Opportunity Information: Apply for 2022 NIST MEP 02
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is running a competitive grant process to select organizations to operate Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Centers serving Arizona and Maryland (with service coverage that includes the District of Columbia under the Maryland competition). These awards will be made as cooperative agreements, meaning the selected operators will work in close coordination with NIST rather than simply receiving a hands-off grant. The core purpose is to deliver manufacturing extension services to small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs), such as hands-on technical assistance, business improvement support, and access to expertise that helps manufacturers become more productive and competitive.
This competition is required by federal law. Under the MEP statute (15 U.S.C. 278k), when an MEP Center has operated for 10 consecutive years, NIST must hold a competition to determine which eligible entity will run the Center going forward. The existing Centers in Arizona and in Maryland are approaching that 10-year mark, so NIST is soliciting applications now to ensure continuity of services and to confirm that the next Center operator is selected through an open process.
Organizations awarded under this opportunity will become part of the MEP National Network, a nationwide system that includes 51 MEP Centers (one in every state plus Puerto Rico) and a broader footprint of roughly 1,400 advisors and experts across about 450 service locations. In practice, joining the Network means the Arizona and Maryland/DC Centers are expected to align with MEP program expectations, performance management, reporting requirements, and national initiatives, while still tailoring services to the needs of manufacturers in their local regions.
Eligibility is limited by statute. Applicants must be U.S.-based and fall into one of the following categories: nonprofit institutions (including consortia of nonprofits), institutions of higher education, or state, territorial, local, or tribal governments. Incumbent MEP Centers are allowed to apply as well, as long as they have received financial assistance for 10 consecutive years and are determined by the Secretary to be in good standing. This detail matters because it clarifies that the current operator is not automatically renewed; they must compete, but they are not excluded from competing.
NIST also places clear limits on how the applicant can structure the Center. As described in the notice, NIST generally will not fund proposals that delegate or transfer the applicant’s core responsibilities for Center management and oversight to another entity. In other words, partnerships and subcontractors may be part of service delivery, but the applicant itself is expected to retain real control and accountability for running the Center, including governance, strategy, performance, and compliance.
Governance is another explicit requirement. The applicant must already have, or must propose, an Oversight Board or Advisory Committee structure. If the structure is not in place at the start, the applicant needs a credible plan to establish it within 90 days of the award start date. This board or advisory function is intended to strengthen accountability, ensure the Center remains aligned with manufacturer needs, and provide a formal mechanism for oversight of Center operations.
Key administrative details from the opportunity listing include the funding opportunity title "Award Competition for Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Centers in the States of Arizona and Maryland with District of Columbia," opportunity number "2022 NIST MEP 02," and CFDA number 11.611. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary and uses the cooperative agreement instrument. The application closing date listed is 2022-10-30, and the posting (creation) date is 2022-08-01. The public summary does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards in the extracted data, but the intent is to select operators for the Arizona Center and the Maryland/DC Center through this competition.Apply for 2022 NIST MEP 02
- The National Institute of Standards and Technology in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Award Competition for Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Centers in the States of Arizona and Maryland with District of Columbia" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.611.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2022-08-01.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-10-30. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is a competitive federal grant opportunity from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to select organizations to operate Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Centers serving (1) Arizona and (2) Maryland, with the Maryland competition also covering service to the District of Columbia.
What is the official title of the opportunity?
The funding opportunity title is "Award Competition for Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Centers in the States of Arizona and Maryland with District of Columbia."
What is the opportunity number?
The opportunity number is 2022 NIST MEP 02.
What is the CFDA number?
The CFDA number listed is 11.611.
What type of funding instrument will be used?
Awards will be made as cooperative agreements. That means the selected operator is expected to work in close coordination with NIST, rather than receiving a more hands-off grant.
Is this a competitive process or a renewal of the existing MEP Centers?
It is a competitive process. The incumbent operator is not automatically renewed. NIST is conducting an open competition to determine the next operator for each Center.
Why is NIST running this competition now?
This competition is required by federal law under the MEP statute (15 U.S.C. 278k). When an MEP Center has operated for 10 consecutive years, NIST must hold a competition to determine which eligible entity will run the Center going forward. The existing Arizona and Maryland Centers are approaching that 10-year mark.
Which geographies are covered by this opportunity?
The opportunity is to operate MEP Center services in Arizona and in Maryland, with the Maryland competition including service coverage for the District of Columbia.
How many Center operators does NIST intend to select under this opportunity?
Based on the public summary, the intent is to select operators for two Center service areas: one for Arizona and one for Maryland/District of Columbia. The extracted listing data does not specify an expected number of awards.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited by statute. Applicants must be U.S.-based and fall into one of the following categories:
- Nonprofit institutions (including consortia of nonprofits)
- Institutions of higher education
- State, territorial, local, or tribal governments
Can the current (incumbent) MEP Centers apply?
Yes. Incumbent MEP Centers are allowed to apply as long as they have received financial assistance for 10 consecutive years and are determined by the Secretary to be in good standing.
What is the core purpose of the MEP Center awards?
The core purpose is to deliver manufacturing extension services to small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs). The summary describes services such as hands-on technical assistance, business improvement support, and access to expertise that helps manufacturers become more productive and competitive.
What kinds of services are MEP Centers expected to provide under this opportunity?
The public summary highlights manufacturing extension services for SMMs, including hands-on technical assistance, business improvement support, and connecting manufacturers to expertise aimed at improving productivity and competitiveness.
What does it mean to become part of the MEP National Network?
Awardees will become part of the MEP National Network, a nationwide system that includes 51 MEP Centers (one in every state plus Puerto Rico) and a broader footprint of roughly 1,400 advisors and experts across about 450 service locations.
Are selected Centers expected to follow national program requirements?
Yes. Joining the MEP National Network means the Arizona and Maryland/DC Centers are expected to align with MEP program expectations, performance management, reporting requirements, and national initiatives, while still tailoring services to local manufacturer needs.
Can an applicant delegate Center management to a partner or another organization?
NIST generally will not fund proposals that delegate or transfer the applicant's core responsibilities for Center management and oversight to another entity. Partnerships and subcontractors may support service delivery, but the applicant is expected to retain control and accountability for governance, strategy, performance, and compliance.
Is an Oversight Board or Advisory Committee required?
Yes. The applicant must already have, or must propose, an Oversight Board or Advisory Committee structure to support accountability and oversight of Center operations.
What if an applicant does not have an Oversight Board or Advisory Committee in place at the start?
If the structure is not in place at the start, the applicant must present a credible plan to establish it within 90 days of the award start date.
What is the opportunity category?
The opportunity is categorized as discretionary.
What is the application closing date?
The application closing date listed is 2022-10-30.
What is the posting (creation) date for this opportunity?
The posting (creation) date listed is 2022-08-01.
Does the public summary list an award ceiling or the expected number of awards?
No. The extracted public summary data does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards.
What is a key takeaway for applicants about accountability and control?
The applicant is expected to maintain real control over Center operations (including management and oversight), while coordinating closely with NIST under a cooperative agreement and aligning with national MEP expectations.
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