MEP Recompetition Scrapped

Citing the input of participants in a series of public hearings among other reasons, U.S. Department of Commerce Under Secretary of Technology Phil Bond announced in a conference call today that a systemwide recompetition for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) would not be held “at this time.” Instead, MEP will use a re-application process that will be integrated into the current review process.

The Administration in January issued Manufacturing in America: A Comprehensive Strategy to Address the Challenges to U.S. Manufacturers that called for a "recompetition for all MEP centers, with a focus on effectiveness and cost-efficiency" (see our coverage of the report at http://www.ssti.org/Digest/2004/012304.htm).

At a series of public hearings held during July and August that focused on forming the next generation MEP and the plans for recompetition, opposition to the recompetition was strong. Opponents were particularly critical of holding a recompetition when the amount of funding available is unknown because of Congress’ inaction on the FY05 budget and argued that the process would force MEP centers to take time away from working with manufacturers to prepare applications.

Under Secretary Bond indicated on the call that the Administration had seen the recompetition as a means of reform and that several steps had been taken to meet the goals of the Administration’s manufacturing report. He cited a “thorough review by the National Academy of Public Administration” and new efforts to link MEP to other government programs among other reform steps.

“I want to underscore that, as a partnership program, the Administration values the input of its MEP partners and many thoughtful Members of Congress,” Under Secretary Bond said. He pledged that the Administration “will be working very closely with the states” as it moves forward.

A copy of Under Secretary Bond’s comments can be found at: http://www.technology.gov/speeches/PJB_040809.htm