[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 87 (Friday, May 5, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22355-22359]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-11123]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards and Technology
[Docket No. 950317076-5076-01]
RIN 0693-ZA05


Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program

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

[[Page 22356]] ACTION: Notice of availability of funds.

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SUMMARY: The National Institute of Standards and Technology invites 
proposals from qualified organizations for funding projects to conduct 
the planning and coordination of manufacturing extension efforts at the 
state and local level under the Manufacturing Extension Partnership 
(MEP). These projects correspond to the State Technology Extension 
Program (STEP) component of MEP.
    Program Planning project proposals can be submitted by all states 
or not-for-profit organizations designated by the state as responsible 
for manufacturing extension programs. States which have not received a 
planning award within the past two years from the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology under the State Technology Extension Program 
of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership are eligible. States that 
have received previous planning grants more than two years ago remain 
eligible for additional Program Planning projects. State which are 
performing planning on a regional basis within the state and which have 
recently received a regional planning award may apply for additional 
awards for planning in other regions. For further information, see 
Eligibility Criteria section.

DATES: Proposals from qualified organizations will be accepted from May 
5, 1995, with a total of $3,000,000 of funding available.

ADDRESSES: Applicants should submit proposals to the Manufacturing 
Extension Partnership, Bldg. 301, Room C121, National Institute of 
Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For information regarding this announcement, contact the Manufacturing 
Extension Partnership at (301) 975-5020, or at: Manufacturing Extension 
Partnership, Bldg. 301, Room C121, National Institute of Standards and 
Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-0001.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

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 
11.613.

Background

    In accordance with the provisions of the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. Sec. 272 (b)(1) and (c)(7) and 
Sec. 278l), as amended, NIST will provide assistance 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.

Funding Availability

    Approximately $3,000,000 will be available to support cooperative 
agreements under this program. This is sufficient to fund all states 
which have not received a STEP planning award within the past two 
years. Proposals must request less than $100,000 in Federal funds.

Invitation for Proposals

    Proposals will be accepted from qualified organizations from May 5, 
1995, with a total of $3,000,000 of funding available.

Award Period

    The cooperative agreements entered into under this program will 
have a performance period of one year. If an application is selected 
for funding, NIST has no obligation to provide any additional future 
funding in connection with that award. Renewal of an award to increase 
funding or extend the period of performance is at the total discretion 
of NIST.

Cost Share Requirements

    A cost sharing 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 must be less than $100,000. The 
applicant's share of the budget may include cash contributions from 
state, county, industrial or other non-federal sources and in-kind 
contributions which are directly related to the task to be 
accomplished.

Proposal Content

    The proposal must, at a minimum, include the following:
    A. An executive summary of the proposed project, consistent with 
the Evaluation Criteria stated in this notice.
    B. A description of the proposed project, sufficient to permit 
evaluation of the proposal, in accordance with the proposal Evaluation 
Criteria stated in this notice.
    C. A budget for the proposed project which identifies all sources 
of funds, and details expenses.
    D. A description of the qualifications of key personnel who will be 
assigned to work on the proposed project.
    E. A statement of work that discusses the specific tasks to be 
carried out, including a schedule of measurable events and milestones.
    F. A letter from the Governor's office (not considered part of the 
page count) indicating that the applicant is the lead organization for 
conducting the proposed activities and acknowledging that there is only 
one proposal from that proposed activities and acknowledging that there 
is only one proposal from that state or region for Program Planning.
    G. A Standard Form 424, 424-A, and 424-B (Rev 4-92) prescribed by 
OMB circular A-102, and Form CD-511, Certification Regarding Debarment, 
Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace 
Requirements and Lobbying. The 424 series of forms and form CD-511 will 
not be considered part of the page count of the proposal.

Proposal Format

    The proposal must not exceed 20 typewritten pages in length. The 
proposal must contain both technical and cost information. The proposal 
page count shall include every page, including pages that contain 
words, table of contents, executive summary, management information and 
qualifications, resumes, figures, tables, and pictures. All proposals 
shall be printed such that pages are single-sided, with no more than 
fifty-five (55) lines per page. Use 21.6 x 27.9 cm (8\1/2\'' x 11'') 
paper or A4 metric paper. Use an easy-to-read font of not more than 
about 5 characters per cm (fixed pitch font of 12 or fewer characters 
per inch or proportional font of point size 10 or larger). Smaller type 
may be used in figures and tables, but must be clearly legible. Margins 
on all sides (top, bottom, left and right) must be at least 2.5 cm. 
(1''). The applicant may submit a separately bound document of 
appendices, containing letters of support for the proposal. The 
proposal should be self-contained and not rely on the appendices for 
meeting criteria. Excess pages in the proposal will not be considered 
in the evaluation. Applicants must submit one signed original plus six 
copies of the proposal.

Program Planning Projects

a. Project Objective

    The purpose of Program Planning projects will be to create plans 
for state- [[Page 22357]] wide, coordinated, manufacturing extension 
programs in order to enhance the competitiveness of small- and medium-
sized manufacturers by increasing their rate of adoption of improved 
technologies and techniques. These projects will plan for the 
development and coordination of existing and/or newly formed services, 
such as state industrial assistance programs; university-based 
industrial assistance programs; and business systems assistance 
programs, into a unified state-wide program. Plans will include methods 
for providing access to a wide range of technical services and access 
to related services for small- and medium-sized manufacturers in the 
state or region.
    Applicants may conduct planning activities on an intrastate 
regional basis 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.
    Applicants may include small 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 test's success in implementing the proposed extension plan. Any 
pilot activity must be consistent with the program plan developed for 
the state.

b. Program Planning Projects Evaluation Criteria

    Proposals will be evaluated and rated on the basis of the following 
criteria by an impartial review panel. Each proposal should address all 
five evaluation criteria. Evaluation criteria are individually 
weighted. Selection will be based upon the total evaluation score of 
eligible proposals.
    1. Market Research and Assessment (20 points): Potential applicants 
should specify a methodology for defining the demographics of the 
smaller manufacturers in the region (the customers for the extension 
system) and their technical assistance-related needs. Factors that will 
be considered include:
    (a) Methodology for defining the size and demographic 
characteristics of the customer base to be served by the extension 
system.
    (b) Methodology for determining the customer base's technical 
assistance needs.
    (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 existing 
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 identifying industry needs.
    3. Coordination with Existing Resources (20 points): Applicants 
should set forth a plan for interacting or coordinating with 
appropriate existing and/or newly-formed state and local 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 customer base.
    (b) Safeguards to ensure that planned activity does not duplicate 
existing services or resources.
    4. Management (25 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 and demonstrated leadership of the project 
manager and any project team 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.
    (e) Degree of leadership and control of the planning process by 
representatives from the private sector and especially smaller 
manufacturers.
    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 implement the 
program after the cooperative agreement has expired. Factors that will 
be considered include:
    (a) Cost effectiveness of the budget.
    (b) The strength of commitment of the proposer's cost share, and 
the percentage of cost share that is cash. Cash cost share is 
considered to demonstrate a stronger commitment than in-kind.
    (c) Effectiveness of management plans for control of budget.
    (d) The portion of cost sharing that is in-kind must be appropriate 
and directly related to performing the tasks described in the statement 
of work.

c. Eligibility Criteria

     Eligible applicants for these projects are state 
governments or non-profit organizations.
     All states or regions which have not received a planning 
award within the past two years from the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology under the State Technology Extension Program 
of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership are eligible.
     States that have received previous planning grants more 
than two years ago remain eligible for additional Program Planning 
projects.
     States which are performing planning on a regional basis 
within the state and which have recently received a regional planning 
award may apply for additional awards for planning in other regions.
     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 or region within a state.

d. Required Letters

    A letter will be required from the Governor of the proposing state 
indicating that the eligible applicant is the lead organization in that 
state or region for the proposed Program Planning activities, and 
acknowledging that there is only one proposal from that state or region 
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.

e. Cost Share Requirements

    A cost sharing 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 must be less than $100,000. The 
applicant's share of the budget may include cash contributions from 
state, county, industrial or other non-federal sources and in-kind 
contributions which are directly related to the task to be 
accomplished.

Proposal Selection Process

    Proposal evaluation and selection process will be performed from 
the date [[Page 22358]] of publication of this document until further 
notice and will consist of three principal phases: proposal 
qualification, proposal review and award determination.

a. Proposal Qualification

    All proposals will be reviewed by NIST to assure compliance with 
the proposal content and other basic provisions of this notice. 
Proposals which satisfy these requirements will be designated as 
qualified proposals. Non-qualified proposals will be returned to the 
proposer and may be resubmitted after addressing the omissions.

b. Proposal Review

    NIST will appoint an evaluation panel, composed of at least three 
(3) reviewers, to review and evaluate all qualified proposals in 
accordance with the evaluation criteria and values set forth in this 
notice. After scoring, the panel will determine which proposals will be 
accepted and recommended for funding. For those proposals not 
recommended for funding at this stage, a NIST staff person not involved 
in the review of the proposal will contact the proposer and provide 
comments and feedback based upon the evaluation panel review. Proposals 
may then be modified and resubmitted for review.

c. Award Determination

    The Director of NIST, or a designee, shall make final determination 
of whether an award should be made to the proposing organization based 
on the review of the panel's recommendations.

Additional Requirements

    (a) Federal policies and procedures. Recipients and sub-recipients 
are subject to all Federal laws and Federal and NIST policies, 
regulations, and procedures applicable to Federal financial assistance 
awards.
    (b) Indirect Costs. The total dollar amount of the indirect costs 
proposed in an application under this program must not exceed the 
indirect cost rate negotiated and approved by a cognizant Federal 
agency prior to the proposed effective date of the award or 100 percent 
of the total proposed direct costs dollar amount in the application, 
whichever is less.
    (c) Pre-award activities. If applicants incure any costs prior to 
an award being made, they do so solely at their own risk of not being 
reimbursed by the Government. Notwithstanding any written or verbal 
assurance that may have been received, there is no obligation on the 
part of NIST to cover pre-award costs.
    (d) 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 NIST are made.
    (e) Past Performance. Unsatisfactory performance under prior 
Federal awards may result in an application not being considered for 
funding.
    (f) Name check review. All non-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.
    (g) 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) Non procurement debarment and suspension. Prospective 
participants (as defined at 15 CFR Part 26, Section 105) are subject to 
15 CFR Part 26, ``Non procurement Debarment and Suspension'' and the 
related section of the certification form prescribed above applies;
    (2) Drug-free workplace. Recipients (as defined at 15 CFR Part 26, 
Section 605) are subject to 15 CFR Part 26, Supart F, ``Government-wide 
Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)'' and 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.
    (h) Lower tier certifications. Recipients shall require applicants/
bidders for subgrants, contacts, or other lower tier covered 
transactions at any tier under the award to submit, if applicable, a 
completed Form CD-512, ``Certifications 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 NIST. SF-LLL submitted by 
any tier recipient or subrecipient should be submitted to NIST in 
accordance with the instructions contained in the award document.
    (i) 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.
    (j) American-made equipment and products. Applicants are hereby 
notified that they are encouraged, to the greatest extent practicable, 
to purchase American-made equipment and products with the funding 
provided under this program in accordance with Congressional intent as 
set forth in the resolution contained in Public Law 103-317, Section 
607 (a) and (b).
    (k) Intergovernmental review. Applicants under this program are 
subject to the requirements of Executive Order 12372, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs'' to the extent 
permitted by law.
    (l) Classification. 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 purpose 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 
[[Page 22359]] Number 0693-0010, 0348-0043, and 0348-0044).
    It has been determined that this rule is not significant for 
purposes of EO 12866.

Program Execution

    (a) Cooperative Agreement. The formal agreement between NIST and 
the applicant will be in the form of a Cooperative Agreement.
    (b) Project Work Plan. All recipients of awards are required to 
submit a Work Plan within thirty (30) days of the project start date. 
The work plan is a more detailed statement of work based on project 
objectives and activities the recipient will undertake to achieve the 
objectives and incorporates recommendations provided by the evaluation 
panel and the NIST Program Officer. The Work Plan must be reviewed and 
approved by NIST and will be incorporated into the cooperative 
agreement by amendment. Work Plan guidelines will be distributed to 
award recipients.
    (c) Project Reporting. Quarterly reports will be submitted to the 
NIST Program Manager no later than thirty (30) days after the end of 
each quarter of the award year. The information provided is used to 
characterize the projects, develop detailed case studies, and evaluate 
individual examples of outcomes. Quarterly reporting instructions will 
be distributed to award recipients.
    (d) Program Plan. A Program Plan will be submitted to the NIST 
Program Manager no later than thirty (30) days after the end of the 
award period. The Program Plan will discuss how the state will work 
with industry to develop a program that coordinates and supplements 
state resources for industrial modernization. The Plan must, at a 
minimum: characterize the industry in the state and survey their needs; 
identify and assess the relevance and sophistication of existing 
modernization resources; and develop a plan for a state-wide industrial 
modernization infrastructure that coordinates and complements existing 
relevant services and eliminates duplication. Program plans must be 
driven by industry needs. Program Plan guidelines will be distributed 
to award recipients.

    Dated: May 1, 1995.
Samuel Kramer,
Associate Director.
[FR Doc. 95-11123 Filed 5-4-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-M