Implement projects to expand existing MEP national network capabilities to provide national supply chain optimization and to establish a supply chain intelligence network

The Hawaii Technology Development Corporation (HTDC), a division of the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, received a $400,000 cooperative agreement award from the National Institute of Standards and Technology under the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program. The award funds projects to expand supply chain optimization capabilities within Hawaii's MEP National Network and establish a supply chain intelligence network. HTDC will map Hawaii's supply chain ecosystem through supplier scouting and data collection. It will also conduct an advanced manufacturing assessment and capability analysis of Hawaii companies to identify capacity. HTDC will build a local supplier database integrated into NIST MEP's national database and design pilot programs or training to address gaps. Two contractors will assist with management and technical consulting regarding supply chain resiliency and capacity building. The 27-month award beginning June 1, 2023 intends to strengthen small and medium manufacturers in Hawaii by improving supply chain resilience and optimizing domestic supply chains.

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to implement projects to expand existing MEP national network 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 hawaii.

Activities

Innovate hawaii will hire contractors to conduct comprehensive supplier scouting and capture marketplace supplier data to map hawaii's supply chain ecosystem. In addition, innovate hawaii plans to perform a regional advanced manufacturing assessment and capability plan for the state of hawaii which seeks to identify companies in hawaii that are actively utilizing advanced manufacturing processes along with their total capability and capacity. With this expansion award, innovate hawaii will build a local database for hawaii and then transfer data collected into the national NIST MEP database. In addition, the state plans to address the identified gaps by designing advanced manufacturing pilot and/or training programs in response to the reliance on importing and supply chain challenges. Two contractors will also be hired to help with project management and as technical consultants to address supply chain resiliency and capacity.

Expected outcomes

Innovate hawaii and stakeholders will have a detailed map of local suppliers advanced manufacturing capabilities for the state of hawaii which will be shared with other centers.

Intended beneficiaries

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

Subrecipient activities

The recipient does not intend to subaward funds.