Provide services to expand existing MEP capabilities to provide national supply chain optimization and to establish a supply chain intelligence network

The Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Inc. (MassMEP) received a $400,000 cooperative agreement award from the National Institute of Standards and Technology under the Manufacturing Extension Partnership federal grant program (CFDA 11.611) to expand national supply chain optimization and intelligence network capabilities from June 1, 2023 to May 31, 2025. MassMEP will provide supplier scouting and optimization services for manufacturers through the Connex Marketplace database, conduct supply chain risk assessments for clients, and increase awareness of the national supply chain network among Massachusetts manufacturers. MassMEP will also register more Massachusetts manufacturers in Connex and participate in data sharing to support the network's effective operation. The funding will strengthen MassMEP's personnel and service offerings to benefit small and medium manufacturers in Massachusetts through national supply chain improvements and intelligence.

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to provide services to expand existing MEP capabilities to provide national supply chain optimization and to establish a supply chain intelligence network. Improve the resiliency and optimization for domestic supply chains in the MEP national network in the state of massachusetts.

Activities

The expansion award will support a full-time equivalent (FTE) personnel configuration. This team will provide support for national supplier scouting and optimization services to ensure every MEP supplier scouting request receives a response even when no suppliers are identified, oversee supply chain partnerships, and represent massmep as the lead point of contact with the MEP national network. Using the connex marketplace, a national database of 140,000+ U.S. Manufacturers and suppliers that features in-depth search capacity based on production capabilities, processes, certifications, materials, industry sectors, NAICS/SIC codes, and capability statements, as the platform to support MEP supplier scouting and optimization.

Expected outcomes

Results from work provided through this expansion funding will strengthen massmep?s internal personnel configurations to support the MEP national networks national supply chain optimization and intelligence network, including timely processing of all supplier scouting requests. They will increase awareness to massachusetts oems and manufacturers of the relevance and utility of the national supply chain optimization and intelligence network and will register massachusetts manufacturers in the connex marketplace. They will participate in data sharing, dissemination, and capacity building activities necessary to support effective and efficient operation of the national supply chain optimization and intelligence network. Staff will conduct a supply chain risk assessment of clients and make available its core service offerings to manufacturers who enroll in the connex marketplace.

Intended beneficiaries

Small and medium-sized manufacturers (smms) in the state of massachusetts.

Subrecipient activities

The recipient does not intend to subaward funds.