[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 157 (Monday, August 17, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 41371]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-19576]



[[Page 41371]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Hollings 
Manufacturing Extension Partnership (HMEP) Program Application 
Requirements

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

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.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before October 16, 
2009.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 7845, 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 and instructions should 
be directed to Diane Henderson at (301) 975-5105 or by e-mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The objective of NIST Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership 
Program (HMEP) is to enhance productivity, technological performance, 
and strengthen the global competitiveness of small- and medium-sized 
U.S.-based manufacturing firms. Rather than creating products, 
services, and programs from scratch, HMEP works with partners to 
leverage resources and bring those resources to manufacturing clients. 
The nationwide network, with its direct reach to the nation's 
manufacturers, has proven to be invaluable to numerous Federal 
government partners who utilize the network to distribute valuable, 
cutting-edge information and resources.
    This request is for the information collection requirements 
associated with submission of grant proposals for NIST HMEP funding. 
The intent of the collection is to meet statutory requirements for NIST 
HMEP, as well as compliance with 15 U.S.C. 278k, as implemented in 15 
CFR part 290.
    The manufacturing extension centers (MECs) are part of the HMEP 
national system of extension service providers. Currently, the HMEP 
national system consists of over 400 centers and field offices located 
throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. The information regarding 
HMEP and the MECs is provided in the information packet that can be 
obtained as explained above or on-line at http://www.mep.nist.gov.
    The focus of a center is to provide those manufacturing extension 
services required by the small- and medium-sized manufacturers in its 
service region utilizing the most cost-effective, local, leveraged 
resources for those services. It is not the intent of this program that 
the centers perform research and development.

II. Method of Collection

    Paper or electronically via http://www.grants.gov.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: None.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Not-for-profit institutions or organizations, 
including universities, State and local governments, and consortia of 
not-for-profit institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 12.
    Estimated Time per Response: 112 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 448.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $100.

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 also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: August 11, 2009.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E9-19576 Filed 8-14-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P