For Centers with July 1 renewal dates, don't forget to submit your draft Center Renewal Packages by April 1, 2015. Please note that Margaret Robb (Margie) is no longer with MEP, so do not submit your renewal package to her. Rather, please email them to: centerop@nist.gov and copy (cc) your assigned Federal Program Officer (FPO), Regional Manager for Strategic Transition (RMST), and Grants Management Specialist (GMS).

For Centers with August through October 1 renewal dates, don’t forget to submit your draft Center Renewal Packages by May 1, 2015, following the guidance provided above.

For Centers in States included in Round 2 of the MEP Center Competitions, please reference the NIST MEP Operating Plan Guidelines (February 2015), pages 3-4, for instructions to apply for funded extensions under your current cooperative agreements (documentation requirements for funded extensions differ slightly from the regular annual renewal process). Due dates for submitting draft extension applications are tied to your current operating year end date.

Each submission for a full year of funding should consist of the following elements:

• SF-424 – Application for Federal Assistance*
• SF424A – Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs
• Revised SF-424A and SRA/TPC table for the prior year (if applicable)
• SF424B – Assurances – Non-Construction Programs*
• CD-511 – Certification Regarding Lobbying*
• Approved Indirect Cost Rate Agreement or Copy of Transmittal Letter (if applicable)
• Representation by Corporations Regarding an Unpaid Delinquent Tax Liability or a Felony Conviction Under Any Federal Law (if applicable)*
• Draft Operating Plan – including associated Excel tables (e.g., Budget Table, Personnel Detail, Financial History Tables) – in MS Word/Excel format
• Draft subawards, contracts and third party contributor agreements, with budgeted amounts of $150,000 or more.

Renewal Packages will be reviewed in the order they are received. If elements in a package are missing, the team will communicate with you in a timely manner. Incomplete packages will not be reviewed unless all element requirements are met.

If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact your FPO or RMST.

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On March 23, NIST MEP welcomed a new Federal Program Officer (FPO) to the Center Operations Group. Gloria Solomon has joined us from the NIST Grants Management Division (GMD) where she has been a Grants Management Specialist and Contracting Officer Representative since 2013. Gloria’s earlier experience includes serving as a Grants Closeout Specialist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and a Partnership Specialist at the U.S. Census Bureau. Gloria holds a BS degree in Management from the University of North Carolina and an MBA degree from Wake Forest University. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Management (Leadership and Organizational Change) at Walden University. We are excited to welcome Gloria to NIST MEP and the Center Operations Group! Once Gloria is permanently assigned to an MEP region, we will disseminate an updated FPO assignment list.

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NIST MEP has opened up the second competition to award new cooperative funding agreements for its MEP centers in 12 states. The current competition will fund awards for centers in Alaska, Idaho, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Three Informational Webinars will be held to provide more information about the State Competition funding opportunity and overall information about the MEP program. The dates are provided below:

• March 30th @ 2 p.m. eastern
• April 6th @ 2 p.m. eastern
• April 16th @ 1 p.m. eastern

To register, please provide your organization and list of participants to mepffo@nist.gov. To view full Federal Funding Opportunity, click here.

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Advanced Manufacturing Opportunities Report: How Advanced Manufacturing is Helping U.S. Companies Compete Globally

Survey data from SME’s Advanced Manufacturing Opportunities Report demonstrates how U.S. companies are using advanced manufacturing technologies to remain competitive and improve overall performance. More than half of manufacturing leaders are planning to invest in advanced manufacturing technologies in the next two years, according to SME’s Advanced Manufacturing Media. The report also highlight results of a survey of manufacturing executives, engineers and managers on why companies are investing in and using advanced manufacturing technologies such as industrial robotics and additive manufacturing, or 3D printing.

Download Report

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Don't miss the next MEP Perspectives: Tech Scouting and TDMI Community of Practice Web Discussion scheduled for Wednesday, April 1 at 2:00 pm EDT.  Mike Wilson of MassMEP and Steve McManus of RTI International will review the history of TDMI and Technology Scouting implementation at MassMEP, which started with projects addressing individual manufacturers’ needs and expanded to include implementation of TDMI in a regional development context. Please come with your own questions, experiences, and ideas to enhance the discussion.
 To join the web discussion:

• Audio: 1-866-244-8528 and Participant Code: 646772
• Please click here.  Please provide your first and last name.

The recording is also available for the last Web Discussion and can be streamed from the below link:

• On Wednesday, March 18th Kreg Worrest from MilTech shared how he used tech scouting skills to help identify sources of technology to meet military needs within the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Special Operations. (https://rti.connectsolutions.com/p880vc91x20/).

For questions, please contact Dave Cranmer (301-975-5753) or Caroline Ashley (919-541-6822).

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Part II of the webinar series will provide a more in-depth look on the mission and strategy of the MEP program.  Part II will also present an opportunity to hear from NIST MEP Subject Matter Experts on the various initiatives within the system.  Part II MEP Overview Topics will include: MEP Evolution, Strategy, Challenges, Advisory Board, Services & Initiatives, Leadership Programs, and Competitions.

Webinar Details: Link | Password: Welcome1234! | Call in Number: 1-866-218-2764 | Conference Code: 801 896 4070

For questions or assistance, please contact Phill Wadsworth at phillip.wadsworth@nist.gov or Wiza Lequin at wiza.lequin@nist.gov.

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MEP Centers are beginning to reach out to manufacturing entrepreneurs and the resource organizations that support them. There are many opportunities to help manufacturers get on the right track with manufacturability, sourcing, and operational supports from MEP. During this webinar, we will hear from two Centers, Manex and AMS, about how they have partnered with local organizations using two unique models:

• SFMade provides MANEX inreach to urban SF-based, very-small manufacturing entrepreneurs and provides technical assistance in the areas of business strategy, funding, real estate, and then makes referrals to MANEX when scale-up needs arise.
• Innovation Hub provides AMS a workshop setting for regional makers and offers workforce development training, prototyping support services, and then (will) make referrals to AMS when scale-up needs arise.

The Center will discuss how they developed and envisioned the partnership; and discuss their models including direct supports and project referrals, services for scaling makers, cost sharing, workforce development, and other interesting topics.

Webinar Details: Link | Password: Maker41515@Maker | Call in Number: 1-866-218-2764 | Conference Code: 540 370 2466

For more details contact: Clara Asmail (clara.asmail@nist.gov).

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Learn how to approach ISO 9001:2008 registration from the professional lead auditor’s point of view and focus on key audit skills that enhance auditing capability. This intensive workshop covers key aspects of leading an audit team for your firm, another firm, or vendors/supplier. To register, click here.

Back to Top

One of the most powerful ways to learn about the Improvement Kata / Coaching Kata (IK/CK) methodology is through a 3- day experience working with real processes in an actual work environment. The Skill Camp provides students the opportunity to practice all 5 of the core routines of IK/CK while working with actual processes in a live workplace. For more information, click here.

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The Family Business Advisor Core Training Program will be delivered by Lisë Stewart of the Galliard Family Business Advisor Institute. This Certification program prepares advisors to work with owners on strategies for the future of their business! Participants receive program materials and access to online assessment and delivery tools. Cost for the two-day training is $1695. Certification is available at no extra cost.

Questions or for further information contact lstewart@galliardgroup.com or go to Galliard Core Training to learn more and register.

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The update meeting is for center management and staff to gain a better understanding of activities occurring across the system, changes and trends in manufacturing, and how to best position the network to provide these services going forward.

The meeting will be held at the Embassy Suites Phoenix - Scottsdale. More information about the Update Meeting and the hotel's room block will be coming soon. For more information contact Kari Reidy at kari.reidy@nist.gov.

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NIST MEP along with 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.

This Forum will bring large transit OEMs and smaller, qualified and interested U.S. manufacturers together in an effort to facilitate reaching 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.

The event will be held in conjunction with the American Transportation Association’s (APTA) Rail Conference at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City, UT. More information including registration will be provided shortly

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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August 2-5, 2015
Additive Manufacturing + 3D Printing Conference & Expo

Additive manufacturing is transforming every aspect of product development from product design and manufacturing to quality control and qualification.
Are you prepared for this technology to impact your business? Do you have the knowledge to meet the demands of your customers?

At ASME’s 2015 Additive Manufacturing + 3D Printing Conference & Expo (AM3D), the only cross-industry event designed specifically for the Engineering Community. Visit the event website for full agenda and speaker line up, or contact Clara Asmail for questions.

Back to Top

For Centers with July 1 renewal dates, don't forget to submit your draft Center Renewal Packages by April 1, 2015. Please note that Margaret Robb (Margie) is no longer with MEP, so do not submit your renewal package to her. Rather, please email them to: centerop@nist.gov and copy (cc) your assigned Federal Program Officer (FPO), Regional Manager for Strategic Transition (RMST), and Grants Management Specialist (GMS).

For Centers with August through October 1 renewal dates, don’t forget to submit your draft Center Renewal Packages by May 1, 2015, following the guidance provided above.

For Centers in States included in Round 2 of the MEP Center Competitions, please reference the NIST MEP Operating Plan Guidelines (February 2015), pages 3-4, for instructions to apply for funded extensions under your current cooperative agreements (documentation requirements for funded extensions differ slightly from the regular annual renewal process). Due dates for submitting draft extension applications are tied to your current operating year end date.

Each submission for a full year of funding should consist of the following elements:

• SF-424 – Application for Federal Assistance*
• SF424A – Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs
• Revised SF-424A and SRA/TPC table for the prior year (if applicable)
• SF424B – Assurances – Non-Construction Programs*
• CD-511 – Certification Regarding Lobbying*
• Approved Indirect Cost Rate Agreement or Copy of Transmittal Letter (if applicable)
• Representation by Corporations Regarding an Unpaid Delinquent Tax Liability or a Felony Conviction Under Any Federal Law (if applicable)*
• Draft Operating Plan – including associated Excel tables (e.g., Budget Table, Personnel Detail, Financial History Tables) – in MS Word/Excel format
• Draft subawards, contracts and third party contributor agreements, with budgeted amounts of $150,000 or more.

Renewal Packages will be reviewed in the order they are received. If elements in a package are missing, the team will communicate with you in a timely manner. Incomplete packages will not be reviewed unless all element requirements are met.

If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact your FPO or RMST.

Back to Top

NIST MEP has opened up the second competition to award new cooperative funding agreements for its MEP centers in 12 states. The current competition will fund awards for centers in Alaska, Idaho, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Three Informational Webinars will be held to provide more information about the State Competition funding opportunity and overall information about the MEP program. The dates are provided below:

• March 30th @ 2 p.m. eastern
• April 6th @ 2 p.m. eastern
• April 16th @ 1 p.m. eastern

To register, please provide your organization and list of participants to mepffo@nist.gov. To view full Federal Funding Opportunity, click here.

Back to Top

Advanced Manufacturing Opportunities Report: How Advanced Manufacturing is Helping U.S. Companies Compete Globally

Survey data from SME’s Advanced Manufacturing Opportunities Report demonstrates how U.S. companies are using advanced manufacturing technologies to remain competitive and improve overall performance. More than half of manufacturing leaders are planning to invest in advanced manufacturing technologies in the next two years, according to SME’s Advanced Manufacturing Media. The report also highlight results of a survey of manufacturing executives, engineers and managers on why companies are investing in and using advanced manufacturing technologies such as industrial robotics and additive manufacturing, or 3D printing.

Download Report

Back to Top

Don't miss the next MEP Perspectives: Tech Scouting and TDMI Community of Practice Web Discussion scheduled for Wednesday, April 1 at 2:00 pm EDT.  Mike Wilson of MassMEP and Steve McManus of RTI International will review the history of TDMI and Technology Scouting implementation at MassMEP, which started with projects addressing individual manufacturers’ needs and expanded to include implementation of TDMI in a regional development context. Please come with your own questions, experiences, and ideas to enhance the discussion.
 To join the web discussion:

• Audio: 1-866-244-8528 and Participant Code: 646772
• Please click here.  Please provide your first and last name.

The recording is also available for the last Web Discussion and can be streamed from the below link:

• On Wednesday, March 18th Kreg Worrest from MilTech shared how he used tech scouting skills to help identify sources of technology to meet military needs within the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Special Operations. (https://rti.connectsolutions.com/p880vc91x20/).

For questions, please contact Dave Cranmer (301-975-5753) or Caroline Ashley (919-541-6822).

Back to Top

Part II of the webinar series will provide a more in-depth look on the mission and strategy of the MEP program.  Part II will also present an opportunity to hear from NIST MEP Subject Matter Experts on the various initiatives within the system.  Part II MEP Overview Topics will include: MEP Evolution, Strategy, Challenges, Advisory Board, Services & Initiatives, Leadership Programs, and Competitions.

Webinar Details: Link | Password: Welcome1234! | Call in Number: 1-866-218-2764 | Conference Code: 801 896 4070

For questions or assistance, please contact Phill Wadsworth at phillip.wadsworth@nist.gov or Wiza Lequin at wiza.lequin@nist.gov.

Back to Top

MEP Centers are beginning to reach out to manufacturing entrepreneurs and the resource organizations that support them. There are many opportunities to help manufacturers get on the right track with manufacturability, sourcing, and operational supports from MEP. During this webinar, we will hear from two Centers, Manex and AMS, about how they have partnered with local organizations using two unique models:

• SFMade provides MANEX inreach to urban SF-based, very-small manufacturing entrepreneurs and provides technical assistance in the areas of business strategy, funding, real estate, and then makes referrals to MANEX when scale-up needs arise.
• Innovation Hub provides AMS a workshop setting for regional makers and offers workforce development training, prototyping support services, and then (will) make referrals to AMS when scale-up needs arise.

The Center will discuss how they developed and envisioned the partnership; and discuss their models including direct supports and project referrals, services for scaling makers, cost sharing, workforce development, and other interesting topics.

Webinar Details: Link | Password: Maker41515@Maker | Call in Number: 1-866-218-2764 | Conference Code: 540 370 2466

For more details contact: Clara Asmail (clara.asmail@nist.gov).

Back to Top

Learn how to approach ISO 9001:2008 registration from the professional lead auditor’s point of view and focus on key audit skills that enhance auditing capability. This intensive workshop covers key aspects of leading an audit team for your firm, another firm, or vendors/supplier. To register, click here.

Back to Top

One of the most powerful ways to learn about the Improvement Kata / Coaching Kata (IK/CK) methodology is through a 3- day experience working with real processes in an actual work environment. The Skill Camp provides students the opportunity to practice all 5 of the core routines of IK/CK while working with actual processes in a live workplace. For more information, click here.

Back to Top

The Family Business Advisor Core Training Program will be delivered by Lisë Stewart of the Galliard Family Business Advisor Institute. This Certification program prepares advisors to work with owners on strategies for the future of their business! Participants receive program materials and access to online assessment and delivery tools. Cost for the two-day training is $1695. Certification is available at no extra cost.

Questions or for further information contact lstewart@galliardgroup.com or go to Galliard Core Training to learn more and register.

Back to Top

The update meeting is for center management and staff to gain a better understanding of activities occurring across the system, changes and trends in manufacturing, and how to best position the network to provide these services going forward.

The meeting will be held at the Embassy Suites Phoenix - Scottsdale. More information about the Update Meeting and the hotel's room block will be coming soon. For more information contact Kari Reidy at kari.reidy@nist.gov.

Back to Top

NIST MEP along with 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.

This Forum will bring large transit OEMs and smaller, qualified and interested U.S. manufacturers together in an effort to facilitate reaching 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.

The event will be held in conjunction with the American Transportation Association’s (APTA) Rail Conference at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City, UT. More information including registration will be provided shortly

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).

Back to Top

August 2-5, 2015
Additive Manufacturing + 3D Printing Conference & Expo

Additive manufacturing is transforming every aspect of product development from product design and manufacturing to quality control and qualification.
Are you prepared for this technology to impact your business? Do you have the knowledge to meet the demands of your customers?

At ASME’s 2015 Additive Manufacturing + 3D Printing Conference & Expo (AM3D), the only cross-industry event designed specifically for the Engineering Community. Visit the event website for full agenda and speaker line up, or contact Clara Asmail for questions.

Back to Top