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

The Vermont State Colleges, doing business as Vermont Technical College, received a $400,000 cooperative agreement award from the National Institute of Standards and Technology under the Manufacturing Extension Partnership federal grant program. The award will support expanding existing manufacturing extension capabilities through the launch of a supply chain platform and establishment of a supply chain intelligence network. Specifically, Vermont Technical College will project manage implementation of the Connex supply chain platform, market its benefits to Vermont manufacturers, onboard manufacturers onto the platform, and deliver a sustainable action plan. The college intends to contract full and part time staff equivalent to one full time employee to optimize platform launch and ramp up outreach. Expected outcomes include engaging up to 50% of Vermont's manufacturing base within two years and enrolling 50% within four years, connecting manufacturers locally, regionally and nationally as part of a resilient U.S. supply chain network. No subawards are planned under this June 1, 2023 to May 31, 2025 award focused on improving supply chain resiliency and optimization for domestic 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 vermont.

Activities

Launch the connex's supply chain platform, project managing the implementation, marketing the platform and its benefits to vermont manufacturers, identifying the two year roll out schedule, engaging resources equivalent to an FTE to manage the activities, onboarding vermont manufacturers onto the platform and delivering a sustainable action plan resulting in a visible, resilient and constantly improving supply chain by the grant end date. Vmec plans to contract initially with one full time and several part time resources including: a project/program leader, supporting outreach resources, and trainers to ramp up existing vmec staff to optimize the launch of the supply chain saas platform that will enable speedy and comprehensive supply chain resiliency locally, regionally and nationally. Contracted support through vermont state university resources and third-party specialized support in project management may also be used to add up to the equivalent of one FTE.

Expected outcomes

Contact and engage up to 50% of the vermont manufacturing base by the end of the two-year period and to enroll up to 50% after a four-year period. Connect vermont manufacturers, locally, regionally and nationally as part of a US wide resilient supply chain and to be a catalyst for local, regional and national sourcing as part of a healthy diverse and visible US supply chain network, lessening dependence on overseas supply chains especially in matters of national defense. The impact for vermont manufacturers will be to be part of a local, regional and national supply chain making visible capabilities, capacity, accreditations, and certifications. This will give vermont manufacturers more opportunities to both buy and sell supplies and finished goods as part of the US supply chain, decreasing costs of business, logistical difficulty, time to source and sell as well as increasing speed to find suppliers and buyers by being involved in significantly more US based business opportunities.

Intended beneficiaries

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

Subrecipient activities

The recipient does not intend to subaward funds.