The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program supports a broad range of activities and resources for advanced manufacturing (especially on behalf of small and mid-sized manufacturers) across the United States (including all 50 US States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico). The MEP program provides a venue for distribution of information about manufacturing needs and federal government sourcing opportunities pursuant to Executive Order 14005 on Strengthening Buy American Provisions in federal procurement and the recently-passed CHIPS and Science Act, among other national initiatives. These and other supplier scouting and supply chain development programs, combined with technical assistance initiatives across the MEP national network help enable U.S. manufacturers to connect with each other and with resources and expertise to help them integrate new technologies and processes including additive manufacturing, non-destructive evaluation, automation and model-based design and engineering. These programs also help to bring new opportunities, markets and customers to the additive manufacturing industry and engage more legacy manufacturing enterprises in the transition to advanced manufacturing technologies. The presentation will provide case studies of recent sourcing and market development activities helping smaller advanced manufacturing companies bring their capabilities and services to new markets and customers. The session will also provide an overview of avenues to connect with new opportunities across a variety of industries, including aviation, aerospace, defense, medical devices, semiconductors, and personal protective equipment, as well as the trend toward reshoring of US manufacturing supply chains overall and federal procurement.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the key elements of recent Buy American requirements, including Executive Orders 14005 and 14017, as well as the relevant provisions of Bipartisan Infrastructure, CHIPS, and Inflation Reduction Act(s)
- Understand how the Manufacturing Extension Partnership helps connect programs and prospective customers with manufacturers across the country who may be able to support their production needs
- Know who and how to connect with these opportunities and be able to highlight and prospectively grow their business and/or their in-house capabilities
