[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 61 (Monday, March 31, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15156-15157]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-7980]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards and Technology


Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program Evaluation Survey

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before May 30, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20230. Phone 
number: (202) 482-3272.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to: Elizabeth Bury, Manufacturing Extension Partnership, 
Building 301, Room C-100, National Institute of Standards and 
Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899; phone: (301) 975-3944, and 
fax: (301) 926-3787.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

I. Abstract

    This submission under the Paperwork Reduction Act represents a 
request for extension of a currently approved collection by the 
Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and 
Technology. The information collection activity referenced is being 
conducted in partnership with the Department's Bureau of the Census.
    The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is a nationwide

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system of services and support for smaller manufacturers giving them 
unprecedented access to new technologies, resources, and expertise. 
Sponsored by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the 
MEP is comprised of a network of locally based manufacturing extension 
centers working with small manufacturers to help them improve their 
manufacturing competitiveness.
    Obtaining specific information from clients about the impact of MEP 
services is essential for the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology officials to evaluate program strengths and weaknesses and 
plan improvements in program effectiveness and efficiency. This 
information is not available from existing programs or other sources.

II. Method of Collection

    The survey will be administered using Computer Assisted Telephone 
Interviewing (CATI) technology.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0693-0021.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Renewal of an existing collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 8,460.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,410.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 10 minutes.
    Estimated Annual Cost: There is no cost to respondents other than 
their time to respond to the survey.

IV. Requests for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they will also become a matter of public record.

    Dated: March 25, 1997.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 97-7980 Filed 3-28-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P