[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 147 (Thursday, July 31, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41093-41094]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-20099]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Modification 
OMB No. 3145-0101; Comment Request; Title of Collection: 1998 Survey of 
Scientific and Engineering Research Facilities at Colleges and 
Universities

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 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 information collection. This notice describes a 
modification to the currently cleared collection, NSF Survey of 
Scientific and Engineering Research Facilities at Colleges and 
Universities, OMB No. 3145-0101.


[[Page 41094]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Call or write Gail A. McHenry for a copy of the collection instrument 
and instructions at NSF Reports Clearance Officer, National Science 
Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd. Suite 245, Arlington, VA. 22230; call 
(703) 306-1125 x2010; or send email to [email protected]. Please include 
OMB No. 3145-0101 with your communication.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    1. Abstract. This survey collects information on the science and 
engineering (S&E) research facilities at the nation's higher education 
institution. These modifications to the approved 1998 questionnaire 
will make the data more useful to Federal agencies and policymakers. 
The OMB, Health Division, intends to use the aggregate data to 
establish benchmark guidelines for cost of construction and renovation. 
Indirect cost rate negotiators will also use these benchmarks for 
colleges and universities.
    2. Proposed Modifications to the OMB-Approved 1998 Survey.
     Sample size. We are requesting that the 1998 survey sample 
be increased from 315 to 365. (This change is requested by NIH, NSF, 
and OMB.) Expanding the sample size with 50 additional institutions 
will allow for data to be reported by Carnegie classification, by 
minority serving institutions and institutions within the EPSCoR 
States, and to ensure that appropriate representation is made for each 
state.

 Additional Information

     Currently data are collected for the total net assignable 
square feet (NASF) of animal laboratories. NIH has requested that the 
survey collect the percent of total animal research NASF assigned to 
levels of restricted use laboratories. The information is readily 
available to the institutions and reporting it would be of minimal 
burden. This request would also serve the need of OMB to identify some 
of the driving forces behind high cost of some research facilities.
     For more usable data, OMB is requesting that data also be 
reported by gross square feet (GSF) of space in science and engineering 
disciplines. Institutions already have that data to calculate the NASF 
of that project

 Clarifying Relationship of Data

     OMB has requested that in addition to collecting the total 
repair/renovation or new construction costs (including non-fixed 
equipment over $1 million), that we also collect the proportion of 
repair/renovation or new construction project costs assignable to non-
fixed equipment costing over $1 million. These data are readily 
available to the institutions and reporting these data should add very 
little burden.
     OMB has requested that in addition to collecting the 
proportion of construction and repair/renovation cost attributable to 
institutional funds, that we collect the percent of institutional funds 
made up by indirect costs recovered from federal grants and/or 
contracts. The question will be posed in two parts: (1) Asking if the 
institution has ready access to these data; and (2) if data are 
available, asking the institution to supply that data. This way of 
posing the question assures minimal burden to the respondent.
     Discontinuing the collection of the status of institutions 
relative to the cap on tax-exempt bonds. This modification was 
requested by NIH as well as NSF.
    3. Use of Information. The purpose of this study is to collect data 
about status of academic S&E research facilities. The information from 
this survey will be used by Federal policy makers, planners, and budget 
analysts in making policy decisions, as well as by academic officials, 
the S&E establishment, and State agencies that fund universities and 
colleges.
    The NSF will publish a separate report of the findings for 
Congress; it will also prepare a special report for NIH on the Status 
of Biomedical Research Facilities and it will also include them in 
other NSF compilations such as National Patterns of R&D Resources and 
Science and Engineering Indicators. Special reports will be prepared 
for other Federal agencies on an as-needed basis. A public release file 
of collected data in aggregate form will be made available to 
researchers on the World Wide Web. The results of the survey will help 
policy makers in decision about the health of academic S&E research, 
funding, regulations, and reporting guidelines.
    4. Expected Respondents. Not-for-Profit institutions, specifically, 
research organizations/hospitals and academic institutions.
    5. Burden on the Public. Much of the proposed modification includes 
data that are readily available to the respondents; we expect that 
changes to the questionnaire will cause little or no change in burden 
hours. A substantial reduction in response burden over 1996 is expected 
with the improvements in the computer-aided survey: 60% of the 
institutions are expected to respond through this method in 1998, 
compared to 40% in 1986.
    The Foundation estimates a total annual burden of 8,760 hours. The 
calculation is 365 institutions x total annual reporting and 
recordkeeping burden of 24 hours per respondent.

Comments Requested

    Date: NSF should received written comments on or before September 
29, 1997.
    Address: Submit written comments to Mrs. McHenry through surface 
mail (NSF Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 
Wilson Blvd. Suite 245, Arlington, VA 22230); email ([email protected]); 
or fax (703-306-0201). Please include OMB No. 3145-0101 with your 
communication.
    Special Areas for Review: NSF especially requests comments 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 to be collected; 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, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

    Dated: July 25, 1997.
Gail A. McHenry,
NSF Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 97-20099 Filed 7-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M