[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 101 (Friday, May 23, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 30060]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-11627]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology

[Docket No. 080508641-8643-01]


Request for Technical Input--Standards in Trade Workshops

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce.

ACTION: Request for Workshop Recommendations.

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SUMMARY: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 
invites interested parties to submit recommendations for workshops 
covering specific sectors and targeted countries or regions of the 
world where training in the U.S. system of standards development, 
conformity assessment, and metrology may facilitate trade. Prospective 
workshops will be scheduled for a 3 to 5 day period. This notice is not 
an invitation for proposals to fund grants, contracts or cooperative 
agreements of any kind. NIST will offer a limited number of workshops, 
based upon the availability of resources. Recommenders are encouraged 
to consider Administration priorities outlined in the 2007 National 
Export Strategy. NIST will consider recommendations based upon which 
workshops would be most useful to intended audiences.

DATES: All recommendations must be submitted no later than 5 p.m., June 
23, 2008.

ADDRESSES: All recommendations must be submitted to Ellen Emard via e-
mail ([email protected]) or by mail to 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 
2100, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899. The National Export Strategy is 
available at http://www.ita.doc.gov/media/publications/abstract/nes2007desc.html. Additional information about the NIST Standards in 
Trade Workshop is available at http://ts.nist.gov/standards/global/sitdescr.cfm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Emard (301) 975-4038, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Standards in Trade Workshops are a major 
activity of the Global Standards and Information Group in the NIST 
Standards Services
    Division. The workshops are designed to provide timely information 
to foreign standards officials on U.S. practices in standards and 
conformity assessment. Participants are introduced to U.S. technology 
and principles in metrology, standards development and application, and 
conformity assessment systems and procedures. Each workshop offers an 
overview of the roles of the U.S. Government, private sector, and 
regional and international organizations engaged in standards 
development and conformity assessment practices. Specific workshop 
objectives are to: (1) Familiarize participants with U.S. technology 
and practices in metrology, standardization, and conformity assessment; 
(2) describe and provide an understanding of the roles of the U.S. 
Government and the private sector in developing and implementing 
standards; (3) convey the structure of the standards and conformity 
assessment systems in the invited country or countries and the role and 
responsibilities of organizations represented by the invitees; and (4) 
facilitate professional contacts as a basis for strengthening technical 
ties and enhancing trade.
    Workshop recommendations (maximum 5 pages) must address at a 
minimum the following points, in the order noted and labeled 
accordingly:
    1. Name and Description of the Recommending Person or Organization
    Provide the primary mailing address, and the name, telephone number 
and email address of the primary point of contact.
    2. Industry Sector and Suggested Workshop Title which captures the 
essence of the recommendation
    Provide a title that considers the goals and potential benefits of 
the workshop.
    3. Proposed Workshop Objectives
    Describe the intended goals to be attained, why they are important, 
the specific workshop objectives, and U.S. and foreign stakeholders 
that are likely to participate.
    4. Calendar Dates Suggested for Workshop
    Provide three or more suggested start dates for the workshop. The 
first date should be no earlier than 8 months from the publication date 
of this announcement.
    5. Relevant NIST Organizational Link
    Workshop topics must be linked to NIST activities and/or research. 
The appropriate NIST organizational unit, laboratory or program must be 
identified by the recommender and the relevance of the activity to NIST 
must be demonstrated. If known, identify the specific NIST staff who 
could serve as the NIST internal point of contact.
    6. Principal Topics
    Provide a list of the suggested topics for the workshop.
    7. Related Site Visits and Events
    Workshops can include visits to relevant business sites or events. 
Provide a list of suggested site visit locations, events or other areas 
of interest and discuss the relevance of each to the overall purpose of 
the proposed workshop's goals.
    8. Expected Outcomes/Measures of Success
    Include in this section a description of:
    a. The anticipated benefit of the workshop for trade and market 
access;
    b. The anticipated economic impacts (in dollars);
    c. The potential for future opportunities for collaboration and 
trade as a result of the workshop;
    d. The measures of success; and
    e. The desired results of the workshop and how the results will be 
measured.
    All recommendations must address each of the above eight points and 
be submitted to Ellen Emard via e-mail ([email protected]) or mail 
100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 2100 Gaithersburg, MD 20899 no later than 5 
p.m., June 23, 2008.

    Dated: May 16, 2008.
Richard F. Kayser,
Chief Scientist.
 [FR Doc. E8-11627 Filed 5-22-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P