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

The University of Utah Office of Sponsored Projects Division received a $568,192 cooperative agreement award from the National Institute of Standards and Technology under the Manufacturing Extension Partnership federal grant program (CFDA 11.611). The purpose of the award is to provide services to expand existing Manufacturing Extension Partnership Center capabilities to establish a supply chain intelligence network and improve resiliency and optimization for domestic supply chains in Utah. Specifically, the University will leverage its existing supply chain database platform to add resources like additional outreach, follow up on matching connections, and full support for supplier scouting programs. Outcomes will be measured by tracking outreach events, coaching sessions, exchange center matches, impact of purchase orders received, and supplier scouting requests fulfilled. The intended beneficiaries are small and medium sized manufacturers in Utah. Additionally, $119,800 was provided to Utah State University as a sub-awardee to participate in conducting the award activities, which began on June 1, 2023 and are scheduled to be completed by May 31, 2025.

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 utah.

Activities

Utah¿s complex supply chain ecosystem is concentrated in a reasonably small area. However, the buyers and suppliers can be blocks away and still not find each other. The utah-MEP alliance (utah-MEP) has worked to implement a supply chain database for years, improving manufacturer connections. The state's portal to the platform can be found on the utah-MEP, which includes a video of the current governor declaring connex¿ utah to be the supply chain database of utah. The intelligence network expansion award will leverage this success by adding needed resources to the program, including additional outreach, follow-up on exchange center connections, and full support for MEP¿s supplier scouting program.

Expected outcomes

These outcomes will be verified by measuring outreach events, performing coaching sessions, tracking exchange center matches, following the impact of POS received, and responding to supplier scouting requests.

Intended beneficiaries

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

Subrecipient activities

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