[Federal Register: March 12, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 48)]
[Notices]               
[Page 12288]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12mr99-37]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology

 
Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program Center Performance 
Reporting

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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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 existing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1996, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506 
(c)(2)(A).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before May 11, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20230. Her ``e'' 
mail address is LEngel@doc.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to: Margaret Phillips, Manufacturing Extension Partnership, 
Building 301, Room C-100, National Institute of Standards and 
Technology, Stop 4800, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899; phone: (301) 975-
4350, and fax: (301) 926-4340.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Abstract

    This submission under the Paperwork Reduction Act represents a 
request for a new collection by the Department of Commerce's National 
Institute of Standards and Technology. The NIST MEP Center Performance 
Reporting is a series of data obtained from recipients of MEP center 
cooperative agreements to monitor and review past performance, analyze 
client results for reporting to local, state, and national 
stakeholders, and review and assess validity of future plans and 
objectives.
    The Manufacturing Extension Partnership is a nationwide system of 
services and support for smaller manufacturers giving them 
unprecedented access to new technologies, resources, and expertise. 
Sponsored by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the 
MEP is comprised of a network of locally based manufacturing extension 
centers working with small manufacturers to help them improve their 
manufacturing competitiveness.
    Obtaining specific information from centers about the center 
performance levels, client results, and proposed future actions is 
essential for National Institute of Standards and Technology officials 
to evaluate center and program strengths and weaknesses and plan 
improvements in center and program effectiveness and efficiency.

Method of Collection

    Data will be gathered using a combination of Web-based submission, 
electronic submission, and submission of written documents.

Data

    OMB Number: N/A.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit organizations, 
state or local government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 75.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 3,000 hours.
    Estimated Time Per Response (total for all submissions): 40 hours.
    Estimated Annual Cost: There is no cost to respondents other than 
their time to respond to the survey.

IV. Requests 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: March 8, 1999.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-6103 Filed 3-11-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE: 3510-13-P