Award Competitions for Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Centers in the States of Alaska, Idaho, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Utah, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this funding opportunity called?

The opportunity is titled "Award Competitions for Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Centers in the States of Alaska, Idaho, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Utah, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin" (Funding Opportunity Number: 2015 NIST MEP 01).

2) Which federal agency is running this competition?

The competition is run by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

3) What type of federal funding is being offered?

Awards are expected to be made as cooperative agreements, which generally means NIST anticipates substantial involvement in the project beyond what is typical for a standard grant.

4) What is NIST trying to fund through this announcement?

NIST is seeking applicants to operate up to twelve separate Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Centers, with one cooperative agreement expected to be awarded for each of the listed states.

5) Which states are included in this competition?

The listed states are Alaska, Idaho, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

6) How many awards does NIST expect to make?

NIST expects to fund up to twelve separate MEP Centers, with one cooperative agreement expected for each of the listed states.

7) What is the overall goal of an MEP Center under this opportunity?

The aim is to ensure that each listed state has a designated organization responsible for delivering manufacturing extension services across the entire state, with a primary focus on supporting small and medium-sized manufacturers.

8) Is the MEP Center supposed to serve the whole state or only certain regions?

The notice describes the selected organization as responsible for delivering manufacturing extension services across the entire state.

9) How does a state MEP Center relate to the national MEP program?

The MEP program is presented as a national network. Selected awardees become part of the MEP system of service providers, described as consisting of more than 400 centers and field offices across the United States and Puerto Rico.

10) If selected, is the awardee operating a standalone program?

No. The notice indicates the awardee is expected to align with national MEP goals, reporting, and performance expectations while serving manufacturers locally.

11) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are limited to U.S.-based nonprofit institutions or organizations. The notice describes this nonprofit definition broadly, including certain public entities and governments.

12) What types of organizations count as eligible nonprofits for this competition?

The opportunity includes public and private nonprofit organizations, nonprofit or state colleges and universities, public or nonprofit community and technical colleges, and state, local, or Tribal governments.

13) Can a state, local, or Tribal government apply?

Yes. The eligible applicant pool described in the notice includes state, local, or Tribal governments.

14) Can colleges and universities apply?

Yes. The eligible applicant pool includes nonprofit or state colleges and universities, as well as public or nonprofit community and technical colleges.

15) Can existing MEP Centers apply, or is this only for new applicants?

Both existing MEP awardees and new applicants may apply, as long as they meet the eligibility requirements described in the funding opportunity notice.

16) Are eligibility requirements based on the standing MEP regulations?

The announcement states that the eligibility requirements in the funding opportunity notice apply in place of certain provisions in the standing MEP regulations (15 CFR part 290), referencing 15 CFR 290.5(a)(1).

17) Can an applicant apply alone or as part of a team?

Applicants may apply as a single organization or as a lead organization proposing a team approach.

18) Are partnerships or subawards allowed?

Yes. The notice indicates a team approach may use subawards to eligible entities or contracts with other organizations.

19) Does NIST allow the core work of running the center to be outsourced?

NIST indicates a strong preference that the applicant retain direct responsibility for core center management and oversight. In other words, partnerships are allowed, but the lead applicant is expected to truly run the center rather than outsource core leadership, governance, or operational control.

20) Is cost sharing or matching required?

Yes. The opportunity requires cost sharing or matching, meaning applicants should be prepared to bring non-federal resources as part of the proposed budget and operating plan.

21) What CFDA number is associated with this program?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 11.611 (Manufacturing Extension Partnership).

22) How is the program categorized?

The notice categorizes the program under science and technology and other research and development.

23) Where are the award amounts listed?

The notice says funding amounts are identified elsewhere in the full funding opportunity document (referenced as Section II.2 in the full announcement).

24) Where can applicants find the detailed requirements and evaluation criteria?

The notice references an "Additional Information" link labeled "2015 NIST MEP 01 Full Announcement/FFO document," which would contain funding levels by state, detailed program requirements, evaluation criteria, and full application instructions.

25) When was this opportunity posted?

The timeline shown in the notice states it was posted on March 9, 2015.

26) What was the application deadline?

The notice lists an original and current closing date of June 1, 2015.

27) When was the opportunity archived?

The notice lists an archive date of July 1, 2015.

28) How were applications required to be submitted?

Applications had to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov.

29) Were paper applications or email submissions allowed?

No. NIST stated it would not accept submissions by mail, fax, or email.

30) Who can be contacted for help accessing the full announcement?

The contact listed is Christopher Hunton, Grants Technical Assistant, reachable at 301-975-5718.

31) What is the expected role of the selected organization within the MEP network?

The selected organization is expected to operate a designated statewide center delivering manufacturing extension services and to function as part of the national MEP system, aligning with national goals and associated reporting and performance expectations.