[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 175 (Friday, September 10, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55303-55304]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-22561]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; National 
Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Manufacturing Extension 
Partnership (MEP) Expanded Services Center Information and Reporting 
System

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

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 November 9, 
2010.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

[[Page 55304]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Christopher Carbone on (301) 975-2952, or via e-mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Sponsored by the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
(NIST), the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is a national 
network of locally-based manufacturing extension centers working with 
small manufacturers to assist them improve their productivity, improve 
profitability and enhance their economic competitiveness. The 
information collected will provide the MEP with information regarding 
MEP Center performance regarding the delivery of technology, and 
business solutions to U.S.-based manufacturers. The collected 
information will assist in determining the performance of the MEP 
Centers at both local and national levels; provide information critical 
to monitoring and reporting on MEP programmatic performance; and assist 
management in policy decisions. 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).
    The information will include center inputs and activities including 
services delivered, clients served, center staff, quarterly expenses 
and revenues, partners and affiliates, strategic plan, operating plans, 
and client success stories. No confidentiality for information 
submitted is promised or provided.

II. Method of Collection

    Information will be collected electronically, on a quarterly basis.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: None.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Mep-funded Recipients (centers).
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 60.
    Estimated Time per Response: 20 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 4,800.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $50,000.

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: September 3, 2010.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2010-22561 Filed 9-9-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P