[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 201 (Tuesday, October 19, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64357-64359]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-26249]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Renew an Information 
Collection

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to 
request clearance of this collection. In accordance with the 
requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (Pub. L. 104-13), we are providing opportunity for public comment 
on this action. After obtaining and considering public comment, NSF 
will prepare the submission requesting that OMB approve clearance of 
this collection for no longer than 3 years.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by December 20, 
2010 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable.
    For Additional Information or Comments: Contact Suzanne H. 
Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 
Wilson Boulevard, Suite 295, Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone (703) 
292-7556; or send e-mail to [email protected]. You also may obtain a 
copy of the data collection instrument and instructions from Ms. 
Plimpton.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title of Collection: Medical Clearance Process for Deployment to 
Antarctica.
    OMB Number: 3145-0177.
    Expiration Date of Approval: January 31, 2011.

[[Page 64358]]

    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to renew an information 
collection for three years.

Abstract

    A. Proposed Project: All individuals who anticipate deploying to 
Antarctica under the auspices of the United States Antarctic Program 
and to certain regions of the Arctic are required to take and pass a 
rigorous physical examination prior to deploying. The physical 
examination includes a medical history, medical examination, a dental 
examination and a psychological examination for those persons planning 
to winter over in Antarctica. The requirement for this determination of 
physical status is found in 42 U.S.C. 1870 (Authority) and 62 FR 31522, 
June 10, 1997 (Source), unless otherwise noted. This part sets forth 
the procedures for medical screening to determine whether candidates 
for participation in the United States Antarctic [[Page 216]] Program 
(USAP) are physically qualified and psychologically adapted for 
assignment or travel to Antarctica. Medical screening examinations are 
necessary to determine the presence of any physical or psychological 
conditions that would threaten the health or safety of the candidate or 
other participants or that could not be effectively treated by the 
limited medical care capabilities in Antarctica or in Greenland.
    (b) Presidential Memorandum No. 6646 (February 5, 1982) (available 
from the National Science Foundation, Office of Polar Programs, Room 
755, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22230) sets forth the National 
Science Foundation's overall management responsibilities for the entire 
United States national program in Antarctica. Section 107.(a) of Public 
Law 98-373 (July 31, 1984; amended as Public Law 101-609--November 16, 
1990) (available from the National Science Foundation, Office of Polar 
Programs, Room 755, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22230) designates 
the National Science Foundation as the lead agency responsible for 
implementing Arctic research policy, and the Director of the National 
Science Foundation shall insure that the requirements of section 108 
are fulfilled.
    B. Use of the Information:
    1. Form NSF-1420, National Science Foundation--Polar Physical 
Examination (Antarctica/Arctic/Official Visitors) Medical History, will 
be used by the individual to record the individual's family and 
personal medical histories. It is a nine-page form that includes the 
individual's and the individual's emergency point-of-contact's name, 
address, and telephone numbers. It contains the individual's email 
address, employment affiliation and dates and locations of current and 
previous polar deployments. It also includes a signed certification of 
the accuracy of the information and understandings of refusal to 
provide the information or providing false information. The agency's 
contractor's reviewing physician and medical staff complete the 
sections of the form that indicated when the documents were received 
and whether or not the person qualified for polar deployment, in which 
season and which location qualified to deploy and where disqualified, 
the reasons.
    2. Form NSF-1421, Polar Physical Examination--Antarctica/Arctic, 
will be used by the individual's physician to document specific medical 
examination results and the overall status of the individual's health. 
It is a two-page form which also provides for the signatures of both 
the patient and the examining physician, as well as contact information 
about the examining physician. Finally, it contains the name, address 
and telephone number of the agency's contractor that collects and 
retains the information.
    3. Form NSF-1422, National Science Foundation Polar Physical 
Examination (Antarctica/Arctic/Official Visitors) Medical History 
Interval Screening, has been discontinued. It was previously used to 
document changes in family and personal history for those healthy 
individuals who are under age 40 and had no adverse personal medical 
information to report for the preceding year.
    4. Form NSF-1423, Polar Dental Examination--Antarctica/Arctic/
Official Visitors, will be used by the examining dentist to document 
the status of the individual's teeth and gums and to document when the 
individual was examined. It will also be used by the contractor's 
reviewing dentist to document whether or not the individual is dentally 
cleared to deploy to the Polar regions.
    5. Medical Waivers: Any individual who is determined to be not 
physically qualified for polar deployment may request an administrative 
waiver of the medical screening criteria. This information includes 
signing a Request for Waiver that is notarized or otherwise legally 
acceptable in accordance with penalty of perjury statutes, and 
obtaining an Employer Statement of Support. Individuals on a case-by-
case basis may also be asked to submit additional medical documentation 
and a letter from the individual's physician(s) regarding the 
individual's medical condition and his or her suitability for Antarctic 
deployment.
    6. Other information requested: In addition to the numbered forms 
and other information mentioned above, the USAP medical screening 
package includes the following:
     The Medical Risks for NSF-Sponsored Personnel Traveling to 
Antarctica or Greenland
     the NSF Privacy Notice
     the NSF Medical Screening for Blood-Borne Pathogens/
Consent for HIV Testing
     the NSF Authorization for Treatment of Field-Team Member/
Participant Under the Age of 18 Years. This form will only be sent to 
the individuals who are under 18 years of age.
     the Dear Doctor and Dear Dentist letters, which provide 
specific laboratory and x-ray requirements, as well as other 
instructions.
     the influenza vaccination requirement letter.
    7. There are two other, non-medical forms included in the mailing:
     the Personal Information Form--NSF Form Number 1424 
includes a Privacy Act Notice. This form is used to collect information 
on current address and contact numbers, date and place of birth, 
nationality, citizenship, emergency point of contact information, 
travel dates, clothing sizes so that we may properly outfit those 
individuals who deploy, work-site information and prior deployment 
history.
     the Participant Notifications--Important Notice for 
Participants in the United States Antarctic or Arctic Program. These 
forms provide information on the laws, of the nations through which 
program participants must transit en route to Antarctica or Greenland, 
regarding the transport, possession and use of illegal substances and 
the possibility of criminal prosecution if caught, tried and convicted.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information varies according to the overall health of the individual, 
the amount of research required to complete the forms, the time it 
takes to make an appointment, take the examination and schedule and 
complete any follow-up medical, dental or psychological requirements, 
the method used to complete the forms and the completeness of the forms 
submitted. The estimated time is up to six weeks from the time the 
individual receives the forms until he or she is notified by the 
contractor of their final clearance status. An additional period of up 
to eight weeks may be required for the individual who was disqualified 
to

[[Page 64359]]

be notified of the disqualification, to request and receive the waiver 
packet, to obtain employer support and complete the waiver request, to 
do any follow-up testing, to return the waiver request to the 
contractor plus any follow-up information, for the contractor to get 
the completed packet to the National Science Foundation, and for NSF to 
make and promulgate a decision.
    Respondents: All individuals deploying to the Antarctic under the 
auspices of the United States Antarctic Program and certain Arctic 
areas must complete these forms. There are approximately 3,000 
submissions per year, with a small percentage (c.3%) under the age of 
40 who provide annual submissions but with less information.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Form: Responses range from 2 to 
approximately 238 responses.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 28,728 hours; fewer 
if the individual has previously deployed and saved his or her prior 
year's data for future use.
    Frequency of Responses: Physical qualifications are valid for 12 
months. Individuals must complete the forms annually or not earlier 
than six months prior to their anticipated deployment date, if they are 
infrequent travelers. Depending on individual medical status some 
persons may require additional laboratory results to be current within 
two to six-weeks of anticipated deployment.
    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 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 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.

    Dated: October 14, 2010.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2010-26249 Filed 10-18-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P