B2 - Final SOW-Requirements - Data Analysis v4_7July2021.pdf

Statement of Work/Requirements Manufacturing Data Analysis and Modeling Services Contract

I. BACKGROUND:

The National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST's) Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST MEP) works as a catalyst to strengthen American manufacturing. Through a nationwide network of MEP Centers, MEP provides manufacturers with access to a wealth of tools, techniques, and other resources they need to succeed. With services ranging from innovation strategies to process improvements to the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies, MEP offers tools, solutions, and resources to address manufacturers’ diverse challenges and opportunities. To support the mission of the MEP program, the Program Evaluation and Economic Research (PEER) Group of NIST MEP seeks to purchase access to a manufacturing data analysis and modeling tool or service. This tool/service will help NIST MEP support the MEP National Network’s data-driven approach to enhancing the performance of U.S. manufacturers and improving U.S manufacturing.

In order for NIST MEP and the national network of MEP Centers to be effective and efficient in the program’s data-driven approach to serving U.S. manufacturers and improving U.S. manufacturing the program needs access to dynamic and relevant manufacturing data. Putting data in the hands of MEP Centers helps them become more efficient as they serve their local markets. NIST MEP is also a go-to-resource for U.S. manufacturing, so having as much knowledge on the U.S. manufacturing sector as possible is a must. The goal with this tool/service is to gain granularity in our understanding of U.S.

manufacturing; from varying industry levels (NAICS), to varying geographical levels (county, state), to different occupational levels (SOC codes). The general need is for NIST MEP and the national network of MEP Centers to understand data trends in the U.S. manufacturing sector at the previously mentioned levels of detail. Being able to understand any changes that may be coming to the U.S. manufacturing sector and its subcomponents and being able to prepare for those changes are of importance to the program. Anything beyond (but including) data projection that can help the program get in front of changes to the manufacturing sector is of interest.

II. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

The contractor shall provide a data tool/service that is hosted on a web-based platform that can be accessed via a site license. Being able to access the web-based platform wherever users are will allow NIST MEP and the national network of MEP Center users to quickly gain access to aggregated manufacturing relevant data from multiple sources and use that data to analyze different aspects of U.S.

manufacturing, including changes in establishment counts, changes in employment numbers, supply chain identification and mapping, etc. The data tool/service must leverage data collected and/or aggregated and managed by the service provider. All data must be identified and populated by the service provider. NIST MEP will not be providing any data and data from the MEP program will not be used in the tool/service.

NIST MEP would like access to a tool/service that leverages federal and state government data sets, plus other reputable data sources, to analyze the manufacturing sector in the U.S. In general, the service provider may use proprietary data to fill in any gaps in the data sets and to project future trends.

Proprietary data may be used more broadly than to fill in gaps and project, but reliability of the data must be discussed. This data will then be aggregated in the tool/service and used to populate analyses and reports which can also be automatically generated and downloaded from the tool/service.

The data service shall provide a flexible means through which NIST MEP can analyze the U.S.

manufacturing industry. Flexibility should extend to, but not be limited to, both industry (NAICS code) and geography. At a minimum, data shall be available at the 6-digit NAICS level and National in scope, with data also available at the state and county level. Ideally, the data set will allow flexibility between the 3 to 6-digit NAICS codes and will also extend that flexibility to occupation (SOC) codes. The data service will leverage and combine reputable data sources, such as Federal and State Government data sets, and shall be updated on a regular basis (more than once per year). The outputs generated should be flexible, but at least come in the form of reports or spreadsheets. These reports will be used either internally within NIST MEP or disseminated to Centers across the MEP National Network to help with strategic planning, market research, workforce research, and targeted marketing, among other initiatives.

III. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

Specifications / Criteria Requirements The tool must be web-based rather than desktop-based

Web-based, accessible from any web browser.

Licensure Providing access (username and password) – via licenses to enable users to have access to the data service platform on the manufacturing sector.

Proposals should include pricing for a minimum of 10 Individual licenses which can be distributed by NIST MEP. Users may include a mix of both NIST MEP and MEP Center staff. . Proposals may also include an alternative pricing model that provides licenses for each of the 51 Center in the MEP National Network. Product may be rated higher if it provides a unique way for all Centers to have access to the tool or service. .

Industry Detail Flexibility between 3 to 6-digit level NAICS codes.

Occupational Detail Flexibility between 2 to 5-digit SOC codes.

Geographic Detail National in scope but data also available at state and county level.

Product may be rated higher if they make data available at zip code and/or MSA levels.

Customization User-initiated customization (e.g. the user can do it inside the tool without needing the vendor)

Creation of customizable industries not otherwise defined (e.g.

combining manufacturing industries with research and development industries to form “innovation industries”)

Creation of customizable occupational groupings not otherwise defined (e.g. combining production and transportation occupations to form “manufacturing relevant” occupation groupings)

Creation of customizable geographies not otherwise defined (e.g.

combining Montgomery County and Frederick County in MD to form “Northwest DC Suburban Counties”)

Data Availability Data provided should be from reputable sources. If proprietary data provided, data reliability must be discussed. Historical data for the past 10 years and projected data for the next 10 years is necessary.

Data should include labor market information and broader economic indicators organized by both industry and occupation.

Product should include ability to model data. Additional workforce data seen as a plus.

All data should be provided by the service provider. MEP program data will not be used in the data tool or service.

Data Updates Updates at least twice per year are required, but quarterly updates are better.

Data Outputs The ability to sort, rank, download, and print various data outputs/reports is required.

The ability to extract information including charts and tables which must include proper attributes of source.

The ability to customize elements within the data service platform, including time frame, geography, and industry.

The ability to customize output/report screens and views. If the user can create their own front page/splash screen/dashboard or if the tool provides templates for manufacturing-specific output reports that would be seen as a plus.

Geographic Information System The ability to develop thematic maps based on different indicators (e.g. rates of manufacturing density, job density, average earnings, etc.).

Customer Support Dedicated Client Relationship Manager that is available to manage day-to-day needs to ensure NIST MEP receives the support needed to use the service effectively and efficiently.

Provide at least two (2) training sessions for users in NIST MEP that can be conducted via webinar.

Providing users with web alerts or RSS data feeds on data set updates and any updates to the platform

Quarterly Reporting Providing NIST MEP with quarterly reports containing information on the usage of the tool/service across the users registered, which elements of the service are being accessed, and other information to be determined

OS Compatibility Must be compatible with Microsoft Windows and MAC OS Hardware Compatibility Must be compatible with all existing Microsoft Windows and MAC hardware.

Period of Performance:

One-year base period and four one-year option periods.

Proposed period of performance

Base Period - October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2022 Option Period I - October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 Option Period II - October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024 Option Period III - October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025 Option Period IV - October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026