The document discusses the Malcom Baldrige National Quality Award, which was established in 1987 to recognize and publicize successful quality strategies of U.S. companies. The award is administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the American Society for Quality and recognizes achievements in seven categories, including manufacturing, service, small business, and education. Winners are evaluated on criteria focusing on key areas of business performance like customer satisfaction, productivity, and supplier quality. The criteria include leadership, strategic planning, process management, and business results.