[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 74 (Wednesday, April 17, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18864-18865]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-9240]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Manufacturing 
Extension Partnership (MEP) Program Evaluation Survey

ACTION: Notice.

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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 
(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before June 17, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Direct written comments to Madeleine Clayton, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6608, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230, (202) 482-3129 (or 
via the Internet at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Karen Lellock, National Institute of Standards 
and Technology, Manufacturing Extension Partnership, 100 Bureau Drive, 
Stop 4800, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-4800, (301) 975-4269 (phone) and 
(301) 926-3787 (fax).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This collection of information sponsored by National Institute of 
Standards and Technology (NIST), the Manufacturing Extension 
Partnership (MEP) is a national network of locally based manufacturing 
extension centers working with small manufacturers to help them improve 
their productivity, improve profitability and enhance their economic 
competitiveness.
    Obtaining specific information from clients about the impact of MEP 
services is essential for NIST 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

    Clients have three options for completing the survey including 
Computer Assisted Telephone (CATI), Interactive Voice Response (IVR) or 
via the Internet.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0693-0029.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 6,500.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 10 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,083.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to the Public: $0.

IV. Request 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

[[Page 18865]]

clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize 
the burden of the collection of information on respondents.
    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: April 11, 2002
Madeleine Clayton,
Deparmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Officer of the Chief 
Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 02-9240 Filed 4-16-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P