[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 83 (Monday, May 2, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-10391]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: May 2, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards and Technology
15 CFR Part 290
[Docket No. 931239-4088]
RIN 0693-AB27
Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology
AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The National Institute of Standards and Technology is today
issuing a final rule making revisions to regulations found at part 290
of title 15 of the Code of Federal Regulations, which implement the
Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology. This
change revises the matching fund requirements in the fifth and sixth
years of operation to reflect program experience during the first five
years. With this change, the maximum allowable Federal funding will be
one third of total expenses during years five and six. This change also
modifies the requirements for cash match. With this change, at least
half of the match must be in cash or full-time personnel loaned to the
operating organization.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This rule is effective on May 2, 1994.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To receive additional program
information, contact Philip Nanzetta at (301) 975-3414.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 27, 1994, the National Institute
of Standards and Technology published a notice of proposed rulemaking
in the Federal Register (59 FR 3803). No comments were received in
response to this notice. Accordingly, the National Institute of
Standards and Technology announces changes to the matching funds
requirements for the Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing
Technology (Manufacturing Technology Centers, MTC) program found at
Part 290 of title 15 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The MTC
program provides financial and technical assistance to regional centers
(MTCs) which work directly with small and medium sized manufacturing
firms to advance their level of manufacturing technology. The MTCs are
selected on a competitive basis in accordance with the regulation at 15
CFR part 290.
Part of the funding for each MTC is provided by a Federal
cooperative agreement and the balance (the ``match'') is provided
through a variety of means by the operating organization. The match is
generally provided as a combination on non-Federal public funds or in-
kind match, contributions of cash or in-kind resources from private
sources, and earned income of the MTC. The authorizing legislation
allows Federal funding of up to half the total budget (cash and in-
kind) in the first three years and requires that the Secretary adopt
regulations which specify a declining level of Federal support during
the next three years. The regulation, prior to the change announced
today, specified those maximum funding levels to be 40 percent, 30
percent, and 20 percent in years four through six respectively. The
changes made today to Part 290 specify those maximum funding levels to
be 40 percent, \1/3\, and \1/3\ in years four through six respectively.
Also, the regulation had required that 55 percent of the match be
in cash or full-time personnel. The changes made today to Part 290
specify that half of the match be in cash or full-time personnel,
effective immediately. This immediate effective date is different from
what NIST had proposed in the notice of January 27. In the January 27
notice, NIST had proposed that the relaxation of restrictions on the
host contribution apply to all awards issued or extended after
September 30, 1994. Since no public opposition was expressed about this
change, and in order to avoid any possibility of confusion as to
effective date of the revisions contained in this notice, NIST has
decided to make all changes to part 290 effective immediately.
Classification
This rule was determined to be not significant for purposes of
Executive Order 12866. The General Counsel certified to the Chief
Counsel for Advocacy, Small Business Administration, that this rule
will not have a significant economic effect on a substantial number of
small entities requiring a flexibility analysis under the Regulatory
Flexibility Act because the proposed rule changes will affect only
those governmental units that are selected to receive funding under the
Program. The program is entirely voluntary for the participants that
seek funding. It is not a major federal action requiring an
environmental assessment under the National Environment Policy Act. The
Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology Program
does not involve the mandatory payment of any matching funds from a
state or local government, and does not affect directly any state or
local government. Accordingly, the Technology Administration has
determined that Executive Order 12372 is not applicable to this
program. This notice does not contain policies with Federalism
implications sufficient to warrant preparation of a Federalism
assessment under Executive Order 12612. Since the rule relieves funding
restrictions that had previously been imposed on funding recipients,
under section 553(d) of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C.
553(d)) it may and is being made effective without a 30 day delay in
effective date.
List of Subjects in 15 CFR Part 290
Science and technology, Business and industry, Small business.
Dated: April 20, 1994.
Samuel Kramer,
Associate Director, National Institute of Standards and Technology.
For reasons set forth in the preamble, title 15, part 290 of the
Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows:
PART 290--REGIONAL CENTERS FOR THE TRANSFER OF MANUFACTURING
TECHNOLOGY
1. The authority section for part 290 is revised to read as
follows:
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 278k.
2. Section 290.4 is amended by revising Table 1 in paragraph (b)
and paragraph (c)(5) to read as follows:
Sec. 290.4 Terms and Schedule of Financial Assistance.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
Table 1.--Schedule of NIST Matching Funds
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Maximum NIST
Year of center operation share
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1-3..................................................... \1/2\
4....................................................... \2/5\
5-6..................................................... \1/3\
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(c) * * *
(5) In-kind contribution of part-time personnel, equipment,
software, rental value of centrally located space (office and
laboratory) and other related contributions up to a maximum of one-half
of the host's annual share. Allowable capital expenditures may be
applied in the award year expended or in subsequent award years.
[FR Doc. 94-10391 Filed 4-29-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-M
