Sources Sought- NIST-AMD-F-NOISS-23-02-11-22-2023.pdf

NIST-AMD-NOISS-F-23-02 – Marketing and Communication Support Services November 22, 2022

Document Type: Sources Sought Notice Number: NIST-AMD-F-NOISS-23-02 Response Deadline: December 19, 2022, 12:00 PM, EST

Title: Marketing, branding, communication, strategic development, strategic planning and evaluation of projects support services for the Innovation & Industry Services Organization made up of the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), the Office of Advance Manufacturing (OAM), Technology Partnership Office (TPO) and the Baldridge Performance Excellences Program

Introduction

This is a Sources Sought Notice ONLY. This is NOT a solicitation for proposal, proposal abstract, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of qualified business sources. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible.

NIST is seeking responses from all responsible sources, including large, foreign and small business. Small business are defined under the associated NAICS code for this effort 541611 (Administrative Management and General Consulting Services), as those domestic sources having $16.5 million or less annually. Please include company’s size classification and socio-economic status in any response to this notice.

Companies able to provide such services are requested to email a detailed response describing their abilities to robert.singman@nist.gov no later than the response date for this sources sought notice. The report should include any information relevant to your capabilities. Also, the following information is requested to be provided as part of the response to this sources sought notice:

1. Name of company/companies that are authorized provide services, their addresses, and a point of contact for the company (name, phone number, fax number and email address).

2. Number of days, after receipt of order that is typical for delivery of services.

3. Indication of whether the services are currently on one or more GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract or any other government-wide contracts. If so, please provide the applicable contract number(s).

4. Indication of whether the services proposed is a commercial item currently offered in the marketplace.

5. Any other relevant information that is not listed above which the Government should consider in developing its minimum performance requirements.

NOTE: This notice is strictly for obtaining market research. There will be no question and answer period under this sources sought notice.

NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS EXIST AT THIS TIME.

BACKGROUND/MISSION:

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) strives to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life. Innovation and Industry Services Office is responsible for the NIST suite of external partnership programs, including the Technology Partnerships Office, the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership, and the Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office.

The NIST Technology Partnerships Office (TPO) serves NIST customers by leading technology transfer processes that NIST researchers use to develop innovations from concept to practical application. TPO mailto:robert.singman@nist.gov structures collaborative relationships between NIST researchers and regional, national, and global partners, fosters entrepreneurship and small business growth, and provides economic analysis to support the process. TPO also serves federal technology transfer customers and innovation ecosystems through several initiatives of the Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC)and the National Science and Technology Council’s Lab-to-Market Subcommittee (L2M). The FLC is the formally chartered, nationwide network of over 300 federal laboratories, agencies, and research centers, that fosters commercialization, best practice strategies, and opportunities, for accelerating federal technologies out of the labs and into the marketplace. The L2M initiative was identified as an administration priority and funded by Congress to increase the economic impact of federally-funded research and development by accelerating and improving the transfer of new technologies from the laboratory to the commercial marketplace.

The Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP®) is a program of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The MEP National Network™ comprises NIST MEP, 51 MEP Centers located in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, and its more than 1,400 trusted advisors and experts at nearly 600 MEP service locations, providing any U.S. manufacturer with access to resources they need to succeed. MEP Centers are funded by a combination of Federal, State, local and private resources; and focus on helping small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs)generate business results and thrive in today’s technology-driven economy.

NIST MEP’s mission is to enhance the productivity and technology performance of U.S. manufacturing by acting as a trusted, strategic advisor to promote business growth and connecting manufacturers to public and private resources essential for increased competitiveness and profitability. Centers tailor services to meet critical needs, ranging from process improvement and workforce development to specialized business practices, including supply chain integration, innovation, and technology transfer. MEP's foundation is built upon its partnerships. Centers are the hub for manufacturers, connecting them with government agencies, trade associations, universities and research laboratories, state and federal initiatives, and a host of other resources to help them grow and innovate.

The Manufacturing USA program is a corollary program at NIST that also supports the U.S.

manufacturing base. Manufacturing USA is a national network of 16 manufacturing innovation institutes reaching across +2,300 industry, government, and academic members to accelerate development of game-changing technologies, with a goal of restoring U.S. global leadership in advanced manufacturing. The institutes provide members with access to state-of-the-art facilities and capital-intensive equipment, shared R+D and intellectual property, collaboration and networking opportunities across the innovation ecosystem, and workforce training and skills development customized to support new technology areas.

Each institute is a public-private partnership, operated by an industry-led consortium with funding by a federal agency sponsor matched by states and industry. The program enables companies to work together, along with research universities, to develop new manufacturing technologies that all companies can use for production of their individual products and collaborate on workforce development and training.

Scope Requirements

Currently, NIST has a need for ordering vehicle to assist in successfully fulfilling their mission as stated above. One of the principle goals of this requirement is for the Contractor to provide additional resources and support for the offices in carrying out these activities. Another of the principle goals of this requirement is to for the Contractor to understand the current and future development and delivery capabilities of the network. This will be accomplished by establishing mechanisms to discover the current and future needs of U.S.-based small manufacturers and translating that information into actionable strategies and plans to enhance the development, delivery and quality of products and services delivered by the Centers and foster coordination of those organizations that comprise this network. The contract will provide additional resources and subject matter expertise to expand and accelerate MEP’s ability to serve as a trusted advisor for U.S. manufacturing.

The major areas of emphasis for research, marketing and deployment of efforts shall be related to the four pillars of the MEP strategic plan:

Empower Manufacturers: Assist U.S. manufacturers in embracing productivity-enhancing, innovative manufacturing technologies; navigating advanced technology solutions; and recruiting and retaining skilled employees.

Champion Manufacturing: Actively promote the importance of a strong manufacturing base as key to a robust U.S. economy and protection of national security interests; create awareness of innovations in manufacturing; create enabling workforce development partnerships to build a stronger and more diverse workforce pipeline; and maximize market awareness of the MEP National Network.

Leverage Partnerships: Leverage national, regional, state, and local partnerships to generate substantial increases in market penetration; identify mission-complementary advocates to help MEP become a recognized manufacturing resource brand; and build an expanded service delivery model to support manufacturing technology advances.

Transform the Network: Maximize the MEP National Network’s knowledge and experience to operate as an integrated national network; increase efficiency and effectiveness in employing a Learning Organization platform; and create a resilient and adaptive MEP National Network to support a resilient and adaptive U.S. manufacturing base.

Specific Requirements

1. Research and strategy development initiatives

Provide research and analysis on various manufacturing topics, including those pertaining to the launch of semiconductor/microelectronics initiatives stemming from the CHIPS + Science Act, and various technology transfer topics. Information from the research will be used to inform strategic program priorities and develop plans for competitive awards portfolio.

Activities include but are not limited to:

a. Research on manufacturing client needs, wants, purchasing behavior

b. Research on manufacturing market trends, technological change or business drivers

c. Research on customer needs around specific MEP and Manufacturing USA products, services, initiatives, and/or programs

d. Research on MEP/Manufacturing USA Center/network best practices, success models or business models

e. Research on federal technology transfer best practices, stakeholder needs, and/or economic and other impacts

f. Data analysis

g. Strategy development for specific products, services or programs

h. Dissemination of results of research in the form or reports, training, workshops, webinars, speaking engagements, web content, articles, blogs, etc.

2. Marketing Support

Various marketing, strategy development and deployment support functions to accomplish promoting the MEP and Manufacturing USA networks as well as accomplishing multiple initiatives, including the new CHIPS + Science Act related outreach for MEP or Manufacturing USA, and technology transfer efforts.

Activities include but are not limited to:

a. Marketing strategy and planning

b. Branding, brand strategy, event branding

c. Blogs

d. Infographics

e. Website content and design

f. Photography

g. Video production

h. Marketing materials

i. Graphic design

j. Templates

k. Input on marketing automation and marketing tools

l. Technical writing and editing including MEP/Manufacturing USA annual reports, success story writing and editing

m. Event support (keynote speakers, travel, materials, exhibiting, sponsorship)

n. Public awareness and social media outreach strategy and content

3. MEP Center and Manufacturing USA Institute Support

Assist in a variety of areas related to Center/Institute operations.

Activities include but are not limited to:

a. Board development

b. Sales training and coaching

c. Marketing support

d. Consulting on any aspect of Center operations

e. Local partnership development or maintenance

f. Training on general skills

4. Deployment and Execution of the MEP and/or Manufacturing USA Strategic Plan

Perform various deployment and execution functions to accomplish the current MEP and/or Manufacturing USA Strategic Plans as well as to assist with the development and execution of future MEP and/or Manufacturing USA Strategic Plans. Provide research, consulting, and support activities on the national level.

Activities include but are not limited to:

a. Program strategy development

b. Partnership development

c. Program support for new products and services

d. Training and skills development and system learning related to national products, services, programs

e. Designing and facilitating working group meetings

f. Start-up assistance to MEP Centers in adopting new national programs

g. Coaching Center staff on national programs – coordination on resources, coaching on best practices and approach

h. Troubleshooting partnerships

i. Identifying and disseminating information on best practices, success models and effective business models for national programs

j. Participating in events and workshops

5. Evaluation and Assessment of Projects, Programs and Client Impacts

Perform evaluation of the MEP and/or Manufacturing USA program as well as other initiatives. Evaluate and assess Center/Institute performance and conduct research on various performance matters.

Activities include but are not limited to:

a. Program evaluation and assessment

b. Client impact analysis

c. Client profiling

d. Analysis of MEP Center/Manufacturing USA Institute metrics and performance

6. MEP National Summit, Manufacturing USA Network, and Technology Partnership Office Meeting Support

Perform various meeting support functions for Summits and Network Meetings conducted between 2023-

Activities include but are not limited to:

a. Participation in National Summit and other national/regional meetings related to the Summit

b. Development and revision of national program content, program management tools and guidebooks, video content

c. Development and revision of program marketing (flyers, website content, video, etc.)

d. Recruitment of keynote speakers and thought leaders to present during National Summit.

e. Tracking program statistics (# programs, companies, schedule)

f. Printing and/or electronically posting program materials; suggestions to create a repository of educational resources

g. Partnership and sponsorship strategy in collaboration with NIST’s Conference Services event contractor

7. MEP, Manufacturing USA, and Technology Partnership Systems Support

Systems and platform development and deployment support functions to accomplish supporting knowledge management sharing for the MEP National Network to accomplishing multiple initiatives, including the new CHIPS + Science Act related supply chain, workforce development and advance technology adoption for MEP or Manufacturing USA, and technology transfer efforts.

Submission Information

Responses must be submitted no later than December 19, 2022 at noon, EST. Capability statements will not be returned and will not be accepted after the due date.

General Information As previously stated, the Government will not entertain questions regarding this market research; however, general questions may be forwarded to the following:

Robert Singman, Contract Specialist, Phone (301)975-6388, Email: robert.singman@nist.gov

**Disclaimer and Important Notes. This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use the information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization’s qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in SAM.gov. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate response to a solicitation, Confidentiality: No proprietary, classified, confidential or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).

Contracting Office Address

Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Acquisition Management Division 100 Bureau Drive Building 301, Room B125, Mail Stop 1640, Gaithersburg MD, 20899-1640 mailto:robert.singman@nist.gov