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

The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) 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). The purpose of this 2-year project is to provide services to expand existing MEP capabilities in Arizona to optimize supply chains, establish a supply chain intelligence network, and improve the resiliency and optimization of domestic manufacturing supply chains. Key activities include hiring a supply chain optimization director, expanding supplier scouting, assessing manufacturing capabilities, analyzing supply chain data, identifying gaps, and partnering with a national supply chain database provider. Expected outcomes include an expanded supplier scouting program, detailed understanding of the Arizona manufacturing ecosystem, an Arizona supply chain intelligence network, training for small and medium-sized manufacturers, and new supply chain services to support resiliency and domestic production. The ACA will implement this project directly without sub-awards.

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 arizona.

Activities

Hire a full time director of supply chain optimization, expanding the supplier scouting program, performing a detailed assessment of the manufacturing capabilities across the state, collecting and analyzing data to thoroughly describe the arizona manufacturing ecosystem, identifying gaps in the supply chains for key industries (e.g., semiconductors), and understanding the risks and implications to national security (e.g., aerospace and defense suppliers), and partnering with a national supply chain database firm (e.g., sustainment, connex, etc.).

Expected outcomes

1) an expanded supplier scouting program that processes a significantly higher volume of requests and guarantees a response to each and every request, 2) a detailed understanding of the arizona manufacturing ecosystem, including capabilities and approximate production capacities of arizona manufacturers, 3) an arizona supply chain intelligence network that serves as an integral node in the national supply chain intelligence network, 4) training programs for smms to help them strengthen their supply chain operations, and 5) a set of supply chain services to support SMM efforts to improve supply chain operations, add resiliency, and expand domestic production and use of domestic suppliers.

Intended beneficiaries

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

Subrecipient activities

The recipient does not intend to subaward funds.