Manufacturing Extension Partnership

Enhance competitiveness, productivity, and technological performance in United States manufacturing. Establish, maintain, and support Manufacturing Extension Centers and services, the functions of which are to improve the competitiveness of firms by

The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) National Network is a public-private partnership that delivers comprehensive, proven solutions by helping small and medium-sized manufacturers grow, make operational improvements, and reduce risk. The MEP is committed to supporting manufacturers and building productive partnerships in all fifty states and Puerto Rico. Our goal is to ensure the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing in the global economy.

For MEP Center projects under 15 U.S.C. § 278k, eligible applicants shall be U.S.­-based nonprofit institutions or organizations or a consortium thereof; institutions of higher education; or a State, U.S. territory, local or tribal government. Applicants generally must contribute at least 50 percent of the proposed service's capital, annual operating and maintenance costs. For competitive awards under 15 U.S.C. § 278k-1, eligible applicants are existing MEP Centers. For extension service planning and pilot services agreements under 15 U.S.C. § 278l, eligible applicants shall be State governments or State- affiliated nonprofit organizations. For multi­state regional planning and pilot services agreements, eligible applicants shall be State and local governments, representing either themselves or a consortium of States, or appropriate private or public nonprofit organizations, operating on behalf of a consortium of States or as a representative of States.

Beneficiary shall be U.S.-based manufacturing firms, especially smaller companies.

Federal funding provided under this program shall be used for the creation and support of manufacturing extension centers (MEP Centers), or used by the States to plan for and pilot test state­wide extension services. It may also be used to plan for and pilot test services within a multi­state region which has sufficient regional linkages to justify such services. Extension service providers shall be affiliated with a U.S. based nonprofit institution or organization, or a consortium thereof; institution of higher education; or a State, U.S. territory, local or tribal government. Funds may be used for the purpose of demonstrations, technology deployment, active transfer and dissemination of research findings and extension service expertise to a wide range of companies and enterprises, especially small manufacturers with fewer than 500 employees. Congressional funding has been provided annually since fiscal year 1988 (under Manufacturing Technology Centers and the State Technology Extension Program, which were combined into the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership in fiscal year 1993).

For extension service planning and pilot ­testing agreements, one year. For Manufacturing Extension Centers, duration of support is up to 10 years, based upon continued positive evaluations in accordance with 15 U.S.C. § 278k(g). For competitive awards, up to three years.

Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. The extension service planning and pilot testing portion of this program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs". An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. For Manufacturing Extension Centers there is no formal preapplication process. Environmental impact information is not required for the MEP Center program. The MEP Center program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Proposals are selected on the basis of merit. For MEP Centers, selection criteria are published in the applicable Federal Register Notice and accompanying Notice of Funding Opportunity. For other programs, selection criteria are published in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.

All timely submitted and qualified proposals are reviewed by a NIST selection panel. For proposals for Manufacturing Extension Centers, the finalists' proposals are selected on the basis of published evaluation criteria, and may undergo a site visit. For proposals for competitive awards, proposals are selected on the basis of published evaluation criteria, and may undergo a site visit. For proposals for extension services planning and pilot testing, proposals are selected on the basis of published evaluation criteria.

Consult the applicable Federal Register Notice and/or Notice of Funding Opportunity or contact the MEP headquarters for application deadlines.

For MEP Centers, future or continued funding will be based on availability of funds, on satisfactory performance, and are subject to re-competition every ten (10) years. Other awards are not eligible for renewal.