Opportunity Information: Apply for MBDA OBD 2016 2004580

  • The DOC in the business and commerce, environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Advanced Manufacturing Project" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.802.
  • This funding opportunity was created on May 04, 2016 and posted on May 04, 2016.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 17, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,250,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
Apply for MBDA OBD 2016 2004580

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Opportunity Summary:

The Advanced Manufacturing Project (AMP) is a U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) funding opportunity issued through the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) to strengthen minority business enterprises (MBEs) operating in or moving into advanced manufacturing. The announcement anticipates four competitive awards, each of which must be based in one of the 50 U.S. states or Puerto Rico. The program is set up to expand the pipeline of minority-owned manufacturers that can participate in specialized advanced manufacturing support systems, while also improving their ability to win contracts, access capital, and grow employment.

At its core, AMP is designed to find and engage MBEs, evaluate whether they are ready for advanced manufacturing-focused assistance, and then actively connect them to specialized programs that can accelerate modernization and competitiveness. A key example named in the opportunity is the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), which is widely known for hands-on support to manufacturers around process improvement, technology adoption, quality systems, supply chain integration, and operational upgrades. In addition to referrals, AMP awardees are expected to provide direct technical assistance and business development services to MBEs. These services are framed around practical outcomes: helping firms become more competitive, better positioned for procurement opportunities, and more capable of securing financing needed for growth and modernization.

The grant emphasizes measurable economic impacts, especially increased financing and contracting opportunities for participating MBEs and the creation and retention of jobs. In practice, that means funded projects are expected to help minority manufacturers prepare for and pursue new revenue opportunities, including public and private sector contracts, supplier diversity channels, and broader manufacturing supply chains. It also implies strengthening fundamentals that make financing more attainable, such as business planning, cost and pricing practices, operational readiness, certifications or compliance preparation where relevant, and lender- or investor-ready documentation.

Beyond firm-level support, AMP includes a broader market and policy awareness component. Awardees are expected to assess regulatory changes affecting manufacturing in both domestic and global markets, evaluate economic conditions and the demonstrated need for minority manufacturers, and use that analysis to inform stakeholders. The opportunity also places weight on education and outreach to federal, state, and local governments, as well as private sector entities, on practical ways to expand resources and increase utilization of minority manufacturers. In other words, the program is not only about helping MBEs become more capable; it is also about helping institutions and large buyers understand how to better engage minority manufacturers and improve the overall ecosystem of support.

Administratively, this is a discretionary federal funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement, which typically indicates substantial federal involvement during the period of performance compared with a standard grant. The opportunity is categorized under business and commerce and also touches areas tied to science and technology and other research and development, reflecting the advanced manufacturing focus. The CFDA listing associated with the opportunity is 11.802. The award ceiling is $1,250,000, with four awards expected. The funding opportunity number is MBDA OBD 2016 2004580. The posting date and creation date are May 4, 2016, and the closing date for applications is June 17, 2016. Eligibility is listed as "Others" with clarification referenced in the full announcement, meaning applicants would need to consult the eligibility section of the notice for the specific organizational types allowed and any restrictions.

Overall, AMP is structured as a capacity-building and matchmaking initiative for minority-owned manufacturers: identify qualified firms, connect them to advanced manufacturing assistance (including programs like NIST MEP), provide hands-on technical and business development help, and drive concrete outcomes in contracting, financing, and job growth, while simultaneously analyzing regulatory and economic trends and educating public and private partners to better support and purchase from minority manufacturers.

Advanced Manufacturing Project (AMP) Grant - Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is the Advanced Manufacturing Project (AMP)?

The Advanced Manufacturing Project (AMP) is a U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) funding opportunity issued through the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). It is designed to strengthen minority business enterprises (MBEs) that operate in advanced manufacturing or are preparing to move into advanced manufacturing.

2) What is the main goal of AMP?

AMP aims to expand the pipeline of minority-owned manufacturers that can participate in specialized advanced manufacturing support systems, while improving their ability to win contracts, access capital, and grow employment. In practice, the program focuses on identifying MBEs, assessing readiness, connecting them to specialized manufacturing assistance programs, and delivering direct technical and business support tied to measurable economic outcomes.

3) Who is offering this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) through the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA).

4) What type of funding instrument is AMP using?

AMP is a discretionary federal funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement. A cooperative agreement typically indicates substantial federal involvement during the project period compared with a standard grant.

5) How many awards are expected?

The announcement anticipates four competitive awards.

6) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $1,250,000.

7) Where must an AMP-funded project be located?

Each award must be based in one of the 50 U.S. states or Puerto Rico.

8) What kinds of businesses does AMP ultimately aim to support?

AMP focuses on minority business enterprises (MBEs), particularly minority-owned manufacturers operating in advanced manufacturing or moving into advanced manufacturing.

9) Is AMP only for firms already in advanced manufacturing, or also for firms transitioning into it?

Based on the description, AMP is intended for MBEs that are already operating in advanced manufacturing as well as those that are moving into advanced manufacturing.

10) What does AMP mean by "advanced manufacturing-focused assistance"?

The opportunity emphasizes specialized support that accelerates modernization and competitiveness. Examples referenced include help with process improvement, technology adoption, quality systems, supply chain integration, and operational upgrades, as well as broader business development assistance that improves contracting and financing readiness.

11) What role does the NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) play in AMP?

The funding opportunity specifically names the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) as a key example of a specialized advanced manufacturing support system that AMP projects can connect MBEs to. NIST MEP is noted for hands-on support to manufacturers in areas such as process improvement, technology adoption, quality systems, supply chain integration, and operational upgrades.

12) Are AMP awardees expected to provide services directly to MBEs, or only make referrals?

AMP awardees are expected to do both: connect MBEs to specialized external programs (such as NIST MEP) and provide direct technical assistance and business development services to MBEs.

13) What kinds of direct technical assistance and business development services are expected?

The services are framed around practical outcomes, including helping firms become more competitive, better positioned for procurement opportunities, and more capable of securing financing needed for growth and modernization. The description also implies support that strengthens fundamentals like business planning, cost and pricing practices, operational readiness, and preparation of lender- or investor-ready documentation. Where relevant, it may include certifications or compliance preparation.

14) What outcomes does AMP emphasize measuring?

The grant emphasizes measurable economic impacts, especially increased financing and contracting opportunities for participating MBEs and the creation and retention of jobs.

15) What kinds of contracting opportunities does AMP expect participating MBEs to pursue?

Funded projects are expected to help minority manufacturers prepare for and pursue new revenue opportunities that can include public and private sector contracts, supplier diversity channels, and broader manufacturing supply chains.

16) How does AMP relate to capital access and financing?

AMP places explicit weight on increasing financing opportunities for participating MBEs. The description suggests strengthening business fundamentals that make financing more attainable, including business planning, cost and pricing practices, operational readiness, and creating lender- or investor-ready documentation needed for growth and modernization.

17) Does AMP include any work beyond helping individual firms?

Yes. AMP includes a broader market and policy awareness component. Awardees are expected to assess regulatory changes affecting manufacturing in domestic and global markets, evaluate economic conditions and the demonstrated need for minority manufacturers, and use that analysis to inform stakeholders.

18) What does AMP require related to regulatory or market analysis?

Awardees are expected to assess regulatory changes impacting manufacturing in domestic and global markets and evaluate economic conditions and the demonstrated need for minority manufacturers. The results of this analysis should be used to inform stakeholders.

19) What does AMP say about outreach and education to other organizations?

The opportunity places weight on education and outreach to federal, state, and local governments, as well as private sector entities, on practical ways to expand resources and increase utilization of minority manufacturers. This is framed as improving how institutions and large buyers engage minority manufacturers and strengthening the broader support ecosystem.

20) What program area categories does AMP fall under?

The opportunity is categorized under business and commerce and also touches areas tied to science and technology and other research and development, reflecting the advanced manufacturing focus.

21) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA listing associated with the opportunity is 11.802.

22) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is MBDA OBD 2016 2004580.

23) When was the opportunity posted, and what are the key dates?

The posting date and creation date are May 4, 2016. The closing date for applications is June 17, 2016.

24) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as "Others," with clarification referenced in the full announcement. That means applicants would need to consult the eligibility section of the official notice to confirm which organizational types are allowed and whether any restrictions apply.

25) Is AMP focused more on capacity-building or on direct purchasing commitments?

Based on the description provided, AMP is structured as a capacity-building and matchmaking initiative. It focuses on identifying qualified minority-owned manufacturers, assessing readiness, connecting them to advanced manufacturing assistance programs, providing hands-on technical and business development support, and driving concrete outcomes in contracting, financing, and job growth. It also includes outreach to increase utilization of minority manufacturers by public and private sector partners, but it is not described as a direct purchasing commitment.

26) What does "pipeline of minority-owned manufacturers" mean in the context of AMP?

In this opportunity, "pipeline" refers to increasing the number of minority-owned manufacturing firms that are identified, assessed for readiness, and brought into specialized advanced manufacturing support systems so they can modernize, compete more effectively, and pursue contracting and financing opportunities that drive growth and employment.

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