Response to the NIST RFI for M-TAC PROGRAM

University of Michigan

1. What are the specific types of technology transition and commercialization tools and 

services that should be provided by M–TACs? Emphasis is on the alignment of these

tools and services with the most pressing needs of small and mid-sized U.S. 

manufacturers.

M-TACs should provide:

• Assessment of the individual SME’s current situation 

• Experienced professional staff should be utilized to conduct searches for 

technologies and/or expertise to augment the SME’s current situation

• Access to university IP, expertise and equipment/labs, as well as from Federal 

sources

• Financial assistance towards translational research

• Assistance in aligning with OEMs needs and goals

a. How would M–TAC services complement the services currently offered by MEP 

Centers?

MEP currently offers many services that strengthen core competencies of the 

SMEs with strong core competencies have a higher potential for technology 

commercialization success

MEP has in-depth knowledge of countless SMEs, facilitating prescreening and 

selection of firms best suited for technology commercialization assistance. 

Working with SMEs for technology commercialization assistance often 

uncovers the need for additional core strengthening services offered by the 

MEP

2. What role should future M–TACs play with respect to supply chain needs? How should 

OEMs participate?

The model should be demand driven.

M-TACs would work with OEMs to identify supply chain needs and the 

identification of particularly significant suppliers who would benefit from MTAC services and shore up the OEM supply chain strengths. OEM part supplier 

organizations, industry policy organizations and manufacturing organizations 

can all play a role in helping link M-TACs with OEM suppliers and to work with 

OEMs to develop the necessary collaboration to provide the critical supply 

chain links with M-TAC services.
How can industry associations, professional societies, and other appropriate national 

organizations participate?

Industry associations, professional societies, and other, appropriate national 

organizations should participate on councils and or advisor boards, 

recommend OEMs and supplier, and review metrics, performance to metrics, 

and adjustments

3. Is there a particular long-term scalable and financially sustainable business model that 

should be implemented by future M–TACs that will enable small and mid-sized U.S.

manufacturers to effectively access and benefit from the technology transition and 

commercialization assistance and other resources they need?

A long-term scalable and financially sustainable business model implemented 

by future M–TACs should be achieved by shifting from a NIST funded SME 

matched demonstration model to a proven value proposition funded by OEMs

and their SME supply chain match. Additional funding could also be provided 

by local or state economic development organizations.

a. Because of the programmatic connection to the NIST MEP Program, M–TACs may 

require cost share. Are there cost share models for future M–TACs that promote scale 

up to reach nationally dispersed clusters of small and mid-sized manufacturers? If so, 

what are those models, and why might they be successful?

Current IRLEE business assistance models like GLTAAC, TCA and FCP require 

match from the client/SME and have been very successful. The same matchingmodel should be used with the SMEs with the base funds provided by the 

stakeholders such as NIST, OEMs, and States. The scale-up could be achieved as 

stated above, a successful demonstration model will provide enough of a value 

proposition for OEMs and State Economic Development organizations to fund 

future efforts. 

b. The generation of intellectual property is possible, and even likely as a result of M–

TAC operations. What types of intellectual property arrangements and management

constructs would promote active engagement of industry in these pilots, especially 

among small and mid-sized U.S. manufacturers that would be supportive of the 

business model? As appropriate, please include a set of potential options, and please 

explain your responses.

University IP is governed by law and individual university technologies. The 

various models, structure of licensing deals etc. should be monitored and best 

practices identified as economic impacts are measured.

SME IP should be protected for themselves and services should be provided to 

assist them with how to do that. SME technology developed further by 
university technology assistance paid for by the SME and M-TAC should belong 

to the SME, otherwise SMEs with IP they cannot move forward on their own 

without the M-TAC financial assistance, may not do so for fear of losing a 

competitive advantage, and positive economic impact will go untapped.

4. How should an M–TAC’s performance and impact be evaluated? What are appropriate 

measures of success for future M–TACs? Please explain your response including the

value of the performance measure to business growth.

Jobs created & retained

Sales improvement

New investment

Improvement in z-score & survivability

# of university-industry engagements

satisfaction surveys

Technology transferred Intellectual property/technology commercialized

5. Are there any other critical issues that NIST MEP should consider in its strategic 

planning for future M–TAC investments that are not covered by the first four questions? 

If so, please address those issues here and explain your response.

Specifying how M-TACs might interact with the network of National 

Manufacturing Innovation Institutes. In our area it would hopefully be the 

Lightweight Materials & Structures technology arena focusing on advanced 

materials. 

University of Michigan Principal Contact:

Lawrence A. Molnar,

Associate Director, Institute for Research on Labor, Employment, and the Economy

Director, Center for Business Acceleration and Incubation Studies

University of Michigan

506 E. Liberty Street, 3rd Floor

Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Phone: (734)998-6239

Fax: (734)998-6202

kallen@umich.edu

www.irlee.umich.edu