Overview

MMEC's Supplier Scouting services help Montana manufacturers improve the quality of their supply chains by helping to source components and materials, and by matching their products with sourcing requests from around the U.S.

We are part of NIST MEP’s Supply Chain Optimization and Intelligence Network (SCOIN), which seeks to build resiliency into American manufacturing by connecting supply chains across the country. Manufacturing Extension Partnerships in all 50 states and Puerto Rico share their clients' needs through the network, matching them with capable domestic suppliers. 

MMEC Supplier Scouting services are temporarily provided free of charge thanks to funding by the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act.   

Helping Montana Manufacturers Find What They Need

Manufacturers can use MMEC’s supplier scouting services to help find the American-sourced raw materials and original equipment they require. Scouting for supplies through SCOIN can help improve your operations by: 

  • Finding the products and materials you need to fill the gaps in your supply chain.
  • Seeking out lower-cost alternatives to what you already buy.
  • Creating redundancy so you can minimize how a single supplier’s problems affect your production.
  • Identifying domestic suppliers, supporting the U.S. economy and eliminating risks associated with international sourcing.

For more information, or to start your search,click this link to email Jeff Peterson, Supply Chain Program Manager, or click this link to identify and contact your regional Business Advisor. After that the process is simple:

  • Discuss your needs and how SCOIN can help.
  • Fill out a form describing essential details about what you seek. The form is available through this link.
  • Submit the scouting request to the national network.
After a designated length of time for the search, MMEC will aggregate responses and deliver them to you. Findings will include the names, capabilities, and contact information of companies (if any) that have the capability to produce or provide the materials/items you post.

Find Sales Opportunities through the National Network

Below is a continually updated list of supplier scouting requests from the NIST national Network. If you would like more information or to submit your company as a qualified supplier for one of these opportunities, follow this link to email Jeff Peterson. 

Current Supplier Scouting Opportunities

Gear Drive Wheel

Scouting #2024-380

Closes December 19

Smokeless Gunpowder Manufacturers

Scouting #2024-356

Closes December 20

Wind Turbine Generation Tower

Scouting #2024-358

Closes December 20

Barbed Dowel (Hardwood)

Scouting #2024-373

Closes December 20

Cast Iron Lid & Rim

Scouting #2024-343

Closes December 22

Pultruded Plastic Pipe Supports

Scouting #2024-381

Closes January 4

Stainless Steel Sheets

Scouting #2024-321

Closes January 7

Fingerprint Table

Scouting #2024-280

Closes January 9

Non-Sparkling Bronze Manganese Hammer Heads

Scouting #2024-359

Closes January 19

OEM for Outdoor Furniture Brand

Scouting #2024-385  Closes December 11

 

Government Agencies are Also Seeking Sources of the Following Items, in Compliance with the Build America, Buy America Act:

Scouting Number  Item Close Date
2024-376

Clean Room Communication System

Dec 18
2024-361

High Resolution Inductively Coupled Mass Spectrometer

Dec 20
2024-357

Multi-Gas Meters

Dec 20
2024-366

Panelboards 

Dec 20
2024-379

Resilient Seated Gate Valve

Jan 3
2024-382

Used Shipping Containers

Jan 4
2024-377

All-Terrain Vehicle

Jan 4
2024-378

Pallet Jacks

Jan 4
2024-374

Water Source Heat Pumps

Jan 4
2024-389

Door Hardware

Jan 4
2024-390

Plumbing Fixtures

Jan 4
2024-391

Low Voltage Telecommunications Infrastructure

Jan 4
2024-392

Hydronic Devices

Jan 4
2024-383

Residential Garage Doors

Jan 10
2024-384

Wire Closet Shelving

Jan 10
2024-386

Vertical and Horizontal Blinds

Jan 10
2024-387

Flooring - Carpet and Luxury Vinyl plank

Jan 10
2024-388

Cabinet Hardware

Jan 10
2024-393

Irrigation Parts/Components

Jan 10
      2024-029 Coils and Fans For Fan Coils Feb 6
2024-375 Natural Gas Pipeline Rupture Mitigation Valves Feb 25
      2024-063 Solar Panels, Electric Vehicle Chargers, Electric Vehicles March 7

Supply Chain Webinars

MMEC joined with MEPs around the country to promote the Supply Chain 101 series presented by Manufacturer's Edge and CMTC. The three parts of the series are available on-demand at the links below.

 

View Part III on Demand

View Part II on Demand

View Part I On Demand