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

B -- SERVICES TO THE MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP (MEP) USING BALDRIGE QUALITY CRITERIA SOL 50SBNB6C9235 DUE 090898 POC Contract Specialist, Anne McFarlane (301) 975-4648; Contracting Officer, David Orris (301) 975-4154 WEB: NIST Contracts Homepage, http://www.nist.gov/admin/od/contract/contract.htm. E-MAIL: NIST Contracts Office, Contact@nist.gov. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to negotiate with Dr. Curt Reimann, of Clarksburg, MD, a one year extension to Contract 50SBNB6C9235 on a sole source basis for continued services to the NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). These services shall include: (1) review of quality-related practices of selected MEP Centers to determine key needs and to make recommendations; (2) make presentations on quality to selected manufacturing audiences, MEP Center leaders, and like organizations; (3) provide consulting services to the NIST MEP Program and to others; (4) develop educational materials on quality, tailored to the needs of small businesses and MEP Centers; (5) develop assessment materials suitable to the needs of small businesses and MEP Centers; (6) review educational and assessment materials and provide written and oral comment to the NIST MEP Program. As the original visionary for the development of the Federal role in the Malcolm Baldrige Quality Award Program, Dr. Reimann has unique qualifications which include his recognition as the leading quality expert in the U.S. as well as being a recognized leader in international quality activities. The thoroughness, approach and vigor of the process that Dr. Reimann developed and insisted upon were critical to the establishment and acceptance of America's National Quality Award. Dr. Reimann has high level knowledge of the criteria of both the Baldrige Program and the MEP Program, and the success and critical acclaim associated with the Baldrige Program are directly attributed to Dr. Reimann. Dr. Reimann is the only individual sufficiently qualified and uniquely knowledgeable of the Baldrige Program, criteria, and overall quality processes, to assist MEP in identification of opportunities to provide better services to small businesses. The period of performance of the contract modification will be from October 01, 1998 to September 30, 1999. FOB Destination Gaithersburg, MD. The statutory authority is 41USC 254 (c)(1), only one responsible source that can meet the requirements of the Government. See numbered Notes 22 and 26. Posted 08/07/98 (W-SN234207). (0219)

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