As you are aware, the MEP program is in the process of a multi-year effort to conduct full and open competitions to select operators for MEP centers. The first ten states were competed and will begin operations on July 1, 2015. The second round, which included 12 states is in process with applications due on June 1, 2015. Today, NIST MEP announced its intention to publish two separate announcements of funding availability for MEP Centers in calendar year 2016 for the third and fourth rounds. NIST MEP anticipates announcing the competitions for approximately 11 states in January 2016, with new MEP Center cooperative agreement awards anticipated to start in October 2016. In addition, NIST MEP anticipates announcing the competitions for an additional 11 states in July 2016, with new MEP Center cooperative agreement awards anticipated to start in April 2017. In addition, NIST MEP plans conduct approximately two to three regional forums prior to or in conjunction with each publication of these announcements. These forums will provide general information regarding MEP and offer general guidance on preparing proposals. NIST MEP staff will be available at the forums to answer general questions.

The proposed list of states by round is available on the MEP website as well as additional details about the upcoming funding announcements. The list of states are subject to change.

For further information please contact Diane Henderson at mepffo@nist.gov.

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On May 4, 2015, the U.S. Senate confirmed Willie E. May as the second Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and the 15th director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). May has been serving as acting director since June 2014. He has worked at NIST since 1971, leading research activities in chemical and biological measurement science activities prior to serving as associate director for laboratory programs, and principal deputy to the NIST director. For more information, click here.

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The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Career Technical and Adult Education is producing a series of six webinars focused on how to put together regional consortia that align education and training programs with the needs of industry in advanced manufacturing. The webinar series is an opportunity for useful stories to be told about how to overcome practical obstacles that are commonly faced by various partners in making such consortia effective, and that serve the core missions of each participant. Programs are scheduled to begin in June and completed in September.

The first in the series is on June 5, 2015: Employer centered talent development for small and medium sized firms.
Small and medium sized companies will discuss how they have overcome obstacles to efficiently and effectively engage with colleges and schools. Such engagements have become an essential part of their businesses, assuring the quality of incoming workers. To register, click here.

Additional webinar topics will include:

• Career pathways in manufacturing
• State and local policy and implementation
• Connecting community colleges and schools
• Student success and the community
• Building connections that last

For more information, contact Mary Ann Pacelli, mary.pacelli@nist.gov.

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Last week, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Bruce Andrews signed a Cooperation Arrangement between the U.S. Department of Commerce and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROWTH). The agreement aims to makes it easier for clusters and their member businesses in the United States and the European Union to form strategic partnerships across the Atlantic.

Through the Cooperation Arrangement, Commerce and DG GROWTH will:

• Build a collaboration platform based on the new U.S. Cluster Mapping and Registry and similar EU cluster mapping websites;
• Encourage cluster, cluster businesses and supporting organizations to voluntarily register on these websites in order to attract strategic partners across the Atlantic;
• Conduct outreach in the United States and the EU about the benefits of and opportunities for cluster cooperation;
• Organize matchmaking and networking opportunities at conferences and trade shows; and
• Exchange best practices on supporting the growth and development of clusters.

MEP Centers and their clients will benefit from this Arrangement as a vehicle to promote exports, partnerships and market development in the EU. Learn More. For questions contact Heidi Sheppard at heidi.sheppard@nist.gov.

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Make sure you register for the May Update Meeting. Registration closes on May 12th at 5:00P.M. Please visit the event website to view the agenda, register for the meeting and for any other logistical information. Registration is $208 per attendee.

Also, the MEP Advisory Board meeting will be taking place before the Update Meeting on Tuesday, May 19th from 8:30am – 5:00pm. The Advisory Board meeting is open to anyone interested in attending.
If you have any questions please contact Kari Reidy at Kari.reidy@nist.gov | (301) 975-4919.

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U.S. Manufacturing in International Perspective
By The Congressional Research Service

The health of the U.S. manufacturing sector has long been of great concern to many stakeholders including Congress. The decline in manufacturing employment since the dawn of the 21st century has stimulated particular interest and various policy prescriptions. This report informs the debate over the health of U.S. manufacturing through a series of charts and tables that depict the position of the United States relative to other countries according to various metrics. Understanding which trends in manufacturing reflect factors that may be unique to the United States and which are related to broader changes in technology or consumer preferences may be helpful in formulating policies intended to aid firms or workers engaged in manufacturing activity. Download Report

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Enterprise Minnesota’s 7th annual The State of Manufacturing survey will be released on May 13 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. In addition to the May 13 event, Enterprise Minnesota will be visiting cities throughout Minnesota to share the survey results and connect with manufacturers across the state. Learn More

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Impact Washington will be hosting two day Toyota Kata workshop. With Toyota Kata, Mike Rother, the Shingo Prize winning author of Learning to See has advanced the practice of lean, providing a systematic, scientific routine that can be applied to any goal. It has inspired a community of practitioners who are building a sustainable lean culture. Learn More

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June 1 & 15, 2015
AME Events and Training

The following AME training sessions are being hosted by MEP Centers:

• June 1st: Improvement Kata / Coaching Kata, hosted by DVIRC in New York (learn more)
• June 15th: Communication Skills Training, hosted my DEMEP in Delaware (learn more).

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On June 12th-13th, 2015, makers from across the United States will convene in Washington, DC—to celebrate Making at the inaugural National Maker Faire. A collaboration between NationOfMakers.org*, the DC Government, the University of the District of Columbia, and Maker Media, the National Maker Faire is bringing inventors, tinkerers, and makers of all ages to our Nation’s capital. Occurring at the beginning of the “Week of Making” on June 12-13, 2015, the celebration gives curious, inventive people a place to share what they love to make.

Please feel free to register any of your MEP clients to attend or, even better, to exhibit! View event website.

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The course provides MEP representatives with the instruction and tools needed to perform Technology Scouting and TDMI services for MEP clients. This training is part of a larger collaboration between NIST MEP and RTI International to bring RTI practitioners’ new market research and scouting skills to MEP field agents.

Led by practitioners and mentors of Tech Scouting and TDMI services, participants will work in both large and small groups to learn the full process and methodology for both services. The course approach is interactive and involves participatory activities to practice the core skills involved in promoting and performing both services including: expert interviewing, technology and market based research, intelligence and project organization and needs based analysis. The training includes demonstrations and exercises based on real-world examples of MEP projects in Tech Scouting and TDMI.
For questions, please contact Dave Cranmer (301-975-5753) or Caroline Ashley (919-541-6822).

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NIST MEP, Utah MEP, and the Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration will be hosting an upcoming Buy America Transit Supply Chain Forum in Salt Lake City, on June 24, 2015.

The objective of the Transit Supply Chain Connectivity Forum is to bring large transit OEMs and smaller, qualified and interested U.S. manufacturers together in an effort to facilitate the use of a higher percentage of domestic suppliers in transit products and systems. The Forum will offer a venue for smaller manufacturers to learn what products are needed and find out more about investments they need to consider when entering the transit industry.

As part of the Forum, time will be allocated for ten-minute introductory, private meetings between participating OEMs and prospective suppliers. Participating suppliers can include both current transit industry suppliers, and potential new suppliers. These are not intended to be deal negotiation meetings – these are private introductory meetings to discuss the basics of participating in OEM supply chains.

This event will be held in conjunction with the American Transportation Association’s Rail Conference at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City, UT.

Registration is $25. Please click here to register.

For more information about Buy America Transit Supply Chain, please visit the Next Generation Transportation Supply Chain page or contact Samm Bowman (samm@nist.gov| 301-975-5978).

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DVIRC and the Philadelphia Phillies would like to honor our region’s manufacturers. Please join us at Citizens Bank Park on June 26th as the Phillies take on the Washington Nationals. Learn More

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