[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 162 (Friday, August 21, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 44937]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-22467]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

TITLE OF COLLECTION: NSF-OMB Follow-Up Survey: Science and Engineering 
Research Facilities at Colleges and Universities (OMB Control No. 3145-
0101).

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to 
request clearance of this collection. In accordance with the 
requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995, we are providing opportunity for public comment on this action. 
After obtaining and considering public comment, NSF will prepare the 
submission requesting OMB clearance of this collection for no longer 
than 3 years.

SEND COMMENTS TO: F. Neville Withington, Acting Reports Clearance 
Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 245, 
Arlington, Virginia 22230 or send email to [email protected]. Written 
comments should be received within 60 days of the date of this notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Withington on (703) 306-1126 x2004 or send email to 
[email protected]. You may also obtain a copy of the data collection 
instrument and instructions from Ms. Withington.
    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.
    Proposed Project: The 1998 Survey of Science and Engineering 
Research Facilities at Colleges and Universities conducted by NSF 
collected data on the status of academic science and engineering (S&E) 
research facilities. The proposed follow-up survey will collect 
additional information to supplement the original survey data, 
increasing its usefulness to Federal agencies, policymakers and higher 
education administrators. Total project construction costs which exceed 
$25 million per project will be reported and particular space 
designation measurements (gross square feet and net assignable square 
feet) of the building will be identified. Additional questions 
regarding special features or conditions which might contribute to 
prices beyond standard expectations are also included in the 
questionnaire.
    Use of Information: The availability of these data will allow 
universities to prepare a comparison of their costs for construction 
with the data collected in the initial NSF Facilities survey. The 
follow-up study, by focusing on costs segmented by project, requiring 
exact space designations, and taking into account any specialized 
project features, thereby improving the precision of analysis of large 
research facility costs, will allow Federal policymakers, planners, and 
budget analysts, as well as academic officials and state agencies, to 
make more exact and, as a result, more valid judgments concerning the 
reasonableness of facility costs.
    Burden on the Public: We estimate a total of 75 colleges and 
universities will be screened for the survey, and expect approximately 
one-half of these to be eligible for the follow-up study. Approximately 
one hour will be required for each qualifying institution to respond, 
for a total of 38 hours of annual burden.

    Dated: August 17, 1998.
F. Neville Withington,
Acting Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 98-22467 Filed 8-20-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M