[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 13 (Friday, January 20, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4081-4087]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-1313]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology

15 CFR Part 291

[Docket No. 941097-4363]
RIN 0693-AB36


Manufacturing Extension Partnership; Environmental Projects

agency: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce.

action: Final rule.

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summary: The purpose of this rule is to provide for integration of 
environmental services and resources into the national manufacturing 
extension system and to codify the process by which NIST will solicit 
and select applications for cooperative agreements and financial 
assistance on projects which have the dual benefit of promoting the 
competitiveness and environmental soundness of smaller U.S. 
manufacturers. The intended effect is to increase the scope and scale 
of environmental services provided through the national manufacturing 
extension system.

effective date: January 20, 1995.

addresses: Applicants must submit one signed original plus six copies 
of the proposal along with Standard Form 424, 424A (Rev 4-92) 
prescribed by the applicable OMB circular and Form CD-511, 
Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility 
Matters; Drug-Free Workplace Requirements and Lobbying. SF-424, 424A 
(Rev 4-92) and Form CD-511 will not be considered part of the page 
count of the Basic Proposal. Proposals must be submitted to: MEP 
Environmental Projects, Attention Environmental Projects Manager, 
National Institute of Standards and Technology Bldg. 224 Room B115, 
Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001.

for further information contact: The Manufacturing Extension 
Partnership Environmental Projects Manager, 301-975-5020.

supplementary information: In the November 14, 1994 Federal Register, 
Volume 59, No. 218, 59 FR 56439, the National Institute of Standards 
and Technology published a notice of proposed rulemaking to add 15 CFR 
part 291 to provide for the integration of environmental services and 
resources into the national manufacturing extension system and to 
codify the process by which NIST will solicit and select applications 
for cooperative agreements and financial assistance on projects which 
have the dual benefit of promoting the competitiveness and 
environmental soundness of smaller U.S. manufacturers. No comments on 
the rules were received. These final rules are the same as the proposed 
rules with the addition of section 291.6 which clarifies the additional 
requirements to which recipients and subrecipients are subject.
    The purpose of the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
Manufacturing Extension Partnership is to promote the competitiveness 
of smaller U.S. manufacturers. This is done primarily through technical 
assistance provided by a network of nonprofit manufacturing extension 
centers. The purpose of this rule is to provide for the integration of 
environmental services and resources into the national manufacturing 
extension system and to codify the process by which NIST will solicit 
and select applications for cooperative agreements and financial 
assistance on projects which have the dual benefit of promoting the 
competitiveness and environmental soundness of smaller U.S. 
manufacturers. Proposals from qualified organizations will periodically 
be solicited for projects which accomplish any one of the following 
objectives:

    Integration of Environmental Services Into Manufacturing 
Extension Centers: to support the integration of environmentally-
focused technical assistance, and especially pollution prevention 
assistance, for smaller manufacturers into the broader services 
[[Page 4082]] provided by manufacturing extension centers.
    Development of Environmentally Related Technical Assistance 
Tools and Techniques: to support the initial development and 
implementation of tools or techniques which will aide manufacturing 
extension organizations in providing environmentally-related 
services, and especially pollution prevention services, to smaller 
manufacturers and which also may be of direct use by the smaller 
manufacturers themselves. Specific industry sectors and categories 
of tools and techniques may be specified in solicitations.
    Pilots for National Industry-Specific Pollution Prevention and 
Environmental Compliance Information Centers: to support the pilot 
implementation of national centers for specific industry sectors 
specified in solicitations. The centers will provide easy access to 
relevant, current, reliable and comprehensive information on 
innovative technologies, pollution prevention opportunities and 
regulatory compliance.

    Integration projects are open to existing manufacturing extension 
affiliates of the NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership.
    Projects for development of tools or techniques and national 
information centers are open to all nonprofit organizations including 
universities, community colleges, state governments, and independent 
nonprofit organizations.
    Announcements of solicitations will be made in the Commerce 
Business Daily.
    In accordance with the provisions of the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 272(b)(1) and (c)(3) and 2781), 
as amended, NIST will provide assistance to integrate environmentally-
related services and resources into the national manufacturing 
extension system. This assistance will be provided by NIST often in 
cooperation with other federal agencies such as the EPA. Under the NIST 
Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), NIST will periodically make 
merit-based awards to existing MEP manufacturing extension affiliates 
for integration of environmental services into extension centers and to 
non-profit organizations for development of environmentally-related 
tools and techniques. In addition, NIST will initiate pilot centers 
providing environmental information for specific industrial sectors to 
be specified in solicitations. MEP assumes a broad definition of 
manufacturing, and recognizes a wide range of technology and concepts, 
including durable goods production; chemical, biotechnology, and other 
materials processing; electronic component and system fabrication; and 
engineering services associated with manufacturing, as lying within the 
definition of manufacturing.

Classification

    This notice relating to public property, loans, grants, benefits, 
or contracts is exempt from all requirements of section 553 of the 
Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2)) including notice and 
opportunity for comment. Therefore, a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis 
is not required and was not prepared for this notice for purposes of 
the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 603 and 604). The program is 
not a major Federal action requiring an environmental assessment under 
the National Environmental Policy Act. This notice does not contain 
policies with Federalism implications sufficient to warrant preparation 
of a Federalism assessment under Executive Order 12612. This notice 
contains collection of information requirements subject to the 
Paperwork Reduction Act which have been approved by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB Control Number 0693-0010, 0348-0043 and 
0348-0044). Public reporting burden for this collection of information 
is estimated to average 40 hours per response, including the time for 
reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering the 
data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of 
information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other 
aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for 
reducing this burden, to the address shown above; and to the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 
Washington, D.C. 20503.
    It has been determined that this rule is not significant for 
purposes of EO 12866.

List of Subjects in 15 CFR Part 291

    Environmental projects, Environmental compliance assistance, 
Manufacturing extension, Pollution prevention assistance, Technical 
assistance.

    Dated: January 13, 1995.
Samuel Kramer,
Associate Director.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 15 CFR part 291 is added 
as set forth below.

PART 291--MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP; ENVIRONMENTAL 
PROJECTS

Sec.
291.1  Program description.
291.2  Environmental integration projects.
291.3  Environmental tools and techniques projects.
291.4  National industry-specific pollution prevention and 
environmental compliance resource centers.
291.5  Proposal selection process.
291.6  Additional requirements.

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. Sec. 272(b)(1) and (c)(3) and Sec. 2781.


Sec. 291.1  Program description.

    (a) In accordance with the provisions of the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. Sec. 272(b)(1) and (c)(3) and 
Sec. 2781), as amended, NIST will provide financial assistance to 
integrate environmentally-related services and resources into the 
national manufacturing extension system. This assistance will be 
provided by NIST often in cooperation with the EPA. Under the NIST 
Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), NIST will periodically make 
merit-based awards to existing MEP manufacturing extension affiliates 
for integration of environmental services into extension centers and to 
non-profit organizations for development of environmentally-related 
tools and techniques. In addition, NIST will initiate pilot centers 
providing environmental information for specific industrial sectors to 
be specified in solicitations. MEP assumes a broad definition of 
manufacturing, and recognizes a wide range of technology and concepts, 
including durable goods production; chemical, biotechnology, and other 
materials processing; electronic component and system fabrication; and 
engineering services associated with manufacturing, as lying within the 
definition of manufacturing.
    (b) Announcements of solicitations. Announcements of solicitations 
will be made in the Commerce Business Daily. Specific information on 
the level of funding available and the deadline for proposals will be 
contained in that announcement. In addition, any specific industry 
sectors or types of tools and techniques to be focused on will be 
specified in the announcement.
    (c) Proposal workshops. Prior to an announcement of solicitation, 
NIST may announce opportunities for potential applicants to learn about 
these projects through workshops. The time and place of the workshop(s) 
will be contained in a Commerce Business Daily announcement.
    (d) Indirect costs. The total dollar amount of the indirect costs 
proposed in an application under this program must not exceed the 
indirect cost rate negotiated and approved by a cognizant Federal 
agency prior to the proposed effective date of the award or 100 percent 
of the total proposed direct costs dollar amount in the application, 
whichever is less. [[Page 4083]] 
    (e) Proposal format. The Proposal must not exceed 20 typewritten 
pages in length for integration proposals. Proposals for tools and 
techniques projects and national information centers must not exceed 30 
pages in length. The proposal must contain both technical and cost 
information. The Proposal page count shall include every page, 
including pages that contain words, table of contents, executive 
summary, management information and qualifications, resumes, figures, 
tables, and pictures. All proposals shall be printed such that pages 
are single-sided, with no more than fifty-five (55) lines per page. Use 
21.6 x 27.9 cm (8\1/2\'' x 11'') paper or A4 metric paper. Use an easy-
to-read font of not more than about 5 characters per cm (fixed pitch 
font of 12 or fewer characters per inch or proportional font of point 
size 10 or larger). Smaller type may be used in figures and tables, but 
must be clearly legible. Margins on all sides (top, bottom, left and 
right) must be at least 2.5 cm. (1''). The applicant may submit a 
separately bound document of appendices, containing letters of support 
for the Basic Proposal. The basic proposal should be self-contained and 
not rely on the appendices for meeting criteria. Excess pages in the 
Proposal will not be considered in the evaluation. Applicants must 
submit one signed original plus six copies of the proposal along with 
Standard Form 424, 424A (Rev 4/92) and Form CD-511.
    (f) Content of basic proposal. The Basic Proposal must, at a 
minimum, include the following:
    (1) An executive summary summarizing the planned project consistent 
with the Evaluation Criteria stated in this notice.
    (2) A description of the planned project sufficient to permit 
evaluation of the proposal in accordance with the proposal Evaluation 
Criteria stated in this notice.
    (3) A budget for the project which identifies all sources of funds 
and which breaks out planned expenditures by both activity and object 
class (e.g., personnel, travel, etc.).
    (4) A description of the qualifications of key personnel who will 
be assigned to work on the proposed project.
    (5) A statement of work that discusses the specific tasks to be 
carried out, including a schedule of measurable events and milestones.
    (6) A Standard Form 424, 424A (Rev 4-92) prescribed by the 
applicable OMB circular and Form CD-511, Certification Regarding 
Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free 
Workplace Requirements and Lobbying. SF-424, 424A (Rev 4-92) and Form 
CD-511 will not be considered part of the page count of the Basic 
Proposal.
    (7) The application requirements and the standard form requirements 
have been approved by OMB (OMB Control Number 0693-0010, 0348-0043 and 
0348-0044).
    (g) Applicable federal and departmental guidance. This includes: 
Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audits. [Dependent 
upon type of Recipient organization: nonprofit, for-profit, state/local 
government, or educational institution]
    (1) Nonprofit organizations.
    (i) OMB Circular A-110--Uniform Administrative Requirements of 
Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, 
and Other Nonprofit Organizations.
    (ii) OMB Circular A-122--Cost Principles for Nonprofit 
Organizations.
    (iii) 15 CFR part 29b--Audit Requirements for Institutions of 
Higher Education and Other Nonprofit Organizations [implements OMB 
Circular A-133--Audits for Institutions of Higher Education and Other 
Nonprofit Organizations].
    (2) State/local governments.
    (i) 15 CFR part 24--Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants 
and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments.
    (ii) OMB Circular A-87--Cost Principles for State and Local 
Governments.
    (iii) 15 CFR part 29a--Audit Requirements for State and Local 
Governments [implements OMB Circular A-128--Audit of State and Local 
Governments].
    (3) Educational institutions
    (i) OMB Circular A-110--Administrative Requirements for Grants and 
Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other 
Nonprofit Organizations.
    (ii) OMB Circular A-21--Cost Principles for Educational 
Institutions.
    (iii) 15 CFR part 29b--Audit Requirements for Institutions of 
Higher Education and Other Nonprofit Organizations [implements OMB 
Circular A-133--Audits for Institutions of Higher Education and Other 
Nonprofit Organizations].


Sec. 291.2  Environmental integration projects.

    (a) Eligibility criteria. Eligible applicants for these projects 
are manufacturing extension centers or state technology extension 
programs which at the time of solicitation have grants, cooperative 
agreements or contracts with the NIST Manufacturing Extension 
Partnership. Only one proposal per organization per solicitation is 
permitted in this category.
    (b) Project objective. The purpose of these projects is to support 
the integration of environmentally-focused technical assistance, and 
especially pollution prevention assistance, for smaller manufacturers 
into the broader services provided by existing MEP manufacturing 
extension centers. Proposers are free to structure their project in 
whatever way will be most effective and efficient in increasing the 
ability of the center to deliver high quality environmental and 
pollution prevention technical assistance (either directly or in 
partnership with other organizations). Following are some examples of 
purposes for which these funds could be used. This list is by no means 
meant to be all inclusive. A center might propose a set of actions 
encompassing several of these examples as well as others.
    (1) Environmental needs assessment. Detailed assessment of the 
environmentally-related technical assistance needs of manufacturers 
within the state or region of the manufacturing extension center. This 
would be done as part of a broader plan to incorporate environmentally 
related services into the services of the manufacturing extension 
center. The center might propose to document its process and findings 
so that other centers may learn from its work.
    (2) Partnership with another organization. The center might propose 
to partner with an existing organization which is providing 
environmentally-focused technical assistance to manufacturers. The 
partnership would lead to greater integration of service delivery 
through joint technical assistance projects and joint training.
    (3) Accessing private-sector environmental resources. The center 
might propose to increase it's ability to access environmental 
technical services for smaller manufacturers from environmental 
consultants or environmental firms.
    (4) Training of field engineers/agents in environmental topics. 
Funding for training which empowers the field engineer/agent with the 
knowledge needed to recognize potential environmental, and especially 
pollution prevention, problems and opportunities. In addition, training 
might be funded which empowers the field engineer/agent with the 
knowledge needed to make appropriate recommendations for solutions or 
appropriate referrals to other sources of information or expertise. The 
over-arching goal is for the field engineer/agent to enable the 
manufacturer to be both environmentally clean and 
competitive. [[Page 4084]] 
    (5) Access to environmentally related information or expertise. A 
center might propose to fund access to databases or other sources of 
environmentally-related information or expertise which might be 
necessary to augment the environmentally focused activities of the 
manufacturing extension center.
    (6) Addition of environmentally focused staff. It may be necessary 
for manufacturing extension centers to have an environmental program 
manager or lead field engineer/agent with environmental training and 
experience. Funds could be requested to hire this person. However, the 
proposer would have to demonstrate a clear and reasonable plan for 
providing for the support of this person after the funds provided under 
this project are exhausted since no commitment is being made to on-
going funding.
    (c) Award period. Projects initiated under this category may be 
carried out over multiple years. The proposer should include optional 
second and third years in their proposal. Proposals selected for award 
may receive one, two or three years of funding from currently available 
funds at the discretion of DOC. If an application is selected for 
funding, DOC has no obligation to provide any additional future funding 
in connection with that award. A separate cooperative agreement will be 
written with winning applicants. Renewal of an award to increase 
funding or extend the period of performance is at the total discretion 
of DOC. It is anticipated that successful projects will be given the 
opportunity to roll the funding for these efforts into the base funding 
for the extension center. Such a roll-over will be based on a 
performance review and the availability of funds.
    (d) Matching requirements. No matching funds are required for these 
proposals. However, the presence of matching funds (cash and in-kind) 
will be considered in the evaluation under the Financial Plan criteria.
    (e) Environmental integration projects evaluation criteria. In most 
solicitations, preference will be given to projects which are focused 
on a single industry sector. This is desired to build on the expertise 
and resources which are being built in tools and resources projects in 
these industry sectors. Industry focus will be specified in the 
solicitation announcement. However, actual services need not be limited 
exclusively to this sector. In addition preference may be given to 
extension centers which do not have extensive environmentally-related 
services already in place. In addition to these preferences, the 
criteria for selection of awards will be as follows in descending order 
of importance:
    (1) Demonstrated commitment to incorporating environmentally 
related services. The extension center must demonstrate its commitment 
to incorporate environmentally-related technical services into its 
overall manufacturing extension services even after funding for this 
project is exhausted. It is not the objective of this effort to 
establish completely autonomous environmentally focused extension 
centers. Rather, the goal is to ensure that such services are 
integrated directly with general manufacturing extension services 
focused on competitiveness. The center must demonstrate that such 
integration will take place. Factors that may be considered include: 
The amount of matching funds devoted to the efforts proposed as 
demonstration of the center's commitment to the activity; indication 
that environmental services are a significant aspect of the 
organization's long range planning; strength of commitment and plans 
for continuing service beyond funding which might be awarded through 
this project; the degree to which environmental services will become an 
integral part of each field engineers' portfolio of services; the level 
of current or planned education and training of staff on relevant 
environmental issues; and the extent of environmentally related 
information and expert resources which will be easily accessible by 
field engineers.
    (2) Demonstrated understanding of the environmentally related 
technical assistance needs of manufacturers in the target population. 
Target population must be clearly defined. The manufacturing center 
must demonstrate that it understands the populations environmentally 
related needs or include a coherent methodology for identifying those 
needs. The proposal should show that the efforts being proposed will 
enable the center to better meet those needs. Factors that may be 
considered include: A clear definition of the target population, its 
size and demographic characteristics; demonstrated understanding of the 
target population's environmental technical assistance needs or a plan 
to develop this understanding; and appropriateness of the size of the 
target population and the anticipated impact for the proposed 
expenditure.
    (3) Coordination with other relevant organizations. Wherever 
possible the project should be coordinated with and leverage other 
organizations which are providing high quality environmentally-related 
services to manufacturers in the same target population or which have 
relevant resources which can be of assistance in the proposed effort. 
If no such organizations exist, the proposal should build the case that 
there are no such organizations. Applicants will need to describe how 
they will coordinate to allow for increased economies of scale and to 
avoid duplication of services in providing assistance to small and 
medium-sized manufacturers. Factors that may be considered include: 
Demonstrated understanding of existing organizations and resources 
relevant for providing technology assistance related services to the 
target population; adequate linkages and partnerships with existing 
organizations and clear definition of those organizations' roles in the 
proposed activities; and that the proposed activity does not duplicate 
existing services or resources.
    (4) Program evaluation: The applicant should specify plans for 
evaluation of the effectiveness of the proposed program and for 
ensuring continuous improvement of program activities. Factors that may 
be considered include: Thoroughness of evaluation plans, including 
internal evaluation for management control, external evaluation for 
assessing outcomes of the activity, and ``customer satisfaction'' 
measures of performance.
    (5) Management experience and plans. Applicants should specify 
plans for proper organization, staffing, and management of the 
implementation process. Factors that may be considered include: 
Appropriateness and authority of the governing or managing organization 
to conduct the proposed activities; qualifications of the project team 
and its leadership to conduct the proposed activity; soundness of any 
staffing plans, including recruitment, selection, training, and 
continuing professional development; appropriateness of the 
organizational approach for carrying out the proposed activity; 
evidence of involvement and support by private industry.
    (6) Financial plan: Applicants should show the relevance and cost 
effectiveness of the financial plan for meeting the objectives of the 
project; the firmness and level of the applicant's total financial 
support for the project; and a plan to maintain the program after the 
cooperative agreement has expired. Factors that may be considered 
include: Reasonableness of the budget both in income and expenses; 
strength of commitment and amount of the proposer's cost share, if any; 
effectiveness of management plans for control of budget; 
appropriateness of matching contributions; and plans for 
[[Page 4085]] maintaining the program after the cooperative agreement 
has expired.


Sec. 291.3  Environmental tools and techniques projects.

    (a) Eligibility criteria. Eligible applicants for these projects 
include all nonprofit organizations including universities, community 
colleges, state governments, state technology programs and independent 
nonprofit organizations. Organizations may submit multiple proposals 
under this category in each solicitation for unique projects.
    (b) Project objective. The purpose of these projects is to support 
the initial development and implementation of tools or techniques which 
will aide manufacturing extension organizations in providing 
environmentally-related services to smaller manufacturers and which may 
also be of direct use by the smaller manufacturers themselves. Specific 
industry sectors to be addressed and sub-categories of tools and 
techniques may be specified in solicitations. These sectors or sub-
categories will be specified in the solicitation announcement. Examples 
of tools and techniques include, but are not limited to, manufacturing 
assessment tools, environmental benchmarking tools, training delivery 
programs, electronically accessible environmental information 
resources, environmental demonstration facilities, software tools, etc. 
Projects must be completed within the scope of the effort proposed and 
should not require on-going federal support.
    (c) Award period. Projects initiated under this category may be 
carried out over up to three years. Proposals selected for award will 
receive all funding from currently available funds. If an application 
is selected for funding, DOC has no obligation to provide any 
additional future funding in connection with that award. Renewal of an 
award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the 
total discretion of DOC.
    (d) Matching requirements. No matching funds are required for these 
proposals. However, the presence of matching funds (cash and in-kind) 
will be considered in the evaluation under the Financial Plan criteria.
    (e)  Environmental tools and techniques projects evaluation 
criteria. Proposals from applicants will be evaluated and rated on the 
basis of the following criteria listed in descending order of 
importance:
    (1) Demonstrated understanding of the environmentally-related 
technical assistance needs of manufacturers and technical assistance 
providers in the target population. Target population must be clearly 
defined. The proposal must demonstrate that it understands the 
population's environmentally related tool or technique needs. The 
proposal should show that the efforts being proposed meet the needs 
identified. Factors that may be considered include: A clear definition 
of the target population, size and demographic distribution; 
demonstrated understanding of the target population's environmental 
tools or techniques needs; and appropriateness of the size of the 
target population and the anticipated impact for the proposed 
expenditure.
    (2) Technology and information sources. The proposal must delineate 
the sources of technology and/or information which will be used to 
create the tool or resource. Sources may include those internal to the 
center (including staff expertise) or from other organizations. Factors 
that may be considered include: Strength of core competency in the 
proposed area of activity; and demonstrated access to relevant 
technical or information sources external to the organization.
    (3) Degree of integration with the manufacturing extension 
partnership. The proposal must demonstrate that the tool or resource 
will be integrated into and will be of service to the NIST 
Manufacturing Extension Centers. Factors that may be considered 
include: Ability to access the tool or resource especially for MEP 
extension centers; methodology for disseminating or promoting use of 
the tool or technique especially within the MEP system; and 
demonstrated interest in using the tool or technique especially by MEP 
extension centers.
    (4) Coordination with other relevant organizations. Wherever 
possible the project should be coordinated with and leverage other 
organizations which are developing or have expertise on similar tools 
or techniques. If no such organizations exist, the proposal should show 
that this the case. Applicants will need to describe how they will 
coordinate to allow for increased economies of scale and to avoid 
duplication. Factors that may be considered include: Demonstrated 
understanding of existing organizations and resources relevant to the 
proposed project; Adequate linkages and partnerships with existing 
organizations and clear definition of those organizations' roles in the 
proposed activities; and that the proposed activity does not duplicate 
existing services or resources.
    (5) Program evaluation. The applicant should specify plans for 
evaluation of the effectiveness of the proposed tool or technique and 
for ensuring continuous improvement of the tool. Factors that may be 
considered include: Thoroughness of evaluation plans, including 
internal evaluation for management control, external evaluation for 
assessing outcomes of the activity, and ``customer satisfaction'' 
measures of performance.
    (6) Management experience and plans. Applicants should specify 
plans for proper organization, staffing, and management of the 
implementation process. Factors that may be considered include: 
Appropriateness and authority of the governing or managing organization 
to conduct the proposed activities; qualifications of the project team 
and its leadership to conduct the proposed activity; soundness of any 
staffing plans, including recruitment, selection, training, and 
continuing professional development; and appropriateness of the 
organizational approach for carrying out the proposed activity.
    (7) Financial plan: Applicants should show the relevance and cost 
effectiveness of the financial plan for meeting the objectives of the 
project; the firmness and level of the applicant's total financial 
support for the project; and a plan to maintain the program after the 
cooperative agreement has expired. Factors that may be considerable 
include: Reasonableness of the budget, both in income and expenses; 
strength of commitment and amount of the proposers's cost share, if 
any; effectiveness of management plans for control of budget 
appropriateness of matching contributions; and plan for maintaining the 
program after the cooperative agreement has expired.


Sec. 291.4  National industry-specific pollution prevention and 
environmental compliance resource centers.

    (a) Eligibility criteria. Eligible applicants for these projects 
include all nonprofit organizations including universities, community 
colleges, state governments, state technology programs and independent 
nonprofit organizations. Only one proposal per organization is 
permitted in this category.
    (b) Project objective. These centers will provide easy access to 
relevant, current, reliable and comprehensive information on pollution 
prevention opportunities, regulatory compliance and technologies and 
techniques for reducing pollution in the most competitive manner for a 
specific industry sector or industrial process. The sector or 
industrial process to be addressed will be specified in the 
[[Page 4086]] solicitation. The center will enhance the ability of 
small businesses to implement risk based pollution prevention 
alternatives to increase competitiveness and reduce adverse 
environmental impacts. The center should use existing resources, 
information and expertise and will avoid duplication of existing 
efforts. The information provided by the center will create links 
between relevant EPA Pollution Prevention programs, EPA and other 
technical information, NIST manufacturing extension efforts, EPA 
regulation and guidance, and state requirements. The center will 
emphasize pollution prevention methods as the principal means to both 
comply with government regulations and enhance competitiveness.
    (c) Project goal. To improve the environmental and competitive 
performance of smaller manufacturers by:
    (1) Enhancing the national capability to provide pollution 
prevention and regulatory requirements information (federal, state and 
local) to specific industries.
    (2) Providing easy access to relevant and reliable information and 
tools on pollution prevention technologies and techniques that achieve 
manufacturing efficiency and enhanced competitiveness with reduced 
environmental impact.
    (3) Providing easy access to relevant and reliable information and 
tools to enable specific industries to achieve the continued 
environmental improvement to meet or exceed compliance requirements.
    (d) Project customers. (1) The customers for this center will be 
the businesses in the industrial sector or businesses which use the 
industrial process specified as the focus for the solicitation. In 
addition, consultants providing services to those businesses, the NIST 
Manufacturing Extension Centers, and federal state and local programs 
providing technical, pollution prevention and compliance assistance.
    (2) The center should assist the customer in choosing the most 
cost- effective, environmentally sound options or practices that 
enhance the company's competitiveness. Assistance must be accessible to 
all interested customers. The center, wherever feasible, shall use 
existing materials and information to enhance and develop the services 
to its customers. The centers should rarely, if ever, perform research, 
but should find and assimilate data and information produced by other 
sources. The center should not duplicate any existing distribution 
system. The center should distribute and provide information, but 
should not directly provide on-site assistance to customers. Rather, 
referrals to local technical assistance organizations should be given 
when appropriate. Information would likely be available through 
multiple avenues such as phone, fax, electronically accessible data 
bases, printed material, networks of technical experts, etc.
    (e) Award period. The pilot initiated under this category may be 
carried out over multiple years. The proposers should include optional 
second and third years in their proposal. Proposals selected for award 
may receive one, two or three years of funding from currently available 
finds at the discretion of DOC. If an application is selected for 
funding, DOC has no obligation to provide any additional future funding 
in connection with that award. Renewal of an award to increase funding 
or extend the period of performance is at the total discretion of DOC. 
Successful centers may be given an opportunity to receive continuing 
funding as a NIST manufacturing center after the expiration of their 
initial cooperative agreement. Such a roll-over will be based upon the 
performance of the center and availability of funding.
    (f) Matching requirements. A matching contribution from each 
applicant will be required. NIST may provide financial support up to 
50% of the total budget for the project. The applicant's share of the 
budget may include dollar contributions from state, county, industrial 
or other non-federal sources and non-federal in-kind contributions 
necessary and reasonable for proper accomplishment of project 
objectives.
    (g) Resource center evaluation criteria. Proposals from applicants 
will be evaluated and rated on the basis of the following criteria 
listed in descending order of importance:
    (1) Demonstrated understanding of the environmentally-related 
information needs of manufacturers and technical assistance providers 
in the target population. Understanding the environmentally-related 
needs of the target population (i.e., customers) is absolutely critical 
to the success of such a resource center. Factors that may be 
considered include: A clear definition of the target population, size 
and demographic distribution; demonstrated understanding of the target 
population's environmentally-related information needs or a clear plan 
for identifying those customer needs; and methodologies for continually 
improving the understanding of the target population's environmentally-
related information needs.
    (2) Delivery mechanisms. The proposal must set forth clearly 
defined, effective mechanisms for delivery of services to target 
population. Factors that may be considered include: Potential 
effectiveness and efficiency of proposed delivery systems; and 
demonstrated capacity to form the effective linkages and partnerships 
necessary for success of the proposed activity.
    (3) Technology and information sources. The proposal must delineate 
the sources of information which will be used to create the 
informational foundation of the resource center. Sources may include 
those internal to the Center (including staff expertise), but it is 
expected that many sources will be external. Factors that may be 
considered include: Strength of core competency in the proposed area of 
activity; demonstrated access to relevant technical or information 
sources external to the organization.
    (4) Degree of integration with the manufacturing extension 
partnership and other technical assistance providers. The proposal must 
demonstrate that the source center will be integrated into the system 
of services provided by the NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership 
and other technical assistance providers. Factors that may be 
considered include: Ability of the target population including MEP 
Extension Centers to access the resource center; and methodology for 
disseminating or promoting use of the resource center especially within 
the MEP system.
    (5) Coordination with other relevant organizations. Wherever 
possible the project should be coordinated with and leverage other 
organizations which are developing or have expertise on similar tools 
or techniques. If no such organizations exist, the proposal should show 
that this is the case. Applicants will need to describe how they will 
coordinate to allow for increased economies of scale and to avoid 
duplication. Factors that may be considered include: Demonstrated 
understanding of existing organizations and resources relevant to the 
proposed project; and adequate linkages and partnerships with existing 
organizations and clear definition of those organizations' roles in the 
proposed activities.
    (6) Program evaluation. The applicant should specify plans for 
evaluation of the effectiveness of the proposed resource center and for 
ensuring continuous improvement. Factors that may be considered 
include: Thoroughness of evaluation plans, including internal 
evaluation for management control, external evaluation for assessing 
outcomes of the [[Page 4087]] activity, and ``customer satisfaction'' 
measures of performance; and the proposer's plan must include 
documentation, analysis of the results, and must show how the results 
can be used in improving the resource center.
    (7) Management experience and Plans. Applicants should specify 
Plans for proper organization, staffing, and management of the 
implementation process. Factors that may be considered include: 
Appropriateness and authority of the governing or managing organization 
to conduct the proposed activities; qualifications and experience of 
the project team and its leadership to conduct the proposed activity; 
soundness of any staffing plans, including recruitment, selection, 
training, and continuing professional development; and appropriateness 
of the organizational approach for carrying out the proposed activity.
    (8) Financial plan. Applicants should show the relevance and cost 
effectiveness of the financial plan for meeting the objectives of the 
project; the firmness and level of the applicant's total financial 
support for the project; and a plan to maintain the program after the 
cooperative agreement has expired. Factors that may be considered 
include: Reasonableness of the budget, both in income and expenses; 
strength of commitment and amount of the proposer's cost share; 
effectiveness of management plans for control of the budget; and 
appropriateness of matching contributions.


Sec. 291.5  Proposal selection process.

    The proposal evaluation and selection process will consist of three 
principal phases: Proposal qualification; proposal review and selection 
of finalists; and award determination.
    (a) Proposal qualification. All proposals will be reviewed by NIST 
to assure compliance with the proposal content and other basic 
provisions of this notice. Proposals which satisfy these requirements 
will be designated qualified proposals; all others will be disqualified 
at this phase of the evaluation and selection process.
    (b) Proposal review and selection of finalists. NIST will appoint 
an evaluation panel composed of NIST and in some cases other federal 
employees to review and evaluate all qualified proposals in accordance 
with the evaluation criteria and values set forth in this notice. A 
site visit may be required to make full evaluation of a proposal. From 
the qualified proposals, a group of finalists will be numerically 
ranked and recommended for award based on this review.
    (c) Award determination. The Director of the NIST, or her/his 
designee, shall select awardees based on total evaluation scores, 
geographic distribution, and the availability of funds. All three 
factors will be considered in making an award. Upon the final award 
decision, a notification will be made to each of the proposing 
organizations.


Sec. 291.6  Additional requirements; federal policies and procedures.

    Recipients and subrecipients are subject to all Federal laws and 
Federal and Department of Commerce policies, regulations, and 
procedures applicable to Federal financial assistance awards.

[FR Doc. 95-1313 Filed 1-19-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-M