[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 36 (Thursday, February 23, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9311-9312]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-2524]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology


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

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing

[[Page 9312]]

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 April 24, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Direct all 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 Joe Giannamore, Economist, National Institute of 
Standards and Technology, Manufacturing Extension Partnership, 100 
Bureau Drive, Stop 4800, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-4800, 301-975-4614 
(phone) and 301-926-3787 (fax). In addition, written comments may be 
sent via e-mail to [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Sponsored by 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.
    The information is collected to provide the Manufacturing Extension 
Partnership (MEP) with information regarding MEP Center performance in 
the delivery of technology, and business solutions to U.S.-based 
manufacturers. The information obtained will assist in 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 parts 290, 291, 292, and H.R. 
1274--section 2). No confidentiality for information submitted is 
promised or provided.
    This collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act received prior 
Office of Management and Budget clearance in May 2003, and this 
clearance expires on May 31, 2006.

II. Method of Collection

    Web forms will be used to collect and analyze a wide range of 
information from the MEP centers, which includes customer satisfaction, 
center activities, center staff, quarterly expenses and revenues, 
partners and affiliates strategic plan, operating plans, and client 
success stories.

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: 59.
    Estimated Time per Response: 127 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 7,493.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $374,650.

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 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: February 16, 2006.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E6-2524 Filed 2-22-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P