Meetings: Manufacturing Extension Partnership National Advisory Board,

[Federal Register: May 26, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 100)]

[Notices]

[Page 28498]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr26my98-19]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology

Manufacturing Extension Partnership National Advisory Board

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of open meeting.

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. app. 2, notice is hereby given that the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) National Advisory Board, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), will meet to hold a meeting on Thursday, May 28, 1998. The Manufacturing Extension Partnership National Advisory Board is composed of 9 members appointed by the Director of NIST who were selected for their expertise in the area of industrial extension and their work on behalf of smaller manufacturers. The Board was set up under the direction of the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to fill a need for outside input and advice for MEP, a unique program consisting of centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico which are created by a state, federal and local partnership. The Board works closely with the Manufacturing Extension Partnership to provide input and advice on MEP's programs, plans and policies. The purpose of this meeting is to delve into areas the Board selected at the previous meeting. On May 28, 1998, the agenda for the meeting of the Board will include an MEP overview, program impacts as a result of the federal investment, the importance of center assessments on companies, and the status of system-wide programs and services.

DATES: The meeting will convene on May 28, 1998 at 8:30 p.m. and will adjourn at 4:00 p.m.

ADDRESSES: the meeting will be held in Building 101, Lecture Room A (seating capacity 50, includes 15 participants), at NIST, Gaithersburg, Maryland.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: MEP services to smaller manufacturers address the needs of the national market as well as the unique needs of each company. Since MEP is committed to providing this type of individualized service through its centers, the program requires the perspective of locally-based experts to be incorporated into its national plans. The MEP National Advisory Board was set up at the direction of the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to maintain MEP's focus on local and market based needs. The MEP National Advisory Board was approved on October 24, 1996, in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. app. 2., to provide advice on MEP programs, plans, and policies; assess soundness of MEP plans and strategies; assess current performance against MEP program plans, and function in an advisory capacity. The Board will meet three times a year and reports to the Director of NIST. This will be the second meeting of the members in 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Acierto, Assistant to the Director for Policy, Manufacturing Extension Partnership, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, telephone number (301) 975-5033.

Dated: May 20, 1998. Robert E. Hebner, Acting Deputy Director, NIST.

[FR Doc. 98-13882Filed5-22-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-22-M