The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award is a prestigious award established by the U.S. Congress in 1987 to recognize organizations for their excellence in quality management and performance. Named after Malcolm Baldrige, a former U.S. Secretary of Commerce, the award aims to promote awareness of quality as a competitive advantage and to encourage organizations to improve their performance. The award is open to various sectors, including manufacturing, service, small businesses, education, and healthcare. Organizations are evaluated based on criteria such as leadership, strategic planning, customer focus, and process management, helping them enhance their overall effectiveness and efficiency.