[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 232 (Tuesday, December 3, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71939-71940]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-30606]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Manufacturing 
Extension Partnership (MEP) Management Information Reporting

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 February 3, 
2003.

ADDRESSES: Direct written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 (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 Brian Clark, National Institute of Standards and 
Technology, Manufacturing Extension Partnership, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 
4800, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-4800, 301-975-8841 (phone) and 301-926-
3787 (fax).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), sponsored by NIST, 
is a national network of locally-based manufacturing extension centers 
working with small manufacturers to help improve their productivity, 
improve profitability and enhance their economic competitiveness.
    The collected information will provide the MEP with information 
regarding the centers' performance in the delivery of technology, and 
business solutions to US-based manufacturers. The information obtained 
will assist in

[[Page 71940]]

determining the performance of the MEP Centers at both a local and 
national level, as well as, the impact on the national economy. 
Responses to the collection of information are mandatory per the 
regulations governing the operation of the MEP Program (15 CFR 290, 
291, 292, and H. R. 1274-Section 2).

II. Method of Collection

    Web forms will be the primary method to collect and analyze a wide 
range of information.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0693-0032.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 60.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 68 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 4,048.00.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to the Public: $202,400.

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: November 27, 2002.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 02-30606 Filed 12-2-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P