[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 38 (Wednesday, February 26, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8934-8935]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-4454]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Submission for OMB review; comment request.

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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 and 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 at 67 FR 72981 and no comments were received. NSF is 
forwarding the proposed submission to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for clearance simultaneously with the publication of this 
second notice.

DATES: Comments regarding these information collections are best 
assured of having their full effect if received by OMB within 30 days 
of publication in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Written comments regarding (a) Whether the collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
NSF, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) 
the accuracy of NSF'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 (b) 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 e-mail to [email protected]. Copies of 
the submission may be obtained by calling (703) 292-7556.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, NSF Reports 
Clearance Officer at (703) 292-7556 or send e-mail to [email protected].
    An agency 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: 2003 and 2005 Survey of Scientific and 
Engineering Research Facilities.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to reinstate, with 
revisions, an information collection for three years.
    Proposed Project: The National Science Foundation Survey of 
Scientific and Engineering Research Facilities is a Congressionally 
mandated (Pub. L. 99-159), biennial survey that has been conducted 
since 1986. The survey collects data on the amount, condition, and 
costs of the physical facilities used to conduct science and 
engineering research. It was expected by Congress that this survey 
would provide the data necessary to describe the status and needs of 
science and engineering research facilities and to formulate 
appropriate solutions to documented needs. During the 1999 and 2001 
survey

[[Page 8935]]

cycles, data were collected from a population of approximately 600 
research-performing colleges and universities. This survey population 
was supplemented with approximately 250 nonprofit biomedical research 
institutions receiving research support from the National Institutes of 
Health. During the 2001 cycle, a very limited survey consisting of two 
questions was fielded in order to allow the National Science Foundation 
to focus on updating and redesigning the survey. Through this extensive 
redesign effort, a new section has been added to the survey requesting 
information on the computing and networking capacity at the surveyed 
institutions, an increasingly important part of the infrastructure for 
science and engineering research. Other important changes include the 
deletion of a question on the adequacy of research space, the deletion 
of the Large Facilities Follow-up Survey, the additional collection of 
data on individual construction projects and the addition of a more 
detailed question on how research space is divided among laboratories, 
laboratory support space, and office space.
    Use of the Information: Analysis of the Facilities Survey data will 
provide updated information on the status of scientific and engineering 
research facilities. The information can be used by Federal policy 
makers, planners, and budget analysts in making policy decisions, as 
well as by academic officials, the scientific/engineering 
establishment, and state agencies that fund universities.
    Burden on the Public: Approximately 21,983 hours.

    Dated: February 20, 2003.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 03-4454 Filed 2-25-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M