[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 1, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 15464]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8122]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards and Technology


Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program

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 June 2, 1997.

Addresses: Direct written comments to Linda Engelmeier, Departmental 
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(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Roger Kilmer, Manufacturing Extension 
Partnership, Building 301, Room C-121, National Institute of Standards 
and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, 301-975-5020 phone, and 
301-963-6556 fax, [email protected] e-mail.

Supplementary Information:

I. Abstract

    This submission under the Paperwork Reduction Act represents a 
request for extension of a currently approved collection by the U.S. 
Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology 
(NIST).
    The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (ME) is a nationwide system 
of services and support for smaller manufacturers giving them 
unprecedented access to new technologies, resources, and expertise. 
Sponsored by NIST, the MEP is comprised of a network of locally-based 
manufacturing extension centers working with small manufacturers to 
help them improve their manufacturing competitiveness.
    Applicants must submit proposals which provide requested 
information specific to each particular solicitation. NIST evaluates 
these proposals according to published criteria to determine which 
applicants will receive awards.

II. Method of Collection

    Applicant submission of proposals in response to solicitations 
published in the Federal Register and/or Commerce Business Daily. 
Information is provided in written form.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0693-0005.
    Form Number: Not Applicable.
    Type of Review: Regular submission for an extension of a currently 
approved collection.
    Affected Public: Eligible organizations that choose to respond to 
published solicitations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 250.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 40 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 10,000 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The estimate of the total annual cost 
for this survey is $1,000,000 (10,000 x $100 per hour). There are no 
capital costs for responding.

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 costs) 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 26, 1997.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 97-8122 Filed 3-31-97 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE: 3510-13-P