PART 291—MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP; ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS Authority: 15 U.S.C. § 272(b)(1) and (c)(3) and § 2781. Source: 60 FR 4082, Jan. 20, 1995, unless otherwise noted. § 291.1 Program description. (a) 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 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. (c) Proposal workshops. (d) Indirect costs. (e) Proposal format. 1/2 (f) Content of basic proposal. (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. (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]. § 291.2 Environmental integration projects. (a) Eligibility criteria. (b) Project objective. (1) Environmental needs assessment. (2) Partnership with another organization. (3) Accessing private-sector environmental resources. (4) Training of field engineers/agents in environmental topics. (5) Access to environmentally related information or expertise. (6) Addition of environmentally focused staff. (c) Award period. (d) Matching requirements. (e) Environmental integration projects evaluation criteria. (1) Demonstrated commitment to incorporating environmentally related services. (2) Demonstrated understanding of the environmentally related technical assistance needs of manufacturers in the target population. (3) Coordination with other relevant organizations. (4) Program evaluation: (5) Management experience and plans. (6) Financial plan: § 291.3 Environmental tools and techniques projects. (a) Eligibility criteria. (b) Project objective. (c) Award period. (d) Matching requirements. (e) Environmental tools and techniques projects evaluation criteria. (1) Demonstrated understanding of the environmentally-related technical assistance needs of manufacturers and technical assistance providers in the target population. (2) Technology and information sources. (3) Degree of integration with the manufacturing extension partnership. (4) Coordination with other relevant organizations. (5) Program evaluation. (6) Management experience and plans. (7) Financial plan: § 291.4 National industry-specific pollution prevention and environmental compliance resource centers. (a) Eligibility criteria. (b) Project objective. (c) Project goal. (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. (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. (f) Matching requirements. (g) Resource center evaluation criteria. (1) Demonstrated understanding of the environmentally-related information needs of manufacturers and technical assistance providers in the target population. i.e. (2) Delivery mechanisms. (3) Technology and information sources. (4) Degree of integration with the manufacturing extension partnership and other technical assistance providers. (5) Coordination with other relevant organizations. (6) Program evaluation. (7) Management experience and Plans. (8) Financial plan. cost share; § 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. (b) Proposal review and selection of finalists. (c) Award determination. § 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.