MEP State Competition Kick-Off Conference

Time

Session

Purpose and Lead

Arrival and Registration

Welcome participants, review safety and logistical information, establish conference objectives and expected outcomes, and orient attendees to the 2.5-day program

Bryana Head, Competition Administrator

Introduce each newly awarded Center to the MEP community with concise remarks highlighting priority sectors, principal technology focus, and one significant first-year opportunity or implementation risk.

Bryana Head, Competition Administrator

Welcome new award recipients to NIST; connect the MEP mission to NIST's broader role in measurement science, innovation, and U.S. competitiveness; and underscore the importance of the MEP National Network in strengthening U.S. manufacturing.

Arvind Raman, Ph.D., Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology & Director, National Institute of Standards and Technology

Provide executive-level context on NIST and Department of Commerce priorities affecting innovation, advanced manufacturing, technology adoption, and industrial competitiveness, and illustrate how MEP Center activities contribute to these national priorities.

Eric Lin, Acting Associate Director for Innovation and Industry Services

Set leadership expectations for effective award implementation, Center accountability, and collaboration across the MEP National Network, with emphasis on translating approved award objectives into measurable outcomes for U.S. manufacturers.

G. Nagesh Rao, Acting Director and Deputy Director for Manufacturing Extension Partnership

Break

Review the NOFO's goals and objectives, and connect sector focus, technology adoption, ecosystem investment, financing, workforce, and network partnership expectations to the Center's execution. Introduce expected Operating Outcomes to connect objectives with program performance.

Nico Thomas, Acting Division Chief, Performance Evaluation, Economic Impacts , Mellissa Ayala, Division Chief, Network Agreements Management

Introduce MEP's performance measurement and management approach and explain how Centers will use performance information to assess implementation of program goals and objectives, monitor progress, support management decisions, and demonstrate results.

Nico Thomas, Acting Division Chief, Performance Evaluation, Economic Impacts

Introduce Centers to the respective roles of the Office of Advanced Manufacturing (OAM) and the Technology Partnerships Office (TPO), which support award implementation and broader engagement across NIST. TPO will provide an overview of NIST's technology-transfer ecosystem and the intersections between MEP Center technology priorities and NIST research, intellectual property, commercialization, and technology-transfer activities. Highlight opportunities for OAM and TPO to help Centers navigate NIST technology resources, identify collaboration pathways, and strengthen connections between NIST innovations and U.S. manufacturers.

Zahraha “Zara” Brunner, Division Chief, Partnerships and Outreach, Office of Advanced Manufacturin, Brad Conrad, Ph.D., Workforce Development, Partnerships and Outreach, Office of Advanced Manufacturing, Bethany Loftin, Director, Technology Partnerships Office

Lunch

Build Center's understanding of the Notice of Award, including its structure, incorporated requirements, and Specific Award Conditions. Clarify administrative and programmatic responsibilities that support compliant award execution from the outset.

Samantha Kuhn, Grants Officer, Financial Assistance Agreements Management Office

Strengthen awareness of recipient responsibilities related to fraud, waste, and abuse prevention; internal controls; subrecipient monitoring, conflicts of interest; procurement; records; and reporting concerns.

Kathleen Rendeiro, Office of Inspector General

Break

Clarify the complementary roles of the Federal Program Manager, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Officer, and Center leadership. Establish communication, coordination, and escalation pathways to support timely issue resolution and effective award administration.

Mellissa Ayala, Division Chief, Network Agreements Management , Nadine DeJesus, Group Manager, Federal Program Managers, Federal Assistance Agreements Management Office

Review applicable oversight and advisory board requirements, including establishment timelines, governance responsibilities, conflicts-of-interest considerations, core management functions, and required organizational documentation.

Thomas Williams, Federal Program Manager , Nadine DeJesus, Group Manager

Reinforce key Day 1 expectations, surface questions requiring follow-up, and connect leadership and award-stewardship discussions to the technical and Center-focused sessions planned for Day 2.

Mellissa Ayala, Division Chief, Network Agreements Management

Time

Session

Purpose and Lead

Reconnect participants to the conference objectives, review Day 2 technical priorities, confirm laboratory tour protocols and group assignments, and prepare Centers for scheduled discussions with their federal teams.

Bryana Head, Competition Administrator

Provide an executive-level perspective on NIST's laboratory enterprise and opportunities for stronger collaboration between NIST laboratories and the MEP National Network. Highlight how NIST's intramural research capabilities, technical expertise, facilities, and emerging technology priorities can complement MEP's extramural mission and support U.S. manufacturers. Encourage Centers to identify opportunities to connect manufacturers with relevant NIST expertise and establish sustained pathways for technical engagement, technology transfer, and collaboration.

Dr. Shyam Sunder, Associate Director of Laboratory Programs, NIST

Introduce NIST laboratory capabilities relevant to Center technology priorities, including robotics and smart manufacturing, Super Intelligence and cybersecurity, industrial wireless, advanced materials and biotechnology, and precision/process metrology. Highlight pathways for future technical engagement.

Jyoti Malhotra, Division Chief, National Programs and Platforms , NIST Laboratory Programs

Present MEP's evolving approach to the Pilot program, technical and manufacturing operational services, including the Community of Practice model, technology-focused RCAP outcomes, supplier scouting, and strategic interagency partnerships that advance ecosystem development and technology adoption.

Jyoti Malhotra, Division Chief, National Programs and Platforms

Break

Lunch

Dedicated Center consultations are divided into two consecutive 45-minute blocks. Centers should report directly to the room listed for each block.

Assigned FPM + FAAMO Grants Management Specialist;  Mellissa Ayala, Division Chief, Network Agreements Management

Orient Centers to the General Terms and Conditions governing their cooperative agreements and explain how applicable requirements translate into day-to-day award management, documentation, financial stewardship, and program execution. Understand single audit requirements and GAO/OIG audit readiness.

 Nadine DeJesus, Group Manager

Reconvene participants to summarize recurring themes from Center consultations, identify questions requiring post-conference follow-up, and confirm responsibilities and next steps for continued coordination with Federal teams.

Andrew Nobleman, Federal Program Manager

Time

Session

Purpose and Lead

Reconnect participants to the conference's key themes, address priority questions carried forward from Days 1 and 2, and frame Day 3 around performance management, reporting, and disciplined execution during the first 90 days of the award.

Bryana Head, Competition Administrator

Establish a shared understanding of required reporting obligations, submission schedules, documentation standards, data stewardship, and Federal/Center responsibilities. Emphasize practices that support complete, accurate, timely, and decision-useful technical reporting.

Nico Thomas, Acting Division Chief, Performance Evaluation, Economic Impacts, and Operations

Provide an overview of Single Audit requirements, other NIST MEP reviews, and audit documentation expectations for NIST MEP Centers. Participants will learn about financial management responsibilities, record-keeping requirements, internal controls and GAO/OIG audit readiness.

Joi Neal, Audit Liaison and Program Analyst

Break

Provide an interactive forum for Centers to raise remaining grants-management and cooperative-agreement questions following the Day 1 administration briefing. Clarify requirements, resolve common points of uncertainty, and identify issues requiring individualized follow-up.

Mike Teske, Grants Officer, Financial Assistance Agreements Management Office

Illustrate how Centers can actively participate in the MEP National Network by exchanging expertise, sharing project learning, connecting manufacturers to national resources, and engaging in network-wide initiatives.  Existing Center leaders will offer practical perspectives on effective collaboration.

Megean Blum, Chief of Staff, MEP, 2-3 Existing MEP Center Directors

Learn what marketing resources are available to MEP Centers including branding guidelines, one-pagers, co-brandable infographics, and Center pages on the NIST MEP website.

Nicole Ausherman, Senior Communications Specialist, MEP

Translate conference guidance into a practical 30-, 60-, and 90-day implementation framework. Center teams will identify priority actions for governance, staffing, partnerships, sector mapping, service delivery, financial controls, performance measures, and Federal-team communications; review expected Operating Outcomes and confirm key deliverables, owners, and due dates.

Mellissa Ayala, Division Chief, Nadine DeJesus, Group Manager, FPMs, Network Agreements Management

Conclude the kickoff by reinforcing immediate award-execution priorities, the Centers' role within the MEP National Network, and expectations for sustained partnership with Federal teams. Confirm the transition from conference planning to implementation and provide final leadership remarks.

G. Nagesh Rao, Acting Director and Deputy Director for Manufacturing Extension Partnership