MEP to Recompete 11 State MEP Centers in July, Host Regional Forums for Potential Applicants

The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) intends to publish a federal funding opportunity (FFO) in July 2016 for MEP Centers in the 11 states: Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota, South Carolina and Wyoming. The objective of the MEP Center program is to provide business and technical services to small- and medium-sized manufacturers within the state of operation.

U.S.-based nonprofit institutions or organizations, including existing MEP centers, are eligible to participate in the competition.  The cooperative agreements have a five-year period of performance with the opportunity to receive another five years of funding based on successful performance and availability of funds.

Prior to the release of the FFO, MEP will conduct three regional forums to provide interested entities more information about the MEP program, the state competition, answer any questions regarding this funding announcement and also offer potential applicants the chance to sign up for a one-on-one meeting with NIST MEP representatives. The three regional forms include:

• Washington, DC – May 13, 2016;
• Denver, CO – May 24, 2016; and,
• Chicago, IL – June 7, 2016.

To register for one or more of the regional forums, email mepffo@nist.gov. For more information on the Regional Forums: http://nist.gov/mep/ffo-regional-forum-state-competitions-04.cfm