Support For The Hollings MEP And OAM Marketing, Branding, Communications, Strategic Development And Strategic Planning

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. With services ranging from innovation strategies to process improvements to the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies, MEP offers to The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST’s) Office of Advanced Manufacturing/Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office (the Office) coordinates Manufacturing USA®.  In passing the bipartisan Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation (RAMI) Act of 2014, Congress authorized the establishment of the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation program, now widely known as Manufacturing USA. This law authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to establish and coordinate manufacturing innovation institutes and to collaborate with federal departments and agencies whose missions contribute to or are affected by advanced manufacturing. In early 2019, the National Defense Authorization Act expanded and reauthorized Manufacturing USA.

Background:

In 2019 NIST awarded three small business multiple-award indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) contracts. NIST awarded the contracts to each contract holder with a base and four (4) one-year option periods. Task orders were issued on a Firm Fixed-Price bases. Additionally, due to NIST’s FY 2022 budget increase from Congress, under the CHIPS and Science Act has the potential to increase support for MEP and OAM. These IDIQ contracts were designed to provide Contractor support for developing solutions in marketing, branding, communication, strategic development and strategic planning.  These multiple awards ID/IQ contracts are with Stone & Associates, Bättra, LLC, and Nexight Group, LLC. The contract numbers are 1333ND19DNB480015, 1333ND19DNB480016, and 1333ND19DNB480017, respectively. The IDIQ Contracts together have a ceiling value of $9.9 million.  NIST is looking to increase the ID/IQ contract ceiling for all contract holders in the dollar amount of $9.0 million, thus, from $9.9 million to $18.9 million.

As a result, the projected maximum ID/IQ contract ceiling will be exceeded before the necessary actions likely will be completed for the recompete of the requirement in Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 and before the end of the existing contracts. Additionally, NIST has started on the follow-on ID/IQ.  A sources sought notice was posted on SAM.gov under Notice ID NIST-AMD-F-NOISS-23-02 Marketing, branding, communication, strategic development, strategic planning and evaluation of projects support services for the NIST Innovation & Industry Services Organization. The follow-on contract is estimated to be awarded in FY 2024.

Interested parties that believe they could satisfy the requirements listed above for NIST to provide the marketing, branding, communication, strategic development, strategic planning work may clearly identify their capability to do so in writing on or before January 11, 2023 at 1:00 pm Eastern time.  This notice of intent is not a solicitation. Information submitted in response to this notice will be used solely to determine whether competitive procedures could be used for this acquisition. Any questions regarding this notice must be submitted in writing via email to robert.singman@nist.gov.