NIST to Fund Organizations in 11 States to Operate Manufacturing Centers

The Commerce Department‘s National Institute of Standards and Technology has begun the fourth round of competitions for cooperative funding agreement opportunities for Manufacturing Extension Partnership centers across 11 states.

NIST said Thursday it will provide a potential $60 million to fund organizations in Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota, South Carolina and Wyoming to operate the MEP centers provide a variety of customized technical services for small and medium-sized manufacturers.

“This is the final round of a multiyear, nationwide process of open competitions in our efforts to ensure that small and medium-sized manufacturers across the country have access to the resources they need to innovate and grow,” said Willie May, NIST Director.

NIST noted the awards will have five-year performance periods and potential for an additional five-year period depending on the availability of funds and the performance levels met by the awardees.