Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Availability of Funds for MEP State Relations Support | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What agency is offering this grant opportunity?

This funding opportunity is offered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) under its Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program.

2) What is the official funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is "2011 NIST MEP STATE PARTNERSHIPS."

3) What type of award will be made?

The award will be made as a cooperative agreement, meaning the selected recipient is expected to work closely with NIST MEP rather than operating fully independently.

4) What is the overall purpose of this cooperative agreement?

The purpose is to improve the productivity and technological performance of U.S. manufacturers by strengthening coordination between MEP Centers and federal MEP leadership and key state-level stakeholders that influence manufacturing-related policy, funding, and programs.

5) What kinds of stakeholders is the project meant to engage?

The opportunity emphasizes engagement with state governments, economic development organizations, universities, and other partners. Examples mentioned include state agency leaders, policymakers, and practitioners involved in technology-driven and workforce-based economic development planning and implementation.

6) What are the required project areas applicants must address?

Applicants are expected to address two required areas: (1) network building and expansion and (2) research, knowledge development, and sharing.

7) What does "network building and expansion" involve?

This area focuses on relationship development and strategic engagement across states. The recipient will collaborate with NIST MEP, MEP Centers, and other partners to build and deepen working relationships with a broad set of state-level stakeholders.

8) What is meant by providing "state relations support services"?

The recipient is expected to help the MEP system better understand and respond to state priorities by sharing intelligence on stakeholder agendas, risks, opportunities, and the realities of state budget environments. This includes trend and issue monitoring to inform engagement and coordination.

9) What kinds of "intelligence" or monitoring is expected under the network-building area?

The description includes sharing intelligence on stakeholder agendas, risks, and opportunities, plus monitoring trends and issues and the realities of state budget environments that can affect manufacturing-related programs and partnerships.

10) Does the opportunity require convening meetings or facilitating dialogue?

Yes. The recipient is expected to propose and help implement ways to encourage structured dialogue among states, MEP Centers, partner organizations, and industry, and to convene meetings when needed to move partnerships forward.

11) What topics should structured dialogue cover?

The opportunity highlights discussions on how MEP partner networks and next-generation initiatives align with state strategies, and how manufacturers and the public benefit from manufacturing extension services.

12) Does the project include helping prioritize which states need attention?

Yes. The network-building area explicitly includes helping the MEP system prioritize which states need focused attention and developing engagement strategies to address opportunities or concerns.

13) Are communications activities part of the expected work?

Yes. The recipient is expected to recommend effective communication approaches as part of supporting and advancing state-MEP relationships.

14) What does the second required area (research, knowledge development, and sharing) involve?

In this area, the recipient functions as a knowledge hub that compiles and analyzes information on topics shaping state-MEP relationships and the broader operating environment for manufacturing support.

15) What specific topics should be tracked and synthesized under the research/knowledge hub area?

The opportunity mentions tracking and synthesizing information on current state budgets, economic development and technology policy initiatives, program evaluation practices, and the evolving nature of partnerships among states, MEP Centers, industry, and NIST.

16) Is the goal just to collect information, or to produce practical outputs?

The stated intent is not just to collect information, but to turn it into practical insights that help MEP partners sustain and improve relationships with states.

17) Is technical assistance included in the expected scope?

Yes. The recipient is expected to collaborate with the broader MEP system to provide technical assistance to address partnership or implementation problems as they arise.

18) Does this project need to serve the entire country or can it be regional?

NIST emphasizes that the recipient must be able to provide nationwide access to the state relations support services. The project should have reach and relevance across the full MEP network rather than serving only a limited region.

19) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based nonprofit institutions or organizations and entities or agencies of state or local government.

20) Are universities and community colleges eligible?

Yes. The solicitation explicitly includes universities and community colleges among eligible applicants.

21) Are independent nonprofit organizations eligible?

Yes. Independent nonprofit organizations are explicitly included among eligible applicants.

22) Are state and local government agencies eligible?

Yes. Entities or agencies of state or local government are eligible.

23) Are consortia allowed to apply?

Yes. Consortia made up of eligible entities are allowed.

24) Is there a cost sharing or matching requirement?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is listed for this opportunity.

25) What is the CFDA number associated with this program?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 11.609 (Measurement and Engineering Research and Standards).

26) How is this opportunity categorized?

It is categorized under science and technology and other research and development activities.

27) When was the opportunity posted?

The posted date is February 10, 2011.

28) What was the application deadline?

Applications had to be received or postmarked by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on March 11, 2011.

29) Did the deadline apply regardless of how the application was submitted?

Yes. The deadline applied regardless of submission method, including courier, express mail, or electronic submission.

30) When was the opportunity archived?

The opportunity was archived on April 11, 2011.

31) Who was the listed contact for help accessing the full announcement?

The listed contact was Christopher Hunton, Grants Technical Assistant.

32) What contact phone number was provided for assistance?

The phone number provided was 301-975-5718.