[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 7 (Tuesday, January 11, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1647-1648]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-602]


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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: Submission for OMB review; comment request.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) has submitted the 
following information collection requirement to OMB for review and 
clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13. 
this is the Second notice for public comment; the first was published 
in the Federal Register at 64 FR 51804 (September 24, 1999) and no 
comments were received. NSF is forwarding the proposed renewal 
submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance 
simultaneously with the publication of this second notice.

COMMENTS: Comments regarding (a) whether the collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of 
the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; or (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 should be addressed to: Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for 
National Science Foundation, 725--17th Street, NW. Room 10235, 
Washington, DC 20503, and to Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance 
Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 295, 
Arlington, Virginia 22230 or send email to [email protected].

DATES: Comments regarding these information collections are best 
assured of having their full effect if received on or before February 
10, 2000. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling 703-
306-1125 X 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, NSF Reports 
Clearance Officer at (703) 306-1125 x2017 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.
    NSF may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless 
the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control 
number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to 
the collection of information that such persons are not required to 
respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently 
valid OMB control number.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title of Collection: An Evaluation of Awards Made Under the NSF 
Design and Manufacturing Research Programs.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0167.

Proposed Project

    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

[[Page 1648]]

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 initiative areas--
Technology Management, Strategic Manufacturing, and Industrial 
Internships--and managing its present research programs, the Division 
would 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 outcome 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 program priorities 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: Completing the instrument will average 120 
minutes. In addition, the Foundation anticipates conducting 30 case 
studies that will require three hours of interview time per case study. 
The total response burden is estimated at 540 hours, based on the 
following:
    Survey: 250 PIs and co-PIs  x  90% completion rate = 225 
respondents  x  120 minutes = 450 hours.
    Case Studies: 30 PIs  x  100% completion rate = 30 respondents  x  
180 minutes = 90 hours.
    Total respondent burden hours: 540.
    Respondents: Individuals.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 225
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 540 hours.
    Frequency of Responses: Once.

    Dated: January 6, 2000.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 00-602 Filed 1-10-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M