NIST MEP Center State Competition FY2025

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UPDATE: This opportunity has closed.

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 following states: Texas, Tennessee, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Michigan, Virginia, Connecticut, North Carolina, Oregon, Colorado, and Indiana. The MEP Center will provide manufacturing extension services to small and mid-sized manufacturers (SMMs). 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 the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) at https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/356693.

Please submit your proposals via www.grants.gov under Funding Opportunity Number 2025-NIST-MEP-01.

Anticipated Amounts
NIST anticipates funding one (1) award in each of the below States. Each award will have an initial period of performance of up to five (5) years and will be funded at the following anticipated levels: In FY25, NIST anticipates funding 11 awards for up to:

Eligibility
In accord with 15 U.S.C. § 278k(a)(5), eligibility for the program listed in this NOFO is open to a United States-based non-profit based institution, an institution of higher education, or a State, United States territory, local, or tribal government, or a consortium thereof. Per 15 U.S.C.§ 278k(h)(2), operators of 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. The eligibility requirements set forth in this NOFO will be used in lieu of, and to the extent they are inconsistent with will supersede, those given in the MEP regulations found at 15 C.F.R. part 290, specifically 15 C.F.R. § 290.5(a)(1).   

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 this 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.

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. 

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
A pre-recorded informational webinar is available. This webinar provides general information regarding this NOFO and offers general guidance on preparing applications. The presentation slides are also available and provide key information, including eligibility requirements, application guidelines, and deadlines.

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 (it will be updated as soon as we receive questions about this NOFO), which will be updated periodically on this page.