Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals

Federal Register: April 8, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 66)

Notices

Page 15939-15940

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

DOCID:fr08ap09-35

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology

Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Generic

Clearance for Usability Data Collections

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before June 8, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental

Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 7845, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at dHynek@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Darla Yonder, Management Analyst, NIST, 100 Bureau

Drive, MS 1710, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1710, telephone 301-975-4064, or via e-mail to darla.yonder@nist.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Abstract

   In accordance with Executive Order 12862, the National Institute of

   Standards and Technology (NIST), a non-regulatory agency of the

   Department of Commerce, proposes to conduct a number of data collection efforts--both quantitative and qualitative--to determine requirements and evaluate usability and utility of NIST research for measurement and standardization work. These data collection efforts may include, but may not be limited to electronic methodologies, empirical studies, video and audio data collections, interviews, and questionnaires. For example, data collection efforts will be conducted at search and rescue training exercises for rescue workers using robots. Other planned data collection efforts include

   Page 15940

   evaluations of software for use by the intelligence community.

   Participation will be strictly voluntary. The regulated information will not be collected. The results of the data collected will be used to guide NIST research. Steps will be taken to ensure anonymity of respondents in each activity covered under this request.

2. Method of Collection

   NIST will collect this information by electronic means when possible, as well as by mail, fax, telephone, and person-to-person interviews.

3. Data

   OMB Control Number: 0693-0043.

   Form Number: None.

   Type of Review: Regular submission.

   Affected Public: Individuals or households; State, local or tribal government, Federal government.

   Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,000.

   Estimated Time per Response: Varied, dependent upon the data collection method used. The response time will vary from 15 minutes to fill out a questionnaire to three hours to participate in an empirical study. Average response time is expected to be 1 hour.

   Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,000.

   Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.

4. Request for Comments

   Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden

   (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information;

   (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

   Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

   Dated: April 3, 2009.

   Gwellnar Banks,

   Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.

   FR Doc. E9-7898 Filed 4-7-09; 8:45 am

   BILLING CODE 3510-13-P