[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 12, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-647]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: January 12, 1994]


_______________________________________________________________________

Part VII





Department of Commerce





_______________________________________________________________________



National Institute of Standards and Technology



_______________________________________________________________________




Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program; Notice
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology
[Docket No. 93110-3310]

 
Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 
Technology Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice. (This information is provided for planning purposes 
only, and is not a solicitation for proposals)

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SUMMARY: This notice describes three projects to be conducted by the 
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in FY94, under 
its Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program, to provide 
planning and initial implementation assistance for manufacturing 
extension programs. These projects correspond to the State Technology 
Extension Program (STEP) component of MEP, and are intended to help 
states improve the planning, coordination, and implementation of their 
technology extension activities. In conjunction with this notice, the 
MEP program office will conduct workshops and make MEP staff available 
to describe fully the projects in advance of a formal solicitation for 
proposals.
    The three projects are:
    Program Planning: To support the creation of a program plan for a 
state-wide, coordinated technology extension system to enhance the 
competitiveness of small and medium-sized manufacturers through the 
application of technology.
    Program Implementation: To support the initial implementation of a 
comprehensive state-wide industrial extension program or the pilot 
testing of new program and service concepts to help small and medium-
sized manufacturers improve productivity and competitiveness.
    Regional Linkages: To support inter-state or multi-state efforts to 
expand the scope and enhance the effectiveness of technical assistance 
services available regionally to small and medium-sized manufacturers.
    Program Planning projects are open to all states, regardless of 
state size, industrial density/sparseness, or number of existing 
industrial assistance programs.
    For Program Implementation and Regional Linkages projects, NIST 
plans to give priority consideration to projects having the best 
potential to benefit areas with relatively sparse distribution of 
industry, or low industry density areas that do not lend themselves to 
large extension centers as a method of service delivery.

DATES: The following schedule is anticipated but is subject to change:
    * January 12, 1994--Program announcement published in the Federal 
Register. All potential applicants will have an opportunity for 
dialogue with NIST MEP staff and questions will be accepted prior to 
notice requesting proposals.
    * January 31, 1994--Informational workshop at NIST to address 
questions about the MEP program. MEP staff will be available to meet 
with representatives from individual states.
    *February 28, 1994--Notice requesting proposals published in 
Federal Register. Dialogue with MEP staff regarding notice restricted.
    *March 31, 1994--Deadline for submission of proposals.
    *May 13, 1994--Award announcements.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information regarding this 
announcement, contact Ms. Gale Morse at (301) 975-3944, or at: 
Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Polymers Building (Bldg. 224), 
room B115, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    In accordance with the provisions of the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 2781), as amended, NIST will 
provide assistance in FY94 to help states develop manufacturing 
assistance programs aimed at small- and medium-sized manufacturers and 
help bring those state programs to a level of performance where they 
can provide the full range of manufacturing extension services required 
by their manufacturers. Under the NIST Manufacturing Extension 
Partnership (MEP), a cooperative effort to link and strengthen the 
nation's manufacturing extension programs and activities, NIST will 
make merit-based awards to states to help improve their planning, 
coordination, and implementation of their technology extension 
activities. This funding will also be available to multi-state 
partnerships which seek to expand the scope of technology assistance 
related services regionally available to small- and medium-sized 
manufacturers. MEP assumes a broad definition of manufacturing, and 
recognizes a wide range of technology and concepts, including durable 
goods production; chemical, biotechnology and other materials 
processing; chemical, biotechnology and other materials processing; 
electronic component and system fabrication; and engineering services 
associated with manufacturing, as lying within the definition of 
manufacturing.

Funding Available

    Approximately, $2,500,000 will be available to support cooperative 
agreements on a matching funds basis under this program. Funding size 
will vary according to the project category and scope of work. For 
example, program planning projects have typically averaged less than 
$100,000 in past years. Program Planning projects that include pilot 
testing of the proposed extension plan will be eligible for NIST 
funding up to $150,000. For Program Implementation projects and 
Regional Linkage projects, awards will also vary, but NIST funds may 
not exceed $250,000 per project. States will be able to submit 
proposals for each of the three project categories.
    The cooperative agreements entered into under this program will be 
available for one year. NIST will have no obligation to provide any 
additional future funding to applicants selected for funding under 
these projects. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the 
period of performance will be at the local discretion of NIST.

Projects

Program Planning Projects

Project Objective
    The purpose of Program Planning projects will be to create plans 
for state-wide, coordinated, technology extension programs in order to 
enhance the competitiveness of small- and medium-sized manufacturers. 
These projects will plan for the development and coordination of 
existing and/or newly formed services, such as state industrial 
assistance programs; workforce training; university-based industrial 
assistance programs; and management assistance programs; into a unified 
state-wide program. Plans will include providing access to a wide range 
of technology and services, such as technology deployment, worker 
skills development, technology transfer and commercialization, or 
export and market development.
    Applicants may conduct planning activities on a regional basis 
within a state, when regions are defined by the state. Regions should 
be clearly defined by the proposing organizations and it must be clear 
why the program is regionally oriented, versus state-wide, and how the 
regions will be integrated into a state-wide plan or interact such that 
state-wide coverage is achieved.
    Applicants may include pilot testing activities as part of their 
planning process. If pilot testing of the proposed extension plan is 
included in the project, it should include methods of evaluating the 
pilot's success in implementing the proposed extension plan. Any 
proposed pilot activity must be consistent with the program plan 
developed for the state.
Program Planning Projects Evaluation Criteria
    Proposals from applicants will be evaluated and rated on the basis 
of the following criteria by an impartial competitive review panel. 
Each proposal should address all five selection criteria and selection 
criteria 1-3 will be weighted more heavily than criteria 4-5. Selection 
will be based upon total evaluation score as well as geographic 
distribution.
    1. Target population (25 points): Potential applicants should 
specify a methodology for identifying a population of beneficiary 
companies (the target population) and their technology assistance-
related needs. Factors that will be considered include:
    (a) Methodology for defining the size and demographic 
characteristics of the target population to be served by the program 
plan.
    (b) Methodology for determining the target population's assistance 
needs, e.g. technology, training, information, quality improvement, 
management, etc.
    (c) Methodology to ensure that the plan is appropriate for 
addressing identified industry needs.
    2. Resource identification and assessment (20 points): Applicants 
should describe the methodology for collecting information about the 
number, size, technical sophistication, type, and relevance of 
industrial assistance activities that will be part of the coordination 
effort. Factors that will be considered include:
    (a) Methodology for identifying relevant assistance programs and 
other sources of expertise outside applicant's organization.
    (b) Methodology for assessing relevance and effectiveness of 
resources in addressing identified industry needs.
    3. Coordination with existing resources (25 points): Applicants 
should set forth a plan for interacting or coordinating with 
appropriate existing and/or newly-formed state and local technology-
industrial assistance services, potential industry partners, and 
appropriate federal services, to develop a coordinated state-wide 
delivery system. Factors that will be considered include:
    (a) Methodology and adequacy of plans for forming effective 
linkages and partnerships necessary to plan for and provide a 
coordinated range of services to meet the needs of the target 
population.
    (b) Safeguards to ensure that planned activity does not duplicate 
existing services or resources.
    4. Management (15 points): Applicants should specify plans for 
proper organization, staffing, and management of the planning process. 
Factors that will be considered include:
    (a) Appropriateness and authority of the governing or managing 
organization to conduct a state-wide (or regional) planning process.
    (b) Qualifications of the project team and its leadership to 
conduct a state-wide (or regional) planning process.
    (c) Appropriateness of the organizational approach for carrying out 
the planning activity.
    (d) Evidence of significant involvement and support by the state 
and by private industry.
    5. Financial plan (15 points): Applicants should show the relevance 
and cost effectiveness of the financial plan for meeting the objectives 
of the project; the firmness and level of the applicant's total 
financial support for the project; and the plan to maintain the program 
after the cooperative agreement has expired. Factors that will be 
considered include:
    (a) Cost effectiveness of the budget.
    (b) Strength of commitment of proposer's cost share.
    (c) Effectiveness of management plans for control of budget.
    (d) Appropriateness of matching contribution.
    (e) Plan for maintaining the program after the cooperative 
agreement has expired.
Selection Procedures
    The Director of NIST will appoint an impartial evaluation panel to 
review and evaluate all qualified proposals in accordance with the 
evaluation criteria and values set forth in this notice. From the 
qualified proposals a group of finalists will be selected based on this 
review. This review process should take approximately 30 days. The 
Director of NIST, or her designee, shall select awardees based on the 
rank order of total evaluation scores, geographic distribution, and the 
availability of funds.
Eligibility
    Eligible applicants for these projects are state technology 
extension programs operated by state governments, or on behalf of state 
governments by private or public non-profit organizations. All states 
will be eligible, regardless of state size, industrial density/
sparseness, or number of existing industrial assistance programs. 
States that have received previous planning grants remain eligible for 
additional Program Planning projects. Applicants will be able to 
propose conducting the planning activities themselves or arranging for 
some or all of the planning activities to be carried out by a second 
party. One proposal for Program Planning will be accepted per state.
Financial Information
    A matching contribution from each applicant is required. NIST may 
provide financial support up to 50% of the total budget for the 
project, however, the federal share may not exceed $150,000. The 
applicant's share of the budget may include dollar contributions from 
state, county, industrial or other non-federal sources and in-kind 
contributions necessary and reasonable for proper accomplishment of 
project objectives.
Required Letters
    A letter will be required from the Governor indicating that the 
eligible applicant is the lead organization in that state for Program 
Planning activities, and acknowledging that there is only one proposal 
from that state for a Program Planning project. Where more than one 
such otherwise qualified Program Planning proposal per state is 
submitted, all such proposals from that state may be disqualified.

Program Implementation Projects

Project Objective
    The purpose of Program Implementation projects is to support the 
implementation of comprehensive, state-wide industrial extension 
programs and/or pilot testing of new program and service concepts, such 
as pilot outreach centers and other extension activities, to help small 
and medium-sized manufacturers improve productivity and 
competitiveness.
    For projects that support the implementation of a comprehensive 
state-wide industrial extension system, activities must build upon 
existing services and be consistent with comprehensive state plans, if 
such plans exist. Extension programs should provide access to a range 
of services, including but not limited to: technical extension, 
training, management assistance, and quality improvement.
    Pilot testing of new services and activities will be permitted on a 
limited scale where there is an intent to replicate these services on a 
larger scale or to move toward full-scale implementation. Accordingly, 
pilot testing must include evaluation, analysis and documentation, and 
may include some planning activities as necessary.
    NIST plans to give priority consideration to projects having the 
best potential to benefit areas with relatively sparse distribution of 
industry, or low density industry areas that do not lend themselves to 
large extension centers as a method of service delivery.
Program Implementation Projects Evaluation Criteria
    Proposals from applicants will be evaluated and rated on the basis 
of the following criteria by an impartial competitive review panel. 
Each proposal should address all six selection criteria and selection 
criteria 1-4 will be weighted more heavily than criteria 5-6. Selection 
will be based upon total evaluation score as well as geographic 
distribution.
    1. Target population (20 points): Potential applicants will be 
required to identify a population of beneficiary companies (the target 
population) and their technology-related assistance needs in the 
proposed service area. Factors that will be considered include:
    (a) A clear definition of the target population, its size and 
demographic characteristics.
    (b) Demonstrated understanding of the target population's 
assistance needs, e.g., technology, training, information, quality 
improvement, management, etc.
    (c) Appropriateness of the size of the target population and the 
anticipated impact for the proposed expenditure.
    2. Delivery mechanisms (20 points): Applicants will need to specify 
the mechanism for delivery of services to the population of beneficiary 
companies (the target population). Factors that will be considered 
include:
    (a) Appropriateness and effectiveness of proposed delivery 
mechanism for meeting the identified needs of the target population.
    (b) Demonstration of capacity to form effective linkages and 
partnerships with other appropriate service providers.
    (c) Technical quality of the proposed approach, including knowledge 
and use of best industrial modernization practices.
    3. Coordination with existing resources (20 points): Applicants 
will need to describe how they will coordinate with existing or newly 
formed state or local technology/industrial assistance services, and 
federal services, to allow for increased economies of scale and to 
avoid duplication of services in providing assistance to small and 
medium-sized manufacturers. For a comprehensive, state-wide industrial 
extension program, the applicant must show the degree to which 
activities integrate with and enhance existing or newly formed state, 
local, and appropriate federal technology assistance and industrial 
modernization activities to present a unified program of assistance. 
Factors that will be considered include:
    (a) Demonstrated understanding of existing organizations and 
resources relevant for providing technology assistance related services 
to the target population.
    (b) Adequate linkages and partnerships with existing organizations 
and clear definition of those organizations' roles in the proposed 
activities.
    (c) Proposed activity does not duplicate existing services or 
resources.
    (d) Consistency with comprehensive state plans if such plans exist.
    4. Program evaluation (20 points): The applicant should specify 
plans for evaluation of the effectiveness of the proposed program and 
for ensuring continuous improvement of program activities. Factors that 
will be considered include:
    (a) Thoroughness of evaluation plans, including internal evaluation 
for management control, external evaluation for assessing outcomes of 
the activity, and ``customer satisfaction'' measures of performance.
    (b) In the case of pilot projects, the proposer's plan must include 
documentation, analysis of the results, and must show how the results 
can be used in program development.
    5. Financial plan (10 points): Applicants should show the relevance 
and cost effectiveness of the financial plan for meeting the objectives 
of the project; the firmness and level of the applicant's total 
financial support for the project; and a plan to maintain the program 
after the cooperative agreement has expired. Factors that will be 
considered include:
    (a) Reasonableness of the budget, both in income and expenses.
    (b) Strength of commitment of the proposer's cost share.
    (c) Effectiveness of management plans for control of budget.
    (d) Appropriateness of matching contributions.
    (e) Plan for maintaining the program after the cooperative 
agreement has expired.
    6. Management (10 points): Applicants should specify plans for 
proper organization, staffing, and management of the implementation 
process. Factors that will be considered include:
    (a) Appropriateness and authority of the governing or managing 
organization to conduct the proposed activities.
    (b) Qualifications of the project team and its leadership to 
conduct the proposed activity.
    (c) Soundness of staffing plans, including recruitment, selection, 
training, and continuing professional development.
    (d) Appropriateness of the organizational approach for carrying out 
the proposed activity.
    (e) Evidence of significant involvement and support by private 
industry.
Selection Procedures
    The Director of NIST will appoint an impartial evaluation panel to 
review and evaluate all qualified proposals in accordance with the 
evaluation criteria and values set forth in this notice. From the 
qualified proposals a group of finalists will be selected based on this 
review. This review process should take approximately 30 days. The 
Director of NIST, or her designee, shall select awardees based on the 
rank order of total evaluation scores, geographic distribution, and the 
availability of funds.
Eligibility
    Eligible applicants for these projects are state technology 
extension programs operated by state governments, or on behalf of state 
governments by private or public non-profit organizations. States that 
have received previous implementation grants remain eligible for 
additional Program Implementation projects. Applicants will be able to 
propose providing services directly or arranging for the provision of 
some or all of the proposed services by a second party. More than one 
proposal may be accepted from each state.
Financial Information
    A matching contribution from each applicant will be required. NIST 
may provide financial support up to 50 percent of the total budget for 
the project; however, the federal share may not exceed $250,000. One 
half of the applicant's required match (i.e. 25% of the total) must be 
non-federal cash. Cash may include dollar contributions from state, 
county, industrial or other non-federal sources. The applicant's share 
of the budget may include in-kind contributions necessary and 
reasonable for proper accomplishment of project objectives.
Required Letters
    All proposals for Program Implementation projects must contain a 
letter from the Governor indicating that the applicant is the lead 
organization in that state for conducting the proposed activities.
    Where linkages to other organizations are proposed, applicants are 
advised to include a letter of support and commitment from the linking 
organization.

Regional Linkages Projects

Project Objective
    The purpose of Regional Linkage projects is to support inter-state 
or multi-state partnerships that will expand the scope and enhance the 
effectiveness of technical assistance services regionally available to 
small and medium-sized manufacturers. Project may be assistance 
service-led, or industry-led partnerships to provide assistance 
services that cross institutional and political boundaries. Assistance 
service-led partnerships, for example, can include shared assistance 
services that cross state boundaries, or electronic networking. 
Industry-led partnerships can include linkage activities between 
original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and suppliers, creating a 
multi-state network of suppliers, program planning for multi-state 
assistance delivery, or other activities that improve the interactions 
between manufacturers.
Regional Projects Evaluation Criteria
    Proposals from applicants will be evaluated and rated on the basis 
of the following criteria by an impartial competitive review panel. 
Each proposal should address all six selection criteria and selection 
criteria 1-4 will be weighted more heavily than criteria 5-6. Selection 
will be based upon total evaluation score as well as geographical 
distribution.
    1. Target population (20 points): Potential applicants will be 
required to identify a population of beneficiary companies (the target 
population) and their technology-related assistance needs in the 
proposed service area. Factors that will be considered include:

    (a) A clear definition of the target population, its size and 
demographic characteristics.
    (b) Demonstrated understanding of the target population's 
assistance needs, eg. technology, training, information, quality 
improvement, management, etc.
    (c) Appropriateness of the size of the target population and the 
anticipated impact for the proposed expenditures.
    2. Delivery mechanisms (20 points): Applicants will need to specify 
the mechanism for delivery of services to the population of beneficiary 
companies (the target population). Facts that will be considered 
include:
    (a) Appropriateness and effectiveness of proposed delivery 
mechanism for meeting the identified needs of the target population.
    (b) Demonstration of capacity to form effective linkages and 
partnerships with other appropriate service providers.
    (c) Technical quality of the proposed approach, including knowledge 
and use of best industrial modernization practices.
    3. Coordination with existing resources (20 points): Applicants 
will need to describe how they will coordinate with existing or newly-
formed technology/industrial assistance services and resources that 
will allow for increased economies of scale and complementary 
capabilities, and will avoid duplication of efforts in providing 
assistance to small and medium-sized manufacturers. It will be 
important to show how the proposed approach can reach across political 
or institutional boundaries to provide access to services. Factors that 
will be considered include:
    (a) Demonstrated understanding of existing organizations and 
resources relevant for providing technology assistance related services 
to the target population.
    (b) Strength of plans to establish and maintain linkages and 
partnerships with existing organizations (particularly across state 
boundaries), and a clear definition of those organizations' roles in 
the proposed activities.
    (c) Proposed activity does not duplicate existing services or 
resources.
    (d) Consistency with comprehensive state plans if such plans exist.
    4. Program evaluation (20 points): The applicant should specify 
plans for evaluation of the effectiveness of the proposed program and 
for ensuring continuous improvement of program activities. Factors that 
will be considered include:
    (a) Thoroughness of evaluation plans, including internal evaluation 
for management control, external evaluation for assessing outcomes of 
the activity, and ``customer satisfaction'' measures of performance.
    (b) Plans for the documentation, analysis for the results, and how 
the results can be used in program development.
    5. Financial plan (10 points): Applicants should show that 
relevance and cost effectiveness of the financial plan for meeting the 
objectives of the project; the firmness and level of the applicant's 
total financial support for the project; and the plan to maintain the 
program after the cooperative agreement has expired. Factors that will 
be considered include:
    (a) Reasonableness of the budget, both in income and expenses.
    (b) Strength of commitment of the proposer's cost share.
    (c) Effectiveness of management plans for control of the budget.
    (d) Appropriateness of matching contributions.
    (e) Plan for maintaining the program after the cooperative 
agreement has expired.
    6. Management (10 points): Applicants should specify plans for 
proper organization, staffing, and management of the implementation 
process. Factors that will be considered include:
    (a) Appropriateness and authority of the governing or managing 
organization to conduct the proposed inter-state or multi-state 
activities.
    (b) Qualifications of the project team and its leadership to 
conduct the proposed activity.
    (c) Soundness of staffing plans, including recruitment, selection, 
training, and continuing professional development.
    (d) Appropriateness of the organizational approach for carrying out 
the proposed activity.
    (e) Evidence of significant involvement and support by private 
industry.
Selection Procedures
    The Director of NIST will appoint an impartial evaluation panel to 
review and evaluate all qualified proposals in accordance with the 
evaluation criteria and values set forth in this notice. From the 
qualified proposals a group of finalists will be selected based on this 
review. This review process should take approximately 30 days. The 
Director of NIST, or her designee, shall select awardees based on the 
rank order of total evaluation scores, geographic distribution, and the 
availability of funds.
Eligibility
    Eligible applicants for these projects will be state and local 
governments, representing either themselves or a consortium of states, 
and appropriate private or public non-profit organizations, operating 
on behalf of a consortium of states or as a representative of states. 
Applicants will be able to propose providing services directly or 
arranging for the provision of any or all of the proposed services by a 
second party. At least one state represented in the partnership or 
consortium must be characterized by relatively sparse distribution of 
industry or as having lower industrial densities.
Financial Information
    A matching contribution from each applicant will be required. NIST 
may provide financial support up to 50% of the total budget for the 
project, however, the federal share may not exceed $250,000. The 
applicant's share of the budget may include dollar contributions from 
state, county, industrial or other non-federal sources and in-kind 
contributions necessary and reasonable for proper accomplishment of 
project objectives.

Additional Requirements

Federal Policies and Procedures

    Recipients and subrecipients are subject to all Federal laws and 
Federal and DOC policies, regulations, and procedures applicable to 
Federal financial assistance awards.

Past Performance

    Unsatisfactory performance under prior Federal awards may result in 
an application not being considered for funding.

Preaward Activities

    If applicants incur any cost prior to an award being made, they do 
so solely at their own risk of not being reimbursed by the Government. 
Notwithstanding any verbal assurance that may have been received, there 
is no obligation on the part of DOC to cover pre-award costs.

Delinquent Federal Debts

    No award of Federal funds shall be made to an applicant who has an 
outstanding delinquent Federal debt until either:
    1. The delinquent account is paid in full;
    2. A negotiated repayment schedule is established and at least one 
payment is received; or
    3. Other arrangements satisfactory to DOC are made.

Name Check Review

    All non-profit and for-profit applicants are subject to a name 
check review process. Name checks are intended to reveal if any key 
individuals associated with the applicant have been convicted of or are 
presently facing criminal charges such as fraud, theft, perjury, or 
other matters which significantly reflect on the applicant's management 
honesty or financial integrity.

Primary Applicant Certification

    All primary applicants must submit a completed Form CD-511, 
``Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other 
Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace Requirements and 
Lobbying,'' and the following explanations are hereby provided.
1. Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension
    Prospective participants (as defined at 15 CFR part 26, section 
105) are subject to 15 CFR part 26, ``Nonprocurement Debarment and 
Suspension'' and the related section of the certification form 
prescribed above applies;
2. Drug Free Workplace
    Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR part 26, section 605) are subject to 
15 CFR part 26, subpart F, ``Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free 
Workplace (Grants)'' and the related section of the certification form 
prescribed above applies;
3. Anti-Lobbying
    Persons (as defined at 15 CFR part 28, section 105) are subject to 
the lobbying provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1352, ``Limitation on use of 
appropriated funds to influence certain Federal contracting and 
financial transactions,'' and the lobbying section of the certification 
form prescribed above applies to applications/bids for grants, 
cooperative agreements, and contracts for more than $100,000, and loans 
and loan guarantees for more than $150,000, or the single family 
maximum mortgage limit for affected programs, whichever is greater; and
4. Anti-Lobbying Disclosures
    Any applicant that has paid or will pay for lobbying using any 
funds must submit an SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' as 
required under 15 CFR part 28, appendix B.

Lower Tier Certifications

    Recipients shall require applicants/bidders for subgrants, 
contracts, subcontracts, or other lower tier covered transaction at any 
tier under the award to submit, if applicable, a complete Form CD-512, 
``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and 
Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered Transactions and Lobbying'' and 
disclosure form, SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities;'' Form 
CD-512 is intended for the use of recipients and should not be 
transmitted to DOC. SF-LLL submitted by any tier recipient or 
subrecipient should be submitted to DOC in accordance with the 
instructions contained in the award document.

False Statements

    A false statement on an application is grounds for denial or 
termination of funds and grounds for possible punishment by a fine or 
imprisonment as provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

    The catalog number for the award of State Technology Extension 
Program funds in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance is 11613.

Executive Order 12372 ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''

    Is applicable to the extent permitted by law.

Classification

    The Manufacturing Extension Partnership is being carried out under 
the authority of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988, as 
amended 15 U.S.C. 2781. This notice relating to public property, loans, 
grants, benefits, or contracts is exempt from all requirements of 
section 553 of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2)) 
including notice and opportunity for comment. Therefore, a Regulatory 
Flexibility Analysis is not required and was not prepared for this 
notice for purposes of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5) U.S.C. 603 
and 604). The program is not a major Federal action requiring an 
environmental assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act. 
This notice does not contain policies with Federalism implications 
sufficient to warrant preparation of a Federalism assessment under 
Executive Order 12612. This notice contains collection of information 
requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act which have been 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB Control Number 
0693-0010).

    Dated: January 6, 1994.
Samuel Kramer,
Associate Director.
[FR Doc. 94-647 Filed 1-11-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-M