UPDATED: NIST MEP E-Blast: Friday, March 9, 2012

$15 Million Multi-Agency Funding Opportunity To Foster Job Creation and Business Innovation in Rural Communities Nationwide

The Obama Administration announced a $15 million multi-agency Rural Jobs and Innovation Accelerator challenge to spur job creation and economic growth in distressed rural communities. This competition, which is being funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Delta Regional Authority (DRA), and the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), was designed by the Taskforce for the Advancement of Regional Innovation Clusters and the White House Rural Council.

NIST MEP is supporting rural manufacturing participation in the initiative. The national effort will support rural partnerships by leveraging local assets and strengthening linkages to industry clusters. Strong industry clusters promote robust economic ecosystems and the development of a skilled workforce, both of which are critical to long-term regional success in rural areas. The deadline for applications is May 9, 2012 and guidelines for submissions are accessible here: Rural Jobs Accelerator

NIST MEP encourages participation by MEP centers with resources to address rural manufacturing issues to apply. If you have questions regarding this announcement, please contact Mark Troppe (Mark.Troppe@nist.gov | 301-975-5745)

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On March 26, the new Intellectual Property Awareness Assessment Tool developed by NIST MEP in collaboration with the US Patent and Trademark Office will be launched. NIST MEP will hold a webcast describing the IP tool on that day from 1:00pm-2:00pm EDT. The IP Tool is designed to guide business owners and inventors to consider critical intellectual property issues by providing a customized menu of topics specific to their needs. The tool will also allow access to educational materials developed by the USPTO. The IP Tool addresses Trademarks, Copyrights, Patents, Trade Secrets, Licensing, International Rights, Strategies, and IP Asset Tracking. The intent is to help smaller manufacturers establish and employ an informed strategy to protect their valuable IP assets.

Webinar Information Session
Monday, March 26th
1:00 PM EST
Meeting Password: Nistmep
1-866-469-3239
Access Code: 738 890 433
Click here for webinar Link

The IP Tool webcast is open to MEP Center staff, third-party providers and partners. For more information and to register, contact Carroll Thomas Martin carroll.thomasmartin@nist.gov| 301-975-031)

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Draft Center Renewal Packages will be due to the Center Operations division assistant, Margie Robb margaret.robb@nist.gov by no later than April 2, 2012. The submission should be through email and consist of the following elements:

• Operating Plan
• SF424 Application for Federal Assistance
• SF424a Budget Information Sheet
• SF424b Assurances – Non-Construction Programs
• CD511 Certification Regarding Lobbying
• Subaward Documents with Associated budgets if over $100k– if applicable
• Indirect Cost Rate Proposal or Proposal submission – if applicable

Please be aware that we are incorporating a new process for the way we provide feedback on these packages. We would like to communicate the necessary changes via track changes in the actual document. Please submit relevant documents in Microsoft Word format. This will assist us in clearly articulating changes and/or comments.

Renewal Packages will be reviewed in the order they are received. If the package is incomplete, we will communicate the missing elements and the package will not be reviewed until all elements are complete..

If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact Wiza Lequin adelwiza.lequin@nist.gov, Mellissa Ayala Mellissa.ayala@nist.gov, or Diane Henderson diane.henderson@nist.gov.

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All of the workshops and sessions that will take place at Manufacturing Innovation 2012 are now online. You can view a complete list of sessions and their descriptions by visiting www.mi2012.mepevents.com > and clicking on the agenda tab. If you’ve already registered for MI2012 and would now like to go back and select your specific sessions, you may select the “already registered” option in the top right-hand corner and then enter the confirmation number you received in your confirmation email

If you haven’t registered yet, please do so before March 30th in order to get your all access event pass for $1,050. In addition, to the all access pass, we also have options for those attendees that only plan to attend one or two days of the event. You can view the different pricing options by going to the Fees tab on the event site.

Plan to visit www.mi2012.mepevents.comoften as new details will be added every week: new sessions, keynote speakers, business matchmaking and networking opportunities.

Hotel room rate is $195 / night. To reserve your hotel room by phone please contact Passkey Reservations at 800-266-9432 and be sure to reference Manufacturing Innovation 2012 when booking your room. Click here to reserve your hotel online.

For more information about the Manufacturing Innovation, please contact Kari Reidy (kari.reidy@nist.gov | 301-975-4919) or the Event Team at planner@mepevents.com

 
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March 15 SSTI Webinar - Infusing Technology into Companies: A Case Study

Spin-offs get all the attention, but infusing new technologies into existing companies results in significant economic impact. There are a lot of steps from idea stage to commercialization, and many obstacles that can get in the way. The session will explore the roles of various intermediaries and partners, including an MEP center, universities, Centers of Excellence, companies, and other components of the innovation ecosystem. The discussion also will include specific impacts realized with companies, including new products and increased sales. Featuring:

• Aimee Dobrzeniecki, Deputy Director of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership at the Department of Commerce's National Institutes of Standards and Technology
• Matt Watson, Director of Regional Technology Development Centers, NYSTAR
• Peter Pritchard, Center for Economic Growth, Albany, NY

Webinar Information:
Date: Thursday, March 15, 2012
Time: 3:00 - 4:00 PM EST
Cost: $49 member, $69 non-members
Deadline: Thursday March 15, 2012
Login Instructions will be emailed to participants on Monday, March 12
Click here to register

MEP Related Federal Funding Opportunities:

Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Centers for South Dakota and Kentucky
The objective of an MEP center is to provide manufacturing extension services that enhance productivity, innovative capacity, and technological performance, and strengthen the global competitiveness of primarily small- and medium-sized U.S.-based manufacturing firms in its service region. Click here to learn more

For more information about this funding opportunity, please contact Diane Henderson (diane.henderson@nist.gov | 301-975-5105)

Building Construction Technology Extension Program (BCTEP) Pilot Projects
The pilot program will address increasing energy efficiency in commercial and industrial building operations. The pilot program will focus on “re-tuning,” which is a systematic semi-automated process of identifying operational problems in commercial and industrial buildings. Click here to learn more

For more information about this funding opportunity, please contact Dave Cranmer (dave.cranmer@nist.gov | 301-975-5753)

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