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

The Arkansas Economic Development Commission received $400,000 from the Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology under the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program to provide supply chain optimization services and establish a supply chain intelligence network through May 31, 2025. The funding will support expanding existing Manufacturing Extension Center capabilities to assist Arkansas manufacturers in addressing supply chain gaps, diversifying supplier bases, enhancing supply chain visibility, and managing supply chain risks. Activities will include supply chain assessments, services to address gaps identified in assessments, and connecting small and medium manufacturers to supplier scouting and matchmaking opportunities. The Commission plans to subaward portions of the funding to participate in conducting these supply chain optimization activities. The intended beneficiaries are small and medium manufacturers in Arkansas.

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 arkansas.

Activities

Direct hire FTE and/or third-party resources, as well as existing center and agency resources. Improve the resiliency of our local and domestic supply chains and to build capabilities in the MEP national network for domestic supply chain resiliency and optimization. Assist manufacturers address supply chain gaps and mitigate risks. Provide other supply chain support activities. Respond to and track MEP supplier scouting requests. Assist our state manufacturers in collaborating with the regional, state and national supply chain network. Diversify their supplier base, enhance supply chain visibility. Develop strong relationships with suppliers. Identify and invest in technology and automation. Manage their supply chain risks. Support state and federal supplier scouting and matchmaking, connecting small and medium-sized manufacturers (smms) to these opportunities. Develop a more cohesive state supply chain ecosystem. Identify and implement a dedicated supply chain visibility platform to serve the ecosystem. Develop a supply chain assessment and services to address gaps identified from the assessment. Employ a multi-faceted approach to increase center awareness of the current supply chain ecosystem in the state, as well as increase market awareness of existing supply chain resources and center capabilities available to them.

Expected outcomes

Increased awareness of supply chain resources available to them; a cohesive supply chain ecosystem is established for the state that also supports the national ecosystem; a supply chain visibility platform is identified and implemented; key oems are identified, as well as supply chain gaps; a robust supply chain assessment is developed; and a robust suite of services are identified and developed to address supply chain gaps and help arkansas manufacturers improve their competitiveness.

Intended beneficiaries

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

Subrecipient activities

The recipient plans to subaward funds to participate in conducting the activities of this project as stated above.