[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 41 (Wednesday, March 3, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10275-10276]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-5266]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology


Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program Evaluation Survey

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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[[Page 10276]]

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 3, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
Departmental Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 5327, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20230. The Internet 
address is LE[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to: Elizabeth Bury, Manufacturing Extension Partnership, 
Building 301, Room C-100, National Institute of Standards and 
Technology, Stop 4800, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899; phone: (301) 975-
3944, and fax: (301) 926-3787.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Abstract

    This submission under the Paperwork Reduction Act represents a 
request for a revision to an existing collection by the Department of 
Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology. The revision 
being proposed is a pilot test of modifications to an existing, ongoing 
collection effort, the National Institute of Standards & Technology, 
Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program Evaluation Survey, OMB 
number 0693-0021.
    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 clients about the impact of MEP 
services is essential for National Institute of Standards and 
Technology officials to evaluate program strengths and weaknesses and 
plan improvements in program effectiveness and efficiency. Recently, 
program managers completed a new strategic plan focusing greater 
attention on a more focused set of program goals and objectives. The 
new strategic plan has resulted in program managers desire to revisit 
the current data collection effort. The purpose of the revised 
collection will be to make it more compatible with the new strategic 
plan goals and to further examine areas for overall improvement in 
methodology.
    The program wishes to pilot a new, revised data collection effort.

Method of Collection

    The Survey will be administered using Computer Assisted Telephone 
Interviewing (CATI) technology.

Data

    OMB Number: 0693-0021.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 600.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 100 hours.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 10 minutes.
    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 be come a matter of public record.

    Dated: February 22, 1999.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Chief Information 
Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-5266 Filed 3-2-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE: 3510-13-P