(NIST: Gaithersburg, MD) -- Thirty-four organizations from a wide range of sectors have submitted applications for the 2016 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Demonstrating the relevance and value of the Baldrige Excellence Framework to organizations of multiple sizes and sectors, the 2016 Baldrige Award applicants include 21 healthcare organizations, four education organizations, four nonprofit organizations, three small businesses, and two service businesses. The organizations are based in 20 U.S. states and represent every major region of the United States.

Working in teams throughout the summer, members of the volunteer board of Baldrige examiners will evaluate the award applicants against the 2015-2016 Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence. The assessment criteria encompass categories of leadership; strategy; customers; measurement, analysis, and knowledge management; workforce; operations; and results. Baldrige examiners provide each applicant with 500 to 1,000 hours of review and a detailed report on the organization’s strengths and opportunities for improvement.

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