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

The West Virginia University Research Corporation will provide supply chain optimization services and establish a supply chain intelligence network through a $400,000 cooperative agreement award from the Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology. The award is part of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program (CFDA 11.611), which aims to enhance competitiveness and technological performance for U.S. manufacturers.

Under the two-year award concluding in May 2025, the organization will conduct outreach to stakeholders and develop a supply chain readiness assessment tool for small and medium manufacturers in West Virginia. Activities include educational events, research, and assigning staff responsibilities to develop supply chain service offerings. Expected outcomes are an expanded database of state manufacturer capabilities, supplier readiness tools, and a center prepared to provide dedicated supply chain expertise to benefit West Virginia and national manufacturers. The funding will support establishing expanded MEP capabilities focused on improving resiliency and optimization for domestic supply chains. No subawards are planned under this cooperative agreement.

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 west virginia.

Activities

Wide-spread outreach to critical stakeholders including west virginia department of economic development, west virginia university?s college of business and economics, west virginia university?s corporate relations, west virginia national defense industrial association, regional contracting assistance center (WV's ptac), united state senators manchin and capito as well as industry specific organizations and experts to garner support for this effort. Activities also include the development of a supply chain readiness assessment to be discussed and documented with small and medium sized manufacturers using an industry focused approach so that an ecosystem map can be generated identifying original equipment manufacturers and secondary and tertiary supply chain pathways, gaps, and opportunities. Activities will include educational and outreach events, the conduct of research, assignment of formal supply chain responsibilities to wvmep staff and to develop supply chain service offerings.

Expected outcomes

State-wide collection of capabilities and capacities of manufacturers integrated into a more robust database that will complement the existing customer relationship management system already in use. Additional outcomes include supplier readiness tools and formal service offerings to create more informed manufacturers, a prepared center staff with dedicated expertise in supply chain opportunities in both west virginia and national network capabilities. Impacts are expected to be increased interest from manufacturing community, incoming requests to post supplier scouting opportunities, incoming requests for supply chain related consulting, and measurable growth in market expansion for manufacturers in west virginia.

Intended beneficiaries

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

Subrecipient activities

The recipient does not intend to subaward funds.