FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:             NIST 94-13
March 31, 1994

Contact:  Jan Kosko                NIST NAMES ASQC AS
          (301) 975-2767           PARTNER IN ADMINISTERING
                                   BALDRIGE QUALITY AWARD

     The National Institute of Standards and Technology has
selected the American Society for Quality Control as its
contractor to help administer the Malcolm Baldrige National
Quality Award.

     ASQC will provide administrative support to NIST in a
variety of activities such as soliciting and training examiners,
processing and reviewing applications.  In addition, ASQC will
publish and distribute materials associated with the award as
well as work with NIST to improve the application process.

     The contract is for one year, with the option to renew for
two years.  Regina Robinson-Stokes will serve as the ASQC project
manager.  ASQC has been NIST's partner in administering the award
program since 1991.

     The Baldrige quality award was established by Congress in
1987 to promote quality awareness, to recognize quality
achievements of U.S. companies, and to publicize successful
quality strategies.  Firms applying for the award must undergo a
rigorous evaluation by an independent board of examiners composed
of private- and public-sector experts in quality.  The
examination includes on-site visits for applicants that pass the
initial screening.

     Public Law 100-107 instructs NIST to contract with "one or
more broad-based non-profit entities which are leaders in the
field of quality management and which have a history of service
to society."

     ASQC, a professional, non-profit association, is committed
to the development, promotion and application of quality-related
information and technology for the quality professional.  The
society, headquartered in Milwaukee, serves more than 125,000
individual and nearly 1,000 sustaining members.

     NIST developed and manages the Baldrige award program in
conjunction with the private sector.  A non-regulatory agency in
the Commerce Department's Technology Administration, NIST
promotes economic growth by working with industry to develop and
apply technology, measurements and standards.

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