Manufacturing Extension Partnership Center State Competition

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), under the U.S. Department of Commerce, is seeking qualified applicants to establish and operate a Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Center serving the states of Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Vermont, as well as the U.S. Territory of Puerto Rico. This opportunity is issued as a non-competitive funding announcement under solicitation number 2026-NIST-MEP-02, with applications due by August 21, 2026. The award will be structured as a cooperative agreement with an initial performance period of up to five years, potentially extendable for an additional five years contingent on performance and funding availability, with an estimated start date of October 1, 2026. The federal funding range for the five-year period varies by region, with minimum awards of $3.5 million and maximums up to $78.2 million, depending on regional manufacturing needs and scale of operations. Applicants must demonstrate a strategic, data-driven approach to expanding access to advanced manufacturing technologies—such as robotics, AI, and automation—for small and medium-sized manufacturers, while coordinating with public and private ecosystem partners, including state agencies, academic institutions, and capital providers. Evaluation is based on a weighted point system across three core areas: Project Narrative (40 points), Applicant Qualifications and Organizational Structure (30 points), and Budget and Cost Share (30 points), with a minimum threshold of 70 out of 100 to be considered fundable. Proposals must include detailed project narratives capped at 25 pages, an executive summary of no more than 2 pages, and resumes for key personnel limited to 2 pages each. Required attachments include SF-424, SF-424A, CD-511, SF-LLL, Letters of Commitment for cost share and key personnel, a Current and Pending Support Form, an Intellectual Property Plan, and a Single-Year Budget Workbook. Non-federal cost share must be clearly documented, allowable under 2 C.F.R. Part 200, and may include cash or in-kind contributions, with subrecipient obligations fully assumed by the recipient if unmet. Oversight must be governed by an independent advisory board composed primarily of small and medium-sized manufacturer representatives, with strict conflict-of-interest policies and governance documentation required. Compliance with federal regulations governs intellectual property rights, financial