Summary

Requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to run competitions and to continue, renew, and award Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) centers in each of the 50 States and Puerto Rico every year starting in fiscal year 2025, but only if Congress provides money for the program that year. It also changes a statutory provision from discretionary to mandatory by replacing the word "may" with "shall," making the annual competition and award requirement binding under the NIST Act.

Key Points

• Makes annual nationwide Hollings MEP competitions, renewals, and awards mandatory for NIST starting FY2025, subject to appropriations.
• Applies to all 50 States and Puerto Rico, requiring program presence across the entire U.S. and territory.
• Changes statutory language from permissive to mandatory by replacing "may" with "shall" in the NIST Act provision.
• Does not appropriate funds; program activity only occurs in years Congress provides Hollings MEP appropriations.
• Increases NIST's statutory duty and administrative workload to manage annual competitions and awards.
• Existing MEP centers will be subject to competition and renewal processes under the new requirement.
• Aims to ensure predictable nationwide access to MEP services for manufacturers where funding is provided.
• Limits agency discretion and could require awards even if NIST would otherwise recommend a different approach.

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