2013 MEP Innovation Services & Training

FFO Update: MEP Center for Nebraska

Energy and Environment Trade Mission to Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines

Edison Nation® “Made in America” Supplier Scouting Opportunities & Webcast

Tech Scouting and TDMI Workshop in Nashville, Tennessee

What's Happening Around MEP

MEP in the NEWS

Calendar of Events

Make it in America Manufacturer of the Week!

View eblast from April 12, 2013

NIST MEP is continuing to invest in the professional development of the MEP system through the Innovation College training sessions. Dates for the 2013 sessions are below. If you would like to register, please email Kari Reidy with the name of the individual(s) you are registering and their proposed dates. Because NIST MEP is making a significant investment in the cost of this training we do expect that those registering are committed to this program and agree to complete their Black Belt certification within the 1 year time requirement.

Please read the updated policies, procedures and FAQs that are posted on MEIS. This document explains the changes and updated policies to the Black Belt certification program and will continue to be updated with the latest FAQs.

Below are the dates for 2013 training.

• May 13 - 17 (FULL)
• June 9 - 13 (location: University of Maine - open to all)
• July 22 - 26
• August 19 - 23
• September 23 - 27
• October 21 - 25
• November 11 - 15
• December 9 - 13

If you have any questions about the policies, about Black Belt certification, or to schedule training, please contact Kari Reidy at Kari.reidy@nist.gov| (301) 975-4919

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NIST invites proposals from eligible proposers for funding one (1) MEP center to provide manufacturing extension services to primarily small and medium-sized manufacturers in Nebraska. The MEP center will become part of the MEP national system of extension service providers, currently comprised of more than 400 centers and field offices located throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. For more information about the Federal Funding Opportunity, click here. Additional information on the proposal process is available in the notice of Federal Funding Opportunity posted at www.grants.gov under Funding Opportunity Number 2013-NIST-MEP-NE-01 . All Proposals are due on June 10, 2013 by 5:00pm EST.

Webinar Update
An informational webinar for applicants who are considering to apply to this opportunity has been changed from Tuesday, April 30, 2013 to Thursday April 25, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. EST.

For further information or to register for the April 25th webinar, please contact Diane Henderson at diane.henderson@nist.gov | (301) 975-5105

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The U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Commercial Service is organizing an Energy and Environment Trade Mission to Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines from September 15-21, 2013. This mission is designed to provide a powerful opportunity to explore these emerging markets, including briefings, networking receptions, and one-on-one business meetings with potential customers, partners and local representatives. If you have clients that may be interested in a trade mission to Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines specifically around energy and the environment, please click here to view the trade mission flyer.

In addition, the U.S. Commercial Service will be hosting a webinar on June 10, 7pm EST so that interested parties can learn more about the trade mission and connect with foreign Commercial Officers. More information on the webinar can be found on the webinar registration page.

For questions, please contact Kari Reidy at Kari.reidy@nist.gov| (301) 975-4919

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Edison Nation®, an idea-to-shelf product developer and innovation platform has partnered once again with the NIST MEP on their Made in America Program. This program, gives U.S.-based manufacturers the first chance to bid on producing new products for large, established companies. The companies and brands participating in this program are Belk, Bob Timberlake, Snapware, Pyrex, Chicago Cutlery, Corelle, Worx, and ToyQuest.

This is a great opportunity for U.S. based manufacturers to bid on making products with a guaranteed large distribution channel. The product requests for quotes (RFQs) are currently available for all companies and brands on MEP Connect in three groups:

• Belk, Bob, Timberlake - Due by Friday April 19,2013
• Snapware, Pyrex, Chicago Cutlery, Corelle - Due by Friday April 26, 2013
• WORX, ToyQUEST - Due by May 1, 2013

To request a copy of the current Edison Nation RFQ's or for questions, please contact Dave Cranmer (David.Cranmer@nist.gov | 301-975-5753 or Caroline Ranghel Ashley (Ranghel@rti.org | 919- 541-6822

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If you or your colleagues haven’t had a chance to attend the combined Technology Scouting and Technology-Driven Market Intelligence (TDMI) training there is an opportunity to do so in Nashville, Tennessee on May 7-9, 2013. The course provides MEP representatives with the instruction and tools needed to initiate 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.

For questions and registration information, please contact Dave Cranmer (David.Cranmer@nist.gov | 301-975-5753 or Caroline Ranghel Ashley (Ranghel@rti.org | 919- 541-6822

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SBA’s Affordable Care Act 101 Webinar
The Small Business Administration is launching a webinar series on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as part of ongoing outreach and education efforts regarding the ACA. The goal of these webinars is to prepare federal employees and programs supporting businesses to guide them to resources that will answer questions they may have about ACA. ACA 101 covers the basics of the Affordable Care Act and what it means for small business owners. Topics include insurance reforms, the small business health care tax credit, the health insurance Marketplaces, and the nature and scope of the employer shared responsibility provisions. SBA also covers some of the additional provisions impacting small businesses in 2013 and 2014.

Below is the ACA 101 training currently scheduled for federal employees that are working with small businesses around the country. Please note that these training dates are intended for federal employees and their extended network of resource partners; and the SBA requests that links not be forwarded to external organizations. MEP Center staff seeking a basic understanding of the law should participate in one of the following sessions:

• Wednesday, April 24 at 1:00 PM

For more information, contact Mark Troppe mark.troppe@nist.gov | (202) 247-1377

DEMEP Vacancy Announcement: Executive Director
The Delaware Technical Community College is seeking a highly qualified individual to become the Executive Director for the Delaware Manufacturing Extension Partnership (DEMEP). The incumbent will be responsible for the administrative direction, strategy, contract management and operational results for DEMEP. In addition, the incumbent will supervise administrative support staff and Manufacturing Extension Partnership Specialist to ensure that small and medium-size Delaware manufacturers are provided with appropriate technical assistance to develop and improve their operations.

For more information, or to apply for this position, please visit the vacancy announcement at jobpost.dtcc.eduv and search for vacancy number: 090675.

Ohio MEP Vacancy Announcement: MEP Center Director
The State of Ohio is seeking a highly qualified individual to become the Center Director for Ohio's Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program. The individual selected will establish sub-grantee relationships with qualified organizations recruited to provide value-added manufacturing assistance services through a regionally-based system that achieves a statewide network of coverage having the potential to reach Ohio’s more than 35,000 small & medium-sized manufacturers.

For more information, or to apply for this position, please visit the vacancy announcement at agency.governmentjobs.com and search for vacancy number:20011292. The vacancy closes on May 17,2013.

Impact Washington Vacancy Announcement: Director, Business Development
Impact Washington is looking for a Director of Business Development to help achieve company goals for increased revenue growth and implementation of Washington's market segmentation growth strategy. The individual selected for this position will work closely with the President, and will develop and implement business development strategies for the organization. This position is responsible for providing leadership, coaching and direction to the Impact Washington Project Management staff to meet or exceed company goals for revenue growth, tactical plan development and implementation of the market segmentation growth strategy

For more information, or to apply for this position, please contact jobpostings@impactwashington.org or Linda Adams at ladams@impactwashington.org | (425) 438-1146 x107.

Purdue University MEP Center Vacancy Announcement: Lead Project Specialist, Sustainability
The Lead Project Specialist is responsible for selling and delivering consulting projects that involve helping business and industry reach their workforce and competitive needs in Energy Efficiency and Sustainability. This includes analyzing the needs of a manufacturing / industrial company or other business, determining the areas of improvement needed, developing a plan to address the areas of improvement, estimating the potential Return on Investment, presenting the proposed plan including fess for the services to the business executives, and executing Technical Assistance Agreements with the client. This position is a combination of sales and service delivery for the Indiana MEP at Purdue University.

For more information, or to apply for this position, please visit the vacancy announcement at the Purdue careers website and search for vacancy number 1300607.

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• The Northwest Manufacturing Outreach Center teaches manufacturers the ins and outs of exporting Business is going well for Greg Smith, owner of Tomahawk Live Trap. He has 22 employees and has been offering plenty of overtime to keep up with the demand for his various animal trapping products. But like any good entrepreneur, Smith is always looking for an opportunity to expand.Read Article

• GENEDGE ALLIANCE, in cooperation with The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission (TIC), has awarded a matching fund grant totaling more than $220,000 to fund an Innovation Commercialization Project to accelerate high technology economic growth and support job increases for the region. Applied Felts Incorporated, of Martinsville, is the world’s leading independent felt liner manufacturer. click here

• The Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership has formed an ISO collaborative to help small- and medium-size manufacturers improve quality, efficiency, sales and profitability, as well as provide a path to ISO 9001:2008 certification. Read More

• Internal Auditor Professional Development Opportunity Offered at UW-Stout The Northwest Wisconsin Manufacturing Outreach Center in collaboration with Professional Education Programs and Services, both based at UW-Stout, will be offering a curriculum designed to support business with ISO.Read More

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