be 

eliminated from further review. However, NIST, in its sole discretion, may continue 

the review process for an application that is missing non-substantive information that 

can easily be rectified or cured. 

b. Full Review of Eligible, Complete, and Responsive Applications. Applications

that are determined to be eligible, complete, and responsive will proceed for full 

reviews in accordance with the review and selection processes below. Eligible, 

complete and responsive applications will be grouped by the State in which the 

proposed MEP Center is to be established. The applications in each group will be 

reviewed by the same reviewers and will be evaluated, reviewed, and selected as 

described below in separate groups.

(1) Evaluation and Review. Each application will be reviewed by at least three 

technically qualified individual reviewers who will evaluate each application 
26

based on the evaluation criteria (see Section V.1. of this FFO). Applicants may 

receive written follow-up questions in order for the reviewers to gain a better 

understanding of the applicant’s proposal. Each reviewer will assign each 

application a numeric score, with a maximum score of 100. If a non-Federal 

reviewer is used, the reviewers may discuss the applications with each other, but 

scores will be determined on an individual basis, not as a consensus. 

Applicants whose applications receive an average score of 70 or higher out of 

100 will be deemed finalists. If deemed necessary, all finalists will be invited to 

participate with reviewers in a conference call and/or all finalists will be invited to 

participate in a site visit that will be conducted by the same reviewers at the 

applicant’s location. Finalists will be reviewed and evaluated, and reviewers may 

revise their assigned numeric scores based on the evaluation criteria (see

Section V.1. of this FFO) as a result of the conference call and/or site visit.

 

(2) Ranking and Selection. The reviewers’ final numeric scores for all finalists will 

be converted to ordinal rankings (i.e., a reviewer’s highest score will be ranked 

“1”, second highest score will be ranked “2”, etc.). The ordinal rankings for an 

applicant will be summed and rank order will be established based on the lowest 

total for the ordinal rankings, and provided to the Selecting Official for further 

consideration.

The Selecting Official is the NIST Associate Director of Innovation and Industry 

Services or designee. The Selecting Official makes the final recommendation to 

the NIST Grants Officer regarding the funding of applications under this FFO. 

NIST/MEP expects to recommend funding for the highest ranked applicant for 

each of the twelve (12) States being competed under this FFO. However, the 

Selecting Official may decide to select an applicant out of rank order based upon 

one or more of the Selection Factors identified in Section V.3. of this FFO. The 

Selecting Official may also decide not to recommend funding for a particular 

State to any of the applicants.

NIST reserves the right to negotiate the budget costs with any applicant selected 

to receive an award, which may include requesting that the applicant remove 

certain costs. Additionally, NIST may request that the successful applicant 

modify objectives or work plans and provide supplemental information required 

by the agency prior to award. NIST also reserves the right to reject an 

application where information is uncovered that raises a reasonable doubt as to 

the responsibility of the applicant. The final approval of selected applications and 

issuance of awards will be by the NIST Grants Officer. The award decisions of 

the NIST Grants Officer are final.

c. Federal Awarding Agency Review of Risk Posed by Applicants. After 

applications are proposed for funding by the Selecting Official and prior to the 

issuance of an award, the NIST Grants Office will conduct an assessment of the risk 

posed by the applicant in accordance with 2 C.F.R. § 200.205. In addition to 
27

reviewing repositories of government-wide eligibility, qualification or financial 

integrity information, the risk assessment conducted by NIST may consider items 

such as the financial stability of an applicant, quality of the applicant’s management 

systems, an applicant’s history of performance, previous audit reports and audit 

findings concerning the applicant and the applicant’s ability to effectively implement 

statutory, regulatory, or other requirements imposed on non-Federal entities. Upon 

review of these factors, if appropriate, specific award conditions that correspond to 

the degree of risk may be applied by the NIST Grants Officer pursuant to 2 C.F.R. § 

200.207. In addition, NIST reserves the right to reject an application in its entirety 

where information is uncovered that raises a significant risk with respect to the 

responsibility or suitability of the applicant. 

3. Selection Factors. The Selection Factors for this FFO are as follows:

a. The availability of Federal funds;

b. Relevance of the proposed project to MEP program goals and policy objectives;

c. Reviewers' evaluations, including technical comments;

d. The need to assure appropriate distribution of MEP services within the 

designated State; 

e. Whether the project duplicates other projects funded by DoC or by other Federal 

agencies; and

f. Whether the application complements or supports other Administration priorities,

or projects supported by DoC or other Federal agencies, such as but not limited 

to the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation and the Investing in 

Manufacturing Communities Partnership.

4. Anticipated Announcement and Award Date. Review, selection, and award 

processing is expected to be completed in late 2015. The anticipated start date for 

awards made under this FFO is expected to be January 1, 2016.

5. Additional Information

a. Notification to Unsuccessful Applicants. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified 

in writing.

b. Retention of Unsuccessful Applications. An electronic copy of each non-selected 

application will be retained for three (3) years for record keeping purposes. After 

three (3) years, it will be destroyed.

VI. Federal Award Administration Information
28

1. Federal Award Notices. Successful applicants will receive an award package from 

the NIST Grants Officer. The award cover page, i.e., CD-450, Financial Assistance 

Award is the authorizing document available at 

http://ocio.os.doc.gov/s/groups/public/@doc/@os/@ocio/@oitpp/documents/content/

dev01_002513.pdf.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

a. Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit 

Requirements. Through 2. C.F.R. § 1327.101, the Department of Commerce 

adopted the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit 

Requirements for Federal Awards at 2 C.F.R. Part 200, which apply to awards 

made pursuant to this FFO. Refer to http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/textidx?SID=bd58a13de66200ce25c4fa5f6fdbf197&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5

and http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/textidx?SID=bd58a13de66200ce25c4fa5f6fdbf197&node=pt2.1.1327&rgn=div5. 

b. Department of Commerce Financial Assistance Standard Terms and 

Conditions. The Department of Commerce Financial Assistance Standard 

Terms and Conditions (December 26, 2014) will apply to this award and are 

accessible at: 

http://www.osec.doc.gov/oam/grants_management/policy/default%20p2.htm. 

c. Pre-Award Notification Requirements. The Department of Commerce PreAward Notification Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements, 79 FR 

78390 (December 30, 2014), are applicable to this FFO and are available at 

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-12-30/pdf/2014-30297.pdf.

d. Funding Availability and Limitation of Liability. Funding for the program 

listed in this FFO is contingent upon the availability of appropriations. In no event 

will NIST or DoC be responsible for application preparation costs if this program 

fails to receive funding or is cancelled because of agency priorities. Publication 

of this FFO does not oblige NIST or DoC to award any specific project or to 

obligate any available funds.

e. Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership General Terms and 

Conditions. As a recipient of a NIST/MEP award, the recipient shall comply with 

the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership General Terms and Conditions 

(MEP Terms and Conditions), as may be periodically amended. The MEP 

General Terms and Conditions in effect at the time the awards are made will be 

incorporated into the awards. A copy of the current MEP General Terms and 

Conditions is available at: http://nist.gov/mep/ffo-state-competitions-02.cfm. 

Award recipients will also be required to comply with any Special Award 

Conditions imposed by the NIST/MEP Grants Officer.
29

f. Operating Plan, Budget and Supporting Documentation. Following the 

issuance of an MEP award, recipients will be required to submit an Operating 

Plan in accordance with the MEP Operating Plan Guidelines in effect at the time 

the award is made. In this connection, NIST may require recipients to provide 

copies of sub-tier agreements, including subawards and contracts over 

$150,000, as well subrecipient performance monitoring plans. A copy of the 

current MEP Operating Plan Guidelines is available at: http://nist.gov/mep/ffostate-competitions-02.cfm.

3. Reporting 

a. Reporting Requirements. In lieu of the reporting requirements described in 

Sections A.01 Performance (Technical) Reports and B.02 Financial Reports of the 

Department of Commerce Financial Assistance Standard Terms and Conditions 

(December 26, 2014), the following reporting requirements shall apply:

(1) 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 after the sixth and twelfth month of each operating year, unless other 

reporting intervals and/or due dates are identified by the NIST Grants Officer

pursuant to a Special Award Condition. Reports will be due within 30 days after 

the end of each semi-annual reporting period. The Recipient shall submit a final 

SF-425 within 90 days after the expiration date of the award.

(2) Performance (Technical) Reports. The Recipient shall submit a Technical 

Report (completing all required MEIS fields) on a semi-annual basis after the 

sixth and twelfth month of each operating year, unless other reporting intervals 

and/or due dates are identified by the NIST Grants Officer pursuant to a Special 

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

end of each reporting period. The Recipient shall submit a final 

Technical/Quarterly report within 90 days after the expiration date of the award. 

Technical/Quarterly Report details are accessible on the MEIS website 

(https://meis.nist.gov/).Technical progress reports shall contain information as 

prescribed in the NIST MEP Reporting Guidelines (OMB Control Number 0693-

0032). For further information regarding the NIST MEP Reporting Process, you 

may download a copy of the NIST MEP Reporting Guidelines at 

http://nist.gov/mep/ffo-state-competitions-02.cfm.

(3) Post Client Project Follow-Up. The recipient will be required to provide client 

and project data on a quarterly basis (unless otherwise directed by the NIST 

Grants Officer) and in a specified format to the organization identified by 

NIST/MEP in order for post-project follow-up data to be obtained (OMB Control 

Number 0693-0021). For further information regarding the NIST MEP Reporting 

Process, you may download a copy of the NIST MEP Reporting Guidelines at 

http://nist.gov/mep/ffo-state-competitions-02.cfm.
30

b. Audit Requirements. A non-Federal entity (as defined in 2 C.F.R. § 200.69) that 

expends $750,000 or more in Federal award funds during the non-federal entity’s 

fiscal year is required to conduct a single or program-specific audit in accordance 

with the requirements set forth in 2 C.F.R. part 200, Subpart F. In addition, pursuant 

to Section F. of the Department of Commerce Financial Assistance Standard Terms 

and Conditions (December 26, 2014), non-Federal entities that are not subject to 

Subpart F of 2 C.F.R. Part 200 (e.g., for-profit entities) and that expend $750,000 or 

more in Department of Commerce award during their fiscal year must have an audit 

conducted for that year in accordance with Subpart F of 2 C.F.R. Part 200, unless 

otherwise specified in the terms and conditions of an award, Applicants are 

reminded that NIST, the DoC Office of Inspector General or another authorized 

Federal agency may conduct an audit of an award at any time. 

c. Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006. In accordance 

with 2 C.F.R. Part 170, all recipients of a Federal award made on or after October 1, 

2010, are required to comply with reporting requirements under the Federal Funding 

Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Pub. L. No. 109-282). In general, all 

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

recipients that meet certain criteria are responsible for reporting executive 

compensation. Applicants must ensure they have the necessary processes and 

systems in place to comply with the reporting requirements should they receive 

funding.

d. Performance Reviews. NIST will perform program evaluations of the recipient as 

follows: (1) in an annual review, as required by 15 CFR § 290.8, and (2) an 

independent peer review during the third year of operation and at least every two 

years thereafter, as required by 15 U.S.C. 278k(c)(5) and 15 C.F.R § 290.8.

VII. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

Questions should be directed to the following contact persons:

Subject Area Point of Contact

Administrative, budget, cost-sharing, 

eligibility questions and other 

programmatic questions.

Diane Henderson

Phone: (301) 975-5105

Fax: (301) 963-6556

E-mail: mepffo@nist.gov

Technical Assistance with Grants.gov 

Submissions

Christopher Hunton

Phone: (301) 975-5718

Fax: (301) 975-8884

E-mail: christopher.hunton@nist.gov

Grant Rules and Regulations Jannet Cancino

Phone: (301) 975-6544
31

Subject Area Point of Contact

Fax: (301) 975-6368

E-mail: jannet.cancino@nist.gov

VIII. Other Information

1. Webinar Information Session: NIST/MEP will hold one or more webinar

information sessions for organizations that are considering applying to this 

opportunity. These webinars will provide general information regarding MEP and 

offer general guidance on preparing proposals. NIST/MEP staff will be available on 

the webinars to answer general questions. During the webinars, proprietary 

technical discussions about specific project ideas will not be permitted. Also, 

NIST/MEP staff will not critique or provide feedback on any project ideas during the 

webinars or at any time before submission of a proposal to MEP. However, 

NIST/MEP staff will provide information about the MEP eligibility and cost-sharing 

requirements, evaluation criteria and selection factors, selection process, and the 

general characteristics of a competitive MEP proposal during this webinar, and by 

phone and email. The webinars will be held approximately fifteen (15) to thirty (30)

business days after posting of this FFO and publication of an abbreviated solicitation 

in the Federal Register. The exact dates and times of the webinars will be posted on 

the MEP website at http://nist.gov/mep/ffo-state-competitions-02.cfm. The webinars

will be recorded and a link to the recordings will be posted on the MEP website. In 

addition, the webinar presentations will be available after the webinars on the MEP 

website. Organizations wishing to participate in one or more webinars must sign up 

by emailing mepffo@nist.gov. Participation in the webinars is not required in order 

for an organization to submit an application pursuant to this FFO.

2. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Questions from applicants pertaining to 

MEP eligibility, cost-sharing requirements, evaluation criteria and selection factors, 

selection process, and the general characteristics of a competitive MEP proposal will 

not be considered on an informal basis. Applicants must submit all such questions 

in writing to mepffo@nist.gov. Questions submitted to NIST/MEP may be posted as 

part of an FAQ document, which will be periodically updated on the MEP website at 

http://nist.gov/mep/ffo-state-competitions-02.cfm.