National Institute of Standards & Technology, Acquisition & Assistance Div., Bldg. 301, Rm B117, Gaithersburg, MD 20899

B -- STUDY TO IDENTIFY DEVELOPMENTS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE SUCCESS OF SUPPLIERS REQUIRED BY SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED MANUFACTURERS. SOL 53SBNB760218 POC Joan M. Smith (301) 975-6458 WEB: NIST Contracts Homepage, http://www.nist.gov/admin/od/contract/contract.htm. E-MAIL: NIST Contracts Office, Contract@nist.gov. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) proposes to procure services to provide partial support for a study that will identify state-of-the-art developments that contribute to the success of vertical tiers of suppliers and relate these to capabilities required by small and medium sized manufacturers to be viable participants in this system. Strategies for facilitating attainment of these capabilities through manufacturing extension centers and other technical assistance providers at the national, state and local levels are required. The study will provide the NIST Manufacturing Extension Program with the opportunity to better understand the processes, technology, and skills which enable members of a complete, vertical supply chain, of three tiers or more, to reduce the total business risk for the benefit of the end consumer. The period of performance is anticipated at 18 months. The proposed action is for services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only onesource, the National Academy of Sciences located in Washington, DC. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals, however proposals received within fifteen (15) days after date of publication of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. See Note 26. (0182)

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