Baldrige Transition FAQs Overview

The Baldrige Foundation, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the Alliance for Performance Excellence have entered a new chapter in our long-standing partnership with and promotion of the Baldrige Program. This transition strengthens the partnership between the public and private sectors, preserves the rigor of the Baldrige Excellence Framework, and positions the Baldrige Enterprise for long-term growth and wider national impact. To help everyone understand what this transition means, how responsibilities are being shared, and what stays the same, we’ve compiled answers to the most common questions we’ve received. These FAQs are designed to provide straightforward clarity, reinforce the program's stability, and highlight the opportunities this new structure creates for organizations, communities, and leaders across the country. This page serves as your quick guide to the changes, the roles each partner will play, and what organizations can expect moving forward.

How are the operational responsibilities being distributed?

Baldrige Foundation:
Will manage the:

• Quest for Excellence® Conference
• Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Awards Ceremony
• Baldrige Excellence Framework
• Baldrige Executive Fellows Program

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.

NIST/DOC:
Will do the following:

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?

Though 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, takes place immediately, and will be an ongoing effort 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 do we reach out to with questions or for more information?

Please reach out to the Baldrige Foundation communications office at info@baldrigefoundation.org with questions. We will also continue to update these FAQs.