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

The National Institute of Standards and Technology awarded Enterprise Minnesota, Inc. a $400,000 cooperative agreement under the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program to provide supply chain optimization services through May 2025. Specifically, Enterprise Minnesota will leverage regional and national experts to assess gaps between original equipment manufacturer expectations and small and medium manufacturer competencies. It will enhance an existing database with fields required by OEMs and promote supply chain networks among Minnesota manufacturers. Expected outcomes include a greatly enhanced customer relationship management database to support OEM supplier decisions and effective connections between OEMs and manufacturers through supplier scouting requests. No subawards are planned under this award to directly support Minnesota small and medium-sized manufacturers.

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 minnesota.

Activities

Enterprise minnesota will leverage regional and national supply chain experts to identify key aspects of the supply chain relationships between oems and smms. Using data gathered through professional polling enterprise minnesota will assess the gaps between OEM expectations and SMM competencies. With this information, enterprise minnesota will enhance an existing database of smms with specific fields/categories required by OEM of their suppliers. A dedicated FTE (full time equivalent) will contact minnesotas smms to complete the database and promote the significance of supply chain networks and the ability to make connections.

Expected outcomes

Enterprise minnesota?s greatly enhanced CRM database will contain the information crucial to support oems supplier decisions. The expanded and relevant information will serve as a foundation for enterprise minnesota to effectively connect oems and smms, particularly supplier scouting requests. And develop support for both groups.

Intended beneficiaries

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

Subrecipient activities

The recipient does not intend to subaward funds.