This project pursues key priorities and themes identified by NIST, specifically the effort to ?revitalize manufacturing, secure U.S. Supply chains, invest in r & d, and train americans for the jobs of…

This $3,000,000 Cooperative Agreement awarded by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) under the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (CFDA 11.611) program aims to enhance the competitiveness, productivity, and technological performance of small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) across the United States.

The primary activities under this award include: 1) Establishing a National Advanced Manufacturing Tech Team (MATT) to assist MEP Centers in connecting SMMs with advanced manufacturing resources and expertise from Manufacturing USA Institutes and other government-funded programs; 2) Expanding the "champion network" to 30 organizations to facilitate greater SMM engagement with Manufacturing USA; and 3) Delivering targeted technology showcases and co-located events to increase SMM market presence and adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies. The University of Rhode Island Research Foundation will lead this effort, with Tennessee MEP and NY MEP serving as subrecipients. The project is expected to run from September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2027.

Activities

The MEP national advanced tech team (matt or ?the team?) is a part of MEP?s long-term efforts to ensure smms have equitable access to manufacturing USA and other government-funded advanced manufacturing programs. The team assists MEP centers (particularly field staff) when their clients ask for advanced manufacturing expertise that exceeds current service offerings. The team coordinates with the centers to deliver value to smms by facilitating advanced manufacturing projects that specifically address operational and product development challenges. The team leverages its awareness of the broad range of manufacturing USA capabilities to identify subject matter experts, hardware, software, and laboratory equipment that solve problems specified by small manufacturers. The team successfully uses a tactical approach to demonstrate value until the solution is identified. The model creates a centralized point for small manufacturers to access the institutes. There is no other program, resource, or function for MEP centers to assist manufacturers with this model?s breadth of advanced manufacturing knowledge.

Expected outcomes

Measurable impacts by the end of 3 years: identify and plan at least 75 surveyable MEP projects as a result of the team?s work with measurable economic impact for smms and MEP centers. Activate more of the MEP national network: expand the champion network to 30. Expand market presence with manufacturing USA (yearly to begin in year 1): annual multi-institute presentations with champions. 2-3 CO-located MEP meetings with institute annual meeting per year. Showcase technology tailored to specific industrial segments. Refine tools (ongoing): build out the expertise network (linkedin webscrape database - code-named ?mackenzie protocol?). Continue development of the MEP advanced tech team framework.

Intended beneficiaries

SMM clients benefit by having access to MEP?s SMM-centric experts who will have direct contact with any manufacturing USA institute and/or other suitable facility. The MEP centers benefit from an efficient pipeline of opportunities with new and relevant resources to deliver solutions. In many cases broadening their service offering to areas that are in development. The national network benefits by gaining a unique value proposition: trusted advisors capable of creating options for smms who wish to assess manufacturing USA and other advanced technology resources to grow. The manufacturing USA network benefits from a dramatic increase in capacity to serve a wide range of manufacturing sectors, including small manufacturers who are in the early stages of technology adoption.

Subrecipient activities

The center intends to utilize tennessee MEP and NY MEP as subrecipients on this award and will continue to leverage a geographically dispersed MEP national advanced tech team consisting of personnel in tennessee, new york, and oregon.