[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 191 (Thursday, October 2, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 56816]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-24959]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Malcolm 
Baldrige National Quality Award Application

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(c)(2)(A).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before December 1, 
2003.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, Herbert 
Hoover Building, 1401 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 instruction 
should be directed to JoAnne M. Surette, Baldrige National Quality 
Program, Administration Building, Room 621, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 
1020, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 
20899-1020; telephone (301) 975-5267, fax (301) 948-3716, e-mail 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    The Department of Commerce is responsible for the Baldrige National 
Quality Program and the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. The 
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), an agency of the 
Department's Technology Administration, manages the Baldrige Program. 
Applicants for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award are required 
to perform two steps: (1) The applicant organization certifies that it 
meets eligibility requirements; (2) the applicant organization prepares 
and completes an application form and the application process. The 
Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Program Office will assist with 
or offer advice on any questions or issues that the applicant may have 
concerning the eligibility process or in completing the self-
certification forms. NIST will use the application package to assess 
and provide feedback on the applicant's quality and performance 
practices.

II. Method of Collection

    Applicants must comply in writing according to the Baldrige Award 
Application Forms booklet.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0693-0006.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 100.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 74 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 7,400.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $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 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: September 26, 2003.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-24959 Filed 10-1-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P