[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 158 (Monday, August 17, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 43960]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-22007]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice.

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TITLE OF COLLECTION: Survey of Industrial Research and Development (OMB 
Control No. 3145-0027).

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 or other Federal agencies to comment on 
this proposed continuing information collection.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information or for a copy 
of the collection instrument and instructions contact Ms. Mary Lou 
Higgs, Acting Clearance Officer, via surface mail: National Science 
Foundation, ATTN: NSF Reports Clearance Officer, Suite 295, 4201 Wilson 
Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22230; telephone (703) 306-2063; e-mail 
[email protected], or FAX (703) 306-0201.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Abstract

    The proposed continuing information collection involves the 
estimation of the expenditures on research and development performed 
within the United States by industrial firms. A mail survey, the Survey 
of Industrial Research and Development, has been conducted annually 
since 1953. Industry accounts for over 70 percent of total U.S. R&D 
each year and since its inception, the survey has provided continuity 
of statistics on R&D expenditures by major industry groups and by 
source of funds. The survey is the industrial component of the NSF 
statistical program that seeks to ``provide a central clearinghouse for 
the collection, interpretation, and analysis of data on the 
availability of, and the current and projected need for, scientific and 
technical resources in the United States, and to provide a source of 
information for policy formulation by other agencies of the Federal 
government'' as mandated in the National Science Foundation Act of 
1950. Statistics from the survey are published in NSF's annual 
publication series Research and Development in Industry. The proposed 
collection will continue the survey for three years.

2. Expected Respondents

    The survey will be mailed to a statistical sample of approximately 
23,400 companies to collect information on the amount and sources of 
funds for and character of R&D performed and contracted out by 
industrial firms, and information on sales and employment of the firms 
themselves.

3. Burden on the Public

    To minimize burden, over 90-percent of the companies selected for 
the Survey of Industrial Research and Development are asked to respond 
to the Form RD-1A, the abbreviated version of the basic survey 
questionnaire, Form RD-1. Further, only companies with five paid 
employees or more are asked to participate in the survey and extensive 
use is made of the descriptive codes and information on the 
establishment list that is the source of the survey sample to avoid 
sampling firms in industries that traditionally do not perform R&D. 
NSF, with input from the Bureau of the Census, the collection and 
compiling agent for the survey, estimates that the average annual 
reporting and record keeping burden on each Form RD-1A respondent will 
be 1 hour and on Form RD-1 respondents will be 15 hours. The total 
annual burden is estimated at 43,000 hours, calculated as follows:
    RD-1A respondents: 22,000 respondents x 1 response x 1 burden 
hour=22,000 hours/year.
    RD-1 respondents: 1,400 respondents x 1 response x 15 burden 
hours=21,000 hours/year.
    All respondents: 22,000+21,000=43,000 burden hours/year during 
1999, 2000, and 2001.

Comments Requested

    Dates: NSF should receive written comments on or before October 16, 
1998.
    Addresses: Submit written comments to Ms. Mary Lou Higgs, Acting 
Clearance Officer, through surface mail at: National Science 
Foundation, ATTN: NSF Reports Clearance Officer, Suite 295, 4201 Wilson 
Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22230; through e-mail to [email protected]; or 
via FAX (703) 306-0201.
    Special Areas for Review: NSF especially request comments on:
    (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the Foundation, including 
whether the information will have utility;
    (b) the accuracy of the Foundation'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, e.g., permitting submission of responses 
through the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other 
technological collection techniques.

    Dated: August 12, 1998.
Mary Lou Higgs,
Acting NSF Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 98-22007 Filed 8-14-98; 8:45 am]
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