Frequently Asked Questions
- How are the operational responsibilities being distributed?
- The Alliance for Performance Excellence: Will manage the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award process beginning with the 2026 award cycle. This includes examiner recruitment and training, applicant evaluation, and making formal recommendations to NIST for the Secretary of Commerce’s final selection.
- Baldrige Foundation: Will manage the Quest for Excellence Conference and Baldrige Award ceremony, the Baldrige Excellence Framework revisions, and the Baldrige Executive Fellows Program.
- NIST/DOC: Will 1) provide guidance for and retain oversight of the Baldrige Award process and Baldrige Excellence Framework; 2) retain and manage relevant trademarks; and 3) ensure compliance with all relevant statutory requirements, including:
- Maintaining the Board of Overseers, which is responsible for reviewing the award process and making recommendations for improvements to NIST/DOC;
- Making available proven practices (codified in the Baldrige Excellence Framework), the Baldrige Award Criteria, and the non-proprietary best practices of the Baldrige Award recipients; and
- Receiving award recipient recommendations, making decisions on the proposed award recipients, and presenting the award.
- How is it possible to shift a government program to the private sector?
The Baldrige Program was established as a public-private partnership where the government’s main responsibility was oversight to ensure the integrity of the award process, and the private sector contributed most of the human and financial resources to do the work. The enacting legislation gives the Director of NIST the authority and responsibility to leverage appropriate contractual agreements to accomplish the objectives of the legislation. Transitioning most of the program’s operational responsibilities to private sector partners through a formal agreement is in full alignment with the statute and a natural extension of decades of collaboration with our private sector partners. - What is the timeline for the transition?
Although an official announcement of this new partnership was delayed due to the federal government shutdown, the transition has been in the planning and preparation phase for several months and will take place immediately, with ongoing efforts expected to continue into early 2026. - Is the new arrangement permanent?
The agreement establishes a long-term framework designed to provide continuity and stability for the Baldrige mission. In keeping with Baldrige’s commitment to continuous improvement, the parties have also included a formal review process to ensure the arrangement remains the strongest possible model for the future. This review, scheduled no later than December 31, 2026 (with the possibility of limited extensions), honors the Baldrige values of alignment, integration, and effectiveness. Unless all parties agree to a clearly better alternative, the current agreement will remain in place and continue to guide the work. - Will the Baldrige Award still be a presidential-level recognition?
Yes. As long as the requirements articulated in 15 U.S.C. § 3711a, as amended, continue to be met and the Secretary of Commerce approves/makes the final selection of the award recipients - Who should we contact with questions or for more information?
Please reach out to info@baldrigealliance.org. We will also continue to update these FAQs.