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

Watertown School District 14-4, doing business as Lake Area Technical Institute, was awarded a $399,852 cooperative agreement from the Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology under the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program (CFDA 11.611). The award will support services to expand existing MEP capabilities to provide national supply chain optimization and establish a supply chain intelligence network through May 2025. Specifically, the recipient will hire a business advisor to lead supply chain program development and respond to all supplier scouting requests. They will build a supply chain optimization and intelligence network, collecting and analyzing capabilities and capacity data from small and medium manufacturers in South Dakota to map the state's supply network ecosystem. New service and educational offerings will also be developed to connect manufacturers to supply chain opportunities. The intended beneficiaries are small and medium manufacturers in South Dakota.

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 south dakotaactivities to be performed: the project will build upon the existing infrastructure of the MEP national network (MEP NN) to support supplier scouting services, assess and analyze local manufacturing capabilities, and expand knowledge of south dakotas manufacturing ecosystems to stimulate the growth of south dakota's manufacturers. Sdmts will hire a full-time, dedicated business advisor to lead the center's supply chain program development and ensure a response to all supplier scouting requests. Focus on building the supply chain optimization and intelligence network, including the collection and analysis of small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMM) capabilities and capacity data to map the south dakota supply network ecosystem. Develop new service and educational offerings, connect manufacturers to supply chain opportunities, and report the impacts of program-related objectives.

Expected outcomes

Program will result in south dakota manufacturers increased awareness of and access to supply chain opportunities, an integrated local/national supply scouting process, new educational offerings and tools, and regular reports that highlight lessons learned and best practices, provide stakeholder feedback and inform future supply chain-related programs and services. Impacts will be felt when smms fill supply chain gaps and diversifying into new markets, consequently creating stronger state and national economies and a more resilient U.S. Supply chain.

Intended beneficiaries

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

Subrecipient activities

The recipient does not intend to subaward funds.