M AKING AN IM PACT ON U.S. M ANUFACTURING

Information Webinar

Federal Funding Opportunity: 2016-NIST-MEP-PARTNERSHIP-01

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M AKING AN IM PACT ON U.S. M ANUFACTURING

WELCOME 

Informational Webinar – January 14, 2016

12:00 p.m. (EST)

Federal Funding Opportunity: 2016-NIST-MEP-PARTNERSHIP-01

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) 

Diane Henderson, Manager, Competitions, NIST MEP

Kari Reidy, Director of Communications, NIST MEP

Mark Troppe, Director of Partnership & Program Development, NIST MEP
MEP Overview

Information Webinar Agenda

• NIST MEP Program Overview

• Funding Opportunity Overview

• Evaluation Criteria

• Review and Selection Process

• Selection Factors

• Administrative Requirements for Applications

• Reporting Requirements

• MEP Resources

• Agency Contacts

• FAQs 

• Staying in touch

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

• Webinar serves as a communication vehicle to provide an overview of the funding 

opportunity.

• During the webinar, proprietary technical discussions about specific project ideas 

will not be permitted. 

• NIST/MEP staff will not critique or provide feedback on any specific project ideas 

during the webinar or at any time before submission of a proposal to MEP.

– We will consider questions of a clarifying nature that are not specific to an individual proposal.

– If you want to submit questions following the webinar, please email them to MEP at 

mepffo@nist.gov.

Information Webinar and Communication Protocols

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M AKING AN IM PACT ON U.S. M ANUFACTURING

MEP PROGRAM OVERVIEW
MEP Overview

MISSION

To enhance the productivity and technological 

performance of U.S. Manufacturing.

“

“

ROLE

MEP’s state and regional centers facilitate and accelerate the transfer of 

manufacturing technology in partnership with industry, universities and 

educational institutions, state governments, and NIST and other federal and 

research laboratories and agencies.

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 6
MEP Overview

MEP Program in Short

MEP System Budget

$130 Million Federal Budget 

with Cost Share 

Requirements for Centers

Global Competitiveness 

Program was created by the 

1988 Omnibus Trade And 

Competitive Act

Evolving Role

Program continues to evolve in 

order to support manufacturers 

during changing economic 

situations.

Program Started in 1988

At least one center in all 50 

states by 1996

National Network

58 Centers with over 550 Field Locations. System 

wide, Non-Federal Staff is over 1,200 and over 2,300 

additional partners.

Partnership Model

Federal, State

and Industry

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MEP Overview

MEP Strategic Plan

MISSION

To enhance the productivity and technological 

performance of U.S. manufacturing.

ROLE

MEP ‘s state and regional centers facilitate and 

accelerate the transfer of manufacturing 

technology in partnership with industry, 

universities and educational institutions, state 

governments, and NIST and other federal research 

laboratories and agencies.

• National program with at least one center 

in every state and Puerto Rico.

• Federal/state, public-private partnership 

with local flexibility.

• Cost share policy that matches federal 

investment with state and private sector 

investment.

• Market driven program that responds to 

the needs of private sector manufacturers.

• Leverage partnering expertise as a strategic 

advantage. 

• Local knowledge of, focus on, and access to 

manufacturers.

PROG RAMMATIC S TRENGTHS:

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 8
MEP Overview

MEP Strategic Plan (2014-2017)

Strategic Goals

ENHANCE COMPETITIVENESS

Enhance the competitiveness of U.S. 

manufacturers, with particular focus 

on small and medium-sized 

companies.

CHAMPION MANUFACTURING

Serve as a voice to and a voice for 

manufacturing and manufacturers 

in engaging policy makers, 

stakeholders, and clients.

SUPPORT PARTNERSHIPS

Support national, state, and regional 

manufacturing eco-systems and 

partnerships.

DEVELOP CAPABILITIES

Develop MEP’s capabilities as a 

learning organization and high 

performance system.

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

National Network

www.nist.gov/mep mfg@nist.gov (301) 975-5020 10
MEP Overview

Center Structure Diversity

Partnerships

• Single location

• Principal organization with independent partner organizations

• Central office with regional offices

• Headquarters operation with multiple field offices

Utilizes existing local resources to 

provide manufacturing extension 

services relies heavily on 

partnerships

Public & Private 

Sector

Staff are employees of the 

Center and its partners –

not the Federal 

Government

Geography

Urban and Rural Areas. 

Centers are never more than 2 

hours away of a manufacturer.

Organization Type

Nonprofit

University

State Government

Organizational Structure Nonprofit University State	Gov't

33

18

7

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MEP Overview

How Centers work with Manufacturers

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

Initial Contact

Group sessions, 

referral

Assessment

Informal walkthrough, detailed 

company analysis

Identify

Find potential issues, 

define proposed 

project and approach 

for solving it

Negotiate

Consult with company 

and sign project 

contract with fee paid 

to center

Project 

Execution

Center staff, partner 

organization, and/or 

third party consultants

Project impact data collected by contractor 

for NIST approximately 6 months after 

project completion

Follow-Up

After completion, project 

follow-up by center to 

assure customer 

satisfaction and explore 

further project 

opportunities

12
MEP Overview

What MEP Does

Work with small and medium size manufacturers to help 

them create and retain jobs, increase profits and save 

time and money

Focus on meeting manufacturer’s short term needs, but 

in context of overall company strategy.

Reach nearly 30,000 manufacturing firms and 

complete over 12,000 projects per year.

Provides companies with a consistent set of services 

including:

Technology

Acceleration

Supply Chain 

Development

Workforce

Development

Innovation 

and Growth

Lean Process 

Sustainability

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

Client Challenges

69%

53%

48%

41%

21%

14% 14% 12%

8%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Cost Reduction GrowthProduct Development Employee Recruitment Sustainability Technology Needs Manage PartnersFinancing Exporting

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MEP Overview

MEP Program Initiatives & Services

MEP’s Program Initiatives & Services

are aimed to help manufacturers identify opportunities that will accelerate and strengthen their 

growth and competitiveness in the global marketplace

Growth and Innovation Sustainability Supply Chain

Technology Acceleration Workforce Make it in America

Export

Continuous Improvement

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MEP Overview

Partnerships

Centers serve as an invaluable partner to the 

manufacturing community by:

Educating

local and regional partners on 

small and medium sized 

manufacturer needs and 

drivers of behavior. 

Connecting the Gap

between technology developers / 

R&D organizations and 

manufacturers: finding firms that are 

interested in a particular technology, 

as well as informing tech developers 

of manufacturer’s technology needs

Providing Outreach

to manufacturers by 

connecting them to other 

programs and services offered 

by partner organizations. 

Supporting

workforce development 

programs.

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MEP Overview

$2.7

Billion

NEW CLIENT 

INVESTMENTS

$1.1

Billion

COST SAVINGS

$4.2 

Billion

$2.5 

Billion

NEW SALES

46,069 17,883

JOBS RETAINED JOBS CREATED RETAINED SALES

Client Impacts

17

30,056

Manufacturers

served in FY20141

29,101

Manufacturers 

served in FY15 = 1,000 manufacturers

49,011 19,466 $3.2

Billion

$1.2

Billion

$5.7

Billion

$2.3

Billion

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

Funding Opportunity Overview (1)

• Funding Opportunity Title: Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) State Partnership 

Support Project

• Funding Opportunity Description: 

– NIST invites proposals from eligible organizations to provide in-depth collaborative support in developing and 

advancing stakeholder relationships that are critical to the success of the MEP program, based on the recipient’s 

expertise and knowledge of State manufacturing and technology agendas. NIST MEP is a federal-state-industry 

partnership program.

– The MEP system of Centers and field offices throughout the U.S. provides a mechanism to integrate federal and 

state public policy goals, respond to market forces and address the needs of manufacturing sectors and of 

individual manufacturers. 

• To make the most of this partnership, NIST MEP strives to balance the priorities of U.S. national policy with those of state 

partners to create a robust and effective program providing U.S. manufacturers with the tools they need to grow and remain 

globally competitive.

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MEP Overview

Funding Opportunity Overview (2)

• Authority: The statutory authority for this program is 15 U.S.C. §§ 272(b)(1), (b)(4), and (c)(18)

• Funding Instrument: Cooperative Agreement

– The nature of NIST’s “substantial involvement” will generally be collaboration between MEP and the recipient 

organization(s).

• Guidelines and assistance in developing scope of work;

• Approval of key personnel;

• Assistance, where possible, in accessing solutions to technical and managerial issues; and

• Assistance to the Recipient organization to define, understand, and resolve issues pertaining to the successful implementation of the 

MEP project.

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MEP Overview

Funding Opportunity Overview (3)

• Funding Available:

– NIST anticipates funding one (1) MEP cooperative award with a five-year (5) period of performance in 

accordance with the multi-year funding policy described in Section II.3. of this FFO. It is expected that funding 

for this award will be up to $4,500,000 for the five-year period.

• NIST MEP funding for base level activities under this award will be up to $750,000 per year.

• NIST MEP expects that the base-level activities will occur during all five years of the cooperative agreement. In 

addition, NIST MEP plans to work with the recipient to conduct more intensive, targeted activities in one of the five 

years (to be determined jointly) to proactively engage state and local leaders. While the specifics and timing of this 

year-long program will be jointly determined after award, the applicant should propose approaches that would 

accomplish the items specified in Section I.

• In the year selected for heightened activity (assume Year 3 for budgeting purposes), MEP anticipates providing up to 

an additional $750,000 funding to support the expected increased activity, not to exceed $1,500,000 total in federal 

funding for that year.

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MEP Overview

Funding Opportunity Overview (4)

Maximum 

Year 1 

Federal 

Funding

Maximum 

Year 2 

Federal 

Funding

Maximum 

Year 3 

Federal 

Funding

Maximum 

Year 4 

Federal 

Funding

Maximum 

Year 5 Federal 

Funding

Total 

Maximum 

Federal 

Funding for 5 

Year Award 

Period

$750,000 $750,000 $1,500,000

(which 

includes both 

base 

activities and 

targeted 

outreach 

activities)

$750,000 $750,000 $4,500,000

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

Funding Opportunity Overview (5)

• Partnerships are critical to the success of MEP. In particular, regional, state and local partners:

– demonstrate leadership to generate action to address regional, state and local challenges 

and opportunities;

– set priorities for economic development and complementary activities (e.g., workforce, 

technology, sustainability, etc.) in their jurisdictions;

– develop strategies and programs to advance those priorities; and

– provide significant financial co-investment (non-federal cost share) that supports the 

operation of MEP Centers.

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MEP Overview

Funding Opportunity Overview (6)

• Base-level activities that will support stakeholder development:

– Collecting and analyzing available data to inform strategies, services, and 

performance;

– Conducting research about current practices and trends to inform MEP 

system program initiatives and policy decisions;

– Developing and expanding the network of State, regional and local leaders 

supporting manufacturers, MEP Centers and the MEP mission;

– Enabling MEP Centers to better align their work with State priorities; and

– Increasing State support of MEP work.

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MEP Overview

Funding Opportunity Overview (7)

General categories of Intensive Year activities: 

– convening meetings 

– conducting targeted research 

– consulting with individuals or groups of participants, and 

– other such activities that help to accomplish intended outcomes.

Up to $750,000 of additional MEP funding will be provided. (See Section II.2. of the 

FFO.)

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MEP Overview

Funding Opportunity Overview (8)

• A process for the intensive year might include steps to:

– Target a selected number of States and regions with concentrations of 

manufacturers;

– Directly engage teams of State, regional and local leaders from diverse 

backgrounds to explore and inform thinking about strategies to support and 

grow manufacturing;

– Convene forums where State and local leaders can interact with MEP Center 

leaders around strategies to support manufacturing;

– Provide opportunities for peer-to-peer learning among selected participants; and

– Provide exposure to research and leading thinkers regarding strategies that 

work to support manufacturers in key areas such as accelerating companies’ 

technology adoption, increasing access to new markets, fostering innovative 

approaches; and effective supply chain practices.

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MEP Overview

Funding Opportunity Overview (9)

• 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. 

• Eligible Applicants. 

– Applicants must be a U.S.-based for-profit or not-for-profit institution or organization. An applicant may propose to work individually 

or may include proposed subawards to eligible organizations or proposed contracts with other organizations in its application, 

effectively forming a team.

• Cost Share is not required under this project.

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

Funding Opportunity Overview (10)

Kick-Off Conferences

• Recipient will be required to attend a kick-off conference, which will be held within the first 30 days of the start of the project period, to 

help ensure that the recipient has a clear understanding of the program and its project components. 

• The kick-off conference will take place at NIST/MEP headquarters in Gaithersburg, MD, during which time NIST will: 

– (1) orient recipient personnel to the MEP program and plans for enhanced partnership relationships; 

– (2) explain program and financial reporting requirements and procedures; 

– (3) identify available resources that can enhance the capabilities of the recipient.

• The kick-off meeting will last no longer than one day and must be attended by the project manager and up to but not more than two 

additional key personnel who would play a significant role in managing the award.

• 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. (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).(d). 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.

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MEP Overview

Funding Opportunity Overview (11)

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 Project Manager and up to two key personnel must attend these meetings.

• 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 (see Section IV.2.a.(2). 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).(d). of this FFO). 

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

Evaluation Review Criteria:

The applications will be evaluated based on the evaluation criteria described below.

a. Executive Summary and Project Narrative (50 – Sub-criteria will be weighted equally)

i. Research/knowledge development and sharing (25 pts)

ii. Network building and expansion (25 pts)

b. Key Personnel and Organizational Structure (30 – Sub-criteria will be weighted equally)

c. Budget (20 – Sub-criteria will be weighted equally)

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MEP Overview

Review Criteria #1- Executive Summary and Project Narrative

a) Executive Summary and Project Narrative. (50 points; sub-criteria will receive equal weight) Reviewers will evaluate how well the 

applicant’s proposed approach will achieve project goals and support the MEP mission as described in Section I of the FFO. Reviewers 

will consider the following topics when evaluating the Executive Summary and Project Narrative:

i. Research/knowledge development and sharing (25 points) Reviewers will assess the applicant’s plans for collecting, analyzing, 

and sharing budget, policy, and trend information relevant to the MEP system. Reviewers will assess the extent to which the 

applicant’s proposal:

• Describes a reasonable plan for routinely tracking and analyzing information from a wide range of data sources on current 

state budgets, economic development and technology policy initiatives and investments, program evaluation practices, and 

other actions or trends that could impact the MEP system; 

• Defines a thoughtful approach to conducting original research on topics of interest related to manufacturing, partnerships, 

accelerating technology adoption, and similar issues, and the policies and practices employed in States and other 

organizations; and

• Defines a strategy for sharing information with and providing technical assistance to the MEP system, individual Centers, 

and partners to build system capacity, address challenges, and proactively take advantage of emerging opportunities.

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MEP Overview

Review Criteria #1- Executive Summary and Project Narrative continued

ii. Network building and expansion (25 points) The applicant is expected to have an in-depth understanding of data, current trends, 

and emerging issues as well as access to a professional network of practitioners and experts who can inform the MEP system and 

their manufacturing clients. Reviewers will assess how well the proposal describes strategies, techniques and activities for building 

and expanding partnerships across the MEP network. . Reviewers will evaluate the extent to which the applicant’s proposal:

• Incorporates clear strategies for fostering collaboration and dialogue among NIST MEP, MEP Centers, MEP partners, industry, 

and the public to develop effective working partnerships and identify mutually beneficial opportunities for the MEP system;

• Defines a sound approach for prioritizing States and/or regions for attention, developing strategies to address opportunities

and concerns, recommending effective communication strategies, and convening stakeholders as needed to facilitate 

partnership development; 

• Describes a reasonable plan to provide nationwide access to State and stakeholder relations and support services;

• Provides innovative ideas and approaches to carry out the year of more intensive activities envisioned (in Year 3 for the 

purposes of this FFO). 

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MEP Overview

Review Criteria #2- Key Personnel and Organizational Structure

b. Key Personnel and Organizational Structure(30 points) Reviewers will assess the ability of the key personnel and the applicant’s 

proposed management structure to deliver the services proposed. Reviewers will consider the following when evaluating the 

qualifications of the applicant and of program management:

• Proposed key personnel have the appropriate education, experience in working with state government representatives and 

related organizations, and access to professional networks to carry out proposed activities and support achievement of the 

MEP system mission and project objectives; 

• Proposed management structure and organizational roles are clearly defined and aligned to plan, direct, monitor, organize 

and oversee the implementation of the proposed approach to achieve project objectives; and

• Proposed organizational structure flows logically from the specified approach to the proposed services and project 

deliverables.

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MEP Overview

Review Criteria #3 – Budget

c) Budget. (20 points; sub-criteria will receive equal weight) Reviewers will assess the suitability and focus of the applicant’s five (5) year 

budget. The reviewers will consider whether the:

• Proposed budget projections are reasonable and appropriate for the scale of services that are to be delivered by the applicant over 

the five (5) year project plan; and

• Proposal’s narrative explains the rationale for each of the budgeted items, including assumptions the applicant used in budgeting 

for the overall project, and the proposed budget is aligned to support the execution of the proposed project consistent with the

objectives of the project and to advance MEP system goals.

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MEP Overview

Review and Selection Process (1)

Initial Administrative Review of Applications. An initial review of timely received applications will be conducted to determine eligibility, 

completeness, and responsiveness to the scope of the stated program objectives of this FFO. Applications determined to be ineligible, 

incomplete, and/or non-responsive will be eliminated from further review. However, NIST, in its sole discretion, may continue the review process 

for an application that is missing only non-substantive information that can easily be rectified or cured. 

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: 

(1) Evaluation and Review. Each application will be reviewed by at least three (3) technically qualified individual reviewers who will 

evaluate each application based on the evaluation criteria (see Section V.1. of this FFO). Reviews will be limited to technical and 

cost matters, based on the evaluation criteria (see Section V.1 of this FFO). A mix of Federal and non-Federal reviewers may be 

used. The reviewers’ must discuss the applications with each other but scores will be determined on an individual basis, not as a 

consensus, and will be supported by written technical comments. The reviewers may ask questions of some or all applicants in

writing. Reviewers will assign each application a score, based on the application’s responsiveness to the FFO evaluation criteria, 

with a maximum score of 100. 

• 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 separate conference calls and/or all finalists will be invited to 

participate in individual site visits 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.

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MEP Overview

Review and Selection Process (2)

• Ranking and Selection. A rank order will be prepared based on the average of the reviewers’ scores and assigned adjectival ratings in 

accordance with the following scale: 

• Fundable, Outstanding (91-100);

• Fundable, Very Good (81-90);

• Fundable (71-80); or 

• Unfundable (0-70).

• The Subject Matter Expert, who will be a NIST MEP federal employee, will review the evaluators’ written technical comments and the 

ranking of the proposals and may recommend to the Selecting Official that awards be made out of rank order based upon one or more 

of the selection factors described in Section V.3. of this FFO.

• The Selecting Official is the MEP Director 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; 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 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.

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MEP Overview

Selection Factors

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. Whether the project duplicates other projects funded by DoC or by other Federal agencies; and

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MEP Overview

Administrative Requirements of Application (1)

• Complete applications/proposals must, at a minimum, include the following forms and documents and meet the following 

requirements identified in the FFO which are:

• Required Forms*:

• SF-424 -Application for Federal Assistance

• 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 2016-NIST-MEP-STATE PARTNERSHIP-01.

• 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 SF-424 is contained in the SF-424B. 

• SF-424A’s - Budget Information Non-Constructions (for all 5 years)

• The applicant should reflect all five (5) years of the project on the SF-424A form. Please carefully follow the directions 

found at 

• http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/form-instructions/sf-424a-instructions.html when filling out this form. 

• SF-424B -Assurances - Non-Construction Programs 

• CD-511 -Certification Regarding Lobbying

• SF-LLL - Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (if applicable)

• Technical Proposal

*Forms are available as part of the Grants.gov application kit

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MEP Overview

Administrative Requirements of Application (2)

Proposal Requirements (Section IV.2(a)(6)): 

• Technical Proposal. The five (5) year Technical Proposal is a word-processed document not exceeding 25 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.

– Table of Contents (Does not count towards page limit)

– Executive Summary - The executive summary should briefly (usually no longer than two pages) describe the proposed project, consistent with 

the evaluation criteria (see Section V.1. of this FFO).

Please note, if an applicant’s proposal is selected for funding, NIST 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).

– Project Narrative

– Budget Tables and Budget Narratives

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MEP Overview

Administrative Requirements of Application (3)

• 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 DoC Financial Assistance Standard Terms and Conditions. (Does not count towards 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. 

• 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. 

• Data Management Plan

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MEP Overview

Administrative Requirements of Application (4)

• Application Format (Section IV 2(b)):

– Page Limit. The Technical Proposals are limited to twenty five (25) pages. Information on pages beyond the 

page limit will not be considered. 

– 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.

– Page limit excludes: Table of Contents, Executive Summary, SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance; the SF424A, Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs form; SF-424B, Assurances – Non-Construction 

Programs; SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities; CD-511, Certification Regarding Lobbying; Table of 

Contents, Budget Tables and Budget Narratives; Indirect Cost Rate Agreement; Resumes; and the Data 

Management Plan. 

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MEP Overview

Administrative Requirements of Application (5)

• Dates: 

– Electronic applications must be received no later than 11:59 p.m via www.Grants.gov. Eastern Time 

on Monday, February 29, 2016.

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

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

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

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MEP Overview

Administrative Requirements of Application (6)

.

• 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. 

– When developing your submission timeline, please keep in mind that (1) all applicants are required to have a current registration in 

the System for Award Management (SAM.gov); (2) the free annual registration process in the electronic System for Award 

Management (SAM.gov) (see Section IV.3 and Section IV.7.a.(1).b. of this FFO) may take between three and five business days or 

as long as more than two weeks; and (3) electronic applicants are required to have a current registration in Grants.gov; and (4) 

applicants using Grants.gov will receive a series of e-mail messages over a period of up to two business days before learning 

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.

– 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.

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MEP Overview

Reporting Requirements

• The following 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), http://go.usa.gov/hKbj apply to 

awards in this program (see Section VI.2.b. of this FFO):

– 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.

– Performance (Technical) Reports. The Recipient shall submit a Technical Report (completing all required MEIS fields) on a semiannual 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://www.nist.gov/mep/ffo-statepartnership.cfm.

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MEP Overview

Agency Contacts

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: grants@nist.gov

or

Grants.gov

Phone: (800) 518-4726

E-mail: support@grants.gov

Grant Rules and Regulations Michael Teske

Phone: (301) 975-6358

Fax: (301) 975-6368

E-mail: michael.teske@nist.gov

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MEP Overview

Have additional questions.....

Please submit all questions in writing to NIST MEP, mepffo@nist.gov

Questions and Answers will be posted regularly on the NIST MEP Public Site, 

http://www.nist.gov/mep/ffo-statepartnership.cfm

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MEP Overview

Stay Connected

Search NISTMEP or NIST_MEP

VISIT OUR BLOG! 

http://nistmep.blogs.govdelivery.com

Get the latest NISTMEP news at:

www.nist.gov/mep

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