FY25 MEP State Competition NOFO.pdf

NIST MEP Center State Competition

Notice of Funding Opportunity October 11, 2024

U.S. Department of Commerce, NIST, MEP Center State Competition, 2025-NIST-MEP-01

Funding

Opportunity

Description:

NIST MEP is seeking applications from eligible applicants to enter into a cooperative agreement to operate an MEP

Center in one of the following states: Texas, Tennessee, New

Hampshire, Oklahoma, Michigan, Virginia, Connecticut, North

Carolina, Oregon, Colorado, and Indiana. The MEP Center will provide manufacturing extension services to small and mid-sized manufacturers (SMMs) and will become part of the

MEP National Network™, which consists of 51 MEP

Centers located in every State and Puerto Rico, and over

1,440 trusted advisors and experts at approximately 460

MEP service locations.

Announcement Type: Initial

Funding Instrument: Cooperative Agreement

Assistance Listing

(CFDA Number): 11.611: Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

Award Project Period: 5-year initial award period with an additional 5 years based on performance and funding availability

Goals & Objectives:

Eligible Applicants:

To establish and to operate an MEP Center in Texas, Tennessee, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Michigan, Virginia, Connecticut, North Carolina, Oregon, Colorado, and Indiana will provide comprehensive manufacturing extension services, leveraging the expertise of the MEP National Network™ to support the growth and productivity of local manufacturers.

Eligibility for the program listed in this NOFO is open to a United States-based nonprofit institution, an institution of higher education, or a State, United States territory, local, or Tribal government or a consortium thereof.

https://sam.gov/fal/e33020522001415aad1d059a1b61ef8b/view

Funding Amount: NIST anticipates funding one (1) MEP Center cooperative agreement in each of the following States: Texas, Tennessee, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Michigan, Virginia, Connecticut, North Carolina, Oregon, Colorado, and Indiana based on the availability of appropriations. Each award will have an initial project performance period for up to five (5) years and may be funded at the following anticipated levels. Please refer to Section II. 2 of this NOFO for the funding amounts.

Cost

Share/Matching

Requirements: Annual cost sharing of at least 50 percent is required for awards issued pursuant to this NOFO. See section III.2. of this NOFO.

Estimated Number of Award(s): 11 awards

Submission Dates and Times: January 9, 2025, 11:59 PM EST

How to Apply: Applications must be submitted electronically using Grants.gov.

Paper applications will not be accepted.

Review and Selection Process: Group competition, preliminary review, panel review

Agency Contacts: Programmatic and Technical Questions:

Bryana Head

NIST MEP

mepnofo@nist.gov

Grant Rules and Regulations:

Michael Teske nofo@nist.gov

Additional Information: On April 22, 2024, the Office of Management and Budget

(OMB) published updates to the Uniform Administrative

Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for

Federal Awards located in part 200 of Title 2 of the Code of http://www.grants.gov/ mailto:mepnofo@nist.gov mailto:nofo@nist.gov

October 1, 2024

Federal Regulations (2 CFR part 200). The updated regulations in 2 CFR part 200 will apply to all awards issued by DOC/NIST on or after October 1, 2024 and will apply to awards issued pursuant to this NOFO.

A pre-recorded informational webinar will be posted onto the

NOFO website https://www.nist.gov/mep/nist-mep-center-state-competition-fy2025 within 10 business days following the publication of this NOFO. This webinar will provide general information regarding this NOFO and offer general guidance on preparing applications.

https://www.nist.gov/mep/nist-mep-center-state-competition-fy2025%C2%A0 https://www.nist.gov/mep/nist-mep-center-state-competition-fy2025%C2%A0

Table of Contents

I. Program Description II. Federal Award Information III. Eligibility Information IV. Application and Submission Information V. Application Review Information VI. Federal Award Administration Information VII. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts VIII. Other Information

FULL ANNOUNCEMENT TEXT

I. Program Description

The statutory authority for the NIST Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership is 15 U.S.C. §278k.

(1) Background Information

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST MEP) Program is a nationwide network of Centers (referred to hereinafter as the MEP National Network™).1 The MEP National Network consists of NIST MEP, the 51 MEP Centers located in all 50 states and Puerto Rico,2 the MEP Advisory Board, MEP Center boards, and the Foundation for Manufacturing Excellence, as well as over 1,440 trusted advisors and experts at approximately 460 MEP service locations, providing U.S. manufacturers with access to resources they need to succeed. MEP Centers serve as trusted business advisors focused on transforming U.S. manufacturers’ ability to compete globally, supporting supply chain integration, providing access to technology for improved productivity, and supporting a strong manufacturing workforce.

MEP Centers work directly with area manufacturers in each state to provide expertise and services tailored to manufacturers’ most critical needs, ranging from process improvement and workforce development to business practices and technology transfer and implementation. Additionally, MEP Centers connect manufacturers with government and trade associations, universities and research laboratories, and a host of other public and private resources to help manufacturers realize individual business goals.

To learn more about the MEP Program, please go to http://www.nist.gov/mep.

1 https://www.nist.gov/mep 2 https://www.nist.gov/mep/centers http://www.nist.gov/mep/ http://www.nist.gov/mep http://www.nist.gov/mep/centers

The MEP National Network™ is a unique public-private partnership that delivers comprehensive, proven solutions to U.S. manufacturers. Through collaborations at the Federal, State, and local level, MEP Centers work with manufacturers to develop new products and customers, expand and diversify markets, adopt new technology, workforce strategies and enhance value within supply chains. MEP Centers are connected to the MEP National Network™ to learn and share distinctive practices.

NIST encourages applicants to review the resources available through the MEP National Network,™ particularly for connecting applicants with potential subrecipients, contractors, or other collaborators.

(2) Program Requirements

a. Oversight Board or Advisory Committee

In accordance with 15 U.S.C. § 278k(k), MEP Centers are required to establish either an Oversight Board or an Advisory Committee.

b. Oversight Board

Except as provided in Section I.2.c. immediately below, recipients that are a nonprofit organization will be required to establish and maintain an Oversight Board, which has fiduciary responsibility for the governance and operation of the recipient organization. The Oversight Board must be broadly representative of the state service area and/or other service area as defined by the Program Office stakeholders with a majority of the Oversight Board members drawn from small and medium-sized manufacturing firms. Members of the Oversight Board may not concurrently serve on more than one MEP Center Oversight Board or serve as a vendor or provide contractual services to the recipient or to a subrecipient.

Additionally, recipients shall adopt bylaws or equivalent governance documents setting forth the roles, responsibilities, and procedures of their Oversight Boards, including a conflict-of-interest policy to ensure relevant relationships are disclosed and appropriate recusal procedures are in place, which must be provided to NIST. Additionally, upon request, an applicant shall provide the NIST Grants Officer with copies of its organizational documents, including articles of incorporation or charters, ratified bylaws, and conflict of interest policies. The sufficiency of the proposed Oversight or Advisory Committee Board will be evaluated against the applicable evaluation criteria. (See Section V.1.b.ii. of this NOFO).

c. Advisory Committee http://www.nist.gov/mep/

A recipient of an MEP Center cooperative agreement that is an institution of higher education, State, local, or Tribal governmental entity, where State, local, or Tribal law or policy prohibits compliance with the Oversight Board requirement, may establish an Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee must be broadly representative of state service area stakeholders, with the majority of its members drawn from small- and medium-sized manufacturing firms, and provide regular strategic, policy, and programmatic input directly to the designated representative of the recipient.

A recipient that is a nonprofit organization with multiple programs and MEP Center program activities that are not the applicant's primary activity may establish an Advisory Committee instead of an Oversight Board that conforms to membership requirements as set forth above.

In determining whether the MEP Center is a primary activity of a recipient, MEP will consider unique factors and circumstances such as, but not limited to, (1) the proportion of MEP Center funding (both Federal dollars and non- Federal match) relative to the applicant’s funding (or budget) for its other programs and activities, or (2) the duration of other funding sources over time.

Advisory Committee members may not concurrently serve on more than one MEP Center Advisory Committee or serve as a vendor or provide contractual services to the recipient or to a subrecipient. Recipients shall have bylaws or equivalent governance documents setting forth the roles, responsibilities, and procedures of its Advisory Committee, including a conflict-of-interest policy to ensure relevant relationships are disclosed and appropriate recusal procedures are in place, which must be provided to NIST. Additionally, upon request, an applicant shall provide the NIST Grants Officer with copies of ratified bylaws, and conflict of interest policies. The sufficiency of the proposed Oversight Board or Advisory Committee will be evaluated against the applicable evaluation criteria. (See Section V.1.b.ii. of this NOFO).

d. New/Proposed Oversight and/or Advisory Committee

If an Oversight Board or Advisory Committee meeting the requirements of this section is not in place at the time an application is submitted, the applicant must submit a plan for establishing such structure, including Oversight Board or Advisory Committee membership criteria. Upon request, an applicant shall provide the NIST Grants Officer copies of the organizational documents for its proposed Oversight Board or Advisory Committee including draft bylaws and conflict of interest policies. An awardee will have up to 90 calendar days from the award start date to establish its Oversight Board or Advisory Committee, as the case may be. The sufficiency of the proposed Oversight Board or Advisory

Committee will be evaluated against the applicable evaluation criteria. (See Section V.1.b.ii. of this NOFO).

No Federal award funds will be released to an awardee until the NIST Grants Officer, in consultation with the MEP program Office, determines that its Oversight Board or Advisory Committee is in conformance with the requirements set forth in this section.

e. MEP Core Management and Oversight Functions

The operator of an MEP Center must possess, and maintain at all times during an award’s period of performance, accountability to directly manage and execute all functions material and inherent to the successful operation of a NIST MEP Center, which include, but are not limited to, the following:

i. Budget execution, including the responsibility for determining and executing budget policy, guidance and strategy, and the determination of program priorities and associated budget or funding requests;

ii. Policy implementation, including the responsibility for determining the content and implementation of financial and program policies and procedures impacting the recipient’s MEP project;

iii. Human resources management, including the responsibility for selecting individuals for Center employment and for selecting contractors and the direction, control, and performance management of Center employees and oversight of contractors;

and

iv. Strategic planning and project execution and management, including the responsibility for:

a. Strategic planning functions such as the following:

determination of project requirements, approval of a project implementation strategy, and the development and monitoring of agreements and statements of work with subrecipients, vendors, third-party contributors, and other strategic partners; and

b. Project execution and management functions such as submission of required financial and technical reports, and maintenance of a functioning financial management system that satisfies the requirements found in 2 C.F.R. § 200.302, in order to ensure that costs charged against an MEP award are reasonable, allocable, and allowable under applicable Federal cost principles; and adherence to the terms and conditions of the MEP award.

The sufficiency of the proposed Core Management and Oversight Functions will be evaluated in accord with Section V.1.b.ii of this NOFO).

f. MEP Resources

The following competition-related resources are currently available on the MEP website at: https://www.nist.gov/mep/nist-mep-center-state-competition-fy2025

- NIST MEP Strategic Plan

- Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Operating Outcome

Plan Guidance

- Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership 2024 General Terms and

Conditions

- NIST MEP Reporting Guidelines

- Required NIST MEP Single Year Budget Workbook Template

- Required Five-Year NIST MEP Budget Summary Table Template

- Most recent NIST MEP Annual Report

- FY 2021 Oversight Board Standards

The NIST MEP program is an economic development program, not a federal research and development program. This program does not intend for awardees to perform systematic research or to develop intellectual property.

II. Federal Award Information

1. Funding Instrument. The funding instrument that will be used is a

Cooperative Agreement. Where cooperative agreements are used, the nature of NIST’s “substantial involvement” will generally include collaboration with the recipient organization in developing and implementing the approved scope of work, consistent with the definition of cooperative agreement in 2 CFR § 200.1. See also NIST MEP 2024 General Terms and Conditions, Section B.7., Interactions with NIST, Other NIST MEP Centers, and Outside Organizations.

2. Funding Availability. NIST anticipates funding one (1) award in each of the below States. Each award will have an initial period of performance of up to five (5) years and will be funded at the following anticipated levels: In FY25, NIST anticipates funding 11 awards for up to:

MEP Center Location and Assigned

Geographical Service Area (by State)

Anticipated Federal Funding for Each Year of the Award

Total Anticipated Federal Funding for 5-Year

Award Period

Texas $ 8,071,600 $40,358,000 https://www.nist.gov/mep/nist-mep-center-state-competition-fy2025

Tennessee $ 2,410,019 $12,050,095

New Hampshire $ 924,376 $4,621,880

Oklahoma $ 1,669,756 $8,348,780

Michigan $ 4,940,100 $24,700,500

Virginia $ 2,140,321 $10,701,605

Connecticut $ 1,855,552 $9,277,760

North Carolina $ 3,613,118 $18,065,590

Oregon $ 2,217,708 $11,088,540

Colorado $ 2,080,092 $10,400,460

Indiana $ 3,303,181 $16,515,905

3. Multi-Year Funding Policy. When a proposal for a multi-year award is approved, funding will usually be provided for only the first year of the program. If a project is selected for funding, NIST has no obligation to provide any additional funding in connection with that award. Continuation of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the sole discretion of NIST. Continued funding will be contingent upon satisfactory performance, continued relevance to the mission and priorities of NIST MEP, and the availability of funds.

4. Potential for Additional Years. Initial awards issued pursuant to this

NOFO are expected to be for up to five (5) years with the possibility for NIST to renew the award on a non-competitive basis for up to an additional 5-year period at the end of the initial award period. Renewal funding for MEP Centers is contingent upon both successful annual reviews, and Panel and Secretarial evaluations in accordance with 15 U.S.C. § 278k(g), as well as the project’s continued relevance to the mission and priorities of the program, and the availability of funds. In accordance with the multi-year funding policy described above, obligated funding amounts may be adjusted higher or lower from year-to-year of an award based upon performance and the availability of funds.

5. Indirect (F&A) Costs. NIST will reimburse applicants for proposed indirect (F&A) costs in accordance with 2 C.F.R. § 200.414. Applicants proposing indirect (F&A) costs must follow the application requirements set forth in Section IV.2 of this NOFO.

6. Kick-Off Conference. A recipient will be required to attend a kickoff conference, which will generally be held within 60 calendar days after the start date of the award. The purpose of this kickoff conference is to help ensure that the MEP Center operator has a clear understanding of the program and its components. The kickoff conference may take place at either NIST MEP headquarters in Gaithersburg, MD or virtually. The kickoff conference will take approximately three (3) days and must be attended by the MEP Center Director and up to two (2) additional MEP Center employees. Applicants must include travel and related expenses for attending the kickoff as part of the budget for year one (1). These costs should be reflected in the SF-424A form. These costs must also be reflected in the budget table and budget narrative for year one (1), which is submitted as part of the budget summary tables and budget narrative section of the Technical Proposal. Representatives from key subrecipients and other key strategic partners may attend the kickoff conference with the prior written approval of the Grants Officer. Applicants proposing to have key subrecipients and/or other key strategy partners attend the kickoff conference should clearly indicate that fact as part of the budget narrative for year one of the project.

7. MEP Network-Wide Meetings. NIST MEP typically organizes network-wide meetings several times a year to share best practices, new and emerging trends, and additional topics of interest. These meetings are rotated throughout the United States and typically involve 3-4 days of resource time and associated travel costs for each meeting. Applicants must include travel and related costs for approximately two (2) MEP network-wide meetings in each of the five (5) project years (2 meetings per year; 10 total meetings over a 5-year award period). These costs must be reflected in the MEP Single Year Budget Workbook and MEP Five-Year Budget Summary Table (See Section IV.2.a.(9) of this NOFO).

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants. In accord with 15 U.S.C. § 278k(a)(5), eligibility for the program listed in this NOFO is open to a United States-based non-profit based institution, an institution of higher education, or a State, United States territory, local, or tribal government, or a consortium thereof. Per 15 U.S.C.

§ 278k(h)(2), operators of incumbent MEP Centers that have received financial assistance for ten (10) consecutive years and that the Secretary determines are in good standing are eligible to apply under this NOFO. The eligibility requirements set forth in this NOFO will be used in lieu of, and to the extent they are inconsistent with will supersede, those given in the MEP regulations found at 15 C.F.R. part 290, specifically 15 C.F.R. § 290.5(a)(1).

Please note that individuals and unincorporated sole proprietors are not considered “non-Federal entities” and are not eligible to apply under this NOFO. Although Federal entities are not eligible to receive funding under this NOFO, they may participate as unfunded collaborators.

As discussed in Section I.2. of this NOFO, NIST generally will not fund applications that propose an organizational or operational structure that, in whole or in part, delegates or transfers to another person, institution, or organization the applicant’s responsibility for core MEP Center management and Oversight functions. In addition, the applicant must have or propose an Oversight Board or Advisory Committee structure or plan for establishing a board structure within 90 days from the award start date.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching. The MEP Center program requires non-

Federal cost share of at least 50 percent of the total annual allowable project costs. The MEP statute requires Centers to meet this minimum cost share requirement annually. See 15 U.S.C.278k(e)(2). There can be no carry over of excess cost share from one year to the next.

Non-federal cost sharing is that portion of the project costs not borne by the Federal Government. The applicant’s share of expenses may include cash, services, and third-party in-kind contributions, as described at 2 CFR

§200.306. The source and detailed rationale of the cost share, including cash, full- and part-time personnel, and in-kind donations, must be documented in the Budget Narrative and Justification submitted with the application and will be considered as part of the review under the evaluation criterion found in Section V of this NOFO. As with the Federal share, any proposed costs included as non-Federal cost sharing must be an allowable/eligible cost under this program and under the Federal cost principles set forth in 2 CFR part 200, Subpart E. Program income, as defined in 2 C.F.R. § 200.1, generated by an MEP Center or sub-recipient may be used to meet the cost share requirement.

Non-federal cost sharing incorporated into the budget of an approved financial assistance award is subject to audit in the same general manner as Federal award funds. See 2 CFR part 200, Subpart F.

For instructions on incorporating cost share into the Budget Narrative and Justification, see Section IV. Application and Submission Information.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package. The application package is available at Grants.gov under Funding Opportunity Number 2025-NIST-

MEP-01.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.306 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.306 http://www.grants.gov/

2. Content and Form of Application Submission. Set forth below are the required content and form of applications submitted pursuant to this

NOFO.

a. Required Forms and Documents. The Application must contain the following:

(1) SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance. The SF-424 must be signed by an authorized representative of the applicant organization.

For SF-424, Item 8.d. Zip/Postal Code field, should reflect the Zip code + 4 (#####-####) format.

For SF-424, Item 12, should list the NOFO number 2025-NIST-MEP-01.

SF-424, Item 18, should list the total budget information for the duration of the project.

The list of certifications and assurances referenced in Item 21 of the SF- 424 is contained in the Federal Financial Assistance Certifications and Representations (Certs and Reps) as part of the SAM.gov entity registration.

(2) SF-424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs.

The budget should reflect anticipated Federal and non-Federal expenses for the entire project, considering all potential cost increases, including cost of living adjustments.

a) The applicant should reflect each year of the project, up to the first four (4) years, on the SF-424A form that appears as part of the mandatory forms in the Grants.gov application package.

The second SF-424A form should be submitted to cover year five (5) of the project, and its submission details are found in in Section IV.2.a.(9). of this NOFO.

b) In Section A, the Grant Program Function or Activity on Line 1 under Column (a) should be entered as Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership, CFDA 11.611, or an abbreviation thereof. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number on Line 1 under Column (b) should be entered as “11.611. The total federal budget amount for the term of the award should be listed in Section A, Line 1, Column (e). The total non-federal budget amount for the term of the award should be listed in Section A, Line 1, Column (f).

c) Section B, Column (1) of the SF-424A should reflect the costs for each object class category, to include indirect charges, for the first year of the award. These costs should reflect the total Federal share plus non-Federal cost share for each category.

Section B, Column (2) of the SF-424A should reflect the costs for each object class category, to include indirect charges, for the second year of the award. These costs should reflect the total Federal share plus non-Federal cost share for each category. Section B, Column (3) of the SF-424A should reflect the costs for each object class category, to include indirect charges, for the third year of the award. These costs should reflect the total Federal share plus non- Federal cost share for each category. Section B, Column (4) of the SF-424A should reflect the costs for each object class category, to include indirect charges, for the fourth year of the award. These costs should reflect the total Federal share plus non-Federal cost share for each category.

d) Section C must account for all non-Federal resources / match for the entire project. For Column (b) enter resources provided by the applicant. If not applicable, leave blank. For Column (c), enter resources provided by one or more states. If not applicable, leave blank. For Column (d) enter resources provided by other sources (e.g., in-kind contribution, program income). If not applicable, leave blank.

e) Section D requires a breakdown of the first year’s Federal share and non-Federal share of the budget by quarter.

f) Section E requires the budget estimate of Federal funds needed for each year of the project. The budget estimate for the first year of the award should be entered in Section E, Line 16, Column (b). The budget estimate for the second year of the award should be entered in Section E, Line 16, Column (c). The budget estimate for the third year of the award should be entered in Section E, Line 16, Column (d). And the budget estimate for the fourth year of the award should be entered in Section E, Line 16, Column (e).

(3) CD-511, Certification Regarding Lobbying. Enter “2025-NIST-

MEP-01” in the Award Number field. Enter the title of the application, or an abbreviation of that title, in the Project Name field.

(4) SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (if applicable).

(5) Project Narrative. The Project Narrative is a word-processed document of no more than twenty (25) pages (double-spaced between lines), which is responsive to the program description and the evaluation criteria.

The page limit includes Cover Page; Table of Contents (if included);

Project Narrative with all required information, including figures, graphs, tables, images, and pictures).

The projective narrative should contain the following information:

a. Executive Summary. An executive summary of the proposed project, consistent with the objectives, requirements and priorities of this program (see Section I. of this NOFO). The executive summary should include information indicating how each evaluation criterion (see Section V.1. of this NOFO) and its sub- factors are addressed. A table can be helpful in providing this information. The executive summary should not exceed two (2) pages and should describe the proposed project, consistent with the evaluation criteria in Section V.1.

of this NOFO. Applicants should name the state in which they are seeking to establish an MEP Center in the first sentence of the Executive Summary. A project description, as described below, should follow.

The first paragraph of the Executive Summary should be a project description in the following format:

1. Purpose: State the specific purpose of the proposed project in one to two sentences;

2. Activities: Describe the major activities to be performed in one to three sentences;

3. Outcomes: State the specific expected outcomes of the proposed project in one to three sentences;

4. Beneficiaries: Name or describe the intended beneficiaries of the expected outcomes in one to two sentences; and

5. Subrecipients: If applicable, describe the major activities to be performed by subrecipients in one to three sentences.

Any acronyms or abbreviations used in this project description must be defined.

Please note that if an applicant’s proposal is selected for funding, NIST may use all or a portion of the Executive Summary as part of a press release issued by NIST, or for other public information and outreach purposes. Applicants are advised not to incorporate information that concerns business trade secrets or other confidential commercial or financial information as part of the Executive Summary. See 15 C.F.R.

§ 4.9(b) concerning the designation of business information by the applicant.

b. Project Approach and Project Execution Plan. A description of the proposed approach to establish and to operate an MEP Center. The project narrative must also identify tasks, measurable milestones, and outcomes in providing manufacturing extension services to primarily small and medium-sized manufacturers separately for each of the five years in the designated state, sufficient to permit evaluation of the application, in accordance with the Project Narrative evaluation sub- criteria (See Section V.1.a. of this NOFO). If relevant, an applicant should provide information that helps the reviewers understand the experience of the applicant in serving small and mid-sized manufacturers.

c. Qualifications. A description of the qualifications and proposed Center operational or management activities of key personnel who will be assigned to work on the proposed project, and a description of program management plans, sufficient to permit evaluation of the application, in accordance with the Qualifications of the Applicant sub-criteria (See Sections V.1.b.i. and ii. of this NOFO). The applicant should include a description of its proposed organizational structure for executing the MEP Center Core Management and Oversight Functions. The applicant must provide enough information for NIST to determine whether the proposed structure meets the requirements of Section I.2.d of this NOFO.

The applicant should also provide a description of its established or proposed MEP Center Oversight Board or Advisory Committee, including a listing of the members and their organizational affiliation or intended members and a discussion of the governing documents (i.e., bylaws, policies or procedures, and conflict-of-interest policies) with enough information for NIST to determine whether the proposed Oversight Board or Advisory Committee meets the requirements of Section I.2. of this NOFO. If an applicant’s Oversight Board or Advisory Committee does not currently meet the requirements set forth in Section I.2. of this NOFO or is not expected to meet these requirements at the time of the MEP award, the applicant must provide a feasible plan to bring its Oversight Board or Advisory Committee into compliance with Section I.2. of the NOFO within 90 days of award start date.

(6) Resume(s) of Key Personnel. Resumes for all key personnel assigned to the project must be provided. Resumes are limited to two (2) pages per individual.

(7) Budget Narrative and Justification. There is no set format for the

Budget Narrative and Justification; however, further explanation must be provided for the specific cost categories and line items that you identified in the SF-424A form as well as any other information you deem necessary for NIST’s consideration.

The written justification should include the necessity and the basis for the cost, as described below. Proposed funding levels must be consistent with the project scope, and only allowable costs should be included in the budget. Information on cost allowability is available in the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards at 2 C.F.R. Part 200, which apply to awards in this program. Please note that the recent revisions to 2 C.F.R. part 200 will apply to awards issued pursuant to this NOFO.

When cost share is included in the budget, the written justification must also identify the Federal and non-Federal portion of each cost, to include indirect costs, as applicable. (see Cost Sharing section of this NOFO for match requirements).

The Budget Narrative does not count against the twenty (25) page limit of the Project Narrative.

This section will be evaluated in accordance with the Budget Narrative evaluation criteria. It will also be reviewed to determine if all costs are reasonable, allocable, and allowable under 2 C.F.R. Part 200 Subpart E, Cost Principles.

Information needed for each budget category is as follows:

a) Personnel- At a minimum, the budget justification for all personnel should include the following: job title, commitment of effort on the proposed project in terms of average number of hours per week or percentage of time, salary rate, total personnel charges for each identified position on the proposed project, description of the role of the individual on the proposed project and the work to be performed.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.306

Compensation paid to NIST MEP Center personnel. NIST MEP and GMD will review all proposed MEP Center personnel compensation, including proposed executive compensation, for allowability in accordance with the MEP General Terms and Conditions (March 7, 2024) and 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.403-405 and 200.430-431. The review of MEP Center compensation will occur annually as part of the renewal of funding and as part of compliance reviews, as well as during any budget revisions made by the recipient during the life of the award.

For purposes of a NIST MEP Cooperative Agreement, the Director of a MEP Center must be a full-time employee of the recipient organization.

b) Fringe Benefits– Fringe benefits for each position should be identified separately from salaries and wages and based on rates determined by organizational policy. The items included in the fringe benefit rate (e.g., health insurance, parking, etc.)

should not be charged under another cost category.

c) Travel—The budget justification for all travel costs should include the following: destination; names or number of people traveling; dates and/or duration; mode of transportation, lodging and subsistence rates; and description of how the travel is directly related to the proposed project. For travel that is yet to be determined, please provide the best estimates based on prior experience. If a destination is not known, an approximate amount may be used with the assumptions given for the location of the meeting.

d) Equipment- Equipment is defined as an item of property that has an acquisition cost of $10,000 or more (unless the organization has established lower levels) and an expected service life of more than one year. The budget justification should list each piece of equipment, the cost, and a description of how it will be used and why it is necessary to the successful completion of the proposed project. Please note that any general use equipment (computers, etc.) charged directly to the award should be allocated to the award according to expected usage on the project.

e) Supplies– Supplies are defined as all tangible personal property other than that described as equipment. Provide a list of each supply, and the breakdown of the total costs by quantity or unit of cost. Include the necessity of the cost for the completion of the proposed project.

f) Contractual (i.e. Contracts or Subawards)– Each contract or subaward should be treated as a separate item. Identify the cost and describe the services to be provided and the necessity of the subaward or contract to the successful performance of the proposed project. Contracts are for obtaining goods and services for the Non-Federal Entity’s own use and creates a procurement relationship with the contractor. A subaward is for the purpose of carrying out a portion of a Federal award and creates a Federal assistance relationship with the subrecipient.

g) Construction– Not an allowable cost under this NOFO.

h) Other Direct Costs– For costs that do not easily fit into the other cost categories, please list the cost, and the breakdown of the total costs by quantity or unit of cost. Include the necessity of the cost for the completion of the proposed project. Only allowable costs can be charged to the award.

i) Indirect Costs- Commonly referred to as Facilities &

Administrative Costs, Indirect Costs are defined as costs incurred by the applicant organization that cannot otherwise be directly assigned or attributed to a specific project. The justification should include a cost calculation that reflects the applicable indirect cost rate. For more details, see Section IV.2.a.(8) of this NOFO immediately below.

(8) Indirect Cost Rate Agreement. If indirect costs are included in the proposed budget, provide a copy of the approved negotiated agreement if this rate was negotiated with a cognizant Federal audit agency. If the rate was not established by a cognizant Federal audit agency, provide a statement to this effect. If the successful applicant includes indirect costs in the budget and has not established an indirect cost rate with a cognizant Federal audit agency, the applicant will be required to obtain such a rate in accordance with Section B.06 of the Department of Commerce Financial Assistance General Terms and Conditions, dated October 1, 2024.

Alternatively, in accordance with 2 C.F.R. § 200.414(f), applicants that do not have a current negotiated (including provisional) indirect cost rate, except for those non-Federal entities described in appendix VII, paragraph https://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/2024-09/DOC%20Financial%20Assistance%20General%20Terms%20and%20Conditions%20as%20of%2001%20October%202024.pdf https://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/2024-09/DOC%20Financial%20Assistance%20General%20Terms%20and%20Conditions%20as%20of%2001%20October%202024.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=dd7e460e397e25e8c7f2d685f71d953c&mc=true&node=ap2.1.200_1521.vii&rgn=div9 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=dd7e460e397e25e8c7f2d685f71d953c&mc=true&node=ap2.1.200_1521.vii&rgn=div9

D.1.b. of 2 CFR 200, may elect to charge a de minimis rate of 15 percent of modified total direct costs (MTDC). Applicants proposing a 15 percent de minimis rate pursuant to 2 C.F.R. § 200.414(f) should note this election as part of the budget portion of the application.

(8) SF-424A, Budget Information-Non-Construction Programs (for applications with five-year projects). The SF-424A form that appears as part of the mandatory forms in the Grants.gov application package covers the first four (4) years of the project. For projects covering five years, a second SF-424A form should be submitted to cover year five (5) of the project. A fillable SF-424A form can be found in the SF-424 Family section of the grants.gov Forms Repository (see “Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A)”).

Applicants should download the fillable SF-424A form, complete the information for year five (5) of the project and submit the completed form as an attachment, using the procedure described in Section IV.2.b., Attachment of Required Application Documents.

(9) Letters of Commitment. Letters of Commitment must be submitted by all funded and unfunded entities that will have an active role in executing the activities outlined in the Project Narrative. Letters of Commitment must address the level of participation, qualifications of the personnel who will be actively involved, and how successful completion of this project would positively impact their profession or community. Letters of Commitment must also specify any voluntary committed cost-share, including the specific services and/or products to be used in the project. Letters of Commitment must be signed by an individual with authority to legally bind the organization to its commitment. Letters of Commitment do not count against the page limit of the Project Narrative.

(10) Resolutions and Letters of Commitment. In obtaining letters of commitment, please note that it is inappropriate for federal employees to critique or provide feedback on project ideas, etc., and it is also inappropriate for federal employees to provide letters of endorsement or support.

a) Non-profit applicants: A resolution from the fiduciary board authorizing submission of the MEP Center application to NIST supporting the activities described therein is required.

b) Applicant and Third-Party Non-Federal Cost Sharing: With the exception of a commitment letter from the applicant, letters of commitment for all other third-party sources of non-Federal cost sharing identified in a proposal are not required but are strongly encouraged. Applications without commitment letters for each item https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=dd7e460e397e25e8c7f2d685f71d953c&mc=true&node=ap2.1.200_1521.vii&rgn=div9 https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family of third-party, non-Federal cost sharing may be considered less favorably during the application review process. Applicants may submit a summary listing of non-Federal cost share, which will not be counted toward the page limit. (i) Applicant Non-Federal Cost Sharing (Cash and In-kind): A letter of commitment is required from an authorized representative of the applicant, stating the total amount of cost share to be contributed by the applicant towards the proposed MEP Center project. This stand- alone letter must cover all five (5) years of the proposed MEP Center project and include a per year break-out of the applicant’s contribution of non-Federal cost share, as well as a per year break-out of cash cost share (including anticipated program income) and in-kind (non-cash) contributions.

c) Third Party Cost Sharing (Cash and In-kind): The applicant is strongly encouraged to include in its application a letter of commitment from an authorized representative of each third-party organization providing cash or in-kind contributions that are to be used as cost share under the proposed MEP Center project. Any such letter(s) should clearly state whether the third-party contribution will consist of cash contributions, in-kind contributions, or a combination thereof; the total amount of the contribution, including a break-out of cash versus in-kind contributions (as applicable); the time period over which the third-party contribution will be made; and any interim performance requirements for phased contributions.

(d) Subrecipients: Letters of commitment from subrecipients who are key to the technical plan’s success are useful for verifying the availability of resources but are not required. Applications without commitment letters from all identified, proposed key subrecipients may be considered less favorably during the application review process. The applicant should include information regarding any planned cost share contribution from a subrecipient in their letter of commitment. If an award is issued, the recipient is ultimately the entity that is committing to the cost share being obtained from the subrecipient. If a subrecipient fails to meet the cost share expectations, the award recipient is required to meet the shortfall.

In addition, applicants planning to use subawards are responsible for evaluating the financial viability of subrecipients to meet proposed cost share levels.

e) Prospective Key Employees: Letters of commitment to join the proposing organization’s team are useful for verifying the availability of key employees, who are not yet employed at a proposing organization, to participate in the project if the project is funded. These letters are not required, but they can play an important role in conveying the qualifications of key employees, especially for projects involving small companies or startups.

Applications without commitment letters from all prospective key employees may be considered less favorably during the application review process.

f) Contractors: Letters of commitment from contractors who are key to the technical plan’s success are useful for verifying the availability of resources but are not required. Applications without commitment letters from all identified, proposed key contractors may be considered less favorably during the application review process. Contractors may not contribute cost share towards the project.

(11) Current and Pending Support Form. Any application that includes investigators, researchers, and key personnel must identify all sources of current and potential funding, including this proposal. Any current project support (e.g., Federal, state, local, public, or private foundations, etc.)

must be listed on this form. The proposed project and all other projects or activities requiring a portion of time of the Principal Investigator (PI), co-PI, and key personnel must be included, even if no salary support is received.

The total award amount for the entire award period covered, including indirect costs, must be shown as well as the number of person-months per year to be devoted to the project, regardless of the source of support.

Similar information must be provided for all proposals already submitted or that are being submitted concurrently to other potential funders.

Applicants must complete the Current and Pending (Other) Support Common Form, using multiple forms as necessary to account for all activity for each individual identified in the PI, co-PI, and key personnel roles. A separate form should be used for each identified individual.

Applicants must download the Current and Pending (Other) Support Common Form from the NIST website at: Current and Pending Support |

NIST and reference the guidance provided as it contains information to assist with accurately completing the form.

(12) MEP Single Year Budget Workbook and Five-Year Budget Summary Table. In addition to the SF-424A being submitted, applicants will be required to submit additional budget documentation to include, the MEP Single-Year Budget Workbook which must be provided for year one (1) of the award and the MEP Five-Year Budget Summary Table which must be provided for years one (1) through five (5) of the award.

https://www.nist.gov/oaam/grants-management-division/current-and-pending-support https://www.nist.gov/oaam/grants-management-division/current-and-pending-support

The MEP Single Year Budget Workbook and MEP Five-Year Budget Summary Table template (OMB Control Number 0693-0032) are available on the MEP website at: https://www.nist.gov/mep/nist-mep-center-state-competition- fy2025.

The MEP Single Year Budget Workbook includes templates for a detailed budget (revenue and expenses), budget narrative, and budget justification.

The MEP Five-Year Budget Summary Table includes a template for a budget summary for years one (1) through five (5), in accordance with applicable Federal cost principles.

Sample budget summary tables and a sample budget narrative are available on the MEP website under “MEP Resources.” See Section I.2.f of this NOFO.

The detailed budget should reflect anticipated expenses with corresponding narratives, and justifications that support all costs identified in the Single Year Budget Workbook. For example, the personnel category includes position title, employee name, annual salary and percentage of time dedicated to the project, travel includes but is not limited to airfare, lodging, per diem, number of travelers and days for each proposed trip, and any anticipated sub-recipients, contractors, or third-party contributor costs/contributions with a detailed description of the purpose and how it relates to the overall project.

The proposed costs must be consistent with the project scope and as outlined the budget narrative. The budget must include the required minimum 50 percent non-Federal cost share described in Section III.2 of this NOFO. The budget must also include expenses to attend the required MEP kick-off conference and meetings described in Sections II.6. and II.7. of this NOFO.

The Budget, Narrative, and Justification must clearly identify whether the applicant or any of its subrecipients anticipate generating program income pursuant to the proposed activities (e.g., client service fees). If program income is anticipated under the proposal (including at the subrecipient level), the applicant must identify the anticipated amount of program income, disclose how program income will be expended in the Form SF- 424A and in the Budget Narrative and Justification, and will be required to properly report all program income generated pursuant to the project in the Form SF-425.

This section of the application will be evaluated in accordance with the Budget Narrative and Justification evaluation criteria in Section IV.7 of https://www.nist.gov/mep/nist-mep-center-state-competition-florida-fy2024 https://www.nist.gov/mep/nist-mep-center-state-competition-florida-fy2024 this NOFO. It will also be reviewed to determine if all costs are reasonable, allocable, and allowable. Information on cost allowability is available in the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, under 2 C.F.R. Part 200 Subpart E, Cost Principles, which apply to awards in this program.