NIST MEP Center State Competition for Florida FY2024

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Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

The NIST Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), authorized by 15 U.S.C. § 278k, is seeking applications from eligible applicants to enter into a cooperative agreement to operate an MEP Center in the State of Florida. The MEP Center will provide manufacturing extension services to small and mid-sized manufacturers (SMMs) in the State of Florida. The MEP Center will become part of the MEP National Network™, which consists of 51 MEP Centers located in every State and Puerto Rico, and over 1,440 trusted advisors and experts at approximately 460 MEP service locations. 

View a PDF of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) at grants.gov/search-results-detail/353886.

Please submit your proposals via www.grants.gov under Funding Opportunity Number 2024-NIST-MEP-01.

Anticipated Amounts: In Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24), NIST anticipates funding one (1) award for up to $5,319,200 per year, with a period of performance period of up to five (5) years. 

Funding Instrument: Cooperative Agreement

Eligibility
Per 15 U.S.C. § 278k(a)(5), eligibility is limited to United States-based nonprofit institutions, institutions of higher education, State, United States territory, local, or tribal governments or a consortium thereof, Per 15 U.S.C. § 278k(h)(2), incumbent MEP Centers that have received financial assistance for ten (10) consecutive years and that the Secretary determines are in good standing are eligible to apply under this NOFO. Please note that individuals and unincorporated sole proprietors are not considered “non-Federal entities” and are not eligible to apply under this NOFO. Although Federal entities are not eligible to receive funding under this NOFO, they may participate as unfunded collaborators. 

As discussed in Section I.2. of the NOFO, NIST generally will not fund applications that propose an organizational or operational structure that, in whole or in part, delegates or transfers to another person, institution, or organization the applicant’s responsibility for core MEP Center management and Oversight functions. In addition, the applicant must have or propose an Oversight Board or Advisory Committee structure or plan for establishing a board structure within 90 days from the award start date (Refer to Section I.2.(d) of this NOFO). See Section III.1. of the NOFO for additional information regarding the eligibility requirements for the MEP Center program.

Cost Sharing Requirements
Non-federal cost share is required. The MEP program requires non-Federal cost share of at least 50 percent of the total annual allowable project costs, unless otherwise directed by Congress. Section III.2. of the NOFO for more information on the non-federal cost sharing requirements under the MEP Center program. 

Competition Timeline

Below is an outline of key actions and dates. Updates and changes will be posted to this site as needed.

MEP Resources

The following resources are currently available:

• NIST MEP Strategic Plan

• Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Operating Outcome Plan Guidelines

• Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership General Terms & Conditions

• Required MEP Single-Year Budget Workbook Template

• Required Award Budget Summary Table Template

• Most recent MEP Annual Report

• FY 2021 Oversight Board Standards

Webinar Information Session
NIST MEP will conduct an informational webinar on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 10 a.m. ET. This webinar will provide general information regarding this NOFO, offer general guidance on preparing applications, and answer questions. Proprietary technical discussions about specific project ideas will not be permitted during the webinar and NIST staff will not critique or provide feedback on specific project ideas while they are being developed by an applicant, brought forth during the webinar, or at any time before the deadline for all applications. However, questions about the funding opportunity, eligibility requirements, evaluation and award criteria, selection process, and the general characteristics of a competitive application will be addressed at the webinar and by e-mail to mepnofo [at] nist.gov (mepnofo[at]nist[dot]gov). 

There is no cost to attend the webinar, but participants must register in advance.  To register, please provide your name and organization to mepnofo [at] nist.gov (mepnofo[at]nist[dot]gov).

Participation in the webinar is not required and will not be considered in the review and selection process. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Questions from applicants pertaining to NOFO eligibility, evaluation criteria and selection factors, selection process, and the general characteristics of a competitive proposal will not be considered on an informal basis. Applicants must submit all such questions in writing to mepnofo [at] nist.gov (mepnofo[at]nist[dot]gov). Answers to such written questions submitted to NIST MEP may be made available to the public as part of an FAQ document, which will be updated periodically on this page.