[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 122 (Tuesday, June 27, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28994-28995]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-13423]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institutes of Standards and Technology
15 CFR Part 290
[Docket No.: 170526519-7519-01]
RIN 0693-AB64
Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership--Amendments to the
Terms and Schedule of Financial Assistance
AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), United
States Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: NIST is issuing a final rule to amend the regulations
governing the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)
program to reflect the current cost sharing requirements for
cooperative agreements for the establishment and operation of MEP
Centers, consistent with recent amendments to the MEP authorizing
statute. Under the revised statute, NIST may provide up to 50 percent
of the capital and annual operating and maintenance funds required to
establish and support an MEP Center. The regulations are also being
amended to remove other cost sharing rules that are not required by the
MEP authorizing statute or current program policies.
DATES: This rule is effective June 27, 2017.
[[Page 28995]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anne-Louise Marquis, at (301) 975-3944
or [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The Hollings MEP Program (Program) is a unique program, consisting
of centers in each state and Puerto Rico with partnerships at the
state, federal, and local levels. Prior to being amended by Section
501(b) of the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act (AICA),
Public Law 114-329, the Program statute, 15 U.S.C. 278k, required that
NIST provide less than 50 percent of the capital and annual operating
and maintenance funds of an MEP Center beginning in the fourth year of
a cooperative agreement. The revised statute allows NIST to provide up
to 50 percent of the capital and annual operating and maintenance funds
required to establish and support an MEP Center. NIST is amending the
MEP regulations, specifically 15 CFR 290.4, to implement the revised
statute and to eliminate certain limitations on the amounts and sources
of MEP Center cost share that are not required by 15 U.S.C. 278k and
that do not reflect current MEP Program cost sharing policies.
II. Statutory Authority
NIST is revising 15 CFR 290.4 to ensure it is fully consistent with
recent statutory changes to 15 U.S.C. 278k(e)(2) made by section 501(b)
of AICA, and to ensure that the cost sharing requirements in 15 CFR
290.4 are consistent with the cost sharing requirements for financial
assistance awards contained in 2 CFR part 200 and with current MEP
Program cost sharing policies.
III. Regulatory Analysis
Because this final rule is a matter relating to public property,
loans, grants, benefits, or contracts, 5 U.S.C. 553 does not apply. See
5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2). Therefore, prior notice and opportunity for public
comment are not required under 5 U.S.C. 553, and there is no
requirement for a 30-day delay in the effectiveness of this action
under 5 U.S.C. 553(d).
Executive Order 12866
This final rule was determined to be not significant for purposes
of Executive Order 12866.
Executive Order 13132
This final rule does not contain policies with Federalism
implications as defined in Executive Order 13132.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
Because prior notice and opportunity for public comment are not
required for this rule by 5 U.S.C. 553, or any other law, the
analytical requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601
et seq., do not apply.
Paperwork Reduction Act
This proposed rule contains no new collection of information
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.
National Environmental Policy Act
This final rule will not significantly affect the quality of the
human environment. Therefore, an environmental assessment or
Environmental Impact Statement is not required to be prepared under the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.
List of Subjects in 15 CFR Part 290
Grant programs, Science and technology, Cooperative agreements.
For the reasons stated in the preamble, NIST is amending 15 CFR
part 290 as follows:
PART 290--REGIONAL CENTERS FOR THE TRANSFER OF MANUFACTURING
TECHNOLOGY
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1. The authority citation for 15 CFR part 290 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 278k.
0
2. Revise Sec. 290.4 to read as follows:
Sec. 290.4 Terms and schedule of financial assistance.
The Secretary may provide up to 50 percent of the capital and
annual operating and maintenance funds required to establish and
support an MEP Center.
Phillip A. Singerman,
Associate Director for Innovations and Industry Services.
[FR Doc. 2017-13423 Filed 6-26-17; 8:45 am]
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