2011-21988. Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory Board

AGENCY:

National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice of open meeting.

SUMMARY:

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announces that the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Advisory Board, NIST will hold an open meeting on Wednesday, September 21, 2011, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

DATES:

The meeting will convene September 21, 2011, at 8:30 a.m. and will adjourn at 5 p.m. on September 21, 2011.

ADDRESSES:

The meeting will be held at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) Offices, 1101 K Street, NW., Suite 610, Washington, DC 20005. Please see admission instructions in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Karen Lellock, Manufacturing Extension Partnership, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 4800, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-4800, telephone number [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The MEP Advisory Board is composed of 10 members, appointed by the Director of NIST. MEP is a unique program consisting of centers across the United States and Puerto Rico with partnerships at the state, federal, and local levels. The Board works closely with MEP to provide input and advice on MEP's programs, plans, and policies. This meeting will focus on (1) Recent studies on international benchmarking of manufacturing support programs, (2) an update on MEP's Next Generation Strategy, and (3) discussion of innovation strategies for manufacturers including recent MEP Center and client experiences. The agenda may change to accommodate other Board business.

Admission Instructions: Anyone wishing to attend this meeting should submit their name, e-mail address, and phone number to Karen Lellock ([e-mail] or 301-975-4269) no later than September 19, 2011.

Individuals and representatives of organizations who would like to offer comments and suggestions related to the MEP Advisory Board's business are invited to request a place on the agenda. Approximately 15 minutes will be reserved for public comments at the beginning of the meeting. Speaking times will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. The amount of time per speaker will be determined by the number of requests received but is likely to be no more than three to five minutes each. Questions from the public will not be considered during this period. Speakers who wish to expand upon their oral statements, those who had wished to speak but could not be accommodated on the agenda, and those who were unable to attend in person are invited to submit written statements to the MEP Advisory Board, National Institute of Standards and Technology, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 4800, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-4800, or via fax at [phone], or electronically by e-mail to [e-mail].

Dated: August 22, 2011.

Phillip A. Singerman,

Associate Director for Innovation and Industry Services.