The Manufacturing Extension Partnership Supply Chain Optimization and Intelligence Network

Supplier Scouting Opportunities

1. Register your organization at ManufacturedNC.com

2. When we receive requests that match your capabilities our supply chain team will contact you.
3. You may monitor new business opportunities posted on the Supplier Scouting Opportunities webpage and respond directly to requests.

About This Program

NC State University Industry Expansion Solutions, administrator of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP), announces a new program to provide assistance to North Carolina manufacturers to identify and connect with local, state and national US suppliers. Full-time staff has been allocated to provide supply chain research and supplier matching services to meet the needs of small to medium-sized manufacturers in North Carolina. There is no cost for North Carolina manufacturers to utilize this service.
 
The national Supply Chain Optimization and Intelligence Network is possible through funding from Executive Order (EO) 14005, called Executive Order on Ensuring the Future is Made in All of America by All American Workers and supports the Build America, Buy America initiative. The national supply chain initiative is managed by the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), a program of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to increase resiliency and efficiency of domestic supply chains. This program supports reshoring efforts and encourages North Carolina manufacturers to participate in a supply chain that will rely on local, state and national suppliers and depend less on foreign vendors.
 
The pilot program for the MEP cooperative agreement was authorized in 2023 to address critical shortages and gaps in the American supply chain, to expand existing MEP capabilities to provide national supply chain optimization, and to develop maps of key supply chains to understand how they function and where opportunities may exist.
 
NCMEP receives supply chain requests through a national Supplier Scouting program that provides you with an opportunity to expand your business. The national MEP shares supply requests with the  state-based MEPs to identify suppliers that may be able to fulfill the request.
 
Through funding provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP) is providing supply chain sourcing opportunities and supplier matching services at no cost to North Carolina manufacturers. This program is being administered by NC State University Industry Expansion Solutions for the NCMEP network.
 
The objective of the program is to expand existing capabilities to build a supply chain network that relies more on local and national suppliers to strengthen the U.S. manufacturing industry resilience.
 
Our supply chain experts will work with your organization to understand your supplier needs and match you with vendors who can meet your urgency to ensure you provide quality products on time to your customers.
 
When you submit a supply chain request, we will provide a list of suppliers that  match the specifications you provide. Manufacturers are strongly advised to exercise due diligence before entering agreements and are solely responsible for vetting and ensuring the quality and regulatory compliance of all goods/services transacted.