Subscription to Industry Studies

Added: Jun 08, 2017 5:33 pm The Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program (MEP), a program of the US Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is a nationwide network that provides services to assist smaller manufacturers in becoming globally competitive. The network consists of 51 manufacturing extension centers serving all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Each MEP center is an independent, non-profit organization offering products and services that meet the specific needs of the region's local manufacturers.

A critical need for centers is to have access to the most current and comprehensive analysis of different industries including to help centers in their work with manufacturing clients to grow their business and develop a stronger, agile, and robust manufacturing sector. These studies should focus on detailed supply chain information, market trends, revenue data; operating strengths and weaknesses; analysis of external drivers including technologies and regulations; the competitive landscape and major players; and industry profit and costs benchmarks. These studies will allow centers to prepare for projects and presentations quickly and provide them with questions and conversation starters that will help highlight how their clients within the industry have been dealing with the challenges they face, both from external economic factors and internal management issues.

The purpose of this procurement is to purchase, on behalf of the network of 51 MEP centers and the over 1200 field staff, access to a "library" of industry studies and other information on industry trends. The studies MEP is most interested in are those focusing on the manufacturing sector and should be as detailed as possible (down to 5-digit NAICS). The Contractor will also work with the centers to establish their own access (user name and password), provide some training on how to use these studies, and provide to NIST MEP quarterly reports on usage by center. In addition, an additional 4 licenses should be available for NIST MEP use. The reports made available should be updated at least annually.

SEE ATTACHED SOLICITATION FOR MORE DETAILS.