Notice2026-10105
MEP Pilot Program
Primary source
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Published
May 20, 2026
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Institute of Standards and Technology
Abstract
The Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is initiating a competitive pilot program for existing MEP center(s) to accelerate the adoption and commercialization of advanced manufacturing technologies that enhance the competitiveness of the domestic industrial base. This program will target key sectors where MEP center(s) will lead the development and validation of shared technology frameworks to substantially accelerate the acceptance of advanced manufacturing methods or transform fragmented supply chains into a robust ecosystem. These frameworks will provide a foundation for small- and medium-sized manufacturers to establish capabilities for future production needs or reduce barriers to entry into new markets. Two manufacturing technology topics have been identified for this pilot program: (1) additive manufacturing for aerospace components; and (2) a domestic critical minerals supply chain. This NOI is provided to allow potential applicants time to begin developing proposal strategies and establishing collaborations among industry, academic, Federal laboratory, and state/local government partners.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 97 (Wednesday, May 20, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 97 (Wednesday, May 20, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29459-29460]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-10105]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards and Technology
[Docket Number: NIST-2026-0067]
MEP Pilot Program
AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, U.S. Department
of Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of intent (NOI).
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SUMMARY: The Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) at the
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is initiating a
competitive pilot program for existing MEP center(s) to accelerate the
adoption and commercialization of advanced manufacturing technologies
that enhance the competitiveness of the domestic industrial base. This
program will target key sectors where MEP center(s) will lead the
development and validation of shared technology frameworks to
substantially accelerate the acceptance of advanced manufacturing
methods or transform fragmented supply chains into a robust ecosystem.
These frameworks will provide a foundation for small- and
[[Page 29460]]
medium-sized manufacturers to establish capabilities for future
production needs or reduce barriers to entry into new markets. Two
manufacturing technology topics have been identified for this pilot
program: (1) additive manufacturing for aerospace components; and (2) a
domestic critical minerals supply chain. This NOI is provided to allow
potential applicants time to begin developing proposal strategies and
establishing collaborations among industry, academic, Federal
laboratory, and state/local government partners.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: All inquiries may be directed to Jyoti
Malhotra or Jessie Zhang (301-975-5020) via email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8ce1eaebcce2e5fff8a2ebe3fa"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2e4348496e40475d5a00494158">[email protected]</span></a>, with
the subject line: ``MEP Technology Accelerator Pilot Program.'' All
answers, which will be provided at the sole discretion of NIST, will be
posted on the NIST competition website at <a href="https://www.nist.gov/mep/about-nist-mep/notice-funding-opportunities/open-notice-funding-opportunities">https://www.nist.gov/mep/about-nist-mep/notice-funding-opportunities/open-notice-funding-opportunities</a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose
MEP intends to announce a pilot program to accelerate the adoption
and commercialization of advanced manufacturing technologies that
enhance the competitiveness of the domestic industrial base. This
competition will focus on two goals: (1) accelerating the use of
additive manufacturing for aerospace components; and (2) accelerating
the establishment of a domestic critical minerals supply chain.
The pilot program will be established and will operate in
accordance with 15 U.S.C. 278k-1. For general planning purposes, the
expected NIST commitment will be approximately $20 million per pilot
project over a 2-year period using available funds appropriated in 2025
and 2026. The competition will be open only to current MEP Center
primary awardees and to consortiums of current MEP Center primary
awardees.
This NOI is provided to allow potential applicants time to begin
developing proposal strategies and establishing collaborations among
industry, academic, Federal laboratory, and state/local government
partners. Details in this NOI should also inform discussions at two
planned events: (1) a virtual public meeting to fulfill the
requirements of 15 U.S.C. 278k-1(c)(1); and (2) a planned MEP Pilot
Industry Day where NIST will share information about the opportunity
and landscape, convey timeline and next steps, and promote teaming.
NIST expects to announce the competition via a Notice of Funding
Opportunity (NOFO) on <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> at: <a href="https://www.grants.gov">https://www.grants.gov</a> in the
second quarter of calendar year 2026. NIST reserves the right to refine
eligibility, program structure, cost, and other program details in the
eventual NOFO. In the event of any inconsistency between the NOI and
the NOFO, the NOFO shall take precedence.
The proposed pilot program will not reduce the number of active MEP
centers.
Background
Program Background
The MEP National Network<SUP>TM</SUP> is a public-private
partnership that aims to deliver comprehensive solutions to U.S.
manufacturers. Through collaborations at the Federal, state, and local
levels, MEP centers work with manufacturers to improve production
efficiency, develop new products and customers, expand and diversify
markets, adopt new technologies, strengthen workforce strategies, and
enhance value within supply chains. MEP centers are connected to the
MEP National Network<SUP>TM</SUP> to learn and share distinctive
practices.
Transformative technologies such as artificial intelligence,
automation, and additive manufacturing are driving leaps in
productivity that improve America's standing in both global economic
competitiveness and national security. This pilot program aims to
leverage the MEP National Network<SUP>TM</SUP>, NIST's measurement
science programs, the NIST-coordinated Manufacturing USA network, and
partnerships with other Federal agencies to accelerate the adoption and
commercialization of advanced manufacturing technologies that enhance
the competitiveness of the domestic industrial base. To succeed,
advanced technologies must be deployed throughout the full
manufacturing ecosystem, from large manufacturing plants to component
makers at all levels of the supply chain, especially small and medium-
sized manufacturers (SMMs).
Applicants for this pilot program are expected to lead the
development and validation of shared technology frameworks that can
substantially accelerate the acceptance of advanced manufacturing
methods or transform fragmented supply chains into a robust ecosystem.
These frameworks can help small and medium-sized manufacturers
establish capabilities for future production needs and enter new
markets. This competition will focus on two goals in furtherance of the
interlinked national priorities: (1) accelerating the use of additive
manufacturing for aerospace components; and (2) accelerating the
establishment of a domestic critical minerals supply chain. The goal of
this pilot program is to identify pathways for technology demonstration
and transition to market to revolutionize industrial supply chains in
the United States. This will reduce our dependency on foreign
industrial capabilities, spur domestic competitiveness, and enable U.S.
leadership in these critical areas of interest, thus meeting economic
and national security priorities set forth by the Administration.
This pilot program will form hubs where government agencies,
industry leaders, and academic researchers collaborate to deliver
technical platforms that accelerate the adoption of manufacturing
technologies, securing our nation's leadership position into the
future.
Competition Information
Once the competition has been announced, further information may be
found at <a href="https://www.nist.gov/mep/about-nist-mep/notice-funding-opportunities/open-notice-funding-opportunities">https://www.nist.gov/mep/about-nist-mep/notice-funding-opportunities/open-notice-funding-opportunities</a>.
Disclaimer
This NOI does not constitute a solicitation. No applications may be
submitted in response to this NOI. In the future, NIST will post a NOFO
on <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> that will provide the full requirements for applying for
an assistance award. When published, information within the NOFO will
supersede in its entirety any information provided by this NOI. Any
inconsistency between information within this NOI and the expected NOFO
announcing the MEP Technology Accelerator Pilot Program shall be
resolved in favor of the NOFO.
Authority
The statutory authority for the MEP Technology Accelerator Pilot
Program is found at 15 U.S.C. 278k-1.
Alicia Chambers,
NIST Executive Secretariat.
[FR Doc. 2026-10105 Filed 5-19-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P
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