[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 204 (Friday, October 22, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 65385]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-26527]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice; retrospective evaluation of the Network for Earthquake 
Engineering Simulation (NEES).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, for opportunity for public comment 
on proposed data collection projects, the National Science Foundation 
will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects to be submitted to 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval.
    Request for Comments: Written comments and/or suggestions from the 
public and affected agencies are invited on one or more of the 
following points: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the function of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed 
collection of information, including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize 
the burden of the collection of information on those who are to 
respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments via regular mail to Dr. Joy 
Pauschke, National Science Foundation, Suite 545, 4201 Wilson Blvd, 
Arlington, VA, 22230, or via electronic mail to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request more information on the 
proposed project or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans and 
instruments, contact Dr. Joy Pauschke, National Science Foundation, 
Suite 545, 4201 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA, 22230, or call non-toll-
free number 703-292-8360, or email your request, including your address 
to: [email protected].

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by December 21, 
2010 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Proposed Collection

    Title: Retrospective Evaluation of the Network for Earthquake 
Engineering Simulation.
    Type of Information Collection Request: New collection.
    Need and Use of Information Collection: The purpose of the proposed 
information collection is to inform decision making regarding the 
future of NSF support for earthquake engineering research 
infrastructure beyond 2014. Information will be collected from NEES 
leaders and researchers regarding: (1) The current capabilities of the 
NEES network relative to the needs of the research community; (2) 
characteristics of the users of NEES facilities and resources; (3) 
strengths and weaknesses of program design and implementation; (4) 
costs and benefits of the consortium model currently employed by NEES 
relative to alternatives; (5) effectiveness of recent changes to 
consortium design at achieving their intended results; and (6) program 
outputs and outcomes to date. Results of the retrospective evaluation 
will be reviewed by NSF staff as well as a panel of distinguished 
experts in the field of earthquake engineering who will make 
recommendations to NSF about the future of the program.
    Frequency of Response: Once.
    Affected Public: Individuals.
    Type of Respondents: NSF grantees. The annual reporting burden is 
as follows: Estimated Number of Respondents: 133. Estimated Number of 
Responses per Respondent: 1. Average Burden Hours Per Response: 0.65. 
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours Requested: 87. The annualized cost 
to respondents is estimated at: $3,387.78. There are no Capital Costs 
to report. There are no Operating or Maintenance Costs to report.

    Dated: October 15, 2010.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2010-26527 Filed 10-21-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P