[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 24, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29918-29919]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-7937]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology

[Docket No.: 060428114-6114-01]


Request for Technical Input--Standards in Trade Workshops

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce.

ACTION: Request for workshop recommendations.

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SUMMARY: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 
invites interested parties to submit recommendations for workshops 
covering specific sectors and targeted countries or regions of the 
world where training in the U.S. system of standards development, 
conformity assessment, and metrology may facilitate trade. Prospective 
workshops will be scheduled for a one week period. This notice is not 
an invitation for proposals to fund grants, contracts or cooperative 
agreements of any kind. NIST will offer a limited number of workshops, 
based upon the availability of resources. Recommenders are encouraged 
to consider departmental priorities outlined in the 2005 National 
Export Strategy. NIST will consider recommendations based upon which 
workshops would be most useful to intended audiences.

DATES: All recommendations must be submitted no later than 5 p.m., June 
23, 2006.

ADDRESSES: All recommendations must be submitted to Ellen Emard via e-
mail ([email protected]) or by mail to 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 2100, 
Gaithersburg, MD 20899. The National Export Strategy is available at 
http://www.ita.doc.gov/media/publications/. Additional information 
about the NIST Standards in Trade Workshops, including schedules and 
summary reports for workshops held to date and participant information, 
is available at http://ts.nist.gov/ts/htdocs/210/gsig/sitdescr.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Emard (301) 975-4038, 
[email protected] or Teresa Cronise (301) 975-4023, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Standards in Trade Workshops are a major 
activity of the Global Standards and Information Group in the NIST 
Standards Services Division (SSD). The workshops are designed to 
provide timely information to foreign standards officials on U.S. 
practices in standards and conformity assessment. Participants are 
introduced to U.S. technology and principles in metrology, standards 
development and application, and conformity assessment systems and 
procedures.
    Each workshop is a one week program offering an overview of the 
roles of the U.S. Government, private sector, and regional and 
international organizations engaged in standards development and 
conformity assessment practices. Specific workshop objectives are to: 
(1) Familiarize participants with U.S. technology and practices in 
metrology, standardization, and conformity assessment; (2) describe and 
understand the roles of the U.S. Government and the private sector in 
developing and implementing standards; (3) understand the structure of 
the standards and conformity assessment systems in the invited country 
or countries and the role and responsibilities of organizations 
represented by the invitees; and (4) develop professional contacts as a 
basis for strengthening technical ties and enhancing trade.
    Workshop recommendations (maximum 5 pages) must address at a 
minimum the following points, in the order noted and labeled 
accordingly:

1. Name and Description of the Recommending Person or Organization

    Provide the primary mailing address and a brief description of the 
organization, including the name, telephone number and e-mail address 
of the primary point of contact.

2. Industry Sector and Suggested Workshop Title

    Provide a description of the suggested industrial sector and focus 
area with a possible workshop title which captures the essence of the 
recommendation. Consider the goals and potential benefits.

3. Proposed Workshop Objectives

    Describe the intended goals to be attained and why they are 
important and list the specific possible workshop objectives.

4. Calendar Dates Suggested for Workshop

    Provide three or more suggested start dates for the workshop. The 
first date should be no earlier than 8 months from the publication date 
of this announcement.

5. Relevant NIST Organizational Link

    Workshop topics must be linked to NIST activities and/or research. 
The appropriate NIST organizational unit, laboratory or program must be 
identified by the recommender and the relevance of the activity to NIST 
must be

[[Page 29919]]

demonstrated. If known, identify the specific NIST staff who could 
serve as the NIST internal point of contact.

6. Proposed Foreign Participants

    Provide a representative list of the foreign organizations that 
might participate in the workshop, including a description of their 
function or business and their country of incorporation or origin.

7. U.S. Stakeholder Participants (e.g., Associations, Agencies, Users, 
Others)

    Provide a representative list of other U.S.-based organizations 
that are likely to participate in the workshop.

8. Principal Topics

    Provide a list of the suggested topics for the workshop.

9. Related Site Visits and Events

    Workshops can include visits to relevant business sites or events. 
Provide a list of suggested site visit locations, events or other areas 
of interest and discuss the relevance of each to the overall purpose of 
the proposed workshop's goals.

10. Expected Outcomes/Measures of Success

    Include in this section a description of:
    a. The anticipated benefit of the workshop for trade and market 
access;
    b. The anticipated economic impacts (in dollars);
    c. The potential for future opportunities for collaboration and for 
trade as a result of the workshop;
    d. The measures of success;
    e. The desired results of the workshop and how the results will be 
measured.
    All recommendations must address each of the above ten points.

    Dated: May 17, 2006.
Hratch G. Semerjian,
Deputy Director.
 [FR Doc. E6-7937 Filed 5-23-06; 8:45 am]
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