Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request
| Published date | 30 April 2020 |
| Citation | 85 FR 24038 |
| Record Number | 2020-09156 |
| Section | Notices |
| Court | National Science Foundation |
Federal Register, Volume 85 Issue 84 (Thursday, April 30, 2020)
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 84 (Thursday, April 30, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24038-24039]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-09156]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request
AGENCY: National Science Foundation.
ACTION: Submission for OMB review; comment request.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) has submitted the
following information collection
[[Page 24039]]
requirement to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995. This is the second notice for public comment;
the first was published in the Federal Register, 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: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of
this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAmain. Find this particular
information collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--
Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance
Officer, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue,
Alexandria, VA 22314, or send email to [email protected]. Individuals
who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the
Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339, which is
accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year (including
federal holidays).
Copies of the submission may be obtained by calling 703-292-7556.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NSF 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.
Comments regarding (a) whether the collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency,
including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the
accuracy of the agency'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; (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 the points
of contact in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
Title of Collection: Grantee Reporting Requirements for NSF SBIR/
STTR Program.
OMB Number: 3145-NEW.
Proposed Project: The NSF's Division of Industrial Innovation and
Partnerships (IIP), within the Engineering Directorate, serves a wide
range of grantees across 5 major programs. The SBIR (Small Business
Innovation Research)/STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer) program
is designed to stimulate technological innovation in the private sector
by strengthening the role of small business, increasing the commercial
application of federally supported research results, as well as
fostering and encouraging participation by socially and economically
disadvantaged and women-owned small businesses.
The NSF SBIR/STTR program has two phases: Phase I and Phase II
(with an optional Phase IIB as matching supplements). SBIR/STTR Phase I
is a 6-12 month experimental or theoretical investigation on the
proposed innovative research or study, and allows the grantees to
determine the scientific, technical, and commercial merit of the idea
or concept. Phase II further develops the proposed concept, building on
the feasibility project undertaken in Phase I, and accelerate the Phase
I project to the commercialization stage and enhance the overall
strength of the commercial potential. As such, Phase II SBIR/STTR
awards have an expected period of performance of 24 months.
The Phase II interim report will be required every six months for
the life of the Phase II award. We will use this report to collect
information on the technical progress of the funded NSF work, which
will allow the managing Program Director to monitor the project and
ensure that the award is in good standing. The report will also request
a discussion of progress on other company aspects that would allow us
to assess the boarder and commercial impacts that are core to our
review criteria. This report will also be used to ensure awardee
compliance with both SBIR/STTR-wide and NSF-wide compliance
requirements (such as lifecycle program certifications and requirements
of our Phase II cooperative agreement instrument). Finally, it will be
used to collect data that is required by the SBIR Policy Directive.
All the information collected is for internal use by the Division
of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships, and will not be made
publicly available.
Burden on the Public: Estimated at 16 hours per award for 300
awards for a total of 4,800 hours (per year).
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 of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information on
respondents, including through the use of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information technology; and (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.
Dated: April 24, 2020.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2020-09156 Filed 4-29-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P
