NIST MEP E-Blast: November 13, 2015

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) sent this bulletin at 11/13/2015 03:42 PM EST

The very latest news and opportunities from the NIST MEP - Making an impact on U.S. Manufacturing

November 13, 2015 - View this as a web page - View eblast from November 6, 2015

NIST MEP Staff Changes

Last week we notified the you that Bill Kinser, Director of NIST MEP Center Operations will leaving NIST MEP. This week, we'd like to announce that starting November 30th, Margaret Phillips will be returning to MEP as the Director of Center Operations.

Margy has played a vital role in MEP’s history. She has held key positions throughout MEP including serving as the Acting Deputy Director, Associate Director for Finance and Administration, Associate Director for Center Review and Analysis, and Senior Regional Manager. Margy’s experience includes her service as a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force. Margy continued her career at NIST after she left MEP in 2007 and is currently on detail at NIST's Advanced Manufacturing Program Office as the Associate Director for Competitions. Margy holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Chemistry from Wright State University, an MBA from Western New England College and a Juris Doctor from Capital University.

If you have any questions please contact Carroll Thomas.

Supplier Scouting Opportunities

Two new Federal Transit Administration Supplier Scouting Opportunities: Digital Mobile Radio Systems and Horizontal Lifeline Maintenance

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration is seeking domestic manufacturers for the following items:

Horizontal Lifeline Maintenance Tie Back Systems: The item being sought will be used as the maintenance personnel safeguard system on the Downtown Transit Center being constructed in Indianapolis, IN.
Digital Mobile Radio Systems: The items being sought will serve as the radio communications system for the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA), increasing the system capacity and allowing the Kansas City Streetcar Authority (KCSCA) to have a dedicated talk group on KCATA's system.

Supplier Scouting

Both items must comply with the Buy America procurement requirements. To view these opportunities, please visit the Supplier Scouting Group on MEP Connect to view these opportunities. MEP Centers should submit information about potential matching manufacturers to NIST MEP via MEP Connect by December 4. 2015.

EXTENDED DATE: Ductless split air conditioner unit, including inverted-driven mini-split system and heat pumps.
We are extending the period for this scouting opportunity to Monday, November 16th. This Scouting Opportunity is for 2 different projects located in Illinois and Pennsylvania. Please visit MEP Connect for the summary of the technical requirements.

For more info, contact Samm Bowman 301-975-5978 or Dave Stieren 301-915-3197.

NIST Services to MEP Centers: Webinar

The NIST’s Standards Coordination Office has invited MEP Centers to learn more about their service offerings and how it can help your MEP Clients understand the standards and conformity assessment requirements that impact business and export agenda.

Avoiding export mistakes can increase a company’s export volumes by as much as 1-2%. Companies with export volumes of $500 million or more can recoup up to $5-10 million annually through compliance with international standards and regulatory requirements. NIST’s Standards Coordination Office helps U.S. manufacturers and businesses maximize their exports by providing information about national and international standards and regulatory requirements.

During this webinar MEP Centers can learn:

Why Standards and Conformity Assessment Matter to the 21st Century Business;
How local Standards Information Center help businesses; and
How to stay ahead of the Technical Barriers to Trade.

Click here to register or contact Samm Bowman 301-975-5978 or Megean Blum 301-975-3160

What's Happening Around the MEP Network

Smart Manufacturing White Paper.

CMTC, in conjunction with the Smart Manufacturing Leadership Coalition (SMLC), has just released their joint white paper on Smart Manufacturing. The topics included in the white paper include: infrastructure changes, benefits to the value chain, adoption, and glossary of smart manufacturing terms. Click here to download a copy of the 29 page white paper.

MEP National Network Vacancies.

The Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS), at Iowa State University, is seeking qualified candidates for an Account Manager with a Food Industry specialization. View Vacancy

Delaware MEP is seeking for two Manufacturing Extension Specialist responsible for providing information and guidance regarding appropriate manufacturing business practices, for managing projects, and for overseeing the procurement and implementation of consultant services. View Vacancies: Specialist II and Specialist I

MEP In the News

Georgia MEP Faces of Manufacturing:

Georgia Faces

On Veterans Day, the GaMEP was proud to announce two veterans as the November Faces of Manufacturing. Chris Lucas and Stephen Hilliard are both veterans that continue to serve their country. They now work within manufacturing companies (JCB and Blue Force Gear) in the Savannah area, producing products that help their fellow servicemen and servicewomen.

READ MORE >>

New Funding Awarded to Support Wisconsin Manufacturers

As part of a multiyear effort to make the most of its federal investment in U.S. manufacturing, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has awarded a new cooperative agreement for the Hollings Manufacturing Partnership (MEP) center in Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing and Productivity, Inc., will receive approximately $4 million for the first 15 months of a 5-year agreement to work with partners at the state and federal levels to help small and medium-sized manufacturers develop new customers, expand into new markets and create new products.

READ MORE >>

NEPIRC Honors Manufacturers on Veterans Day

NEPIRC released a video tribute honoring retired and active military personnel and the regional manufacturers that provide them with the products they rely upon every day.

READ MORE >>

IMC Tours Manufacturing Plants with PA House Legislative Manufacturing Caucus
State lawmakers and business leaders seem to agree that Pennsylvania lags behind many other states in economic development. On Friday, several members of the House Legislative Manufacturing Caucus met locally to consider ways to improve business and industry opportunities.

READ MORE >>

MEP Events

** Two new items added below **

November 17-18, 2015: Technology Acceleration Working Group (Atlanta, GA)

To RSVP please contact Ben Vickery or Clara Asmail.

Nov. 17- 19, 2015: Supply Chain Optimization Train the Trainer

The MEP SCO initiative is delivering hands-on learning sessions for MEP center staff at locations across the U.S.

Track One - Open to MEP Staff

Nov 17-19: Portland, Oregon

Dec 8-10: Providence, Rhode Island

Track Two - Open to Participants of Track One

Dec 15-17: Kansas City

Jan 12-14: Los Angeles, CA

Contact: Amy Fitzgerald for more information.

NEW!!! November 18, 2015 at 11:00 AM EST: Connect to Global Opportunity at HANNOVER MESSE Webinar. (Registration Link)

Join the U.S. Commercial Service for a webinar about the global opportunities at the world's largest industrial technology trade show.

This one-hour webinar will feature commercial experts from European markets and a testimonial from Colorado's Air Squared Manufacturing, a seasoned exhibitor at HANNOVER MESSE.

NEW!!! December 2, 2015 at 9:30 AM and 2:30 PM EST: Data as a Service Webinar

The goal of this webinar is to increase awareness about tools and other data services available from MEP as well as to gather input on possible changes or updates. This webinar will also highlight two new tools: