Activities: itap phase 3 activities and initiatives: expand ready or not (RON) business simulation to 2.0 and 2.1 which will create additional business simulations for workforce and supply chain

This $1,852,748 Cooperative Agreement awarded by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) under the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (CFDA 11.611) program will support the Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Inc. (OMEP) in expanding advanced technology initiatives for small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) in the western United States.

The key products and services to be delivered include:

1. Expanding the "Ready or Not" business simulation to versions 2.0 and 2.1, creating additional business simulations for workforce and supply chain development.
2. Enhancing the OMEP Standard Work Viewer with augmented reality technology to provide a cloud-based digital standard work delivery system for SMMs.
3. Continued deployment of robotics, automation, Internet of Things, and cybersecurity services to help SMMs adopt these critical advanced technologies.
4. Developing Lean 101 training with advanced technology, and delivering two advanced technology projects per year per MEP center.

This award will enable OMEP and the broader MEP network to assist their SMM clients with digital workforce transformation, supply chain optimization, and advanced technology integration to improve competitiveness in the evolving global manufacturing landscape.

RON 1.0 has been a huge success and has been delivered to over 1000 participants across multiple meps and national network events. Development under this award will create the infrastructure to allow RON to be run by a single, non-technical facilitator which will allow deep penetration throughout the MEP network, the MEP client base, and academia. Enhance omep standard work viewer with augmented reality, which is an advanced technology, cloud-based, digital standard work delivery system specifically designed for smms. The award will fund additional functionality to enable a roll-out to any MEP in the network. The combination of the standard work viewer with rapid creation techniques will increase adoption and sustainability. Continued deployment of robotics and automation ? Many lessons were learned under previous awards regarding deployment of cobots and other automation tools. Robotics and automation are increasingly becoming integral components of small manufacturing operations and MEP centers need to help companies continue to adopt and integrate these technologies. Continued exposure to internet of things. This has proved to be highly effective for small manufacturers when deployed. The awareness of our client base is still lacking, and this award will broaden the reach of this important technology. Continued deployment of cybersecurity services to small to medium manufacturers. Cybersecurity continues to be a priority for smms. Increasing demands for cybersecurity maturity model certification (cmmc) is looming heavily on the DOD supply chain. Developing lean 101 training with advanced technology. Deliver two surveyable advanced tech projects per year per center.beneficiaries: our work in advanced technology over the past six years has shown US that small to medium-sized manufacturers continue to be left behind in terms of having access to advanced technology that meets their needs and is at a cost point that allows for adoption and integration into their facilities. This project is critical for smms to have the tools they need to compete in a quickly advancing world economy. The project directly addresses smms experiencing a diverse set of workforce challenges which can be addressed with new technological tools. These tools are particularly beneficial for a diverse manufacturing workforce and underrepresented populations who may have different learning styles or language barriers.outcomes: this award will allow the participating western states to engage their clients in the initiatives outlined above. This award will also enable the MEP network to assist their clients with digital workforce transformation using these critical advanced technology tools. The initiatives in this proposal are designed to expand the adoption and roll out of high impact/high demand advanced tech initiatives to the whole MEP network and their client base. This proposal builds off the three NIST MEP priority pillars of workforce, supply chain, and advanced technology as described further in the proposal.subrecipients: the participating centers will have faas in place outlining their specific tasks and responsibilities under this award. The centers partnering under this award have a history of working well together and sharing developed content, delivering specific expertise across state lines and sharing outcomes at the national level through best practices conference presentations. Participants will participate in piloting major initiatives, as well as continue work started by their centers under previous itap awards.