Grant Project Narrative

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May Management, LLC proposes to build and operate a Cleveland-based SSD assembly, testing, and traceability facility paired with a compliant distribution channel. The project addresses a practical market failure affecting MSPs and SMB IT teams: unacceptable quality variability, including DOA units and early-life failures, that drive downtime and labor cost even when drives are sourced through mainstream channels. Phase 1 (18 months) stands up an ESD-safe pilot line and test lab, implements lot/serial traceability, and delivers a repeatable operating system that produces validated SSD SKUs with customer-ready acceptance test reports and rapid replacement handling. The capability scales into higher-volume enterprise channels in Phase 2 and integrator readiness in Phase 3 as documentation maturity increases.

MSPs and SMB IT teams absorb the cost of storage failures. In practice, SSD quality can be inconsistent: deployments encounter DOA units, early-life failures, firmware quirks, and performance variability that consume technician time and delay client deliverables. These problems are often difficult to diagnose without supplier documentation and lot traceability, leading to repeated incidents across client fleets. A local, process-driven facility that performs incoming quarantine, acceptance testing, optional stress screening, and lot/serial traceability reduces failure-driven downtime and strengthens supply assurance. Supply volatility can amplify risk when buyers are forced to substitute models or sources; documented validation becomes even more valuable under those conditions.

Goal      /     Outcome

Quality-first capability - 

Establish an Ohio-based test and validation operation that functions as a 'quality firewall' for MSP/SMB buyers (acceptance testing and documented results).

Traceability and diagnosability - 

Implement lot + serial traceability and an incoming quarantine / inspection workflow to isolate and correct lot-level issues quickly.

Workforce - 

Create 12-20 jobs by month 18 and establish a technician/QA training pipeline with a local partner.

Commercial readiness - 

Deliver MSP-ready SKUs with acceptance test reports, published warranty/RMA handling, and measurable DOA/RMA metrics.

Work Package   /    Scope

WP1 – Facility & ESD Buildout - 

Lease/buildout, ESD controls, benches, secure cage, receiving/quarantine area.

WP2 – Equipment & Test Automation -

Test racks, burn-in fixtures, QA instruments, automation scripts and reports.

WP3 – Quality & Traceability System -

SOPs, incoming inspection, serialization, lot linkage, documentation retention.

WP4 – Workforce Hiring & Training -

Hire Ops, QA, supply chain, technicians; establish training partner pipeline.

WP5 – Commercial Launch & Scaling - 

SKU qualification, MSP pilot shipments, anchor accounts, and metric-driven scaling plan.

Milestone    /    Definition of Completion

M1 (Month 3) - 

Facility secured; buildout plan complete; key hires initiated.

M2 (Month 6) -

ESD buildout complete; first test rack installed; distribution channel live.

M3 (Month 9) -

First qualified SKU shipments to MSP/SMB accounts with acceptance test reports; traceability live; replacement handling process operational.

M4 (Month 12) - 

Anchor MSP accounts onboarded; training partner pipeline established; first quarterly quality metrics report (DOA/RMA by SKU/lot).

M5 (Month 18) -

Throughput scaled; DOA/RMA metrics tracked and improved; Phase 2 expansion package prepared for higher-volume B2B.

Budget categories below are presented to match common grant requirements. Final line items will be supported by vendor quotes and lease/buildout proposals.

Category      /      Amount

Facility buildout (ESD + security + benches)   /   $650,000

Test racks and QA instrumentation   /   $900,000

Traceability + QA reporting + IT systems   /   $200,000

Workforce onboarding/training   /   $350,000

Project management and compliance support   /   $125,000

Contingency   /   $175,000

Total grant-aligned project cost (capability)   /   $2,400,000

Working capital for inventory ramp is intentionally separated and is expected to be financed via revolving credit facilities, not grant funds.

Program-specific cost-share or match expectations vary. To meet non-federal contribution requirements without relying on large founder cash, the Applicant anticipates a blended approach: modest sponsor cash contribution, eligible in-kind contributions where permitted, and grant-contingent private capital (e.g., a convertible note/SAFE that funds eligible project costs upon award). Working capital for inventory remains outside the grant scope and will be financed through revolving credit facilities.

May Management, LLC will execute the project using a combination of key hires and qualified vendors. The leadership approach is integrator-led: management sets standards, secures funding, and drives milestones; specialist roles deliver technical work under documented procedures.

• Project Director / Executive Lead (capital formation, milestones, reporting)

• Operations Manager (facility operations, throughput planning, vendor coordination)

• Quality/Process Lead (QMS, inspection, test standards, corrective actions)

• Test/Validation Engineer (test automation, reporting, acceptance criteria)

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• Supply Chain Manager (approved sources, traceability documentation, allocation strategy)

The project creates skilled technician and quality roles in Cleveland, supports local industrial occupancy, and contributes to Ohio’s emerging semiconductor and microelectronics ecosystem. By locating in Cleveland, the project can partner with regional workforce providers and supply-chain stakeholders while serving customers across Northeast Ohio.

Revenue sustainability is supported by a phased model that prioritizes repeat MSP/SMB accounts. Distribution provides early cashflow and customer acquisition. Validation/testing, certified tiers, and traceability documentation raise margins and reduce warranty exposure, enabling long-term competitiveness and expansion into higher-volume B2B channels.

• Quarterly reporting on facility progress, equipment installation, and hiring.

• KPIs: throughput, failure rates, RMA rate, on-time fulfillment, training completions.

• Documentation retention for source records, inspection results, and test reports.

• Audit-ready financial tracking aligned to grant requirements.