NIST invites proposals from current recipients of Manufacturing Extension Partnership Center cooperative agreements (MEP Centers) to deploy advanced manufacturing technology services to U. S. manufacturers in the broad area of Industry / Manufacturing 4. 0, with an emphasis on serving the technology-based
needs of small U. S. manufacturers (hereinafter referred to as small U. S. manufacturers).
For the purpose of this program, Industry / Manufacturing 4. 0 includes any combination of technologies that, when implemented individually or collectively, enables the operation of digitally-connected, smart manufacturing systems within factories and across manufacturing supply chains.
Implementation of these Industry / Manufacturing 4. 0 technologies by small U. S. manufacturers should facilitate improved product quality and innovation, improved manufacturing process efficiency, and increased supply chain connectivity.
Ultimately, this should result in small U. S. manufacturers being more competitive in the marketplace and being afforded business growth opportunities.
See Section I.
in the Full Announcement Text of this NOFO.