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

PRIMEX, a Puerto Rico-based non-profit organization, received a $400,000 cooperative agreement award from the Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology under the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program (CFDA 11.611). The two-year award, issued on June 1, 2023, will support PRIMEX's efforts to expand existing capabilities for national supply chain optimization and establish a supply chain intelligence network. Key activities include identifying dedicated staff, conducting supply chain resiliency assessments, mapping the supply chain ecosystem, researching local supply chain capabilities, and hosting outreach events. The funding will strengthen PRIMEX's knowledge and support of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership's national supply chain optimization and intelligence network. Intended beneficiaries are small and medium-sized manufacturers in Puerto Rico. There are no subawards associated with 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 puerto rico.

Activities

Seven (7) major activities will be addressed. Identify- assigned FTE staff to focus on supply chain activities: formalize our supplier scouting efforts and building internal capabilities with dedicated staff to manage program activities. This team will provide support for national supplier scouting and optimization services to ensure scouting request are responded even when no suppliers are identified, oversee supply chain partnerships, and represent primex as the lead point of contact with the MEP national network. Primex supply chain resiliency assessments to identify gaps in supply chain of targeted sectors - small/medium/large manufacturers, versus OEM's needs and opportunities. Enhance understanding (intelligence) of our current supply chain ecosystem and connect to the economic development community represented by puerto rico manufacture association and puerto rico department of economic development & commerce among others. Map the supply chain ecosystem & to assess and analyze supply chain capabilities, capacity, and gaps to uncover opportunities that benefits local supply chain networks and provide RE-shoring opportunities. Conduct supply chain capability research study to uncover local products for a more resilience local supply in minimizing products imports. Provide for supply chain resiliency outreach events (cohort) to augment supply chain activities and awareness. Primex to engage in extensive outreach to determine and identify matches in puerto rico. Select, populate, and actively manage a supply chain database to collect and analyze supplier capability and capacity data. Database to be shared with national network. Track and report supply chain activities, insights, outputs, and outcomes- recordkeeping, services, and matches. Primex will use salesforce and other CRM platforms to track and report using predefined metrics and dashboards.

Expected outcomes

As a result of this funding, primex will strengthen its internal personnel knowledge to support the MEP national network?s national supply chain optimization and intelligence network, including timely processing of all supplier scouting requests. At the conclusion of the project, primex will better understand the strength and needs of our supply chain. This will allow our partners to include supply chain as a key element of the island economic development strategy. IT will also provide for increased awareness to manufacturers and OEM?s of the relevance and utility of the national supply chain optimization and intelligence network. For primex personnel IT will also be a learning experience through data sharing, dissemination, and capacity building activities of the network.

Intended beneficiaries

Small and medium-sized manufacturers (smms) in puerto rico.

Subrecipient activities

The recipient does not intend to subaward funds.