Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY:

National Science Foundation.

ACTION:

Submission for OMB review; comment request.

SUMMARY:

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), and as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, the National Science Foundation (NSF) is inviting the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on this proposed continuing information collection. The full submission may be found at: http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain . This is the second notice for public comment; the first was published in the Federal Register at 76 FR 28244 and no comments were received. NSF is forwarding the proposed submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance simultaneously with the publication of this second notice.

DATES:

Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received by OMB within 30 days of publication in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments regarding (a) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of NSF, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of NSF's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; or (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for National Science Foundation, 725-17th Street, NW. Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, and to Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 295, Arlington, Virginia 22230 or send e-mail to splimpto@nsf.gov. Copies of the submission may be obtained by calling (703) 292-7556.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Suzanne H. Plimpton, NSF Reports Clearance Officer at (703) 292-7556 or send e-mail to splimpto@nsf.gov.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title of Collection: FY 2011 and FY 2013 Survey of Science and Engineering Research Facilities.

OMB Control Number: 3145-0101.

Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to reinstate an information collection for three years.

Proposed Project: The National Science Foundation Survey of Science and Engineering Research Facilities is a Congressionally mandated (Pub. L. 99-159), biennial survey that has been conducted since 1986. The survey collects data on the amount, condition, and costs of the physical facilities used to conduct science and engineering research. The survey also requests information on the networking and high performance computing capacity at the surveyed institutions, a critical part of the infrastructure for science and engineering research. Due to the rapidity of technological change, these questions are continually updated. It was expected by Congress that this survey would provide the data necessary to describe the status and needs of science and engineering research facilities and to formulate appropriate solutions to documented needs. During the FY 2007 and FY 2009 survey cycles, data were collected from a population of approximately 495 research-performing colleges and universities and approximately 163 nonprofit biomedical research institutions receiving research support from the National Institutes of Health.

Use of the Information: Analysis of the Facilities Survey data will provide updated information on the status of scientific and engineering research facilities and capabilities. The information can be used by Federal policy makers, planners, and budget analysts in making policy decisions, as well as by institutional academic officials, the scientific/engineering establishment, and state agencies and legislatures that fund universities.

Burden on the Public: The Facilities Survey will be sent by mail to approximately 495 higher education institutions. The completion time per academic institution is expected to average 41 hours. Assuming a 95% response rate, this would result in an estimated burden of 19,280 hours for academic institutions.