State Manufacturing Leadership Program
Deadline: - TBD
Information
DOE has modified the application deadline and selection process for this program to be compliant with Executive Orders. An updated timeline will be provided when available. Additional guidance may change timing of selections in the future.
Please ensure you review the most recent Solicitation Overview document for updated details about the program (latest solicitation overview can be found at HERE)
Description
The objective of this solicitation is to expand access to smart manufacturing technologies and practices and high-performance computing resources for small- and medium-sized manufacturing firms (SMMs).
Awards are to state entities, state-funded universities, and state-funded community and technical colleges, for accelerating the use of smart manufacturing by small- and medium-sized manufacturing firms (SMMs) in areas such as training and re-skilling, technical assistance, and direct technology implementation.
Objective
This solicitation will support state entities, state-funded universities, and state-funded community or technical colleges to establish new or expand existing programs that assist SMMs to:
- implement smart manufacturing technologies and practices; and
- access high-performance computing resources.
In doing so, this solicitation contributes to the Administration’s goals of catalyzing American leadership and global competitiveness. The rapid development, deployment, and adoption of smart manufacturing technologies is a high priority for increasing economic competitiveness, efficiency, and energy productivity in all U.S. manufacturing sectors
- Increase Productivity & Competitiveness of Domestic Manufacturing Base: Through this solicitation, DOE strives to make adoption of smart manufacturing technologies far more accessible across the country’s manufacturing base by working with states, state-funded universities, and state-funded community and technical colleges to remove cost and complexity barriers.
- Develop American Industrial Workforce: This solicitation aims to expand smart manufacturing training for American workers. Funding can help state entities increase the capacity of existing state, local, and regional workforce development programs. It can also help fund state-funded universities and state-funded community and technical colleges to develop or expand curriculums for degrees or credentials that can lead to careers in the manufacturing sector leveraging smart manufacturing technologies.
- Support a Robust & Integrated Support System for SMMs: DOE seeks applications that will further enhance and integrate a robust ecosystem of support for American SMMs. The solicitation seeks to drive coordination and communication across the Federal Government and with local, state, and national technical resources.
Please review the Solicitation Overview for more detailed information about this opportunity and eligibility and review criteria.
Important Dates
Submission Deadline(s)
Submission Window: January 15, 2025 - TBD*
Click Here to Start Your Application
Ample time will be allotted for applications to be completed/submitted once the Submission Deadline is determined.
DOE Announcement
DOE has modified the application deadline and selection process for this program to be compliant with Executive Orders. An updated timeline will be provided when available. Additional guidance may change timing of selections in the future.
Please ensure you review the most recent Solicitation Overview document for updated details about the program (latest solicitation overview can be found at HERE)
Informational Webinar(s)
Objective Strategic Session (OSS) webinar: Join ENERGYWERX and the SMLP team for an in-depth informational webinar about the State Manufacturing Leadership Program (SMLP) . This session will provide valuable insights into the program’s objectives, benefits, and how potential applicants can leverage it to drive growth, innovation, and sustainability in their operations.
We encourage you to register in advance to secure your spot and ensure you don’t miss out on this informative session.
- Express Interest in Attending the IW/OSS Session
You may ask question(s) in advance in Slido. ENWX and DOE will answer questions aloud during this session.
- Click Here to Submit Your Questions
Office Hours (OH) Q&A Webinar: DOE will be hosting two Office Hours (OH) Q&A Webinars on TBD. These sessions are aimed to provide potential applicants with detailed information about the State Manufacturing Leadership Program (SMLP). During these sessions, participants will have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the program's scope, objectives, and the overall intent of the funding opportunity.
These sessions will also offer an interactive forum for attendees to ask specific questions, clarify any uncertainties, and receive guidance on how to navigate the application process. Whether you are exploring this opportunity for the first time or looking for further clarification on program requirements, the office hours sessions will provide the necessary insights to ensure your application is ready for submission.
For an optimal experience, we recommend downloading the Microsoft Teams software to your computer, smartphone, or tablet.
Process Details
Timeline(s)
Link(s) to Apply
Complete submission and upload here: Click Here to Submit (Submissions are due TBD)*
Ample time will be allotted for applications to be completed/submitted once the Submission Deadline is determined.
Eligibility & Review Criteria
General Eligibility Requirements:
DOE is seeking applications for projects under this opportunity from state entities, state-funded universities, and state funded community and technical colleges to establish new or expand existing programs that (1) provide assistance to SMMs to implement smart manufacturing technologies and practices and (2) facilitate access to high-performance computing (HPC) resources for SMMs.
Please review the Solicitation Overview for more detailed information about this opportunity and eligibility and review criteria.
Every prime recipient and any sub-recipient(s) must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Must be domestic entities
- Must be in good standing for Federal program participation
Prime Recipients (applicants) are limited to:
- State entities;
- State-funded university; or
- State-funded community or technical college
General Program Requirements:
Applications for projects under this solicitation must include support to SMMs that are focused within one or more of the following areas:
- Outreach: Promoting the benefits of smart manufacturing technologies among SMMs based on national and regional economic development and supply chain priorities;
- Training and Workforce Development: Educating the current and future workforce on smart manufacturing technologies, to include through apprenticeship, internship, certification, or degree programs.
- Facility, Product, or Process Assessments: Evaluating SMM facilities for potential smart manufacturing technology improvements or leveraging HPC resources to identify product or process improvements.
- Roadmapping: Building executable plans to implement smart manufacturing improvements for SMMs.
- Direct Technology Implementation: Identifying and/or directly providing financial assistance to facilitate SMMs’ access to and/or implementation of smart manufacturing and high-performance computing resources and technologies.
Applications for projects may also include other support for SMMs that does not fall into a category above, and the support is within scope of the solicitation.
Cost Sharing:
Applicants are bound by the cost share proposed in their applications if selected for award negotiations. The cost share must be at least 23.1% of the total project costs.
- For example: For a project seeking the maximum $2 million federal award size, the minimum non-federal funds would need to be $600,781 (rounded up to the nearest dollar) in order to meet the 23.1% cost share requirement for this opportunity.
1 Total project costs are the sum of the government share, including FFRDC costs if applicable, and the recipient share of project costs.
2 IIJA Section 40534(4) requires that an entity receiving financial assistance under that section contribute matching funds in an amount equal to not less than 30 percent of the financial assistance (cost match). For consistency with other DOE programs, this 30 percent cost match was converted to a 23.1 cost share, rounded up to the nearest decimal.
3 Energy Policy Act of 2005, Pub.L. 109-58, sec. 988. Also see 2 CFR 200.306 and 2 CFR 910.130 for additional cost sharing requirements
Review Criteria:
Applications will be evaluated using the technical review criteria shown below. All sub-criteria are of equal weight.
Technical Merit, Innovation, and Impact
- Project Design: The project model as designed is a reasonable approach to address and fulfill the objectives of the opportunity, with a focus on the five key areas listed above
- Project Engagement Strategy: The project has a clear engagement plan to reach SMMs and is partnering, whether targeting SMMs across the state/region broadly or focusing on specific industries, geographies, or demographics. If necessary, the project has engaged or plans to engage with project partners and key stakeholders that will increase the effectiveness of outreach to any targeted SMMs and the overall support for an uptake of the project.
- Project Impact: The project will have a tangible, quantifiable impact on expanding access to smart manufacturing technologies and practices and HPC resources for SMMs, such as:
- Number of incumbent or new workforce trained
- Number of degrees or other credentials conferred
- Number of facility assessments, Roadmapping, or other technical assistance provided
- Quantity and type of direct implementation assistance provided
- Quantity of domestic manufacturing jobs created directly or indirectly
Project Workplan and Budget
- Project Workplan: The tasks and descriptions are clear, detailed, timely, and reasonable, resulting in a high likelihood that the proposed project will succeed
- Project Budget: The budget is reasonable and realistic, meets the program’s cost share requirements, and – with alternative funding sources – has the potential to sustain the project beyond the federal funding
Technical Qualifications and Resources
- Key Project Team: The project manager(s) and other key project team members have the appropriate experience in areas such as smart manufacturing technologies, technical assistance for SMMs, training and workforce development to make the project successful
- Project Partners: The project is leveraging valuable national, state, regional, or local organizations that will result in a more robust and integrated ecosystem to support SMMs in vicinity of the project
- Project Facilities, Equipment, and Resources: The project’s facilities, equipment, and other resources are sufficient to support the work
Frequently Asked Questions
May an FFRDC or a National Lab apply?
What are Smart Manufacturing and high-performance computing?
What exactly is a “small- and medium-sized manufacturer”?
Who is eligible to receive funding?
Are applicants required to provide cost share?
What is the difference between “cost share” and “cost match”?
What are the acronyms SMM, HPC, SMLP?
Why did the solicitation come down in mid-January?
Downloadable Files
SMLP Solicitation Overview Download
State Manufacturing Leadership Program (SMLP) Cost Share Handout Download
SMLP Workplan Template Download
SMLP Budget Workbook Template Download