[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 18 (Thursday, January 27, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-1706]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: January 27, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards and Technology
15 CFR Part 290
[Docket No. 931239-3339]
Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology
agency: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce.
action: Notice of proposed rulemaking; request for comments.
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summary: The National Institute of Standards and Technology requests
comments on the proposed amendments contained in this document to the
regulations found at part 290 of title 15 of the Code of Federal
Regulations, which implement the Regional Centers for the Transfer of
Manufacturing Technology. This change revises the matching fund
requirements in the fifth and sixth years of operation to reflect
program experience during the first five years. With this change, the
maximum allowable Federal funding will be one third of total expenses
during years five and six. Currently, the maximum allowable Federal
funding is 30 percent in year five and 20 percent in year six. This
change also modifies the requirements for cash match. With this change,
at least half of the match must be in cash or full-time personnel
loaned to the operating organization. Currently at least 55 percent of
the match must be in cash or full-time personnel.
dates: Comments on the proposed program must be received no later than
February 28, 1994.
addresses: Comments on the proposed rule changes must be submitted in
writing to: MTC Program Rule Comments, Technology Administration, U.S.
Department of Commerce, room B115 Polymers Building, Gaithersburg, MD
20899. All comments received in response to this notice will become
part of the public record and will be available for inspection and
copying in the Commerce Department's Central Reference and Records
Inspection Facility, Herbert Hoover Building, room 6020, 14th Street
between E Street and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230.
for further information contact: To receive additional program
information, contact Philip Nanzetta at (301) 975-3414.
supplementary information: The National Institute of Standards and
Technology requests comments regarding proposed changes to the matching
funds requirements for the Regional Centers for the Transfer of
Manufacturing Technology (Manufacturing Technology Centers, MTC)
program found at part 290 of title 15 of the Code of Federal
Regulations. The MTC program provides financial and technical
assistance to regional centers (MTCs) which work directly with small
and medium sized manufacturing firms to advance their level of
manufacturing technology. The MTCs are selected on a competitive basis
in accordance with the regulation at 15 CFR part 290.
Part of the funding for each MTC is provided by a Federal
cooperative agreement and the balance (the ``match'') is provided
through a variety of means by the operating organization. The match is
generally provided as a combination of non-Federal public funds or in-
kind match, contributions of cash or in-kind resources from private
sources, and earned income of the MTC. The authorizing legislation
allows Federal funding of up to half the total budget (cash and in-
kind) in the first three years and requires that the Secretary adopt
regulations which specify a declining level of Federal support during
the next three years. The current regulation specifies those maximum
funding levels to be 40 percent, 30 percent, and 20 percent in years
four through six respectively. The changes proposed to part 290 will
specify those maximum funding levels to be 40 percent, \1/3\, and \1/3\
in years four through six respectively.
The current regulation requires that 55 percent of the match be in
cash or full-time personnel. There is no statutory requirement for this
cash ratio. The changes proposed to part 290 will specify that half of
the match be in cash or full-time personnel.
Classification
This document was not reviewed by the Office of Management and
Budget under Executive Order 12866. The General Counsel has certified
to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy, Small Business Administration, that
this rule will not have a significant economic effect on a substantial
number of small entities requiring a flexibility analysis under the
Regulatory Flexibility Act because the proposed rule changes will
affect only those governmental units that are selected to receive
funding under the Program. The program is entirely voluntary for the
participants that seek funding. It is not a major federal action
requiring an environmental assessment under the National Environmental
Policy Act. The Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing
Technology Program does not involve the mandatory payment of any
matching funds from a state or local government, and does not affect
directly any state or local government. Accordingly, the Technology
Administration has determined that Executive Order 12372 is not
applicable to this program. This notice does not contain policies with
Federalism implications sufficient to warrant preparation of a
Federalism assessment under Executive Order 12612.
List of Subjects in 15 CFR Part 290
Science and technology, Business and industry, Small businesses.
Dated: January 19, 1994.
Raymond G. Kammer,
Deputy Director.
For reasons set forth in the preamble, it is proposed that title
15, part 290 of the Code of Federal Regulations be amended as follows:
PART 290--REGIONAL CENTERS FOR THE TRANSFER OF MANUFACTURING
TECHNOLOGY
1. The authority section for part 290 is revised to read as
follows:
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 278k.
2. Section 290.4 is amended by revising Table 1 in paragraph (b)
and paragraph (c)(5) to read as follows:
Sec. 290.4 Terms and schedule of financial assistance.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
Table 1. Schedule of NIST Matching Funds
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Year of center operation Maximum NIST share
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1-3................................ \1/2\
4.................................. \2/5\
5-6................................ \1/3\
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(c) * * *
(5) In-kind contribution of part-time personnel, equipment,
software, rental value of centrally located space (office and
laboratory) and other related contributions up to a maximum of one-half
of the host's annual share. Allowable capital expenditures may be
applied in the award year expended or in subsequent award years. These
restrictions on host contribution apply to all awards issued or
extended after September 30, 1994.
[FR Doc. 94-1706 Filed 1-26-94; 8:45 am]
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