[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 186 (Tuesday, September 25, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49047-49048]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-23893]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; 
Submission for OMB Review

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), and as part of its continuing effort to reduce 
paperwork and respondent burden, the National Science Foundation (NSF) 
is inviting the general public or other Federal agencies to comment on 
this proposed continuing information collection. This is the second 
notice for public comment; the first was published in the Federal 
Register on page 38326 in the Monday, July 23, 2001 [Vol. 66, No. 141] 
issue and one comment was received. NSF is forwarding the proposed 
renewal submission to OMB for clearance simultaneously with the 
publication of this second notice.

DATES: Written comments should be received by October 25, 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 programs that seeks to ``* * * to provide a central 
clearinghouse for the collection, interpretation, and analysis of data 
on scientific and engineering resources 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 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.

[[Page 49048]]

    RD-1 respondents: 1,600 respondents  x  1 response  x  18 burden 
hours = 28,800 hours/year.
    All respondents: 51,400 burden hours hours/year during CY 2002, 
2003, and 2004.

    Dated: September 18, 2001.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
NSF Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 01-23893 Filed 9-24-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M