National Institute of Standards and Technology, Bldg. 301, Room C121, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001

A -- HUMAN RESOURCE GUIDELINES PROJECT SOL Q- DUE 080296 POC MEP Representative (301)975-2474 or fax (301) 926-3787 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: The NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program is soliciting proposals for a project to develop the MEP Guidelines for Human Resource Management of Centers. An estimated $150,000 in MEP funding is available in this competition. The MEP reserves the right to utilize more or less funding than the amount stated above, depending on the quality of the proposals received. It is anticipated that one proposal will be funded. Funding may be requested for up to one year. Proposals are solicited for a project to develop a guidelines to be used by MEP centers for human resource management of their staffs. An emphasis will be on staff training and development. The MEP is a diverse system of centers which has grown rapidly. The effectiveness of the system is dependent on the ability of each of the centers to develop and maintain good staffing. The successful proposer for this project will be one or more MEP centers which are experienced in human resource management, particularly in staff development and training. The resultant guidelines document will identify effective practices for building and maintaining staff capability. It will be based on the proposer's own experience as well as other successful human resource management models throughout the MEP system. It will provide guidelines appropriate for the range of center management philosophies and service delivery models. Proposals should clearly state how this breadth of coverage is to be achieved. Partnering of two or more centers would represent a strong approach. As appropriate, the guidelines should address such topics as orientation for new employees, skills profiling, training needs assessment, effective use of training, staff hiring guidelines, training sources and delivery, staff development planning, field agent registraton/certification, keeping abreast of technology, compensation and reward systems, benefit plans, empowerment, and teams. The project should also create an employees handbook and model job descriptions. Matching funds are not required for this project. However, availability of matching funds will be considered in the Financial Plan factor of the evaluation. The competition is open only for proposals from MEP- affiliated centers. The selection criteria are: demonstration of meeting needs (20%), development methodology and use of appropriate technology/information sources (20%), degree of integration (20%), coordination with other organizations (10%), program evaluation (10%), management experience and plans (10%), and financial plan (10%). This solicitation is conducted under the procedures of Part 292, Title 15, of the Code of Federal Regulations published in the August 29,1995 Federal Register. The MEP Human Resources Guidelines Project Application Package (containing required forms background material, and instructions for submission of proposals) may be obtained by phone (301-975-2474), FAX (301-926-3787), e-mail (klong@mep.nist.gov) or by written request at the address below. Proposals are limited to 15 pages in length, including a one-page executive summary. Proposals are due by 5:00 p.m. eastern time on August 2, 1996. Proposals submitted by facsimile or electronic mail will not be accepted. Proposals received after the deadline will not be considered. Send proposals to: Manufacturing Extension Partnership, National Institute for Standards and Technology, Bldg. 301, Room C121, I-270 at Quince Orchard Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001. Mark envelope ''Human Resource Guidelines Project.'' (0173)

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