[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 102 (Thursday, May 27, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 28827]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-13474]



[[Page 28827]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health


Center for Scientific Review; Proposed Collection; Comment 
Request; Partner and Customer Satisfaction Surveys

SUMMARY: In compliance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 for the opportunity for public 
comment on the proposed data collection projects, the Center for 
Scientific Review (CSR), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), will 
publish periodic summaries of proposed projects to be submitted to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval.
    Proposed Collection: Title: Partner and Customer Satisfaction 
Surveys. Type of Information Collection Request: New request. Need and 
Use of Information Collection: The information collected in these 
surveys will be used by the Center for Scientific Review personnel: (1) 
to assess the quality of operations and processes used by CSR to review 
grant applications; (2) to assess the quality of service provided to 
our partners and customers; (3) to assist with the design of 
modifications of these operations, processes, and services, based on 
partner and customer input; (4) to develop new modes of operation based 
on partner and customer need; and (5) to obtain partner and customer 
feedback about the efficacy of implemented modifications. These surveys 
will almost certainly lead to quality improvement activities and will 
enhance and/or streamline CSR's operations. The major mechanism by 
which CSR will request input is through surveys. The surveys for 
partners is generic and tailored for Scientific Review Group (SGR) past 
and present members and chairs. The survey for customers, i.e., grant 
applicants, will have slight variations determined by which category of 
scientific review group the researcher/investigator's grant application 
is reviewed. Surveys will be collected as written documents or via 
Internet. Information gathered from these surveys will be presented to, 
and used directly by, CSR management to enhance the operations, 
processes, and services of our organization. Frequency of Response: The 
participants will respond yearly.
    Affected public: Universities, not-for-profit institutions, 
business or other for-profit, small business and organizations and 
individuals. Type of Respondents: Adult scientific professionals. The 
annual reporting burden is as follows: It is estimated that the survey 
form will take 20 minutes to complete. The annual hour burden is, 
therefore, estimated to be 1,932 hour for 5,855 respondents in FY 2001, 
1,932 hours for 5,855 respondents in FY 2002, 1,932 hours for 5,855 
respondents in FY 2003. Estimated costs to the respondents consists 
entirely of their time. Costs for time estimated using a rate of $38.00 
per hour for SGR members, SGR chairs, and principal investigators/grant 
applicants. The estimated annual cost for each year for which the 
generic clearance is requested is $73,421 for FY 2001, $73,421 for FY 
2002, $73,421 for FY 2003. No additional costs should be incurred by 
respondents or recordkeepers.
    Requests for Comments: Written comments and/or suggestions from the 
public and affected agencies are invited on one or more of the 
following points: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the CSR, 
including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) The 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed 
collection of information, including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used; (3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) Ways to minimize 
the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond 
while maintaining their anonymity, including the use of automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: To request more information on the proposed 
project or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans, contact: 
Elliot Postow, Ph.D., Director, Division of Molecular and Cellular 
Mechanisms, Center for Scientific Review, National Institutes of 
Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 4160 MSC 7806, Bethesda, MD 20892-
7806, or call non-toll-free: 301-435-0911, or e-mail your request or 
comments, including your address to [email protected]

COMMENTS DUE DATE: Comments regarding this information collection are 
best assured of having their full effect if received by July 26, 1999.

    Dated: May 19, 1999.
Chris Wisdom,
Eexcutive Officer, CSR.
[FR Doc. 99-13474 Filed 5-26-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-M