[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 185 (Friday, September 24, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51804-51805]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-24892]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Intent to Seek Approval to Extend without Revision an 
Expired Information Collection

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice and Request for Comments.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to 
request reinstatement of this collection. In accordance with the 
requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (Pub. L. 104-13), we are providing opportunity for public comment 
on this action. After obtaining and considering public comment, NSF 
will prepare the submission requesting that OMB approve clearance of 
this collection for no longer than 3 years.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by November 23, 
1999, to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Suzanne H. Plimpton, 
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson 
Boulevard, Suite 295, Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone (703) 306-
1125 x 20/17; 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 between 8 a.m. and 8 
p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday. You also may obtain a copy 
of the data collection instrument and instructions from Ms. Plimpton.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title of Collection

    An Evaluation of Awards Made under the NSF Design and Manufacturing 
Research Programs.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0167.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Not applicable.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to reinstate without 
revision an information collection for three years.
    Abstract: An Evaluation of the Outcomes and Impacts of awards made 
in the Division of Design, Manufacture, and Industrial Innovation 
(DMII) in FYs 1989-90. The ability of the National Science Foundation 
to continue a high level of support for university-based research is 
becoming increasingly dependent on the ability of NSF and its research 
partners to explain the impact of funded research on the lives of the 
U.S. citizens who provide those funds. The Foundation has no systematic 
evidence regarding the frequency of such events among awards made in 
1989 and 1990, some of which were from unsolicited proposals and others 
were from proposals in three special initiative areas: Strategic 
Manufacturing, Technology Management, and Industrial Internships. 
Furthermore, nothing is known about the process by which any outcomes 
may have occurred. A pilot study of DMII research program awards from 
1986 using the same instruments was conducted several years ago. To 
assist DMII in reporting accurately about the results from more recent 
awards, especially those made in three initiatives areas--Technology 
Management, Strategic Manufacturing, and Industrial Internships--and 
managing its present research programs, the Division woud like to 
reinstate without change data collection 3145-0167.
    Some 250 Principal Investigators(PIs) and co-Principal 
Investigators (co-PIs) who were recipients of DMII research program 
awards in FY 1989-90 will be asked to provide via e-mail:
    (1) A brief one-page narrative regarding the outcomes and impacts 
of the project;
    (2) Citations to 3 to 5 key journal articles, books or patents that 
resulted from the project, or in which the project played an important 
role;
    (3) the names, addresses and telephone numbers of between 3 and 5 
other individuals who are familiar with the work carried out under the 
project, and who could provide additional insights as to its outcomes 
and impacts; and
    With regard to the narrative materials, the following information 
will be requested:
    (A) Complete project title.
    (B) Key project participants and their institutional affiliations.
    (C) Time frame during which project was conducted.
    (D) Principal outputs or results of the project.
    (E) Longer term outcomes and follow-on impacts of the project.
    (F) The researcher's best assessment of the impact of this NSF-
funded research on the current (1999) state of design and manufacturing 
technology relevant to the award, including any known commercial 
implementations.
    (G) Any other observations that the researcher wishes to make 
(e.g., regarding the promotion of a significant discovery, creation of 
a significant research capability, promotion of new knowledge flowing 
to society).
    The narratives, citations, and names of others knowledgeable about 
the project may be submitted using the Internet or regular mail.
    Technical experts will review and assess the narratives submitted 
by the awardees, then select a total of examples of awards with 
outstanding results and awards with limited results. A total of 30 
brief case studies will be prepared by the contractor--15 about awards 
with outstanding results and 15 about awards with limited results--in 
order to understand better what occurred and factors contributing to or 
limiting impacts.
    DMII has contracted with Abt Associates, Inc. of Cambridge, 
Massachusetts, to conduct the study and prepare reports following the 
methodology they used in the pilot project.
    Use of Information: The information collected will be used to 
assist DMII in the evaluation of these programs, and in considering 
various programs priorities

[[Page 51805]]

and selection procedures for future projects in this area. NSF also 
will use the results to satisfy requirements of the Government 
Performance and Results Act (GPRA).
    Confidentiality: No sensitive information is being requested in the 
collection.
    Estimate of Burden: The Foundation estimates that, on average, two 
hours will be required to prepare the narratives, or a total of 500 
hours for all 250 PIs and co-PIs. In addition, it anticipates 4 hours 
of interviews of an average of four people for each of 30 case studies, 
or 120 hours. Thus, total burden is estimated at 620 hours.
    Respondents: Individuals.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 370.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 620 hours.
    Frequency of Responses: Once.

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: September 20, 1999.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-24892 Filed 9-23-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M