This funding will allow the MEP consortium to begin providing training and expertise to contractors who want to become qualified suppliers or expand their Department of Defense business. The MEP consortium will also work with individual businesses to help them understand specific DoD requirements for critical defense material and identify existing DoD qualified suppliers to rapidly respond to surges in demand for specific, difficult to find parts and material, while also providing local oversight of contract execution, support strategic planning, and employee training.
"The Maine MEP team is working to meet the needs of the Department of Defense for the prompt and reliable delivery of parts and high quality equipment," said Senator Collins. "They are able to do this while saving money but not sacrificing quality."
Senator Collins worked hard to retain the $6 million included in the Senate version of the Defense Appropriations bill, as there was no funding included for this project in the House bill passed earlier this year. The Defense Appropriations conference report is expected to be filed late today, and will now come before the full body of the House and Senate for action. The overall report will provide approximately $355.1 billion in support of defense related activities.
The Maine MEP team works together in an innovative, effective and cost-efficient partnership to help small manufactures competitively meet the procurement demands of the United States Armed Forces.