{ "id": "R44308", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "R", "number": "R44308", "active": true, "source": "CRSReports.Congress.gov, EveryCRSReport.com", "versions": [ { "source_dir": "crsreports.congress.gov", "title": "The Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program", "retrieved": "2021-01-27T04:03:43.842882", "id": "R44308_23_2021-01-04", "formats": [ { "filename": "files/2021-01-04_R44308_81ac019686338ffa2227a46712d9174afc5e03c2.pdf", "format": "PDF", "url": "https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R44308/23", "sha1": "81ac019686338ffa2227a46712d9174afc5e03c2" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/2021-01-04_R44308_81ac019686338ffa2227a46712d9174afc5e03c2.html" } ], "date": "2021-01-04", "summary": null, "source": "CRSReports.Congress.gov", "typeId": "R", "active": true, "sourceLink": "https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/details?prodcode=R44308", "type": "CRS Report" }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 605050, "date": "2019-09-09", "retrieved": "2019-09-17T22:20:43.090639", "title": "The Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program", "summary": "The Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program is a national network of centers established by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act (P.L. 100-418). MEP centers provide custom services to small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) to improve production processes, upgrade technological capabilities, and facilitate product innovation. Operating under the auspices of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the MEP system includes centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.\nNIST provides funding to support MEP center operations, with matching funds provided by nonfederal sources (e.g., state governments, fees for services). Initially established with a goal of transferring technology developed in federal laboratories to SMMs, MEP shifted its focus in the early 1990s to responding to needs identified by SMMs, including off-the-shelf technologies and business advice. As MEP evolved, its focus shifted to reducing manufacturing costs through lean production, quality, and other programs targeting plant efficiencies and to increasing profitability through growth. Current MEP efforts focus on innovation and growth strategies, cybersecurity, commercialization, lean production, process improvements, workforce training, supply chain optimization, and exporting. \nIn 2017, NIST completed a system-wide revamp of MEP to better align center funding levels with the national distribution of manufacturing activity and to result in a single center in each state and Puerto Rico. Other objectives included aligning center activities to the NIST MEP strategic plan; aligning center activities with state and local strategies; providing opportunities for new partnering arrangements; and restructuring and reinvigorating the boards of local centers.\nAs originally conceived, the centers were intended to become self-supporting after six years. The original legislation provided for a 50% federal cost-share for the first three years of operation, followed by declining levels of federal support for the final three years; federal funding after a center\u2019s sixth year of operation was prohibited. In 1998, Congress eliminated the prohibition on federal funding after year six. In 2017, Congress authorized NIST to provide up to 50% of the capital and annual operating and maintenance funds required to establish and support a center. Previously, the federal cost-share was limited to 50% for a center\u2019s first three years of operation, 40% in year four, and one-third in fifth and subsequent years. \nThe MEP program has, at times, been included in discussions surrounding termination of federal programs that provide direct support for industry. Invoking the intent of the original legislation, President George W. Bush proposed in his FY2009 budget to eliminate federal funding for MEP and to provide for \u201cthe orderly change of MEP centers to a self-supporting basis.\u201d Nevertheless, Congress appropriated $110 million for the program. Proponents assert that SMMs play a central role in the U.S. economy and that the MEP system provides assistance not otherwise available to SMMs. Some opponents have asserted that such services are available from other sources and that MEP inappropriately shifts a portion of the costs of these services to taxpayers. \nContinued federal support for MEP centers remains a point of contention. In his FY2018, FY2019, and FY2020 budgets, President Trump has sought to eliminate federal support for the MEP program. Congress appropriated $140.0 million for MEP for FY2018 and FY2019. For FY2020, the House-passed appropriations bill included $154.0 million for MEP; the Senate has not yet acted. \nAs Congress makes appropriation decisions, it may continue to discuss support for MEP in the context of the federal government\u2019s role in bolstering innovation and competitiveness, and in the context of the appropriate federal role in such activities.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/R44308", "sha1": "ac9fe5ca650bea1f51cb9b205cd3c27c5adbfc56", "filename": "files/20190909_R44308_ac9fe5ca650bea1f51cb9b205cd3c27c5adbfc56.html", "images": { "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R44308_files&id=/0.png": "files/20190909_R44308_images_8e336d1b98d44e457a60a9670c351555d054a47b.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R44308_files&id=/1.png": "files/20190909_R44308_images_d9a5788f689524c2368c9af070942e4a8898dcf9.png" } }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R44308", "sha1": "8c0178d20f13e993a2bde3b8a928632f9fdc2a21", "filename": "files/20190909_R44308_8c0178d20f13e993a2bde3b8a928632f9fdc2a21.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4806, "name": "Manufacturing Policy" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 583809, "date": "2018-08-10", "retrieved": "2018-08-16T17:04:32.029283", "title": "The Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program", "summary": "The Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program is a national network of centers established by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act (P.L. 100-418). MEP centers provide custom services to small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) to improve production processes, upgrade technological capabilities, and facilitate product innovation. Operating under the auspices of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the MEP system includes centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.\nNIST provides funding to support MEP center operations, with matching funds provided by nonfederal sources (e.g., state governments, fees for services). Initially established with a goal of transferring technology developed in federal laboratories to SMMs, MEP shifted its focus in the early 1990s to responding to needs identified by SMMs, including off-the-shelf technologies and business advice. As MEP evolved, its focus shifted to reducing manufacturing costs through lean production, quality, and other programs targeting plant efficiencies and to increasing profitability through growth. Current MEP efforts focus on innovation and growth strategies, cybersecurity, commercialization, lean production, process improvements, workforce training, supply chain optimization, and exporting. \nIn 2017, NIST completed a system-wide revamp of MEP to better align center funding levels with the national distribution of manufacturing activity and to result in a single center in each state and Puerto Rico. Other objectives included aligning center activities to the NIST MEP strategic plan; aligning center activities with state and local strategies; providing opportunities for new partnering arrangements; and restructuring and reinvigorating the boards of local centers.\nAs originally conceived, the centers were intended to become self-supporting after six years. The original legislation provided for a 50% federal cost-share for the first three years of operation, followed by declining levels of federal support for the final three years; federal funding after a center\u2019s sixth year of operation was prohibited. In 1998, Congress eliminated the prohibition on federal funding after year six. In 2017, Congress authorized NIST to provide up to 50% of the capital and annual operating and maintenance funds required to establish and support a center. Previously, the federal cost-share was limited to 50% for a center\u2019s first three years of operation, 40% in year four, and one-third in fifth and subsequent years. \nThe MEP program has, at times, been included in discussions surrounding termination of federal programs that provide direct support for industry. Invoking the intent of the original legislation, President George W. Bush proposed in his FY2009 budget to eliminate federal funding for MEP and to provide for \u201cthe orderly change of MEP centers to a self-supporting basis.\u201d Nevertheless, Congress appropriated $110 million for the program. Proponents assert that SMMs play a central role in the U.S. economy and that the MEP system provides assistance not otherwise available to SMMs. Some opponents have asserted that such services are available from other sources and that MEP inappropriately shifts a portion of the costs of these services to taxpayers. \nContinued federal support for MEP centers remains a point of contention. In his FY2018 budget, President Trump sought to eliminate federal support for MEP centers, requesting $6.0 million for the program\u2019s \u201corderly wind down.\u201d The House committee-reported appropriations bill included $100 million for MEP, while the Senate committee-reported bill included $130.0 million. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (P.L. 115-141), provides $140.0 million for MEP for FY2018. President Trump has again proposed the elimination of MEP in his FY2019 budget.\nAs Congress makes appropriation decisions, it may continue to discuss support for MEP in the context of the federal government\u2019s role in bolstering innovation and competitiveness, and in the context of the appropriate federal role in such activities.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/R44308", "sha1": "f732775565527eff5ae8d0af3bd26dbf2333e801", "filename": "files/20180810_R44308_f732775565527eff5ae8d0af3bd26dbf2333e801.html", "images": { "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R44308_files&id=/0.png": "files/20180810_R44308_images_da8d25d501e4830d3f16075151c54e93268b0cf2.png" } }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R44308", "sha1": "f38d2f8be481599d5835b8e7463fb859c88a4707", "filename": "files/20180810_R44308_f38d2f8be481599d5835b8e7463fb859c88a4707.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4806, "name": "Manufacturing Policy" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 582941, "date": "2018-07-10", "retrieved": "2018-08-07T13:58:25.869843", "title": "The Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program", "summary": "The Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program is a national network of centers established by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act (P.L. 100-418). MEP centers provide custom services to small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) to improve production processes, upgrade technological capabilities, and facilitate product innovation. Operating under the auspices of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the MEP system includes centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.\nNIST provides funding to support MEP center operations, with matching funds provided by nonfederal sources (e.g., state governments, fees for services). Initially established with a goal of transferring technology developed in federal laboratories to SMMs, MEP shifted its focus in the early 1990s to responding to needs identified by SMMs, including off-the-shelf technologies and business advice. As MEP evolved, its focus shifted to reducing manufacturing costs through lean production, quality, and other programs targeting plant efficiencies and to increasing profitability through growth. Current MEP efforts focus on innovation strategies, commercialization, lean production, process improvements, workforce training, supply chain optimization, and exporting. \nIn 2017, NIST completed a system-wide revamp of MEP to better align center funding levels with the national distribution of manufacturing activity and to result in a single center in each state and Puerto Rico. Other objectives included aligning center activities to the NIST MEP strategic plan; aligning center activities with state and local strategies; providing opportunities for new partnering arrangements; and restructuring and reinvigorating the boards of local centers.\nAs conceived, the centers were intended to become self-supporting after six years. The original legislation provided for a 50% federal cost-share for the first three years of operation, followed by declining levels of federal support for the final three years; federal funding after a center\u2019s sixth year of operation was prohibited. In 1998, Congress eliminated the prohibition on federal funding after year six. In 2017, Congress authorized NIST to provide up to 50% of the capital and annual operating and maintenance funds required to establish and support a center. Previously, the federal cost-share was limited to 50% for a center\u2019s first three years of operation, 40% in year four, and one-third in fifth and subsequent years. \nThe MEP program has, at times, been included in discussions surrounding termination of federal programs that provide direct support for industry. Invoking the intent of the original legislation, President George W. Bush proposed in his FY2009 budget to eliminate federal funding for MEP and to provide for \u201cthe orderly change of MEP centers to a self-supporting basis.\u201d Nevertheless, Congress appropriated $110 million for the program. Proponents assert that SMMs play a central role in the U.S. economy and that the MEP system provides assistance not otherwise available to SMMs. Some opponents have asserted that such services are available from other sources and that MEP inappropriately shifts a portion of the costs of these services to taxpayers. \nContinued federal support for MEP centers remains a point of contention. In his FY2018 budget, President Trump sought to eliminate federal support for MEP centers, requesting $6.0 million in funding for the program\u2019s \u201corderly wind down.\u201d In contrast, the House committee-reported appropriations bill included $100 million for MEP, while the Senate committee-reported bill included $130.0 million. On March 23, 2018, Congress enacted the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (P.L. 115-141), providing $140.0 million for MEP. President Trump has again proposed the elimination of MEP in his FY2019 budget.\nAs Congress makes appropriation decisions, it may continue to discuss support for MEP in the context of the federal government\u2019s role in bolstering innovation and competitiveness, and in the context of the appropriate federal role in such activities.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/R44308", "sha1": "452486017c6019282ff9373f1d774266779efd3c", "filename": "files/20180710_R44308_452486017c6019282ff9373f1d774266779efd3c.html", "images": { "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R44308_files&id=/0.png": "files/20180710_R44308_images_da8d25d501e4830d3f16075151c54e93268b0cf2.png" } }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R44308", "sha1": "dc3fcd48e1b5bdf39202b467d2de5819e3646e7f", "filename": "files/20180710_R44308_dc3fcd48e1b5bdf39202b467d2de5819e3646e7f.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4806, "name": "Manufacturing Policy" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 579652, "date": "2018-03-27", "retrieved": "2018-05-10T10:56:02.938030", "title": "The Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program", "summary": "The Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program is a national network of centers established by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act (P.L. 100-418). MEP centers provide custom services to small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) to improve production processes, upgrade technological capabilities, and facilitate product innovation. Operating under the auspices of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the MEP system includes centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.\nNIST provides funding to support MEP center operations, with matching funds provided by nonfederal sources (e.g., state governments, fees for services). Initially established with a goal of transferring technology developed in federal laboratories to SMMs, MEP shifted its focus in the early 1990s to responding to needs identified by SMMs, including off-the-shelf technologies and business advice. As MEP evolved, its focus shifted to reducing manufacturing costs through lean production, quality, and other programs targeting plant efficiencies and to increasing profitability through growth. Current MEP efforts focus on innovation strategies, commercialization, lean production, process improvements, workforce training, supply chain optimization, and exporting. \nIn 2017, NIST completed a system-wide revamp of MEP to better align center funding levels with the national distribution of manufacturing activity and to result in a single center in each state and Puerto Rico. Other objectives included aligning center activities to the NIST MEP strategic plan; aligning center activities with state and local strategies; providing opportunities for new partnering arrangements; and restructuring and reinvigorating the boards of local centers.\nAs conceived, the centers were intended to become self-supporting after six years. The original legislation provided for a 50% federal cost-share for the first three years of operation, followed by declining levels of federal support for the final three years; federal funding after a center\u2019s sixth year of operation was prohibited. In 1998, Congress eliminated the prohibition on federal funding after year six. In 2017, Congress authorized NIST to provide up to 50% of the capital and annual operating and maintenance funds required to establish and support a center. Previously, the federal cost-share was limited to 50% for a center\u2019s first three years of operation, 40% in year four, and one-third in fifth and subsequent years. \nThe MEP program has, at times, been included in discussions surrounding termination of federal programs that provide direct support for industry. Invoking the intent of the original legislation, President George W. Bush proposed in his FY2009 budget to eliminate federal funding for MEP and to provide for \u201cthe orderly change of MEP centers to a self-supporting basis.\u201d Nevertheless, Congress appropriated $110 million for the program. Proponents assert that SMMs play a central role in the U.S. economy and that the MEP system provides assistance not otherwise available to SMMs. Some opponents have asserted that such services are available from other sources and that MEP inappropriately shifts a portion of the costs of these services to taxpayers. \nContinued federal support for MEP centers remains a point of contention. In his FY2018 budget, President Trump sought to eliminate federal support for MEP centers, requesting $6.0 million in funding for the program\u2019s \u201corderly wind down.\u201d In contrast, the House committee-reported appropriations bill included $100 million for MEP, while the Senate committee-reported bill included $130.0 million. On March 23, 2018, Congress enacted the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (P.L. 115-141), providing $140.0 million for MEP. President Trump has again proposed the elimination of MEP in his FY2019 budget.\nAs Congress makes appropriation decisions, it may continue to discuss support for MEP in the context of the federal government\u2019s role in bolstering innovation and competitiveness, and in the context of the appropriate federal role in such activities.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/R44308", "sha1": "32a54b34fe0d4c42ca35231d24a548002a28aa0a", "filename": "files/20180327_R44308_32a54b34fe0d4c42ca35231d24a548002a28aa0a.html", "images": { "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R44308_files&id=/0.png": "files/20180327_R44308_images_da8d25d501e4830d3f16075151c54e93268b0cf2.png" } }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R44308", "sha1": "36b3b7d01f08f4be2952ff10a5448d1244ffe843", "filename": "files/20180327_R44308_36b3b7d01f08f4be2952ff10a5448d1244ffe843.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4806, "name": "Manufacturing Policy" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 573618, "date": "2017-09-22", "retrieved": "2017-10-02T22:14:00.064812", "title": "The Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program", "summary": "The Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program is a national network of centers established by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act (P.L. 100-418). MEP centers provide custom services to small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) to improve production processes, upgrade technological capabilities, and facilitate product innovation. Operating under the auspices of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the MEP system includes centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.\nThe MEP program received $130.0 million in appropriations for FY2017, equal to its FY2016 level. In his FY2018 budget, President Trump seeks to eliminate the MEP program, requesting $6.0 million in funding for the program\u2019s \u201corderly wind down.\u201d In contrast, the House committee-reported appropriations bill would provide $100 million for MEP in FY2018, while the Senate committee-reported bill would provide $130.0 million. The MEP program has, at times, been included in discussions surrounding termination of federal programs that provide direct support for industry. Proponents assert that SMMs play a central role in the U.S. economy and that the MEP system provides information and assistance not otherwise available to SMMs. Some opponents have asserted that such services are available from other sources and that MEP inappropriately shifts a portion of the costs of these services to taxpayers. \nNIST provides funding to support center operations, with matching funds provided by nonfederal sources (e.g., state governments, fees for services). Initially established with a goal of transferring technology developed in federal laboratories to SMMs, MEP shifted its focus in the early 1990s to responding to needs identified by SMMs, including off-the-shelf technologies and business advice. As MEP evolved, its focus shifted to reducing manufacturing costs through lean production, quality, and other programs targeting plant efficiencies and to increasing profitability through growth. Current MEP efforts focus on innovation strategies, commercialization, lean production, process improvements, workforce training, supply chain optimization, and exporting. \nIn 2017, NIST completed a system-wide revamp of MEP to better align center funding levels with the national distribution of manufacturing activity and to result in a single center in each state and Puerto Rico. Other objectives included aligning center activities to the NIST MEP strategic plan; aligning center activities with state and local strategies; providing opportunities for new partnering arrangements; and restructuring and reinvigorating the boards of local centers.\nContinued federal support for MEP centers remains a point of contention. As conceived, the centers were intended to become self-supporting after six years. The original legislation provided for a 50% federal cost-share for the first three years of operation, followed by declining levels of federal support for the final three years; federal funding after a center\u2019s sixth year of operation was prohibited. In 1998, Congress eliminated the prohibition on federal funding after year six. Invoking the intent of the original legislation, the George W. Bush Administration proposed in its FY2009 budget to eliminate federal funding for MEP and to provide for \u201cthe orderly change of MEP centers to a self-supporting basis.\u201d Congress has continued to appropriate funding for MEP.\nIn January 2017, the President signed into law the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act (P.L. 114-329) which included a number of changes to the MEP program. Under the act, NIST may provide up to 50% of the capital and annual operating and maintenance funds required to establish and support a center. Previously, the federal cost-share was limited to 50% for a center\u2019s first three years of operation, 40% in year four, and one-third in fifth and subsequent years. \nAs Congress makes appropriation decisions, it may continue to discuss support for MEP in the context of the federal government\u2019s role in facilitating technological advancement and bolstering innovation and competitiveness.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/R44308", "sha1": "e87070dc4f0390d8c2171d3847273137d1f58912", "filename": "files/20170922_R44308_e87070dc4f0390d8c2171d3847273137d1f58912.html", "images": { "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R44308_files&id=/0.png": "files/20170922_R44308_images_a1ad6c6cc164685d600ce48e319a02df664179a2.png" } }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R44308", "sha1": "02e3eea19cbabbda4917abd0a3e0bfd0a9196e92", "filename": "files/20170922_R44308_02e3eea19cbabbda4917abd0a3e0bfd0a9196e92.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4806, "name": "Manufacturing Policy" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 448688, "date": "2016-01-12", "retrieved": "2016-04-06T17:31:18.711713", "title": "The Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program", "summary": "The Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program is a national network of centers established by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act (P.L. 100-418). MEP centers provide custom services to small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) to improve production processes, upgrade technological capabilities, and facilitate product innovation. Operating under the auspices of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the MEP system includes centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.\nThe MEP program received $130.0 million in appropriations for FY2016, equal to its FY2015 level and $11 million less than the President\u2019s request. NIST provides funding to support center operations, with matching funds provided by nonfederal sources (e.g., state governments, fees for services). Initially established with a goal of transferring technology developed in federal laboratories to SMMs, MEP shifted its focus in the early 1990s to responding to needs identified by SMMs, including off-the-shelf technologies and business advice. As MEP evolved, its focus shifted to reducing manufacturing costs through lean production, quality, and other programs targeting plant efficiencies and to increasing profitability through growth. Current MEP efforts focus on innovation strategies, commercialization, lean production, process improvements, workforce training, supply chain optimization, and exporting. \nIn 2014, MEP began a system-wide revamp intended to align center funding levels more closely with the national distribution of manufacturing activity; allow a federal cost-share of up to 50% for the first three years of each center\u2019s new cooperative agreement; and result in a single center in each state and Puerto Rico. Other objectives include aligning center activities to the NIST MEP strategic plan; aligning center activities with state and local strategies; providing opportunities for new partnering arrangements; and restructuring and reinvigorating the boards of local centers.\nThe MEP program has, at times, been included in discussions surrounding termination of federal programs that provide direct support for industry. Proponents assert that SMMs play a central role in the U.S. economy and that the MEP system provides information and assistance not otherwise available to SMMs. Some opponents have asserted that such services are available from other sources and that MEP inappropriately shifts a portion of the costs of these services to taxpayers. \nContinued federal support for MEP centers remains a point of contention. As conceived, the centers were intended to become self-supporting after six years. The original legislation provided for a 50% federal cost-share for the first three years of operation, followed by declining levels of federal support for the final three years. Federal funding after a center\u2019s sixth year of operation was prohibited. In 1998, Congress eliminated the prohibition on federal funding after year six. Invoking the intent of the original legislation, the George W. Bush Administration proposed in its FY2009 budget to eliminate federal funding for MEP and to provide for \u201cthe orderly change of MEP centers to a self-supporting basis.\u201d Congress has continued to appropriate funding for MEP.\nA related issue is the level of the federal cost-share for the centers. Currently, centers may receive a 50% federal cost-share in their first three years of operation, a 40% cost-share in year four, and a one-third cost-share in their fifth and subsequent years. Some MEP advocates would like the federal government to provide up to 50% of center costs, regardless of how many years a center has been in operation, to allow centers to reach SMMs they might not otherwise be able to serve. The ongoing system-wide competition of the centers will essentially reset the clock, allowing centers to receive a 50% cost-share for the first three years of their new cooperative agreements. \nAs Congress makes appropriation decisions, it may continue to discuss support for MEP in the context of the federal government\u2019s role in facilitating technological advancement and bolstering innovation and competitiveness.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/R44308", "sha1": "c2e32bcc098e7bbed91fbfe60581858605c3713d", "filename": "files/20160112_R44308_c2e32bcc098e7bbed91fbfe60581858605c3713d.html", "images": null }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R44308", "sha1": "6066e2dc7ce23b3032cdecd6a6e8816a43b40d71", "filename": "files/20160112_R44308_6066e2dc7ce23b3032cdecd6a6e8816a43b40d71.pdf", "images": null } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4602, "name": "Manufacturing Policy" } ] } ], "topics": [ "Science and Technology Policy" ] }