Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology

Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program

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 continuing information collections, as required by the

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C.

3506(c)(2)(A)).

Dates: Written comments must be submitted on or before June 2, 1997.

Addresses: Direct written comments to Linda Engelmeier, Departmental

Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 5327, 14th and

Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington D.C. 20230. Phone number: (202)

482-3272.

For Further Information Contact: Requests for additional information or

copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions

should be directed to Roger Kilmer, Manufacturing Extension

Partnership, Building 301, Room C-121, National Institute of Standards

and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, 301-975-5020 phone, and

301-963-6556 fax, [email protected] e-mail.

Supplementary Information:

I. Abstract

This submission under the Paperwork Reduction Act represents a

request for extension of a currently approved collection by the U.S.

Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology

(NIST).

The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (ME) is a nationwide system

of services and support for smaller manufacturers giving them

unprecedented access to new technologies, resources, and expertise.

Sponsored by NIST, the MEP is comprised of a network of locally-based

manufacturing extension centers working with small manufacturers to

help them improve their manufacturing competitiveness.

Applicants must submit proposals which provide requested

information specific to each particular solicitation. NIST evaluates

these proposals according to published criteria to determine which

applicants will receive awards.

II. Method of Collection

Applicant submission of proposals in response to solicitations

published in the Federal Register and/or Commerce Business Daily.

Information is provided in written form.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0693-0005.

Form Number: Not Applicable.

Type of Review: Regular submission for an extension of a currently

approved collection.

Affected Public: Eligible organizations that choose to respond to

published solicitations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 250.

Estimated Time Per Response: 40 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 10,000 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Cost: The estimate of the total annual cost

for this survey is $1,000,000 (10,000 x $100 per hour). There are no

capital costs for responding.

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 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: March 26, 1997.

Linda Engelmeier,

Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and

Organization.

[FR Doc. 97-8122 Filed 3-31-97 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE: 3510-13-P