[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 66 (Wednesday, April 8, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15939-15940]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-7898]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Generic 
Clearance for Usability Data Collections

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before June 8, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 7845, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Darla Yonder, Management Analyst, NIST, 100 Bureau 
Drive, MS 1710, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1710, telephone 301-975-4064, or 
via e-mail to [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    In accordance with Executive Order 12862, the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology (NIST), a non-regulatory agency of the 
Department of Commerce, proposes to conduct a number of data collection 
efforts--both quantitative and qualitative--to determine requirements 
and evaluate usability and utility of NIST research for measurement and 
standardization work. These data collection efforts may include, but 
may not be limited to electronic methodologies, empirical studies, 
video and audio data collections, interviews, and questionnaires. For 
example, data collection efforts will be conducted at search and rescue 
training exercises for rescue workers using robots. Other planned data 
collection efforts include

[[Page 15940]]

evaluations of software for use by the intelligence community. 
Participation will be strictly voluntary. The regulated information 
will not be collected. The results of the data collected will be used 
to guide NIST research. Steps will be taken to ensure anonymity of 
respondents in each activity covered under this request.

II. Method of Collection

    NIST will collect this information by electronic means when 
possible, as well as by mail, fax, telephone, and person-to-person 
interviews.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0693-0043.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; State, local or tribal 
government, Federal government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,000.
    Estimated Time per Response: Varied, dependent upon the data 
collection method used. The response time will vary from 15 minutes to 
fill out a questionnaire to three hours to participate in an empirical 
study. Average response time is expected to be 1 hour.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.

IV. Request for Comments

    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 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(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 respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: April 3, 2009.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E9-7898 Filed 4-7-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P