Check out the most recent release of open supplier scouting opportunities from United States manufacturers seeking domestic suppliers for various items and federal agencies seeking to maximize the purchase of goods, products, and materials produced and services offered in the United States, in accordance with Executive Order 14005.

• Opportunity: 2023-001 Water Purification Silos and Tanks closes Feb. 3
• Opportunity: 2023-002 Food Storage Container Sealing Ring and Air Valve closes Feb. 3
• Opportunity: 2023-003 Static Dilutor and Can Cleaner Upgrade closes Feb. 3
• Opportunity: 2023-004 Level 2 EV Charger closes Jan. 5, 2024
• Opportunity: 2023-005 DC Fast Charger closes Jan. 5, 2024
• Opportunity: 2023-007 Pluggable Optic Modules closes Feb. 9
• Opportunity: 2023-008 Aggregation Routers closes Feb. 9
• Opportunity: 2023-009 15.5-kv through 362-kv Circuit Breakers closes Feb. 10
• Opportunity: 2023-010 Panalytical Power Supply, Cabling, and Seal Kit for Spectroscopy Devices closes Feb. 10
• Opportunity: 2023-011 Rubber Component Manufacturer for Rubber Mats closes Feb. 10
• Opportunity: 2023-012 Extruded Aluminum Heat Exchanger with Narrow Gap closes Feb. 8
• Opportunity: 2023-013 Whole Egg Solids Free Flowing closes Feb. 17
• Opportunity: 2023-014 Manual Hydraulic-Lift Pallet Jack closes Mar. 17
• Opportunity: 2023-015 80⁰ Horn Bell closes Feb. 17

If interested in learning more about any of these opportunities, contact IMC Business Advisor Dana Gordon at danag@imcpa.com or 814-808-6278.

Remmey – The Pallet Co.

Since 1988, the Innovative Manufacturers’ Center (IMC) has helped nearly 700 hundred Central Pennsylvania manufacturers become more profitable and competitive by tapping into valuable local, regional, and national resources.

As one of Pennsylvania’s seven Industrial Resource Centers and one of 51 national Manufacturing Extension Partnership centers, IMC also leverages private investment to drive manufacturing growth in Central Pennsylvania. As a result, in 2022, Central PA manufacturers realized the following economic impact:

• Increased/Retained Sales – $17,433,000
• Increased/Retained Jobs – 404
• Cost Savings – $1,324,500
• Increased Investments – $13,502,909
• Saved Investments – $256,000

IMC, the first and only economic development program dedicated solely to the manufacturing community, brings best practices in the areas of advanced manufacturing, continuous improvement, innovation, business growth, and safety to small and medium-sized manufacturers, enabling them to compete more effectively in the global economy.  While IMC serves manufacturers in these various service areas, the most robust set of service offerings include Lean and Continuous Improvement as well as ISO 9001 with IMC offering both client-tailored onsite training and services and public training opportunities in these areas.

 IMC Lean Manufacturing Level One Certification

Many manufacturers are experiencing workforce challenges including onboarding, using effective training systems, change implementation, and even retention strategies. The IMC team uses research-based methodologies that help manufacturers navigate many of these time-sensitive workforce challenges. Efficiency and productivity are not only metrics for production output, but also are critical for human capital requirements that the most successful organizations find necessary to survive during turbulent economic conditions.

Another navigational challenge within the manufacturing sector is Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliance. As employers face record breaking employee turnover ratios, keeping employees safe must be a top priority.  Often the manufacturing community lacks internal resources that know and understand compliance requirements, which makes them more vulnerable to meeting regulatory standards. The IMC can help.

IMC is dedicated to the manufacturers in Bedford, Blair, Centre, Clinton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union Counties so let’s share some information about these manufacturers.  According to December 2022 data provided by the PA Department of Labor & Industry, in these 12 counties there are nearly 990 manufacturers employing over 40,000 individuals making up 16.3% of the state’s total employment, with an annual average salary of $55,968.

Where does Clinton County fall in the 12-county average? Clinton County has 58 manufacturers employing 2,872 individuals with an average salary of $65,422.  Manufacturing is the largest employment sector at 23.5% of the total employment in Clinton County.

IMC looks forward to working with the manufacturers in Clinton County. To discuss how IMC can serve your manufacturing company, contact Rick Terry, IMC’s Business Advisor dedicated to Clinton County, by emailing rickt@imcpa.com or calling 570-329-3200 x8083.

Lock Haven, PA – Published January 18, 2023

The National Strategy for Advanced Manufacturing released by the White House in October 2022 presents a vision for U.S. leadership in advanced manufacturing that will grow the economy, create jobs, enhance environmental sustainability, address climate change, strengthen supply chains, ensure national security and improve health care. Three interrelated goals are set to achieve the vision:

1. Develop and implement advanced manufacturing technologies
2. Grow the advanced manufacturing workforce
3. Build resilience into manufacturing supply chains and ecosystems

To achieve these goals, 11 strategic objectives and 37 technical and program recommendations are identified for the next four years. This Congressionally mandated strategy seeks to improve U.S. government coordination and provide long-term guidance for federal programs and activities in support of U.S. manufacturing competitiveness, including advanced manufacturing R&D.

Read the report [opens PDF]

Read the one pager and brochure

Marcal Paper aka Nittany Paper Mills, LLC, is owned by Atlas Holdings, LLC.  Atlas was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut. Atlas and its affiliates own 16 companies employing nearly 20,000 associates. With more than 100 facilities across the globe, Atlas generates an estimated $4 billion in annual revenue. Nittany Paper Mills in Lewistown, PA manufactures and provides recycled tissue and towels for use in homes, schools, restaurants, hotels and hospitals.

Nittany Paper Mills is investing in new equipment and technologies to become even more competitive. These include new production lines, new packing lines, robotics and more. Such new technologies are disruptive as they change how work is done. In an effort to ensure the successful implementation of these investments, Marcal sought training for its managers to prepare them to manage change. Specifically, training to help managers understand the psychology of change and how to accelerate change. In other words, they wanted to help their managers to further develop their skills to be more effective at leading change. Without these skills, investments on this level may not have the desired impacts.

After the training, with these skills now developed in their managers, Nittany Paper Mills was confident that the implementation of the new equipment and technologies would be successful, driving confidence to make the investment of more than $500 million.

“We make investments where and when our workforce is skilled and ready.  The training was a solid foundation for supervisor development”

Steve Prentiss, Vice President of Human Resources, Marcal Paper

Click here for the latest IMC e-News!

As of Nov. 10, these are the open supplier scouting opportunities from manufacturers across the United States seeking domestic suppliers for various items. Additional scouting opportunities are from federal agencies seeking to maximize the purchase and production of goods and services in accordance with Executive Order (EO) 14005. If you are interested in learning more about any of these opportunities, contact IMC Business Advisor, Dana Gordon at danag@imcpa.com or 570-329-3200×8084.

CHIPS Act Supplier Scouting Opportunities

• Opportunity: 2022-121 Analytical Transmission Electron Microscopes closes Nov. 21
• Opportunity: 2022-122 Focused Ion Beam & Scanning Electron Microscopes closes Nov. 21
• Opportunity: 2022-123 Atom Probe Tomography System closes Nov. 21
• Opportunity: 2022-125 Semiconductor Furnaces closes Nov. 28
• Opportunity: 2022-126 Inductively Coupled Plasma Reactive Ion Etcher closes Nov. 28
• Opportunity: 2022-127 Wafer Binder and Lithography Aligner System closes Nov. 28
• Opportunity: 2022-128 Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope closes Nov. 28
• Opportunity: 2022-129 X-Ray Diffractometer closes Nov. 28
• Opportunity: 2022-130 Focused Ion Beam Scanning Electron Microscope closes Nov. 28
• Opportunity: 2022-131 High Resolution 110keV Electron Microscope closes Nov. 28
• Opportunity: 2022-132 High Resolution Mask Writer closes Nov. 28
• Opportunity: 2022-133 Reactive Ion Etcher for Silicon and Dielectrics closes Nov. 28
• Opportunity: 2022-134 ICP Cryo REI for Silicon and Dielectrics closes Nov. 28
• Opportunity: 2022-135 Electrical Static Chuck Based Wafer Deep Silicon Etcher closes Nov. 28
• Opportunity: 2022-136 ICP RIE for Etching Silicon with Hydrogen, Bromide and Chloride closes Nov. 28
• Opportunity: 2022-137 Mechanical Clamp Based Single Wafer Deep Silicon Etcher closes Nov. 28
• Opportunity: 2022-138 Automated Single Substrate Resist Develop and Chrome Etch System closes Nov. 28

MEP National Network and EO 14005 Supplier Scouting Opportunities

• Opportunity: 2022-097 Pantiless Liner Fabrics closes Nov. 28
• Opportunity: 2022-100 Razor Knife with Hook Blade closes Nov. 29
• Opportunity: 2022-107 Inconel Pipe/Tubing closes Dec. 5
• Opportunity: 2022-109 Glass Bottles closes Dec. 12
• Opportunity: 2022-110 Ice Packs closes Dec. 12
• Opportunity: 2022-111 D5 Bells closes Dec. 12
• Opportunity: 2022-112 Plastic Bell Handles closes Dec. 12
• Opportunity: 2022-115 Cerium Nitrate Hexahydrate closes Nov. 21
• Opportunity: 2022-116 Tergitol L-64 closes Nov. 21
• Opportunity: 2022-117 Silver Nitrate closes Nov. 21
• Opportunity: 2022-118 Hydrogen Peroxide closes Nov. 21
• Opportunity: 2022-119 Ethanol closes Nov. 21
• Opportunity: 2022-120 Poly (2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) closes Nov. 21
• Opportunity: 2022-140 Custom Printed Manilla Folders closes Dec. 28
• Opportunity: 2022-141 Furniture Acquisitions closes Jan. 9
• Opportunity: 2022-142 Ink and Printing Materials closes Jan. 9
• Opportunity: 2022-143 IT Equipment closes Jan. 9
• Opportunity: 2022-144 Various Spare Parts closes Jan. 9
• Opportunity: 2022-145 Injection Molding for Plastic Housing closes Dec. 12
• Opportunity: 2022-146 Custom PCB Manufacture and Assembly closes Dec. 12
• Opportunity: 2022-147 Technical Fabric for Sports Model Shoes closes Dec. 12
• Opportunity: 2022-148 Vison Vapor Pressure Tester closes Nov. 28

NIST is seeking public input on the development of up to three new Manufacturing USA institutes focused on semiconductor manufacturing. The institutes, authorized by the recently passed Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) for America Act, will enhance U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing through advanced research, education and workforce development.

NIST requests the public’s input into:

• Design of, and requirements for, potential Manufacturing USA institutes to strengthen the semiconductor and microelectronics innovation ecosystem, which could include design, fabrication, advanced test, assembly, and packaging capability.
• How these Manufacturing USA institute(s) would support R&D efforts, infrastructure investments including the establishment of a National Semiconductor Technology Center, investments in advanced packaging, expansion of NIST’s metrology R&D in support of semiconductor and microelectronics R&D, as well as education and workforce development.

Responses are requested by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Nov. 28, 2022, and should be submitted online here. More information, including registration for public webinars, can be found here.

For questions about this request for information, visit the NIST Office of Advanced Manufacturing FAQ page or send an email to MfgRFI@nist.gov (cite “Manufacturing USA Semiconductor Institutes — Questions” in all correspondence).

For media inquiries contact NIST’s Office of Public Affairs at 301-975-2762.

FROM THE DESK OF THE REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR

CYBERATTACKS: A GROWING THREAT TO SMALL BUSINESS & U.S. ECONOMY

BY: Regional Administrator John Fleming – U.S. Small Business Administration

Last year, cybercrimes targeting small businesses reached a record high of $2.4 billion. With online sales expected to surpass $1 trillion, retailers must evaluate their vulnerabilities to cyberattack and protect their systems. Small businesses are especially attractive targets because they typically lack the security infrastructure of large corporations.

Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice for America’s 33 million small businesses in President Biden’s Cabinet, earlier this year announced millions in new funding for states to help small businesses develop cybersecurity infrastructure as part of the SBA’s Cybersecurity for Small Business Pilot Program. I encourage you to check out our in-person and virtual events as well as the National Cybersecurity Alliance, a public-private partnership providing virtual and in-person cybersecurity events.

There are simple steps business owners can take to mitigate risk. Here are five easy actions business owners can take:

1. Update your software: Check regularly for updates or patches to guard against the latest cyber threats, it’s the cheapest and easiest way to prevent online attacks.
2. Review security protocols: Ensure your website is protected with a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate, which authenticates a website’s identity and enables an encrypted connection. Also, do not store credit card data on your systems.
3. Create effective passwords:Weak passwords are a major reason small retailers are prone to cyberattacks. Unique passwords with at least 12 characters that are a mix of numbers, letters, capital letters, and punctuation are proven most effective. Multi-Factor Authentication provides additional security.
4. Be aware of social engineering threats: Hackers bait or trick employees through phishing, baiting, scareware, and incentives that appear to be coming from someone familiar but contain malicious code allowing them access to sensitive information.
5. Set strict rules on computer use: Training and guidelines for employees who access your computer systems ensure only activities and data deemed necessary keeps hackers at bay.

Small retailers owe it to themselves, their customers and their employees to ensure online systems are safe.  To learn more about SBA’s programs and services related to cybersecurity, visit  www.sba.gov/cybersecurity.

Below is a list of DEP funding opportunities compliments of our friends at the DEP North Central Regional Office.

DEP 2023 Environmental Education Grant Program Open. Fundable projects include hands-on programs for students, teacher training workshops, and community conservation projects for adults that will occur between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024. Application deadline December 9^th. Details at Environmental Education Grants (pa.gov)

DEP Agriculture Energy Efficiency Rebate Program Now Open: Fundable projects include LED lighting, efficient ventilation equipment, and efficient dairy equipment for PA ag producers. Rebates up to $5,000 are available on a first come, first served basis. Guidelines and a link to the online application can be found at www.dep.pa.gov/agricultureenergy

DEP’s Small Business Advantage Grant now open. Small Business Advantage Grant (pa.gov) Funding energy efficiency and pollution prevention projects.

DEP’s Alternative Fuel Incentive Grant is Open—next deadline is December 16^th. Funding alternative fuel vehicles for both non-profits and for-profit businesses (i.e. electric, propane, natural gas vehicles). Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant (pa.gov)

DEP’s Level 2 EV Charging Rebate Program is open–first come, first served.  Funding EV Chargers for both non-profits and for-profit businesses for public charging, employee charging, & tenant charging. Driving PA Forward (arcgis.com)

USDA’s REAP program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans & Grants | Rural Development (usda.gov)

For support or additional information contact:

Michelle Ferguson | Energy Program Specialist
Department of Environmental Protection | Energy Programs Office
North Central Regional Office
Phone: 570.327.3783
miferguson@pa.gov

The Innovative Manufacturers’ Center (IMC), Inc. is excited to welcome Tim Davis to its team of Central PA resources as an IMC Business Advisor. As an IMC Business Advisor, Tim will work closely with Central PA manufacturers to provide objective, expert advice and actionable solutions to drive economic success and profitable growth. More specifically, Tim will be concentrating his time supporting manufacturers in Bedford, Blair and Huntingdon counties.

“The IMC team is excited to have Tim join us to better serve the Southernmost counties in our region. Tim’s expertise spans many business disciplines and his approaches to solving business challenges make him a perfect match to help our clients advance their manufacturing operations.” Dennis Gilbert, IMC President.

Tim has over 35 years of management and operational experience in manufacturing businesses in Central and Southwestern PA. Various career roles include Operations Manager, Safety Manager, HR Manager, Sales Manager, Sales Rep, Service Manager, executive/business coach and trainer. His areas of expertise include employee development, strategic planning, people skills, effective communication, leadership, safety, time management, sales and customer service.

“I’ve been in manufacturing my whole career. I’ve experienced the challenges and the successes, and the personal growth provided by participating fully in creating, building, marketing, selling and supporting Pennsylvania made products. I’ve lived the manufacturing life on the frontlines with customers and coworkers, and I am very excited to join the IMC team and use my experience and knowledge to help with the challenges manufacturers face.  IMC brings a wealth of resources in training, teaching, connecting and support to help manufacturers meet those challenges. Our goal is to serve as a catalyst to help manufacturers innovate, grow and prosper.”  Tim Davis, IMC Business Advisor.

Tim has a B. S. in Occupational Health & Safety Management from Slippery Rock University. He is a graduate of the Avraham Y. Goldratt Institute’s Jonah Marketing Program where he also completed certifications in Management Skills, Theory of Constraints and Drum/Buffer/Rope Implementation. Tim has also completed extensive management and leadership training through Penn State University.