Rule2021-21976
Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership-Amendment to Venue for Publishing Notices of Funding Opportunities for Financial Assistance
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
October 8, 2021
Effective
October 8, 2021
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Institute of Standards and Technology
Abstract
NIST is issuing a final rule to amend the regulations governing the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program to reflect the current requirements for publishing Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) for the establishment and operation of MEP Centers, consistent with the current MEP authorizing statute and Department of Commerce (Department or DOC) policy.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 193 (Friday, October 8, 2021)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 193 (Friday, October 8, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 56183]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-21976]
========================================================================
Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 193 / Friday, October 8, 2021 / Rules
and Regulations
[[Page 56183]]
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institutes of Standards and Technology
15 CFR Part 290
[Docket No.: 210913-0184]
RIN 0693-AB68
Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership--Amendment to Venue
for Publishing Notices of Funding Opportunities for Financial
Assistance
AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), United
States Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NIST is issuing a final rule to amend the regulations
governing the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)
program to reflect the current requirements for publishing Notices of
Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) for the establishment and operation of
MEP Centers, consistent with the current MEP authorizing statute and
Department of Commerce (Department or DOC) policy.
DATES: This rule is effective October 8, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: J. Chancy Lyford, External Affairs,
Performance and Support Division, Hollings Manufacturing Extension
Partnership, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau
Drive, Mail Stop 4800, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, 240-660-0324.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The Hollings MEP Program (Program) is a unique program, consisting
of centers in each state and Puerto Rico with partnerships at the
state, federal, and local levels. Prior to being amended by Section
501(b) of the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act (AICA),
Public Law 114-329, the Program statute, 15 U.S.C. 278k(c), required
that NIST publish in the Federal Register a description of each
financial assistance program to establish an MEP Center. Section 501(b)
of AICA removed the requirement that such notices be published in the
Federal Register, which is consistent with the current policy of the
Department of Commerce to publish all notices of funding opportunities
(NOFOs) on <a href="http://www.Grants.gov">www.Grants.gov</a>, unless otherwise required by statute or
regulation.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ In addition, the Office of Management and Budget has
encouraged Federal agencies to use <a href="http://www.Grants.gov">www.Grants.gov</a> since 2003. 68 FR
58146.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NIST is amending the MEP regulations, specifically 15 CFR 290.7, to
remove the requirement that NOFOs to solicit applications to establish
a new MEP Center or to operate a pre-existing MEP Center be published
in the Federal Register.
II. Statutory Authority
15 U.S.C. 278k was revised by section 501(b) of AICA to eliminate
the requirement that solicitations for operators of MEP Centers be
published in the Federal Register.
III. Regulatory Analysis
Because this final rule is a matter relating to public property,
loans, grants, benefits, or contracts, 5 U.S.C. 553 does not apply. See
5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2). Therefore, prior notice and opportunity for public
comment are not required under 5 U.S.C. 553, and there is no
requirement for a 30-day delay in the effectiveness of this action
under 5 U.S.C. 553(d).
Executive Order 12866
This final rule was determined to be not significant for purposes
of Executive Order 12866.
Executive Order 13132
This final rule does not contain policies with Federalism
implications as defined in Executive Order 13132.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
Because prior notice and opportunity for public comment are not
required for this rule by 5 U.S.C. 553, or any other law, the
analytical requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601
et seq., do not apply.
Paperwork Reduction Act
This rule contains no new collection of information subject to the
Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.
National Environmental Policy Act
This final rule will not significantly affect the quality of the
human environment. Therefore, an environmental assessment or
Environmental Impact Statement is not required to be prepared under the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.
List of Subjects in 15 CFR Part 290
Cooperative agreements, Grant programs, Science and technology.
For the reasons stated in the preamble, NIST is amending 15 CFR
part 290 as follows:
PART 290--REGIONAL CENTERS FOR THE TRANSFER OF MANUFACTURING
TECHNOLOGY
0
1. The authority citation for 15 CFR part 290 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 278k.
0
2. Revise Sec. 290.7 to read as follows:
Sec. 290.7 Proposal selection process.
Upon the availability of funding to solicit applications to
establish a new Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Center or to
operate a pre-existing MEP Center, the Director shall publish a notice
of funding opportunity on <a href="http://www.Grants.gov">www.Grants.gov</a> requesting submission of
competitive proposals from eligible organizations.
Alicia Chambers,
NIST Executive Secretariat.
[FR Doc. 2021-21976 Filed 10-7-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P
</pre></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on October 8, 2021.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.