[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 141 (Monday, July 23, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 38326]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-18223]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to 
request renewed 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.
    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 respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.

DATES: Written comments should be received by September 21, 2001 to be 
assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will be 
considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: Written comments regarding the information collection and 
requests for copies of the proposed information collection request 
should be addressed to Suzanne Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, 
National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Rm. 295, Arlington, VA 
22230, or by e-mail to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne Plimpton on (703) 292-7556 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title of Collection: Survey of Industrial 
Research and Development
    OMB Control No.: 3145-0027.
    Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 2001.

1. Abstract

    The proposed continuing information collection involves the 
estimation of the expenditures on research and development performed 
within the United States by industrial firms. A mail survey, the Survey 
of Industrial Research and Development, has been conducted annually 
since 1953. Industry accounts for over 70 percent of total U.S. R&D 
each year and since its inception, the survey has provided continuity 
of statistics on R&D expenditures by major industry groups and by 
source of funds. The survey is the industrial component of the NSF 
statistical program that seeks to ``provide a central clearinghouse for 
the collection, interpretation, and analysis of data on the 
availability of, and the current and projected need for, scientific and 
technical resources in the United states, and to provide a source of 
information for policy formulation by other agencies of the Federal 
government'' as mandated in the National Science Foundation Act of 
1950. Statistics from the survey are published in NSF's annual 
publication series Research and Development in Industry. The proposed 
collection will continue the survey for three years.

2. Expected Respondents

    The survey will be mailed to a statistical sample of approximately 
24,200 companies to collect information on the amount and sources of 
funds for and character of R&D performed and contracted out by 
industrial firms, and information on sales and employment of the firms 
themselves.

3. Burden on the Public

    To minimize burden, over 90-percent of the companies selected for 
the Survey of Industrial Research and Development are asked to respond 
to the Form RD-1A, the abbreviated version of the basic survey 
questionnaire, Form RD-1. Further, only companies with five paid 
employees or more are asked to participate in the survey and extensive 
use is made of the descriptive codes and information on the 
establishment list that is the source of the survey sample to avoid 
sampling firms in industries that traditionally do not perform R&D. 
NSF, with input from the Bureau of the Census, the collection and 
compiling agent for the survey, estimates that the average annual 
reporting and record keeping burden on each Form RD-1A respondent will 
be 1 hour and on Form RD-1 respondents will be 18 hours. The total 
annual burden is estimated at 51,400 hours, calculated as follows:
    RD-1A respondents: 22,600 respondents  x  1 response  x  1 burden 
Hour = 22,600 hours/year.
    RD-1 respondents: 1,600 respondents  x  1 response  x  18 burden 
hours=28,800 hours/year.
    All respondents: 22,600 + 28,800 = 51,400 burden hours/year during 
2002, 2003, and 2004.

    Dated: July 17, 2001.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
NSF Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 01-18223 Filed 7-20-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M