About MEP

Advisory Board

Introduction

The Purpose

The NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory Board (MEPAB) was created to provide guidance and advice on the MEP program from the perspective of industrial extension customers and providers who have a vision of industrial extension with a national scope.

MEP has developed its strategy and approach to accomplishing its mission based on a core set of guiding values. These values are derived from experience and lessons learned. The value that was the impetus for the MEP Advisory Board is: MEP is committed to being industry-driven and market-defined. Industry provides the primary guidance for the selection and delivery of the products and services offered by the system; and subsequently, industry provides the evaluation of the quality and effectiveness of these services.

Additionally, industry expects MEP to identify proactive actions that will enable small manufacturers to successfully address and implement changes in technology and the business environment in the future. With this value in mind, the MEP Advisory Board represents the views and needs of various stakeholders on MEP programs, plans and policies; assesses the soundness of MEP strategies; and evaluates current performance of the program against MEP's goals.

 

Charter

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE CHARTER OF THE MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP ADVISORY BOARD

Establishment:

In accordance with the requirements of Section 3003(d) of the America COMPETES Act
(P.L. 110-69), hereinafter referred to as the Act, the Secretary of Commerce hereby establishes the  Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Advisory Board, hereinafter referred to as the Board, pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2.

Objectives and Duties:

1. The Board will act in the public interest to:
2. Provide advice on MEP programs, plans, and policies.
3. Assess the soundness of MEP plans and strategies.
4. Assess current performance against MEP program plans.
5. Function solely in an advisory capacity, and in accordance with the provisions of the      Federal Advisory Committee Act.

Members and Chairperson:

1. The Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) shall appoint the members of the Board.  Members shall be selected on a clear, standardized basis, in accordance with applicable Department of Commerce guidance.  Members serve at the discretion of the NIST Director. 
2. The Board shall consist of 10 members, broadly representative of stakeholders, appointed by the NIST Director.  At least 2 members shall be employed by or on an advisory board for the Centers, and at least 5 other members shall be from U.S. small businesses in the manufacturing sector.  No member shall be an employee of the Federal Government.
3. Committee members from the manufacturing industry and those representing specific stakeholder groups shall serve in a representative capacity.  Committee members from the academic community shall serve as experts and will be considered Special Government Employees (SGEs) and will be subject to all ethical standards and rules applicable to SGEs.
4. The term of office of each member of the Board shall be three years, except that vacancy appointments shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term of the vacancy.  The original members of the Board shall be appointed to 3 classes.  One class of 3 members shall have an initial term of 1 year, one class of 3 members shall have an initial term of 2 years, and one class of 4 members shall have an initial term of 3 years. 
5. Any person who has completed two consecutive full terms of service on the Board shall be ineligible for a third term during the one year period following the expiration of the second term.
6. The Board’s chairperson and vice chairperson will be appointed from its membership by the Director of NIST under the advisement of the Director of MEP.  The Chair will serve a two-year term, subject to renewal by the Director. 

Administrative Provisions:

1. The Board will report to the Director of NIST.
2. The Board will meet at least two times a year.  Additional meetings may be called by the NIST Director.
3. The Designated Federal Officer will be the Deputy Director of MEP.
4. The Board shall transmit an annual report through the NIST Director to the Secretary for transmittal to Congress within 30 days after the submission to Congress of the President’s annual budget request each year.  The report will address the status of the MEP and comment on the relevant sections of the programmatic planning document and updates thereto transmitted to Congress by the Director under 15 U.S.C. 278i(c) and (d).
5. The Board may establish subcommittees subject to provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act and the Department of Commerce Committee Management Handbook.  Subcommittee members are to be selected from the parent Board.
6. Members of the Board will not be compensated for their services but will, upon request, be allowed travel and per diem expenses as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5701 et seq., while attending meetings of the Board or subcommittees thereof, or while otherwise performing duties at the request of the Chair, while away from their homes or regular places of business.
7. The annual cost of operating the Board is estimated at $60,000.00, which includes .20 work years of staff support. The Manufacturing Extension Partnership will provide the staff support for the board.

Duration:

This charter shall terminate two years from the date of the filing of this charter with the appropriate U.S. Senate and House of Representatives Oversight Committees unless earlier terminated or renewed by proper authority.

This charter was signed December 21, 2007 by Otto Wolff, U.S. Department of Commerce.