Expand existing MEP capabilities to provide national supply chain optimization and to establish a supply chain intelligence network

The Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership Inc. (OMEP) received a $400,000 cooperative agreement award from the Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) under the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program (CFDA #11.611) to expand supply chain optimization capabilities for small and medium-sized manufacturers in Oregon. OMEP will devote one full-time employee to formalize supplier scouting efforts, provide up to 25 free supply chain resiliency assessments annually, deliver one supply chain resiliency training cohort program with a minimum of five company participants, and select and manage a supply chain database to collect supplier capability and capacity data. The intended beneficiaries are small and medium-sized manufacturers in Oregon. No sub-awards are planned. The period of performance is June 1, 2023 through May 31, 2025.

Purpose

The purpose of this project is 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 oregon.

Activities

Devote one FTE to focus solely on the following supply chain activities: formalize our supplier scouting efforts with dedicated staff to manage requests and responses/introductions; provide omep supply chain resiliency assessments at no cost to companies; deliver supply chain resiliency cohort training programs; and select, populate and actively manage a supply chain database to collect and analyze supplier capability and capacity data.

Expected outcomes

Provide 25 free supply chain resiliency assessments each year and deliver one supply chain resiliency cohort with at least 5 companies participating in the cohort. Omep plans to investigate supply chain databases and is interested in the sustainment platform which is currently free to MEP centers and manufacturers.

Intended beneficiaries

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

Subrecipient activities

The recipient does not intend to subaward funds.