[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 34 (Friday, February 18, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8332-8333]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-3919]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Research Service


Notice of Intent To Seek Office of Management and Budget Approval 
To Collect Information

AGENCY: Agricultural Research Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. 
L. No. 104-13 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) regulations 5 CFR part 1320 (60 FR 44978, Aug.29, 1995 as 
corrected at 60 FR 96148, Sept 5, 1995), this notice announces the 
Agricultural Research Service's (ARS) intention to request OMB approval 
for a new information collection from peer reviewers of ARS's research 
projects. The data will be used to manage the travel and stipend 
payments to panel reviewers and provide well organized feedback to 
ARS's researchers about their projects.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by April 24, 
2000 to be assured of consideration.

[[Page 8333]]


For further information contact: Marcia Moore, Peer Review Program 
Coordinator; Office of Scientific Quality Review; Agricultural Research 
Service, USDA; 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Mailstop 5142; Beltsville, 
Maryland; 20705. Telephone: (301) 504-4786, E-mail: 
[email protected] .

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Scientific Peer Review of ARS Research Projects.
    Type of Request: OMB approval to collect information from peer 
reviewers of ARS's research projects.
    Abstract: The Office of Scientific Quality Review was established 
in September of 1999 in response to the requirements of the 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 
(Pub. L. 105-185, 7 U.S.C. 7601 et seq.). The law included mandates to 
perform scientific peer reviews of all research activities conducted by 
the USDA(Sec. 103, Pub. L. 105-185, 7 U.S.C. 7613). The Office manages 
the ARS peer review system by centrally planning peer panel reviews for 
ARS research projects on a five-year cycle. Each set of reviews is 
assigned a chairperson to govern the review process.
    The majority of the peer reviewers will be non-ARS scientists. Peer 
review Panels are convened to provide in-depth discussion and review of 
the research project plans. Each reviewer receives information on all 
of ARS research projects within the program the reviewer is assigned 
to. The number of projects to review varies by program.
    Information to be obtained from the public includes: 
Confidentiality Agreement, Panelist Information, Peer Review of an ARS 
Research Project, Critique of ARS Research Project, Panelist Expense 
Report, and Panelist Invoice.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this data 
collection is estimated to average 1 hour per response.
    Respondents: Scientific experts, currently working in the same 
discipline as the research projects under review, will be selected to 
review research projects.
    These experts are notable peers within and external to the ARS.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 120 peer reviewers.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2,168 hours.
    Copies of Information: Copies of the information to be collected 
can be obtained from Marcia Moore, Peer Review Program Coordinator; 
Office of Scientific Quality Review; Agricultural Research Service, 
USDA; 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Mailstop 5142; Beltsville, Maryland; 
20705.
    Comments: Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed 
collection 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 the burden of the 
proposed collection of information including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (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, such as through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to: Marcia 
Moore, Peer Review Program Coordinator; Office of Scientific Quality 
Review; Agricultural Research Service, USDA; 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, 
Mailstop 5142; Beltsville, Maryland; 20705. All responses to this 
notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. 
All comments will also become a matter of public record.

    Signed February 14, 2000.
Edward Knipling,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Research Service, USDA.
[FR Doc. 00-3919 Filed 2-17-00; 8:45 am]
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